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."
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! A Connecticut Christmas. is a sentimental journey through the lore of Connecticut and makes you want to sing Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas.’ The beautiful pictures celebrate the marvelous diversity, beauty, and spirit 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."
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 Mid Atlantic US Travel Books
Now, Brandon is back with the Humans of New York book that his loyal followers have been waiting for: Humans of New York: Stories .
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 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."
Best Midwest US Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best North Dakota Travel Guides
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.
Find Best Price at AmazonBest Southern US Travel 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
Find Best Price at Amazon"I got him to agree to following the plan until we took our break each day, and be a little more lax in the afternoons - he became a believer after a couple days. Unless you go to WDW regularly, and don't mind seeing just a a few things each day, you really need to plan your days."
"If you’re lookin for info about making a trip to Disney World, this book is absolutely amazing!"
"Recommend, if you are going to Disney."
"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."
"So informative, it's insightful, and it's the go-to book for how to successfully navigate Disneyworld."
"Just got back from my first trip to Disney, information made the trip much better."
Best Western US Travel Guides
Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her. “Strayed’s language is so vivid, sharp and compelling that you feel the heat of the desert, the frigid ice of the High Sierra, and the breathtaking power of one remarkable woman finding her way—and herself—one brave step at a time.” — People (4 stars). — The Boston Globe "One of the most original, heartbreaking, and beautiful American memoirs in years. The cumulative welling up I experienced during Wild was partly a response to that too infrequent sight: that of a writer finding her voice, and sustaining it, right in front of your eyes.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times. Strayed’s journey is exceptional.” — San Francisco Chronicle “One of the best books I’ve read in the last five or ten years. Wild is angry, brave, sad, self-knowing, redemptive, raw, compelling, and brilliantly written, and I think it’s destined to be loved by a lot of people, men and women, for a very long time.” —Nick Hornby. By laying bare a great unspoken truth of adulthood—that many things in life don’t turn out the way you want them to, and that you can and must live through them anyway— Wild feels real in many ways that many books about ‘finding oneself’ . [Strayed] has the ineffable gift every writer longs for of saying exactly what she means in lines that are both succinct and poetic. an inborn talent for articulating angst and the gratefulness that comes when we overcome it.” — The Washington Post “Vivid, touching and ultimately inspiring account of a life unraveling and of the journey that put it back together.” — The Wall Street Journal “Strayed . with a raw emotional power that makes the book difficult to put down. In walking, and finally, years later, in writing, Strayed finds her way again. And her path is as dazzlingly beautiful as it is tragic.” — Los Angeles Times “A fearless story, told in honest prose that is wildly lyrical as often as it is dirtily physical.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune. “This isn’t Cinderella in hiking boots, it’s a woman coming out of heartbreak, darkness and bad decisions with a clear view of where she has been. There are adventures and characters aplenty, from heartwarming to dangerous, but Strayed resists the temptation to overplay or sweeten such moments. Her pacing is impeccable as she captures her impressive journey.” — The Seattle Times “Strayed’s journey was at least as transcendent as it was turbulent. She faced down hunger, thirst, injury, fatigue, boredom, loss, bad weather, and wild animals. Yet she also reached new levels of joy, accomplishment, courage, peace, and found extraordinary companionship.” — The Christian Science Monitor “Strayed writes a crisp scene; her sentences hum with energy. Cheryl Strayed emerges from her grief-stricken journey as a practitioner of a rare and vital vocation. She has become an intrepid cartographer of the human heart.” — Houston Chronicle “A deeply honest memoir about mother and daughter, solitude and courage, and regaining footing one step at a time.” — Vogue “This is a big, brave, break-your-heart-and-put-it-back-together-again kind of book. I snorted with laughter, I wept uncontrollably; I don’t even want to know the person who isn’t going to love Wild. This is a beautifully made, utterly realized book.” —Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted and Cowboys are My Weakness.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Although I did not hike the PCT I did backpack in Yosemite."
"Cheryl Strayed's memoir of an 1100 miles trek on the Pacific Crest trail is an astonishing story of a spectacular and breathtaking adventure of coming to terms with grief and survival during a difficult trek through snow_clad mountains and thick forests for two months beginning in the Mojave desert and hiking through California and Oregon to the Bridge of Gods in Washington."
"This book is not for everyone, you either seem to love it or hate it, but I loved it."
"The author tells her personal story which includes a lot of her flaws and mistakes. I'm grateful for the author's willingness to share this with enough detail to make the reader understand her state of mind and her experience of events."
"Having hiked, during my long life, on four continents, along trails of varying degrees of intensity, I empathised with every painful step this young, intelligent and courageous woman endured on the extremely challenging Pacific Crest Hiking Trail on the North American continent."
"But this book is really less about the PCT and more about the emotional journey which apparently was a good deal more strenuous than the trail. This book documents with chilling honesty the route she took emotionally to deal with that upbringing."
"I am an experienced hiker and Cheryl Strayed was an outdoor person but not a hiker of the type who usually attempts an extreme hike. Her writing is so good that I could envision each part of the trail as she hiked along the PCT."
Best North Carolina Travel Guides
Exquisitely illustrated with over 100 original pen & ink illustrations by the artist author, the Ultimate Guide is the only book available that presents all of the 250 attractions in the mountains, from tiny historical museums and craft galleries to blockbuster attractions, including Biltmore Estate, the Cherokee Indian Reservation, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. A highly recommended book for anyone planning a trip to Western North Carolina the The Ultimate Guide by Lee Pantas surpasses in scope all other area guides. The Ultimate Guide has proven over the years to be a valuable resource not only for the many tourists and visitors who flock to our mountains, but also for those folks who are considering Western North Carolina as a place where they might like to live.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Good resource for getting to know Asheville and surrounding towns."
"We've referred back to this book many times in the short time we owned it."
"Informative, well-written, and up to date."
"All the info I hoped for and much more!"
"Had a great vacation."
"I know that the availability of tourism websites has likely cut into the guidebook market, but personally, I appreciate having everything in one place (and a warning: the Western North Carolina mountains will likely make your cell service unreliable - so don't count on having the internet everywhere you travel!)."
"The big attractions such as Biltmore, the Grove Park Inn, Carl Sandburg Home and the Thomas Wolfe House are all here, but it's the off-the-beaten path things only a local could tell you that make this volume worth buying."
"This is wonderful guide book written by Lee James Pantas, local artist who has lived in Fairview NC, right outside Asheville. Having lived in the area for many years, the guidebook is written from a local point of view."
Best Utah Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Nebraska Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Nevada Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Texas Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best New York Travel Guides
Their wonder inspired Going into Town , part playful guide, part New York stories, and part love letter to the city, told through Chast's laugh-out-loud, touching, and true cartoons. "What began as a mother’s illustrated mash note to Manhattan becomes a meandering map of Chast's hilarious mental approach to her beloved town, with all of its oddball shops, subterranean secrets and an abundance of visual stimulation." "[Chast's] Big Apple cityscapes burst with jumbled buildings, oddities of every variety, and her trademark loose-edged-drawn people." "What began as a personal guidebook for Chast's Manhattan-bound suburban daughter evolved into a whimsical, discursive paean to the city . As her own daughter prepared to move to the city for college, Chast compiled this volume that lets readers see New York through the artist's eyes." "Illustrator extraordinaire and native Brooklynite Roz Chast's new graphic memoir Going Into Town is a wide-eyed love letter to New York--or, more specifically, the streets, buildings, and sidewalk gum in Manhattan, as seen through the eyes of a Brooklyn family." "Observations and advice on making one's way through the city's diversions are mixed with the quirky character that oozes from the metropolis's every concrete pore. "Chast applies her appealingly shaggy drawing style and ever-so-slightly skewed worldview to New York’s subways, museums, ethnic restaurants, and other attributes." , will recognize and enjoy the unique blend of affection and sarcasm that Chast brings to her work while getting to know one of the world's most famous cities." "[A] guide book full of wonder and optimism, a polar opposite of most current-affairs tomes about New York on the shelves today. Even when [Chast] remarks disparagingly about tourists or rodents or trash, it's done with the lightest of touches, graced with vibrating illustrations of herself . "Roz Chast's breezy and winsome jaunt, Going into Town: A Love Letter to New York . "In nine illustrated chapters, Brooklyn native Chast celebrates Manhattan in all its glory." "The wonderful and inimitable Roz Chast introduces her old friend, New York City, in a beguiling way that will illuminate newcomers, prompt old-timers to nod in recognition, and inspire a whole new generation of siamese standpipe buffs."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Awesome book!"
"Such a joy to be able to laugh at our city with the help of her talent."
"Every page is a delight!"
"I love Roz Chast!"
"Love it...and have given it to several friends, who also love it."
"Don't ever stop cartooning, Roz!"
"As a New Yorker, I especially liked it and read it along with E B White's book on New York."
Best Iowa Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best New Jersey Travel Guides
This is the ''Down The Shore'' book, from the publisher of the popular Down The Shore Calendars: Fifty-four contributors capture the heart and soul of the Jersey Shore in this extraordinary pictorial hardcover. If you won t make it to the Shore this summer, this handsome volume may be the next best thing to being there. Should you acquire this well-wrought work of art, a word of caution: By no means consider lending it to anyone; it will not find its way back to you! Brings the fabled Jersey Shore right into the living room....
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Peter O'Brien's sunset with the loving couple seated on the high bench found on the cover really looks beautiful especially the sunset scenario color."
"This is a beautiful compilation of pictures of the Jersey Shore and announce to all why it is we from New Jersey love our shore."
"Anyone who loves the Jersey shore will love these photos...great coffee table book."
"I only had a little time with the book, bought. in a gift shop at Sunset Beach (with the Sunken Ship, an old. one-of-few concrete ship from WW-I (likely in the book). and given to my mother, a Jersey gal in late years, now."
"I am a proud Jersey Girl, and I have been going "down the shore" every summer since I was a small child."
Best Montana Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best New Mexico Travel Guides
Christmas in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico is full of enchantment, a rich cultural feast of Spanish, Anglo and Pueblo traditions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I purchased this book after my family visited some of these delightful historical places and I wish I had read this book first. I loved the photography of the churches fully decorated with Christmas spirit and to boot the book comes with great traditional recipes too."
"Susan Weber's Christmas in Santa Fe was an invaluable resource for planning and prioritizing the trip and a beautiful souvenir of our time there."
"Beautifully written and illustrated, this book elegantly showcases the magic of Christmas in Santa Fe."
"Our dream of one day living in or near Santa Fe came true a year ago when we moved out to Albuquerque."
"My grandma loves Santa Fe, and has visited many times throughout her life so I thought this book would be nice since she can no longer travel easily."
"Great way to understand ALL the Christmas time offerings in Santa Fe."
"Fortunately, we took advantage of the many Christmas opportunities provided by this area, and each time we read the stories and look at the photos it brings it all back to us."
Best Georgia Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Ohio Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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..."
Best Florida Travel 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
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 Oregon Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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!"
Best Alaska Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Kansas Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Idaho Travel Guides
In her new book Rusch to Glory: Adventure, Risk & Triumph on the Path Less Traveled , Rusch weaves her fascinating life's story among the exotic locales and extreme conditions that forged an extraordinary athlete from ordinary roots. Rusch has run the gauntlet of endurance sports over her career as a professional athlete-- climbing, adventure racing, whitewater rafting, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking--racking up world championships along the way. “ Rusch to Glory tells the story of Rebecca Rusch, a 38-year-old whose sporting career has had more twists and turns than the singletrack upon which she currently dominates the sport of ultra-endurance mountain biking. “ Rusch to Glory is an easy read about the rise of Rebecca Rusch from an average Chicago kid to one of the best known female cyclists in the country and the determination it took to get there.” ― Outside. “Rebecca Rusch turned to the bike to cement her position as one of the best endurance athletes in the world.” ― VeloNews. “You name it, Rebecca Rusch has tried it―get inspired by her adventures mountain biking, white-water rafting and climbing in exotic locations around the world.” ― Triathlete.com. “Written by multi-world and national champion mountain bike racer Rebecca Rusch (with Bicycling’s Selene Yeager), Rusch to Glory contains plenty of tales of riding and racing. “You name it, Rebecca Rusch has tried it―get inspired by her adventures mountain biking, white-water rafting and climbing in exotic locations around the world.” ― Triathlete magazine. “Rebecca Rusch of Ketchum is among the best endurance athletes on the planet, and how that happened is a fascinating story and a great read. She got a taste for adventure as a rock climber, then spun that into an adventure racer and mountain bike racing with lots of detours on the route to becoming a world champion. “Rebecca Rusch [was] not just one of the top female racers out there, she [was] flat-out one of the best all-around [adventure] racers of either sex.” ― Jacques Boutet, professional adventure racer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Rebecca Rusch is a world-class endurance athlete who reached that status by facing her fears, taking calculated risks, working hard and not giving up. She is honest about the issues she has struggled with, which include an eating disorder and the death of her father in the Vietnam War. I've put sticky notes in the book so I can quickly find helpful passages when my running isn't going well or I need a boost."
"As opposed to Jens Voigt's autobiography, which was my first attempt at a cycling based book, this book is written in a smooth,professional style."
"This is certainly not a 'Christian' book - but it is a great book about a wonderful young woman (young to me:) who doesn't give up - who is a model of the word persevere and who is giving back to her community and to many others (including me) who want to live life to the end with purpose."
"I am an active 46 year old mom who loves to try all sorts of athletic activities, including mountain biking (which I find few women on the trails). Now I know where to look for some fellow biking women."
"If you want to read about someone who is a go-getter and truly lives life to the fullest read this book!"
"She was the featured speaker at a Women's Intersport Network Awards Luncheon in Columbia, Missouri."
"Ms Rusch is a true champion athlete that comes across real and approachable."
"Amazing, that's what this book is."
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Vermont Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Minnesota Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Maine Travel Guides
Maine: A Portrait is the result of Lucian Niemeyer's desire to explore the Maine viewed by his inspiration, Eliot Porter.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"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!"
Best Arkansas Travel Guides
Original Disfarmer Photographs is the first publication to present these vintage prints, made by Disfarmer's own hand at the time the pictures were taken--at once family mementos and the original work of one of America's greatest portraitists.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Had just watched a documentary on this man and was so fascinated by him, his life and mostly his amazingly stark, raw portraits that I needed to buy the book to always have those photos with me."
"A nice companion piece to the other Disfarmer book of photos."
"And you really have to be grateful to Mr. Albright for having bought and preserved all this stuff for feeling something in common with the man and his work."
"There is another book called "Vintage Prints" which came out around the same time as this and there is no overlap so if you are a collector you should get both of the books."