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Best Minnesota Travel Guides

Once There Were Castles: Lost Mansions and Estates of the Twin Cities
The stories of these grand houses are, above all else, the stories of those who built and lived in them—from the fantastic saga of Marion Savage to the continent-spanning conquests of James J. Hill, to the all-but-forgotten tragedy of Olaf Searle, a poor immigrant turned millionaire who found and lost a dream in the middle of Lake Minnetonka. The first book to take an in-depth look at the history of the Twin Cities’ mansions, Once There Were Castles presents ninety lost mansions and estates, organized by neighborhood and illustrated with photographs and drawings. Larry Millett is an architectural historian and the author of Lost Twin Cities, Twin Cities Then and Now, and AIA Guide to the Twin Cities.
Reviews
"As a preservationist I feel this book should be sitting on the desk of city planners nationwide as an example of how we haphazardly destroy the very elements of our cities that make them unique."
"This is a lovely book and a must-have for coffee tables across the Twin Cities."
"If you have any interest in the history of the Twin Cities, Historic Architecture, Victorian Homes, or the 19th century, this book is definitely a worthwhile purchase!"
"My brother in law saw an article about this book in our local news paper."
"We open the gifts one by one so everyone can see who got what...this book was the hit of the party...everyone was jealous of the person who received the book."
"This is a beautiful book with many memories for my parents and a few for me, too."
"The book is well laid out, and has great pictures."
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Canoeing with the Cree: 75th Anniversary Edition
In 1930 two novice paddlers—Eric Sevareid and Walter C. Port—launched a secondhand 18-foot canvas canoe into the Minnesota River at Fort Snelling for an ambitious summer-long journey from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. Nearly four months later, after shooting hundreds of sets of rapids and surviving exceedingly bad conditions and even worse advice, the ragged, hungry adventurers arrived in York Factory on Hudson Bay—with winter freeze-up on their heels. "Canoeing with the Cree is an all-time favorite of mine."
Reviews
"First published in 1935, just five years after graduating from high school, the story recounts how the just-graduated young Arnold Eric Sevareid and Walter C. Port set out on a 2250 canoe trip from Fort Snelling in Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. What I find even more amazing was that the young Sevareid was able to write and publish his book covering this saga while still an undergraduate student at the U of Minnesota."
"Now to mark the 75th anniversary of Sevareid's journey, two Minnesota men plan to make the same trip." Tim Post. In 1930 two young men paddled their way from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in Canada. Eric Sevareid, then a 17 year old, fresh graduate of high school, and his best buddy, Walter Port, planned the entire trip. Their journey is documented by Eric Sevareid, who gathered the weekly diaries he sent to their local Minneapolis paper, and in 1935, he wrote this book. Sevareid who went on to become one of the most revered journalists of our time, wrote in an unpretentious manner, and we can feel the excitement of their adventures. They had no radio, no maps( this was uncharted country), little preserved food except for hardtack, but they had their ingenuity and the assistance of all of the people they met. As a matter of fact, most of the people they met were in awe of their journey and shared whatever food, equipment and conversation they were capable. This is not to lessen these young men's courage, but to think 78 years ago, this was accomplished with such primitive arrangments and care."
"It probably has something to do with today's prevalence of cell phones, GPS devices, sophisticated camping and outdoor gear, and most people's basic lack of first-hand experience of wilderness in general, that makes this story so remarkable and totally thrilling. You just can't believe what these two young men go through or how they can summon the fortitude to finish the over 2,000 mile long canoe trip, full of obstacles, one after another after another. Freezing cold, rain, so many mosquitoes they could kill a man, getting lost, no maps, no fire, unexpected Indian encounters--can they trust them or not?"
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Best General Minnesota Travel Guides

Northern Minnesota Grand Rapids & Bemidji Area Fishing Map Guide
The newly updated Northern Minnesota Grand Rapids and Bemidji Area Fishing Map Guide is a thorough, easy-to-use collection of detailed contour lake maps, fish stocking and survey data, and the best fishing spots and tips from area experts. Our Fishing Map Guides and All-Outdoors Atlases give you more quality maps and information for your dollar.
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Best Minneapolis & St. Paul Minnesota Travel Books

Once There Were Castles: Lost Mansions and Estates of the Twin Cities
The stories of these grand houses are, above all else, the stories of those who built and lived in them—from the fantastic saga of Marion Savage to the continent-spanning conquests of James J. Hill, to the all-but-forgotten tragedy of Olaf Searle, a poor immigrant turned millionaire who found and lost a dream in the middle of Lake Minnetonka. The first book to take an in-depth look at the history of the Twin Cities’ mansions, Once There Were Castles presents ninety lost mansions and estates, organized by neighborhood and illustrated with photographs and drawings. Larry Millett is an architectural historian and the author of Lost Twin Cities, Twin Cities Then and Now, and AIA Guide to the Twin Cities.
Reviews
"As a preservationist I feel this book should be sitting on the desk of city planners nationwide as an example of how we haphazardly destroy the very elements of our cities that make them unique."
"This is a lovely book and a must-have for coffee tables across the Twin Cities."
"If you have any interest in the history of the Twin Cities, Historic Architecture, Victorian Homes, or the 19th century, this book is definitely a worthwhile purchase!"
"My brother in law saw an article about this book in our local news paper."
"We open the gifts one by one so everyone can see who got what...this book was the hit of the party...everyone was jealous of the person who received the book."
"This is a beautiful book with many memories for my parents and a few for me, too."
"The book is well laid out, and has great pictures."
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Best Montana Travel Guides

All Aboard! for Glacier: The Great Northern Railway and Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park and the Great Northern Railway became synonymous in the early 20th century. C. W. Guthrie is a freelance writer who lives in the Ninemile Valley west of Missoula, Montana.
Reviews
"Bought this book for my husband for Christmas."
"great read about a beautiful place."
"All Aboard for Glacier is a we done book about the Great Northern RY and Glacier NP."
"Good coffee table book."
"Very well researched & interesting read."
"Wonderful illustrations and delightful writing."
"This was a nicely done book about the history of Great Northern in general in addition to highlighting how important the development of the U.S. was on the railroads."
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Best Midwest US Travel Guides

Border Country: The Northwoods Canoe Journals of Howard Greene, 1906–1916
Composed decades before Sigurd Olson or Calvin Rutstrum began documenting the wild life of the upper Midwest, Howard Greene’s journals are a window into a world at once familiar and strange, the wilderness caught on the verge of becoming the North Woods we know today. You can almost hear Kent Ryden’s ‘quiet human voices whispering in the landscape.’"—Mary Graves, chief of Cultural and Natural Resources, Voyageurs National Park.
Reviews
"The journals of Howard Greene have been skillfully annotated and set in context by Martha Philips."
"It was interesting to get a first hand view of what some of the rivers and waterways were like in the early 20th century."
"This is the perfect gift for so many people."
"Over night shipping and this is an amazing book."
"Fast delivery."
"Wonderful book, enjoyed it so much."
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Best Maine Travel Guides

Maine: A Portrait
Maine: A Portrait is the result of Lucian Niemeyer's desire to explore the Maine viewed by his inspiration, Eliot Porter.
Reviews
"A beautiful rendering of Main."
"Mr. Neimeyer shot this book plain, not fancy: he apparently did not use a digital camera and states he did not use filters or image manipulation tools."
"This book contains two sections of photos: the coast and the woods."
"I bought this book sight unseen as a birthday gift for a friend."
"..great pics I love Maine..gave it as a gift..I hope the recipient is worthy of it!"
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Best Missouri Travel Guides

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis: Including Sullivan, Potosi, and Farmington
With new hikes and updated text and maps, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: St. Louis points hikers to the best outdoor trails and rambles within easy reach of the city. Trail Descriptions allow you to assess each trail before you hike it. Detailed Trail Maps provide you with accurate trail information. Trail Profiles help you visualize altitude gain and loss. Directions and GPS coordinates lead you to the trailheads. Whether you live in St. Louis, St. Peters, Washington, or Sullivan, "60 Hikes within 60 Miles: St. Louis" provides you with the information you need to choose the perfect day hike in your area, including trail lengths, hiking times, and trail difficulty.
Reviews
"I like how the trails are organized and separated with categories and that some trails can fall into several categories."
"Directions listed to get to the trailheads, parks, natural areas and conservation areas are accurate. I like to make notes after I hike a trail or an area, so I do wish there was a blank page or two included with each chapter so that trail and area notes could be made. In addition, when the book is updated, it would be great to have a website or something online linked to the book."
"We have used the older version of this book many times over the years."
"Fun book to find places to hike."
"All of the important facts that would keep you on the trail are true, but the trails were a lot easier to follow than suggested, and some of the scenery points did not exist?"
"We go hiking all over missouri, and this book has shown us several new and cool places."
"I read the write-up on the hike I've been doing for 16 years."
"The author does a good job outlining the difficulty of trails and things to look out for."
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Best Tennessee Travel Guides

Wildsam Field Guides: Nashville (American City Guide Series)
Contributors include author Tony Earley, Senator Bill Frist, fashion designers Matt and Carrie Eddmenson, musican Rosanne Cash, chef Tandy Wilson, writer J. Wes Yoder, songwriter Thad Cockrell, among others. Unlike traditional guidebooks that list the same old must-see sights and touristy neighborhoods, this new series, entitled Wildsam Field Guides, gets at the soul of a city.
Reviews
"I'd never been to Nashville, and this guide made me feel like I'd lived there for years."
"I bought this book while in Nashville and didn't crack it open til I got home."
"This was the first Wildsam Field Guide I bought and I think it's still my favorite."
"This is a small book that packs a huge punch when traveling."
"I always skim through one when checking out a new city--makes you look at things completely differently once you land."
"love the illustrations and interviews!"
"Much more exciting than the traditional guidebook with real stories, illustrations and venues that allowed me to really connect to the City."
"It's super cute but has rookie type flaws."
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Best Michigan Travel Guides

Michigan County Atlas
The information provided for each County includes: indexing for county roads, hydrology, and place names.
Reviews
"We bought it as a backup to the GPS for locating waterfalls in the U.P."
"Very detailed atlas."
"The brilliance of combining old cartography with current digital advances has certainly produced a new gold standard for evaluating all atlases from this point forward."
"This is a very good map and it tells how & when each county was started."
"Easy to read maps with a lot of detail."
"This is an amazing book of maps and a whole lot more."
"This is so much more than an atlas."
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Best Iowa Travel Guides

Driftless: Photographs from Iowa (Center for Documentary Studies/Honickman First Book Prize in Photography)
Taken by a true insider who has lived in Iowa his entire life, Frazier’s photographs are rich in emotion and give expression to the hopes and desires of the people who remain, whose needs and wants are complicated by the economic realities remaking rural America. Years of working, walking, photographing, carefully making notes, names, places. Inhabitants: Farmers, Migrant Workers, their families, Hunters, Churches, Trailers, Storms, Open Fields, Sunday Night. “I wanted to explore the lives of the people who stay, who are casualties of the growing economic divide that separates America’s rural and metropolitan classes. Having lived in Iowa all my life, these forgotten communities are part of my own history.”—Danny Wilcox Frazier.
Reviews
"Driftless: Photographs from Iowa. fantastic book, great illustrations, excellent quality."
"Typically, the photographs show the lower classes, but a few of the images depict well-dressed people practicing their religion, or engaging in a civic activity. Other examples of this genre include: (1) IN THE AMERICAN WEST (1996) by Richard Avedon; (2) PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ONE YEAR (1983) by Nicholas Nixon; (3) SOCIAL GRACES (1984) by Larry Fink; (4) APPALACHIAN PORTRAITS (1993) by Shelby Lee Adams; and. (5) GRIMM STREET (2005) by Mark Cohen. I saw an exhibit of IN THE AMERICAN WEST in the Corcoran Gallery in Washington D.C. APPLACHIAN PORTRAITS is excellent in terms of composition, uniqueness, and image quality, but some of the images in APPALACHIAN PORTRAITS are so bizarre that a typical person would find no solace in looking at them (we find snake handlers, and hillbillies looking like escapees from a mental institution). To conclude, DRIFTLESS:PHOTOGRAPHS FROM IOWA features sharp-focus images, with excellent contrast (ranging from bright whites to jet blacks), and plenty of variety. Variety takes the form of inhabitants of trailer homes, hunters toting rifles, tawdry scenes in taverns, and straightforward landscapes."
"They are depressing pictures."
"The sugar-coated, romanticized, or one dimensional view of "Middle-America" would have us believe that Iowa is only a land of covered bridges, fields of dreams, or over weight mall moms casting their red state ballots."
"The idea has merit: to capture the feel of a changing Iowa, with the relentless agri business taking over the individual farms, small towns built up over decades on many of the State's crossroads now disappearing, their inhabitants, having either worked on the land or in local industries but now drifting away. They clearly have a sense of place and tell a story which I felt was more or less missing from Frazier's contemporary look at Iowa because his photos are too personal and subjective (and I wonder if he takes them quickly, too)."
"Danny Wilcox Frazier's book of photographs, Driftless, is just that."
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Best Nevada Travel Guides

Insiders' Guide® to Reno and Lake Tahoe (Insiders' Guide Series)
This authoritative guide will show you how to navigate the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and the exciting nightlife of “The Biggest Little City in the World.”. For more than twenty years, the Insiders' Guide® series has been the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information―from true insiders whose personal, practical perspective gives you everything you need to know. From world-class ski resorts and rugged mountains to pristine beaches and magnificent golf courses, there's more to Reno and Lake Tahoe than just spectacular entertainment venues and casino gaming.
Reviews
"I certainly have picked out other day trips and activities for future return visits."
"I have just moved to Reno and this book was on my hit list so I can understand and get acquainted with the area as soon as possible."
"I look forward utilizing it during my trip to Reno."
"Wow what a extensive book on what all is offered in that area !"
"This book provided the information I needed."
"We got this updated edition because we were moving to Reno and had to have the latest scoop on all the information this book holds, and it holds a lot of information."
"haven't had time to look at much."
"This book is very helpful and full of information, however I was disappointed that a book about such a gorgeous place had no pictures of the places it was describing."
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Best Indiana Travel Guides

Indianapolis Union and Belt Railroads (Railroads Past and Present)
In an era dominated by huge railroad corporations, Indianapolis Union and Belt Railroads reveals the important role two small railroad companies had on development and progress in the Hoosier State. An interesting history not only of these two railroads but how they ultimately served as a model for the many other belt railroads . This is a great history book, neatly telling the value of railroads in the development of the United States as well as in Indianapolis.
Reviews
"I worked in Indianapolis for over seven years and was fascinated by Union Station and the railroads."
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Best Georgia Travel Guides

Atlanta Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Big Peach
Whether you're headed to downtown or to the ethnic mecca that is Buford Highway, you’ll find Atlanta’s best chefs innovating and continuing to redefine the culinary food scene in the big Peach. Part-cookbook and part-tour guide, Atlanta Chef’s Table. manages to capture the complexity and breadth of Atlanta’s modern restaurant landscape, and serve as a resource for those interested in emulating the flavors of this pivotal time in Atlanta food, at home. Atlanta Chef's Table. is more of a food-focused narration of where Atlanta came from and where it's going. Atlanta Chef's Table is a stunning book worthy of your kitchen counter or your coffee table." Atlanta Chef's Table. highlights that authentic zeal, the focused precision and the gastronomic excitement that Atlanta restaurants have been working on for the last decade and it is a stunning collection of recipes to behold.
Reviews
"I'm generally not a fan of traditional cookbooks as you can find virtually any recipe online and they take up a lot of space in the kitchen cabinets."
"I found just the perfect item in Kate Kordsmeier’s book “Atlanta Chef’s Table.” This is the kind of book you like to sit out on the porch to read, pen in hand, so you can take notes of where you want to dine or what dish will be the main focus at your next dinner party."
"Great book for foodies who not only love new recipes but also like to have a little knowledge about the history of Atlanta's best restaurants."
"The benefits of this book are two fold - It allows you to get to know the wonderful chefs and restaurants in your city and allows you the ability to create their dishes right in your own home!"
"Wonderful book and I love the photography as well."
"This book is a nice resource for the culinary happenings in Atlanta."
"Not only does it provide some great recipes, but also gives a great overview of some of the best restaurants/chefs in the ATL."
"Just received this cookbook as an early Mother's Day gift from my daughters."
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Best Arizona Travel Guides

Fodor's Arizona & the Grand Canyon (Full-color Travel Guide)
In full-color throughout, Fodor's Arizona and the Grand Canyon helps travelers take advantage of the state's myriad pleasures, including outstanding museums and galleries, Navajo and Hopi cultural experiences, top-notch golf, three national parks, and excellent Mexican food and tequila. “Fodor’s is pitched a few notches higher….aimed at a fairly discerning traveler with an appetite for background and the occasional surprise.” – New York Times.
Reviews
"Got this for a friend who was moving to Arizona."
"Helpful book."
"My first solo trip was all guided by this book."
"Very detailed and informative."
"Nice quick reference guide if you are traveling to Arizona."
"Easy to use and priced right."
"Great book, happy with the information provided."
"Fodors is my go to travel guide always!"
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Best Alaska Travel Guides

Alaska: A Photographic Excursion - 2nd Edition
Travel through the coastal rainforest, the fishing towns and ice fields of Southeast Alaska; the glacier-carved landscape of Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords; through the major cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks; and on to the crown jewel, Denali National Park. The quality of the photography is first rate, and varies from the small scale of flowers and wildlife to the grander scale of mountains, fjords, and glaciers.
Reviews
"A good balance of pictures and narrative, ideal for anyone contemplating a drive through Alaska."
"Just received this beautiful photographic book and we couldn't be more pleased to view and read all about Alaska."
"Bought this for someone who went on an Alaskan adventure and cruise, and they said it was amazing to have to remember their trip."
"Absolutely superb photography by Mark Kelley and stories by Nick Jans."
"Wonderful book."
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Best Nebraska Travel Guides

Two in the Field
In this sequel to the best-selling If I Never Get Back , Sam Fowler manages to break into the past once again—but this time it’s 1875. Brock's sequel to If I Never Get Back promises the quaint historical charm that distinguished its predecessor, but some erratic plotting and a decision to virtually eliminate the baseball motif hurts the follow-up effort.
Reviews
"Brock's treatment if the "gay" Indian was equaly offensive to me as a 2 spirit person."
"Into the mix we now find Mark Twain, international intrigue, and the metamorpheus of professional baseball into our National Pastime."
"Great time-travel book - sequel to "If I Never Get Back" - Couple of episodes with Mark Twain, riding the rails with hobos in 1875 - gambling in Saratoga Springs, coal mines in Pa. - and settling a village in Old West Nebraska."
"Not as good as the first one."
"Like its predecessor, "I Don't Care if Never Get Back", Two in the Field is a great read."
"Sequel to "If I Never Get Back..." I was so happy to read the rest of Sam's adventures."
"It could have had more vintage baseball in it like it's predecessor."
"The book was interesting and did hold my attention."
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Best Virginia Travel Guides

Chesapeake Bay: Maryland and Virginia Chartbook, 8th Edition
Detailed, waterproof navigational chart book of the entire Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Reviews
"Chesapeake bay chart."
"I found it to be what I expected."
"Received on time and was exactly what was expected."
"As expected."
"The charts are very informative & detailed."
"The format is the same but the quality of the binding is just OK."
"Just what I needed to supplement my Lowrance HDS unit for planning my fishing trips."
"I bought this as a gift for a new boat owner."
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Best Texas Travel Guides

If These Walls Could Talk: Dallas Cowboys: Stories from the Dallas Cowboys Sideline, Locker Room, and Press Box
Author and Cowboys employee Nick Eatman, through interviews with current and past players, provides fans with a one-of-a-kind, insider's look into the great moments and the lowlights throughout the team's history. Nick Eatman writes for DallasCowboys.com as the featured columnist and has been with the Dallas Cowboys organization since 1999.
Reviews
"As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I pride myself on knowing random tid bits of knowledge or facts that people rarely know."
"There were a few, but not a lot."
"Pick it up for the Cowboys fan in your family, I know they'll enjoy it."
"I really enjoy reading Nick's articles and finally got around to ordering his book; great book, brought back some memories and hit some things I had forgotten about."
"Christmas gift that I already gave a little early."
"Very informative."
"The author is also a gifted journalist, a knowledgeable and witty talk show host on The Cowboys Break streaming online."
"If you are a big fan of the Cowboys, and grew up watching the glory days of 90s and loved the Parcells era, this book is for you."
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Best Oregon Travel Guides

Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas
The new cartography is about much more than just land! David Banis has managed the Center for Spatial Analysis and Research in the Geography Department at Portland State University since 2006, working with a wide variety of partners at the federal, state, and local levels.
Reviews
"It documents the most absurd things, from house color by neighborhood to noise level in Providence Park by minute in a Timbers game."
"This book is PACKED full of interesting maps, facts, history, images, and impressions of Portland past and present."
"Got this for my best friend's birthday after she moved to Portland and she's loved it as fun way to get to know her new city even better."
"Fun way to explore Portland from many different perspectives."
"this is a great book written by Portland State University professors and their students."
"A creative and smart approach to visualizing the culture of a city."
"I bought this as a gift."
"If you thought you knew about Portland you're wrong!"
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Best Kansas Travel Guides

Kansas Trail Guide: The Best Hiking, Biking, and Riding in the Sunflower State
An invaluable companion for exploring new trails or learning about accustomed routes, this comprehensive guide will tell you all you need to know (as well as what it might surprise you to learn) about the trails that crisscross Kansas—history and geography, wildlife and scenery, park locations and cultural possibilities, and, now and then, even a bit of geology and botany. This book is a great starting place for people wanting to explore some of the adventurous and recreational trails our beautiful state has to offer. "— Lyle Riedy , President of the Kansas Trails Council "Grab your binoculars, camera and lunch, pack up the family, and let the Conards lead you on an adventure. "— Bob Gress , Director emeritus of Great Plains Nature Center "With photos, maps, and detailed descriptions, this book will take you down trails that you’ll never forget. This book is a great starting place for people wanting to explore some of the adventurous and recreational trails our beautiful state has to offer.
Reviews
"Although there are other trail guides for Kansas trails, most are sport-specific (i.e., focusing on mountain bike trails or hiking trails) and none are as comprehensive as this."
"I bought this for my boy and his wife."
"A great resource for all outdoorsy types!"
"Excellent written book!"
"Great family effort!"
"I bought this book in anticipation of a trip to Kansas next Spring."
"Very well written and indexed."
"I really liked this because it explained the various trails enough to get you started on them effectively."
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Best Florida Travel Guides

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 (The Unofficial Guides)
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2018 explains how Walt Disney World works and how to use that knowledge to make every minute and every dollar of your vacation count. And because they've found that "spontaneity and self-discovery work about as well at Walt Disney World as they do on your tax return," The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is packed full of essential advice for anyone braving the frontiers of the mother of all theme parks.
Reviews
"If you’re lookin for info about making a trip to Disney World, this book is absolutely amazing!"
"You don't want a rained on Kindle (God forbid ) It seemed as thought there was a lot of "filler" in this book, I understand this is a subjective book , but just my opinion."
"If you get it, go ahead and spend the $10 for their online access (touringplans.com) - it's an essential piece to customize travel plans in the parks for what you want to see and when."
"However, many rides in WDW have been closed (Maelstrom, Backlot Tour, Pirates of the Caribbean, the sorcerers hat in DHS, etc) that are so significant they need to urgently put out a revised edition."
"This book was very valuable in planning our Disney World trip in March."
"So informative, it's insightful, and it's the go-to book for how to successfully navigate Disneyworld."
"I have used this book every time to help plan my trip. I have learned that if you do not plan a WDW trip as a "type A" personality, you will lose out not only on time, but money, and in the case of Walt Disney World....time equals your money spent."
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Best Ohio Travel Guides

Cleveland Christmas Memories: Looking Back at Holidays Past
Mouthwatering treats from Hough Bakery and traditional ethnic flavors from the local market. Join in as dozens of Northeast Ohioans share their personal stories of Christmas past; includes recollections of people who made Christmas happen, too: former Santas, retail window dressers, entertainers, and of course parents. Every year that passes, the Christmas memories of our youth grow sweeter and more perfect. A 1965 photograph of holiday shopping at Higbee's or an original Atari 2600 box can momentarily transport us to times as treasured as they are impossible to revisit. That's the emotional territory author Gail Ghetia Bellamy covers in Cleveland Christmas Memories. The photo-heavy, 120-page book not only documents the city's bygone retail traditions, but also steps inside our homes to look at how we celebrated the holidays. What resonates are the photographs of artifacts from Christmases past, be it a kid's shopping bag from the Higbee's Twigbee Shop, a WMMS advertisment with the FM rock station's iconic buzzard pulling the sleigh or Frankie Yankovic's 1964 album Christmas Party. I would recommend each CLE-lover have a copy on hand for those nights sitting around the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa and holiday tunes in the air .
Reviews
"Mostly people aged 60 and older will appreciate this more - I am younger but still remember some of these things - either personally or from family members reminiscing. For example I had no idea the stores hired off duty policemen to play Santa."
"Had some great reminders of Growing up in Cleveland."
"But it's also a huge gift for me, being able to sit on the couch with them and watch them get so excited when they remember a place from the book and then tell me stories about them."
"Anything about Cleveland is fun."
"So many of the photos in the book looked just like photos we had of our chilhhood! I gave one book each to my mom and my sister and they couldn't stop reading it--everything else stopped while they kept saying ."
"We loved seeing the department stores at Christmas time when we were kids, especially the animated windows, so just had to have this book."
"one of the best books about Cleveland history that I ever bought."
"Great collection piece for all Clevelanders, but i think it's great for all that love Christmas season and nostalgia in general..."
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Best Mississippi Travel Guides

Traveling the Trace: A Complete Tour Guide to the Historic Natchez Trace from Nashville to Natchez
First used as a vital transportation link by Native Americans and later by "kaintucks" and frontiersmen, today the Trace is experienced by more than 13 million visitors a year. 25 Civil War sites 73 antebellum homes 65 museums and art galleries 78 antique shops and malls 72 bed and breakfasts 56 campgrounds 175 restaurants 49 spots for water sports and a whole lot more.
Reviews
"She adds detailed info which many other travel writers seem to deem boring and don't bother."
"I haven't read the entire book yet, but about 1/2 of it."
"This book did not give as much detail as I wanted."
"This isn't a detailed travel guide for this historic highway, but it gave me a good idea what driving it would be like."
"Dated."
"I have lived in Mississippi all my life but never really enjoyed the Trace until getting this book and following its suggestions for places to visit and things to see."
"Useful info, easily found."
"There are no internet addresses or any email addresses for anything mentioned in the book: accommodations, attractions, restaurants, shopping, events or for additional information. I tried phone calls to several places and half of the numbers were no longer in service."
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Best Vermont Travel Guides

Vermont Road Atlas
Complete map coverage for all of Vermont including Burlington, Rutland, Montpelier, Barre, Bennington, Brattleboro, Manchester, Woodstock, Middlebury, White River Junction, St. Albans, Ludlow, St. Johnsbury, and Newport as well as all other communities.
Reviews
"I read a review for the Rand McNally Vermont Road Atlas wherein the reviewer dumped the Rand McNally mid-trip and picked up the JIMAPCO Vermont Road Atlas and recommended it above the former."
"It keeps me from going in circles and helps me find covered bridges, wildlife management areas, hiking trails and other interesting things along the ways."
"NIce maps, good detail."
"The spiral binding allows you. to lay it flat on your lap or desk."
"Just what we needed to replace our original Vermont Road Atlas which had been well used, and had seen better days."
"Timely delivery good product."
"This atlas has amazing detail on every road and the spiral binding makes it real easy to use."
"The spiral binding is great, the index is mostly useful; however, it uses town road numbers which makes it very hard to figure out what the road is because many of the ones we were looking for did not have a number on the sign or we were not sure what the number was until we had already driven past the road."
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Best Louisiana Travel Guides

Robert Polidori: After the Flood
The next day he began to photograph, house by house: "All the places I went in, the doors were just open. Amidst all this, Polidori has found something worth saving, has created mementos for those who could not return, documenting the paradoxically beautiful wreckage. Oversize photos capture the stark reality: whole neighborhoods under water and later in shambles, and close-ups of sodden bedrooms, mud-scoured kitchens and painterly mold spores.
Reviews
"It is as if his books on Havana and Chernobyl were mere foretastes to this exceptional and moving work, and certainly anyone who has seen these two books came away with a feeling of the power and storytelling that Polidori's images can convey. In "After the Flood", he presents us with an almost encyclopedic presentation of the aftermath of the hurricane, flooding, wind, water and mud damage showing the fragility of our cities and the power of nature. The first images show parts of the city still under water and the receding water. Succeeding groups of images show the effects of mud, water and wind on buildings and cars that have been tossed around at random like toys."
"Ridiculous amazing amount of detail from this 8x10 photographer."
"These high quality photos come without captions."
"There are likely a thousand awesome photos in the book, but not the one I remember from the exhibition."
"This book captured the aftermath of the storm to its precise destruction."
"The best photographic essay of New Orleans after the flood."
"I bought this book as a gift for my sister-in-law."
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Best Utah Travel Guides

Lonely Planet Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks (Travel Guide)
User-friendly highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices, emergency information, park seasonality, hiking trail junctions, viewpoints, landscapes, elevations, distances, difficulty levels, and durations Focused on the best - hikes, drives, and cycling tours Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, camping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, summer and winter activities, and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Contextual insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, geology, wildlife, and conservation Over 65 full-color trail and park maps and full-color images throughout Useful features - Travel with Children, Clothing and Equipment, and Day and Overnight Hikes Covers Zion National Park, St George, Snow Canyon State Park, Cedar City, Glendale, Bryce Canyon& National Park, Red Canyon, Panguitch, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and more. The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Zion & Bryce Canyon& National Parks, our most comprehensive guide to these parks, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled.
Reviews
"It stated to take the Queen Garden trail first and then make the ascent up Wall Street and it was 100% accurate on this."
"Excellent guidebook, and we used it to prepare for our trip, though once we were at each of the parks, the park documentation was excellent."
"This book is packed with information about Zion and Bryce Canyons."
"A nice travel book and was useful on our recent trip to the area."
"This was the most useful and informative guide I found for Zion and Bryce."
"Comprehensive info on parks with map inserts,pictures, trip plans, history and geology, and, of course, detailed information on all the hikes."
"I'm still making my way through this book; it's so loaded with useful information."
"purchased for my upcoming trip."
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Best Maryland Travel Guides

100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (100 Things...Fans Should Know)
This guide to all things Baltimore Oriole covers the team's history as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, including the incredible legacy of Cal Ripken, Jr., memories from Memorial Stadium, and how singing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" during the seventh-inning stretch has become a fan-favorite tradition. The Baltimore native first covered the Orioles as a beat writer for the York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record in 2001 before becoming The Baltimore Sun ’s national baseball writer/Orioles reporter in 2005.
Reviews
"This book was a great read for fans like myself that may have missed out on what the Orioles were up to before the 1990's."
"My husband loves this book."
"You have to be an O's fan to appreciate this book."
"Well, I'm old enough to have lived through and known most of the "100 Things"."
"must have fore any Orioles or baseball fan."
"Anything that you wanted to know about the Os."
"Gave as a gift but the recipient really liked it!"
"An easy read of an historical review of my favorite team!"
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Best Oklahoma Travel Guides

Riding with the Blue Moth
After the death of his son, Will, in the 2001 airplane crash that took the lives of nine additional members of the Oklahoma State basketball team and support staff, survival became a common word in Bill Hancock's vocabulary. It became a pilgrimage, even if Hancock didn't realize it upon dipping his rear tire in the Pacific Ocean near Huntington Beach, California in the wee hours of a July morning. Possibly, he could lose it around a corner in one of the small towns he would traverse through: Hope, Arizona; Chickasha, Oklahoma; Onward, Mississippi; Pleasant Hill, Georgia. Bill lives in Prairie Village, Kansas, with his high school sweetheart, Nicki, an award-winning high school English teacher.
Reviews
"I found myself grabbing a highlighter as I read through this book marking off all the passages and reflections that were so very familiar to anyone having experienced the grieving process in the “early days" of grief (his bike ride took place only six months after his son Will was killed in a plane crash)."
"Bill Hancock does an excellent job of conveying his family's feelings after the tragic crash of the Oklahoma State University plane in 2001."
"You will be in tears in the first chapter and again at the end but you will learn about dealing with the death of a loved one, about the beauty of our country and its people, and about a wonderful couple willing to share their story which may help many others. NOTE: I heard of this book from "Outside the Lines" the Espn weekly show which discussed the 10 year anniversary of the OK St. basketball team plane crash."
"After the first chapter the book moves into the difficult ups and downs of getting on with every day life with while being gripped by overwhelming grief. I found myself disappointed as I was nearing the end, because the book was so well written that I wanted to keep on going with Bill Hancock beyond his cross country bike ride."
"Now, Bill Hancock, had to see if those things were true...If he could find those elements in his life that he had taught to others...This is the story of one man's remdemption through grace and a most unusual odyssey."
"I visited Gallagher-Iba Arena to see the memorial after reading this book.I appreciated Bill Hancock talking of his relationship with his sons."
"I enjoyed the read and the journey it took you on."
"Knowing the family and having been a good friend of Will's in high school and college, it took a long time before I was ready to read this incredibly personal tribute to him and the way his family (and father in particular) chose to work through their grief."
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Best North Dakota Travel Guides

Military Life in Dakota: The Journal of Philippe Regis De Trobriand ( Mississippi Valley Historical Association)
Note that book was a gift from the Minnesota Historical Society to the High School library. Book is in excellent condition, showing no wear, no creases, no underlining, highlighting or notes.
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Best South Dakota Travel Guides

Touch the Sky: The Needles in the Black Hills of South Dakota (American Alpine Club climber's guide)
"This guidebook is extensively based on A CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO THE NEEDLES IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA by Bob Kamps which, in turn, is based on an earlier ten-page mimeographed guidebook by Herb Conn, entitled ROCK CLIMBS IN THE NEEDLES.
Reviews
"If you are a fan of the Needles, and like climbing history...be sure to grab a copy of Touch the Sky."
"Paul Piana and Todd Skinner are well known in the world of climbing."
"Great maps of the Needles, great descriptions of the area."
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