Best New England US Travel Books
Living in a tent even through brutal winters, he had survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store edibles and water, and to avoid freezing to death. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded. MICHAEL FINKEL is the author of True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa , which was adapted into a 2015 major motion picture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Not only is this story of Chris Knight one of the most compelling that I have read in some time, but the lengths that you went to, to research his venture into the woods of Maine, to understand him, to get to know him, clearly better than anyone else has, and to represent him with such dignity, astounds me. While some, especially those whose homes were burgled, might still never understand what would cause a person to want to live in such extreme conditions let alone in solitude, far removed from the ‘regular’ world, after reading the book, while I will never spend a night, let alone an hour in the woods, what drew Knight makes sense to me now. It’s not to say that after reading THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS that every reader will feel compelled to pick up and leave their jobs, families, and the comfort of modern society behind, but it sure does offer food for thought."
"I wanted to read this book as the Maine woods have been a part of my life and I was unfamiliar with this story until I saw this book. I realized from the start that at the core of this story was an important topic I already have been worrying about that I feel American society either is unaware of or is purposefully ignoring: the neuro-atypical person and the challenge of how they will live (not thriving but suffering) in modern America. Knight was content and found peace in living that life until he was caught with the help of sophisticated surveillance equipment while robbing food from a nonprofit camp for disabled children (including kids on the Autism Spectrum). The heartbreaking part of this story is that the suffering that Knight endured was due to square pegs not fitting in the round holes of modern American society, his relief and contendedness was found living in isolation in nature, but this is not really allowed in America, and when possible it's only available to those who are able to financially support themselves due to an inheritance or some income stream that they are lucky to find that meshes with their talents and abilities. But this book provides more food for thought, for me at least, than just Knight's hermit years story. I hope this book is a catalyst for Americans to think about this issue, with the rising rates of Autism and mental illness, we have more people this decade than ever before who are not fitting in with the mandatory American public school system and who are not fitting in to work jobs as adults enough to support themselves independently let alone the issue of if a person is happy or content."
"Many of us dream of secluding from the busyness of modern living—the fast-paced, noisy, cyclical nature in which life has become; yet many of us do not have the courage or tenacity to pursue such a dream, much less achieve this dream for the amount of time that Knight did. On a practical level, Michael Finkel has written this biographical account excellently."
"My heart goes out to Mr. Knight."
Celebrate the Holiday Traditions of the Nutmeg State!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"She has always loved Christmas and though she doesn't get around the state much anymore she could sit in the comfort and warmth of her home and enjoy the sights, lights and attractions."
"I enjoyed this beautiful book from the first to the last page."
"Quintessential Connecticut throughout every page as captured by the talented author and photographer Caryn B. Davis."
"An absolutely gorgeous book..one I will treasure.. Caryn makes one feel as if you are included in the picture."
"very nice book, fine quality paper."
"Absolutly beautiful, leaving it out all year long!!!"
"This will get you in the Christmas spirit."
A CLASSIC FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ONE SUMMER Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. Dave Barry...[Readers] may find themselves turning the pages with increasing amusement and anticipation as they discover that they're in the hands of a satirist of the first rank who writes (and walks) with Chaucerian brio.” —The New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm a sexagenarian who, on a recent vacation, happened to walk out and back on the first three miles or so of the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (Springer Mtn, GA) and, in a fit of exhilaration, decided then and there that I would, by golly, hike the AT before I died. As I was joyfully entertained by his incisive sense of humor, I was simultaneously and seriously learning history, biology, geology (and several other -ologies) as well as being discomfitted by Bryson's documentation of our culture's dismissive practices regarding ecology."
"Read one and except for a few events, you've pretty much read them all and almost any extended backpacking trip involves the same rigors, risks, weather and that mixture of misery and exhilaration."
"Bill's storytelling captured me immediately...I was taking every step he took, I enjoyed every vista he looked out on, I was eavesdropping on his conversations with his fellow hikers and feeling the spectrum of emotions held for his friend and hiking companion."
"An adventure that walks you experientially and historically through the nation's longest series of trails from Georgia to Maine while feeling every fear from blisters, hunger, thirst, wildlife, climate changes, man's limitations and nature's nuances, all the while trekking with a forty pound pack on your back, and any one of these could do you in, well it's a wonder why the wild is so compelling."
"After reading Bryson's African Diary, I had to continue on with this offering on the Australian state of affairs."
"With the film in theaters, I decided to pick it up and give it a go. I loved this book, and place it among Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild," Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," and Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Last American Man" in terms of well-written essays that explore our yearning to return to a simpler, untethered way of life."
"Unfortunately some of his stories about what happened to people along the trail, made me not that interested in walking any trail."
"I think Bill Bryson is an incredibly good writer whose humor extends to poking as much fun at himself as he does at others."
Best New Haven Connecticut Travel Books
A distinctive cookbook celebrating the achievements of the culinary capital of Connecticut, with 66 recipes from 33 of New Haven's top restaurants, with an emphasis on locally grown foods and community outreach. The recipes range from Plum Frost (116 Crown), Guinness Stew (The Playwright), and Chorizo with Sweet and Sour Figs (Barcelona) to Cranberry Curry Scone (Café Romeo), Doro Wat (Ethiopian Chicken in Red Pepper Paste; Lalibela), and Capesante Grigliate (Grilled Scallops; L’Orcio).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great product ... excellent purchase process and post-purchase follow-up from the seller."
"Gorgeous book and makes a great gift with local flavor."
"Recipes have been revised with home cooks in mind, and offer surveys of local foods, sustainable foods, and a range of different dishes from Swedish Chocolate Cupcakes to Sausage Frittata."
"Not your average cookbook with a type or style of food, but a celebration of the eclectic food choices of a diverse community."
"The book talks about New Haven clam Pizza at Pepe and Sals and the mashed potato pizza at Bar."
Best Miami Florida Travel Books
This travel guide includes: · Dozens of full-color maps. · Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks. · In-depth breakout features on Art Deco Miami, Snorkeling & Scuba Diving, Everglades Ecosystems · Multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what's off the beaten path. · Coverage of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Palm Beach, the Treasure Coast, Key West and the Florida Keys, and the Everglades. “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
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you're interested only in the east side of south Florida, the Everglades, and the Keys, this book will work nicely for you. My plan now is to use this along with at least one or two other guides plus various websites to plan my road trip itinerary and take notes, then leave the book home. If your need for a guide to south Florida is very specific to just the few south Florida places that are covered here, and your eyesight is much better than mine, you will probably find this book a reasonable source of info."
"Used this on a trip, all the recommendations from food to places to see were accurate."
"FODOR'S SOUTH FLORIDA is a 344 page guidebook printed on glossy paper. The authors are Lynne Helm, Jill Martin, Galena Mosovich, and Paul Rubio. Attached just inside of the rear cover is a map that can be easily torn out of the book, because of perforations. One side of the map shows all of Florida, together with the southern coastline of Mississippi and Alabama. On the Orlando map, one can see main streets shuch as Beline Expressway and Turkey Lake Road. The book has six chapters, and these include: (1) Experience South Florida, (2) Miami and Miami Beach, (3) The Everglades, (4) Florida Keys, and (5) Fort Lauderdale, and (6) Palm Beach. Mr. Clyde Butcher (born 1941) is in my opinion equal to Ansel Adams, in terms of the artistic merit and compelling beauty of his photography. The main reason I like to read and review travel guidebooks, is because of the photography, but this book is more about hotels and restaurants. The text explains that this sandwich has ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles. The text explains that there are many murals in the City of Wynwood and that this city has a "Wynwood Art District" and an exhibition hall of photography and art called, "Margulies Collection at the Warehouse." Page 156 shows a bronze statue of "Christ of the Deep" which was installed underwater, near Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. the price tags skew high, yet represent brands known for innovation and edge. Alaia, Givenchy, Moschino, jewelry on an artistic level including Cristina Ortiz, Lydia Courteille, and Stephen Webster." Regarding part of Everglades National Park (page 118-119), we read that, "Route 9336 travels 38 miles from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center southwest to the Floriday Bay at Flamingo. and a wealth of wading birds at Mrazek and Coot Bay ponds . Although I am a genuine expert on sightseeing and vacationing in northern California, southern California, western Oregon, and the low country of South Carolina (but have never been in Florida), my impression is that this guidebook is reliable, appears not to speculate, and it appears that the authors based the text on their own first-hand experiences."
"An old friend moved from Baltimore to the Gulf Coast, and all her talk of the fabulous birds there, as well as her recollections of a fabulous trip to the Everglades made me think 'Hmmmm. I'm hard-pressed to understand why they did not change the title to make it immediately clear that this was NOT a comprehensive guidebook to South Florida, or......expand their coverage to include all of South Florida. I will need an additional guidebook."
Best Northeast US Travel Guides
Now, Brandon is back with the Humans of New York book that his loyal followers have been waiting for: Humans of New York: Stories . “As the quotes grew longer, and the interviews deeper, Stanton developed a signature storytelling style―one that blends the lure of urban voyeurism with an eye for the extraordinary detail in seemingly ordinary subjects.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"~~~~~~~~~It appears Amazon posted my review under both books Humans of New York and HONY Stories. If you are deciding on whether or not to buy the book, consider the following, which Brandon posted on the HONY facebook page: "I want to take a quick opportunity to remind everyone that HONY is advertisement free and almost entirely financed by book sales. By purchasing a book, you can help HONY continue to grow in a way that remains focused on telling people’s stories--- and nothing else."
"I've purchased all three Humans of New York books and have loved them all, but in Humans of New York - Stories, it all comes together. Even something went unspeakably wrong and against all odds the book was garbage (it isn't) you STILL should buy it, if for nothing more than to cast a vote of support for the JOY, LOVE, and EMPATHY that HONY provides."
"It makes a great coffee table book and everybody that has come over has picked this up and started reading it."
"An amazing collection of photos and personal stories."
"I follow the Facebook page but there's something about holding a tangible book and reading through all the stories in 2 nights that make it better."
"Love this book."
"In the midst of ISIS, corruption, American elections, tanking economy and a degree of narcissism that boggles the mind... another great bit of sanity, sharing, true storytelling and remembering what it is to be human."
Best South Atlantic United States Travel Books
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Boston Massachusetts Travel Books
This is the true story of Stan Zuray's incredible journey; the reformation of a man's heart and mind in the forbidding darkness of Alaska's endless winter.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Nice product like advertised."
"Love this book."
"One of the better adventure books about Alaska that I have ever read."
"I enjoyed Stans story, I found it was just enough story to make the point, & give a descent amount of detail."
"Very good book and very interesting ."
"Great adventure book."
"Excellent."
Best General Northeast US Travel Guides
A CLASSIC FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ONE SUMMER Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. Dave Barry...[Readers] may find themselves turning the pages with increasing amusement and anticipation as they discover that they're in the hands of a satirist of the first rank who writes (and walks) with Chaucerian brio.” —The New York Times Book Review.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm a sexagenarian who, on a recent vacation, happened to walk out and back on the first three miles or so of the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (Springer Mtn, GA) and, in a fit of exhilaration, decided then and there that I would, by golly, hike the AT before I died. As I was joyfully entertained by his incisive sense of humor, I was simultaneously and seriously learning history, biology, geology (and several other -ologies) as well as being discomfitted by Bryson's documentation of our culture's dismissive practices regarding ecology."
"I enjoyed the authors point of view and sense of humor, sometimes actually laughing out loud for several minutes."
"Read one and except for a few events, you've pretty much read them all and almost any extended backpacking trip involves the same rigors, risks, weather and that mixture of misery and exhilaration."
"Bill's storytelling captured me immediately...I was taking every step he took, I enjoyed every vista he looked out on, I was eavesdropping on his conversations with his fellow hikers and feeling the spectrum of emotions held for his friend and hiking companion."
"An adventure that walks you experientially and historically through the nation's longest series of trails from Georgia to Maine while feeling every fear from blisters, hunger, thirst, wildlife, climate changes, man's limitations and nature's nuances, all the while trekking with a forty pound pack on your back, and any one of these could do you in, well it's a wonder why the wild is so compelling."
"After reading Bryson's African Diary, I had to continue on with this offering on the Australian state of affairs."
"With the film in theaters, I decided to pick it up and give it a go. I loved this book, and place it among Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild," Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," and Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Last American Man" in terms of well-written essays that explore our yearning to return to a simpler, untethered way of life."
Best Vermont Travel Guides
Fodor's New England: with the Best Fall Foliage Drives & Scenic Road Trips (Full-color Travel Guide)
Check out Fodor's travel guides to Boston and Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. “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 “The Fodor’s guides are notable for their ratings of sights, restaurants, shops, accommodations and attractions.” – Chicago Tribune.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great product!"
"Just used to follow the foliage on its recommended route."
"This book was complete and very helpful during our trip to New England."
"Bought it for my sister."
"Very informative and well organized."
"Comprehensive guide to towns and attractions."
"An excellent resource for trip planning."
Best Ecotourism Travel Guides
Acadia American Samoa Arches Badlands Big Bend Biscayne Black Canyon of the Gunnison Bryce Canyon Canyonlands Capitol Reef Carlsbad Caverns Channel Islands Congaree Crater Lake Cuyahoga Valley Death Valley Denali Dry Tortugas Everglades Gates of the Arctic Glacier Glacier Bay Grand Canyon Grand Teton Great Basin Great Sand Dunes Great Smoky Mountains Guadalupe Mountains Haleakal? Hawaii Volcanoes Hot Springs Isle Royale Joshua Tree Katmai Kenai Fjords Kings Canyon Kobuk Valley Lake Clark Lassen Volcanic Mammoth Cave Mesa Verde Mt Rainier North Cascades Olympic Petrified Forest Pinnacles Redwood Rocky Mountain Saguaro Sequoia Shenandoah Theodore Roosevelt Virgin Islands Voyageurs Wind Cave Wrangell-St Elias Yellowstone Yosemite Zion.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very beautifully made, super informative book."
"Wonderful book."
"Best book that I have purchased !"
"Wanted to look at the national parks that my page-a-day calendar shows a picture of."
"I like the photos and the brief descriptions!"
"Beautiful book and very informative."
"This is a nice balance between beautiful photography and function."
Best Animal & Pet Care Essays
Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship. is an unforgettable true saga of adventure, friendship, and the unlikeliest of family, as one remarkable animal opens the eyes and heart of a tough-as-nails newspaperman to the world's beauty and its possibilities.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"You don't have to be a "dog person" to be captivated by this real-life story of friendship, gratitude, discovery, adventure, overcoming adversity, and love of the White Mountains of New Hampshire."
"I absolutely adored this book."
"I loved the quotes from other classic authors."
"This book had a profound effect on me."
"Following Atticus was an amazing read."
"After that go to Tom's website and to his Facebook page to see beautiful photos of him and Atticus and, since the book was completed, of Will, an ailing mini schnauzer who Tom has since adopted."
"Tom Ryan makes his and Atticus' story powerful through his delightful narrative woven with honesty, humor, simplicity, and love."
"Perhaps the memories of our dog Max sharing the lands of the White Mountain Apache tribe draws this story closer to my heart."