Best 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."
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."
The 2018 edition delves into detailed descriptions of all attractions, resorts, and eateries; offers money-saving coupons and strategies to maximize your vacation budget; and includes a peek into what's new: -Happy 20th birthday, Disney's Animal Kingdom: read about the debut of the theme park's newest land, Pandora-World of AVATAR; a schedule of extended-hour nights featuring Sunset Safaris, Tree of Life "awakenings," and the water-based extravaganza "The Rivers of Light"; booking a table at Tiffins, a new eatery that has garnered rave reviews, or snagging a seat at the adjacent Nomad Lounge. In addition to their growing presence at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Kermit and company now offer Muppet-ational moments in the Magic Kingdom park.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great condition, great information."
"This book has helped us understand better what to expect of the rides, the parks, shopping, and gave great information about the hotels and restaurants available in the disney areas and provided maps of each of the parks. we love the disney graphics throughout the book as well. The layout of the book is larger than I expected, it's about the size of 2 paperback books laying side by side BUT that is really good."
"This book is the single best source for information on Disney World."
"Excellent book about Disney World."
"We have been a bunch of times but I still like the book because it is fairly comprehensive."
"Yearly my Disney "Bible"..........I even get this when I am not going to be taking a Disney trip."
"I go through the book cover to cover w/ highlighters to make known for myself and anyone who may borrow it: pink= anything to do w/ time management, orange= alerts like an attraction down for refurbishment yellow= general idea of the subject matter green= costs blue= new thank-you for keeping this travel companion updated as best you can doing all you do to get it that way and making it a delight to read and reread."
"Great Walt Disney World travel guide."
Best East South Central US Travel Books
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 General 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 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 West South Central United States Travel Books
Chef Folse's seventh cookbook is the authoritative collection on Louisiana's culture and cuisine.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Ok, this book surprised me."
"This is one of the best cookbook that I have. I have several cookbooks that have only cajun recipes, but this book puts them all into one big cookbook."
"My husband and I already have this book and use it constantly."
"I initially received this book as a gift and just replaced it due to a house fire."
"This book more then any other is the "unofficial" Cajun and Creole cook book."
"I bought this book for my husband who loves to cook."
"In it you'll find recipes for everyday products like chicken, pork, beef, and you'll also find recipes for some game animals as well."
"My husband and I were astonished that the first 100 pages+ are devoted to the different people groups that live in in La."
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 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 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 South Carolina Travel Guides
In vibrant watercolors and detailed sketches, artist Diana Gessler captures the beauty and riches that make Charleston so unique: White Point Gardens, the Spoleto Festival, Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park, Fort Moultrie, the beaches of Sullivan's Island, sumptuous Lowcountry cuisine, and handmade sweetgrass baskets.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My Dad likes it because it is a book one can pick up and read things in no particular order, just a tidbit here or a short story there."
"Lovely entertaining book!"
"Interesting guidebook for Charleston."
"After returning home I can look at the book and it can remind me of the interesting places I visited."
"I fell in love with the city, as many do, and wanted to revisit the charm of the city combined with the nostalgia of a magical vacation."
"When visiting Charleston for the first time recently, I saw this book for sale everywhere."
"Fantastic guide to Charleston - I recommend this to anyone planning their first visit."
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Louisiana Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
Best Missouri Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
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 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 Kentucky Travel Guides
Others support the daily life and work of Kentuckians, such as a Sunday afternoon celebration of a baptism in Jessamine Creek or friends sharing their thoughts on a warm February day in Sharpsburg, Bath County. Including a foreword by Wendell Berry, the book also reminds us of our responsibility to serve as stewards for Kentucky's rich history and historic places. "Archambeault's work, in words as well as images, is an invaluable a resource as is the land he records. "The historic and cultural significance of the landscapes, buildings, and sights of old Kentucky as many of them fall into neglect, become altered, or disappear is explained in this photographic elegy to the scenic treasures of Kentucky culture.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Nice coffee table book."
"Although the company I worked for gave me a going away gift, I wanted to leave them with something that would connect us and they would be able to see pictures and learn something about where I was from."
"These were gifts, and the recipients loved them."
"Beautiful book...highly recommend."
"This book is filled with outstanding photography from Kentucky, the beautiful Bluegrass state!"
"Stunningly beautiful photographs of the history and character of the commonwealth of Kentucky."
"While I admire the effort to preserve photos of the old monuments/areas, and the photos were lovely, I just wish more had been taken in the spring or summer."
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 Arizona Travel Guides
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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!"
Best California Travel Guides
* Muir is perhaps the nation's greatest conservationist. Other places named in his honor are Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, John Muir College, Mount Muir, Camp Muir and Muir Glacier.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great quality book that is perfect to add to our top shelf of the books."
"Really nice book that I bought as a gift for my boyfriend."
"In those days (1951) we could camp on the valley floor and watch as the rangers pushed the entire large fire over besides the falls in the dark of the summer evening."
"Anything regarding John Muir is a great read."
"Nice, thick book."
"The inside of the book looks great however the cover is dirty and sticky."
"A must read for outdoors enthusiast."
Best Colorado Travel Guides
Including hikes near Fort Collins, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Denver and Boulder is the only guidebook that pinpoints great hikes that are also close to home.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Some good hikes that I didn't know about!"
"Great book with so many great hikes!"
"It had lots of great options with varying degrees of skill for different hikes in and around Denver and Boulder."
"Very informative and well illustrated.very well pleased!"
"Can't wait to get some of these hikes in."
"This is a great book."
"Great great book!"
"This book has it all - from moderate to aggressive hikes, hikes for kids, dogs, horses, whatever your pleasure."
Best Wyoming Travel Guides
When Rick Lamplugh reports for work at the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch on New Year's Eve, he has one goal: to learn as much as possible about the ecology of the Lamar Valley and how wolves fit in. A literary blend of facts and feelings, In the Temple of Wolves celebrates nature's stark beauty and the importance of wolves, while revealing Lamplugh's inner battles with his own human nature. Rick Lamplugh's love of the wild in Yellowstone shines brightly in these eloquent narratives, conceived while living in the park's Lamar Valley--prime wolf habitat. His stories pull the reader into adventures and mis-adventures of cold wind and blowing snow, the reality of life and death in nature, and the complexities of managing wildlife and human park visitors.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I tore greedily through the pages, my heart and mind captured by the stories of Rick's winter in the most beautiful place i have ever seen--the Lamar Valley--supporting the Yellowstone association and the Wolf Week programs."
"Rick's book offers compelling reasons for people to make Yellowstone their winter travel destination as well; I've always wanted to visit Yellowstone in the winter, and after reading this book I fully intend to do so within the next few years."
"This love story to Yellowstone and its wolves is a book that made me long to be back in the Lamar Valley, my happy place."
"I hope loves of nature and wild places discover this book, and open their minds and hearts to the role of this amazing animal in protecting and preserving our last great wildernesses."
"Rick made you feel like you were actually in the moment with him no matter if he was driving a tour bus of eager sightseers, stepping out of bed ready for the days activities or witnessing a wold pack cross the Lamar Valley.... you were standing right there with him. I felt his information and history on the bison, ravens, coyotes and wolves were so thorough, factual and complete and very interesting. I am ready for my journey to Yellowstone and I will carry with me the many things I learned from this book... and this time... Rick will be with ME."