Editorial Review

This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls "Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga-practicing, footloose younger sister") is poised to garner yet more adoring fans. ... Read more

Reviews

Great, for what it is., March 31, 2008
I find it so surprising--reading the angry, negative reviews--that the people who hated the book hated it for exactly the reasons why some steer clear away from the the spiritual-journey-memoir genre. Yes, the author is self-absorbed, yes, she seems to think of only trite stuff, yes, she seems self-indulgent with her problems. And yes, she's allowed. It is after all a book that is positioned to address these things in the author's self; who otherwise would not be searching for something more: more meaning and more appreciation in/of her life.
Here is a woman who shows all the possibly-perceived-as-lacking-substance thoughts of hers and we are throwing tomatoes at her. One thing, she obviously wasn't afraid of that. She wasn't aiming to be coming off as some deeply wise woman but a fumbling girl-woman trying to break out of what she felt was imminent disaster (had she had the baby and delayed her need to find out what she truly wants from her life she might have left not only her husband, but their child, or most probably ending up not leaving out of guilt and becoming crazy instead: exposing her family to that for years; not an uncommon reality). She is not one for anti-depressants, remember.
This memoir falls in the same category as the TV show Sex and the City (of which it was compared to in a review here). Both get trampled for being supposedly superficial, covering the silly plights of city girls who don't know what they want and yet have everything. But this book--as the TV show--actually are part of a wider story that is illiciting reactions from the public because it reflects the transition in which women in the modern world are experiencing: now that we have equality with men professionally, now that we are liberated from all the limitations being a woman dictated two generations ago, how does that affect us? From a distance, in a glance, it seems that women have all the cards to play with now. But this book and many other works by women and/or about women of this generation show that having all those cards does not mean Happiness.
There are still things in society--in regards to a woman's role--that grates. And then there are things within our Modernised, Westernized, Individualized, Ambitious selves, that are lacking.
This is what Miss Gilbert's search is about, and what she represents.
On a collective level, much of the modern world is in search of God, Spirituality (one just needs to walk through bookstores in the US and see the plethora of soul searching self help books on the shelves). This is what needs to be observed and understood as a phenomena in the West; the small voices, small cries, here and there by those who come up with the balls to share their journeys and thoughts with us--no matter how trite-sounding, how shallow-seeming--are part of a collective howl for the meaning of life.
Elizabeth Gilbert's voice is just one of many that calls for recognition as part of a chorus for something that firstly, many women are hollering about, and secondly, humanity in general--humanity in the first world--are crying for: some kind of guidance, indication, that the collective paths we fought for and chose (the best education, career ambitions realised, a certain amount of money needed to live that certain kind of magazine-lifestyle life--which is what Liz Gilbert's life is a reflection of, remember--love in the form of marriage and what society dictates) are truly the things that give us peace and happiness in the infinite sense.
Eat, Pray, Love might not be that deep, wise voice representing the deep, wise journey into the deep, wise self. But this book's packaging and tone, hell, its WORDS, never did say it was. It is a fumbling--almost child-like in its guilelessness--show of the ego's awareness and needs, and its attempt at searching for what many people from all walks of life only wish they could go out and find: THEMSELVES. SELF, being the keyword here. And in this memoir, ultimately, God, being in each of our selves.
To the people who were disappointed that the author didn't seem to give a hoot about India's poverty, they must have not read the book through: Miss Gilbert never ventured out of her ashram and the little village it is located in, after making a decision to further develop her meditation skills and thus skipping the rest of India. She also ignored Italy's corruption with her indulging in good food and focus on learning and enjoying the Italian language. Again, the critics missed the point of this memoir. It's a book about a writer, a New Yorker, a recently-divorced-woman-in-her-early-thirties' journey to heal and find spiritual strength through various means: pleasure first to recover (Italy), spiritual examination and purging (India), combining the two for balance (Bali), which would result hopefully in the kind of substance and depth and balance that so many critics mentioned she lacks.
One doesn't pick this book up to: 1. Be exposed to India's poverty and expect the author to discuss that in depth. 2. Be exposed to Italy's corruption and expect the author to discuss that in depth. 3. Be exposed to Balinese wiles and expect the author to discuss that in depth. (which she actually did in the account of the Balinese woman she raised money for to buy the land the woman needed to build a home).

Next time you pick a book up at the bookstore, call up your powers of perception before purchasing it. A book IS pretty much its cover. Did everyone really expect a book titled "Eat, Pray, Love" A Woman's Search for Everything, to be an experience of religious fervor, one that would reveal the secrets of the universe? It's a story about a girl who thought everything she thought she wanted, would bring her happiness. It didn't. It didn't for her, and possibly not for many other women. If it took this one woman to go to Italy, India, and Indonesia, to get away after a difficult and painful divorce to heal and get perspective--instead of festering and turning into a pile of flesh in depression--then by all means. Yes, she financed her travels through her book advance--after giving away the suburban home and NYC apartment to her ex-husband. And if she wrote this book for us, it's really for us to appreciate and enjoy the ride with her. Anybody else who got so upset needed only to put the book down and pick another one to their taste. If anything, that's this book's lesson: Do what makes you smile and thankful for life.

A ME-moir, not a memoir, April 25, 2009
I'm a big fan of Gilbert's earlier work (specifically 2003's The Last American Man) and I was deeply disappointed by this book. In fact, I sent it sailing across the room twice within the first hour. Gilbert's a fine writer, let there be no doubt. Her structure is great. She writes scrumptious sentences. She's an eminently likable narrator. But my complaint is more psychological rather than literary. As we learn over the course of the book, Ms. Gilbert is an enormously privileged woman, lives the glamorous writing life in NYC, owns two homes and yet is so sad and depressed about life. Get over yourself, lady! This book is the literary equivalent of like How Stella Got Her Grove Back. Only with yoga and white people.

Gilbert claims to be quite the globe-trotter but seems to have never learned the basic tenet of travel: learning about the larger world. Confronted with the rich, confounding, complicated world, she turns away and gets lost in her own navel.

What I hate even more about this book is what its incredible popularity says about us as Americans: just like Gilbert, we are giant narcissists and we never, ever stop thinking about ourselves and our own needs and cannot, even for a second, think about the lives of the less fortunate around the world. Gilbert thus becomes the American Every-Woman: 9-11 happens in her own backyard and she's so distraught over her failed marriage that it barely registers. If you think I'm being too hard on us Americans, think of it this way: her previous book The Last American Man was much, much better than Eat, Pray, Love but since it evinced none of the yoga-loving-upper-middle-class-woman-who-spouts-cheap-wisdom-like-Oprah-on-a-global-quest-for-self-actualization story elements, it barely sold 1% of what Eat, Pray, Love did. This is a sadly-revealing book about the state of our culture. And it's not just about Elizabeth Gilbert. It's all about us.

And, of course, don't miss the upcoming film adaptation, starring-you guessed it- Julia Roberts. If I have one other person recommend this book to me I'm going to to kill them.

Eat Pray Shove (It), February 16, 2008
Here is a book that either changed people's lives or irritated the bejesus out of them. Count me among the latter.

Eat Pray Love - One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert was supposed to enlighten me. It didn't.

OK -- First the positive: Overall, it is a well-written book. The author takes many complicated metaphysical concepts and makes them readable. The book is divided into sections: Eat, which is the author's journey to Italy; Pray, her pilgrimage to India and Love, where she takes a lover in Bali.

This is about a thirty-something woman looking for spirituality and happiness. She is married, but desperately unhappy for no single reason that she cannot or will not divulge. So, she leaves her husband (and, by the way, gives him all marital property out of supposed "guilt" for leaving him, making me wonder what exactly she did to warrant this)and falls right into another relationship (a-ha! adultery, perhaps?). When the rebound relationship that broke up her marriage falls apart, she now wants to find God. Of course. She claims God spoke to her on the bathroom floor, thus beginning her journey.

But not before she goes to her publisher and secures a $200,000 advance for this book. Makes you wonder, as one reviewer on Amazon pointed out, was the journey retrofitted to the book proposal?

What better way to go find God than in Italy. For four months she eats gelato, practices her Italian with a young man named Luca Spaghetti (If you are going to make up names of allegedly real people, could you find a more sterotypical name? Why not Carmine OrganGrinder?) and gains 23 pounds -- quick to point out to the readers that she was way underweight to beign with.

She learns to enjoy life and be selfish from the Italians - who by the way still find her immensely attractive, although they don't hoot and holler at her like they did 10 years previously. But she is still so damned cute. Just ask her.

On to India. At the Ashram, she learns to meditate and still broods over her lost marriage and subsequent realtionship. Probably the most boring part of the book, except for her conversations with "Richard from Texas" -- a down home, larger than life character who speaks in folksy platitudes that would make Andy Griffith proud. He also bestows our author with her nickname "Groceries" because she was emaciated from grief from crying for the millionth time over her beloved David. As one reviewer from Amazon said, "What kind of nickname is Groceries?"

I honestly believe she made these people up. Reminds me of "Go Ask Alice" -- supposedly the real story of the drug-addicted Anonymous -- until it was revealed that the protagonist was a fictitious composite of the author's psychiatric patients. Boo.

Then Bali. She ends her self-imposed celibacy with an older Brazilian man. High on orgasmic ecstasy, out of the supposed goodness of her heart, she asks her friends to send $18K in donations to help a single mother, an alleged friend of Ms. Gilbert's, who is portrayed as a con artist because she didn't buy a house in the timeframe coinciding with the termination of Ms. Gilbert's visa. I always thought that a gift should be a gift without strings attached -- especially coming from someone who supposedly found God. I wanted to ask Ms. Gilbert "What Would Jesus Do?"

My biggest problem with this tome is that this 30-something woman basically is looking for applause for running off for a year, obstensibly supported by a $200K book advance, to "find God." I'm sure millions of women would love to leave their everyday lives and travel the world to do nothing but self analyze. If she had done volunteer work, I may have felt differently. If she went through some real hardship, I could sympathize. But she was in an incompatible marriage, then dumped by the guy she left her husband for. She should perhaps speak to those battling life-threatening diseases, or raising children alone, or taking care of an elderly parent, or worried about where their next meal is coming from.

And for all of her self-realization and navel-gazing to end her dependence on men, Ms Gilbert has, as pointed out by anotherAmazon reviewer, married her Brazilian and moved to new Jersey. She could have saved Penguin Books a whole lot of money by getting in her car and going through the Lincoln Tunnel. I wonder how long before she ends up back on the bathroom floor.

Blah, blah, blah, blah...., October 24, 2007
I could not finish this book. When the author burst into sobs yet again in the middle of prayer, or a conversation, or walking down the street, or (more likely) on the floor of yet another bathroom, I gave up. This is the type of person you meet at a cocktail party and RUN in the other direction after a few minutes when she starts spewing out all her problems at you with no end in sight. Note to the author: I am your reader, not your psychotherapist. I really tried to enjoy the book and even like the author, but after slogging through a couple hundred pages of endlessly self-absorbed chatter, I was worn out and put the book in the Goodwill pile. When she writes, "I discovered my mind was not a very interesting place to be," I have to say, "Amen, sister!"

dishonest and poorly written, April 14, 2007
I've read several of the reviews posted here and though I couldn't finish this book, it seems to me that what's wrong with it is not so much the author's hollow-souled narcissism but her lack of intellectual seriousness. Someone gave me this book as a birthday present. That it has received a lot of attention is no surprise. Look at the drivel America reads. Light, shallow laughs, sex, food, not much real thought. That's the sum of this book. Feel-good rubbish that inspires not one iota of serious thought. Gilbert's slapphappy universe is one in which everything can be solved with pizza and fresh mozarella. Every paragraph contains at least one stock one-liner. This isn't literature. It's stand-up comedy of the worst kind. We've read it all before. She claims she can make friends with anyone. It's precisely that lack of discernment and depth that makes this story forgettable. The prose is laced with one cliche, one trite and cutesy obvservation after another. Some reviewer here said this book is not a book but a magazine article. Exactly right. I finally closed the book when I read that while in India she wanted to "valet park" a destitue family into a new life. It isn't just that the phrase is a silly toss-off modernism but that there's no true emotion in it. You'll never know how this woman really feels. Don't waste your money on it.

Expected more. MUCH more., March 19, 2007
This book reminded me of a quote that's served me well in life: "It's a sign of maturity when you begin to fall out of love with your own drama." The author clearly hasn't reached this stage on her path to "enlightenment"!

don't waste your time on this one, July 12, 2007
Not one interesting character. Not even the author. A horrible divorce... big deal. A love of food ... not really worth 116 pages. I had to get to page 156 to finally understand. She is in an Ashram in India having trouble silencing her mind and meditating.

"What I am alarmed to find in meditation is that my mind is actually not that interesting a place after all."

That sentence sums up the book

Glib, narcissistic and lightweight, May 14, 2007
I picked up this book on the strength of good reviews and found myself wanting to throw it at the wall. The author is a fine writer with a good sense of humor who seemed to want to write about her journey to self fullfilment, spiritual awakening and happiness. Instead she came off as a priviledged, slightly spoiled writer who needed an excuse for a writers advance so she could travel for free. She reveals herself to be a spiritual narcissist who obsessively navel gazes. While many passages are light hearted and funny and she is oh, so very clever and witty!! there was no real depth, no real meaningful questions asked or answered except for how she could get more breaks and be FULFILLED. It seemed like an extended article for SELF magazine. Instead order books by Kathleen Norris or even Anne LaMott for God's sake!

Symptomatic Of The Downfall Of Western Civilization..., October 28, 2009
Elizabeth Gilbert was a self-absorbed, married, thirty-something living the privileged existence of an affluent writer in the most powerful nation on Earth, when, suddenly - shock-horror - she realized that she wasn't happy. As a consequence, she cast aside her husband, took up with another man - with whom she still wasn't happy - and, after this relationship fell into inevitable dissolution, decided to run off around the world in order to "find herself" (one must assume that she'd already looked down the back of the sofa) after receiving a handsome advance from a publishing company to chronicle her subsequent exploits.

"Eat, Pray, Love" is pseudo-intellectual, altruistic, mother-my-dog pap of the worst kind masquerading as spiritual insight. Read between the lines and it expounds selfishness as a virtue and mindless hedonism as both philosophy and legitimate path to spiritual insight. Unsurprisingly, that great doyen of the gullible, Oprah Winfrey, loved it and made it one of her book club choices, thus unleashing it to a wider audience than Gilbert's talents as a writer would normally have ever allowed. Apparently, God help us, a big-screen version with Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts is currently in the offing.

As a literary construct, Gilbert herself seems to be the contemporary living embodiment of Tom and Daisy Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby", of whom F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "They were careless people...they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness...and let other people clean up the mess they had made."

"Self-absorbed" does not begin to cover it; "self-centred" is not nearly an adequate description. One hopes that she can't really have been so completely inured to the poverty of India and Indonesia by her solipsism. If so, then she seems to be genuinely emblematic of a subset of the "sex and the city" generation of women who put their own self-gratification above all other things. Worryingly, this attitude seems to be becoming increasingly more prevalent in western society.

I will be honest, I first happened upon this book after briefly seeing some of Winfrey's interview with Gilbert on television and consequently read three quarters of the book in my local library - and was so completely incensed that I felt it my civic duty to warn you off of this book.

If you want a genuinely enjoyable book to provoke introspection, this isn't it, but may I politely suggest Tom Hodgkinson's How to Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto and The Freedom Manifesto: How to Free Yourself from Anxiety, Fear, Mortgages, Money, Guilt, Debt, Government, Boredom, Supermarkets, Bills, Melancholy, Pain, Depression, Work, and Waste or Lin Yutang's The Importance Of Living in it's stead; If you want a decent travelogue, may I politely suggest any Bruce Chatwin's books, and if you really want to read a writer with talent give the exponents of the Gilbertian philosophy of self-aggrandisement both barrels, then I strongly recommend Michael Bywater's Big Babies: or: Why Can't We Just Grow Up?

She teaches you how to discipline yourself not to judge someone, November 20, 2007
I hated this book but I forced myself to finish it. Putting the authors irritating voice aside, it epitomizes everything wrong with American culture today: worship of the mediocre, travel without seeing anything, polarizing of the Other and fake spirituality. That said, I learned something important about spirituality as well but I'll get to that in a minute. It has to do with learning not to judge (see above, I've become quite judgmental).

When I was dragging myself through this book, I experienced strong waves of hatred for this woman. She missed all of the poverty in those places and all complexities of the cultures she "learned about". She acted like hers was the only travel experience any of her readers have ever had with her "Let me explain what being Balinese means..." demeanor. She couldn't even accurately transcribe the Italian words in the passage of curses ("Molto migliore"???). She spoke about Italy like an annoying travel companion who has been there for five minutes, has read two things about the place and knows five words and acts like the expert and when you visit her there and after 2 days there yourself you can see that she still hasn't seen or learned a thing. She takes what she wants to see from the world and tells readers what she thinks they want to hear about it. She doesn't even give an original spin to these common travel destinations, or even any insight into the expats she does meet. Did she ever mention not liking someone? Did she ever mention any negative emotions about anyone other than "David" or her ex-husband? Did she ever mention any locals being any less than thrilled that she graced them with her presence? Did any other readers feel her jealousy seething when the sexy Brazilian Armenia walked in Wayan's shop? Of course we all did but the author, miss Spiritually Enlightened at Greeting Her Emotions must still not be able to face that one. Or maybe she can't dare mention it because that might make her readers not like her and this woman spends all her energy spinning a version of herself that everyone can like. I guess her spiritual enlightenment only works for exploring and sharing insights about her weight. Or making money off the bored, privileged American public.

Now, how about how offensive she is? Besides her condescending assumption that we are all married 35 year olds stuck in our houses who have never traveled and are relying on her to tell us how it is, she made two references where she tried to make the suffering of her love life out to be comparable that of a refugee ("we had the eyes of refugees" and counseling with the boat people revealed that their suffering too "was all" love story sagas (personally offensive to anyone touched by the world's refugee story).

Okay, I said that I learned something. Yes, I learned something. Important. I looked deeply into my hatred I felt towards this woman throughout the book. I learned that the reason I hated her so much was because I was expecting her to have something insightful to say and I was expecting to learn about the people from an anthropological, non-biased, realistic perspective. Each faux pas she made infuriated me. I wasn't seeing her for her. I was trying to project what I thought was her view of herself onto her. Basically, I was expecting her to live up to how great she tells us she is and when she didn't deliver, time after time, sentence after sentence, I felt some justified sense of triumph and anger at "catching" her, and then feeling immense frustration at not being able to expose her to the world so everyone else would see through her too. Instead, I should learn to accept the book for what it is (horrible) and accept the author as she is (whoever that is) and accept that to her it was suffering, to her it was enlightenment and it does no good to judge her for it (even though I am not spiritually enlightened enough to stop myself). Instead of hating her, I should have shut the book, written this review, and laughed about it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Food Network star Guy Fieri takes you on a tour of America's most colorful diners, drive-ins, and dives in this tie-in to his enormously popular television show, complete with recipes, photos, and memorabilia.

Packed with Guy's iconic personality, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives follows his hot-rod trips around the country, mapping out the best places most of us have never heard of. From digging in at legendary burger joint the Squeeze Inn in Sacramento, California, baking Peanut Pie from Virginia Diner in Wakefield, Virginia, or kicking back with Pete's "Rubbed and Almost Fried" Turkey Sandwich from Panini Pete's in Fairhope, Alabama, Guy showcases the amazing personalities, fascinating stories, and outrageously good food offered by these American treasures.

Reviews

A little disappointing ..., November 20, 2008

What fun!, October 22, 2008

Like diners and dives? Check this out!, November 6, 2008
I'm addicted to Guy Fieri's Food Network show, "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." Whenever I have a chance, I tune in; normally, it's a cool one hour trip across the country. His enthusiasm comes right through the screen as he tries out different dishes at each establishment.

This book provides a sampling of some of those establishments across the country. The format is simple: a brief description of the diner or deli or dive, a photo of the place, and one or more illustrative recipes. In a sense, using one of his own terms, this is a trip to "Flavortown." One nice touch: his recognition of key players in his crew, as they work together as a team across the country.

Some examples of the places he looks at and the recipes that he spotlights. The "Blue Moon Cafe" in Baltimore, Maryland. I am looking forward, in the near future, to a long weekend in Baltimore; it's an enjoyable visit. This time, I may choose to try out this place. He focuses on breakfast in his two cafe examination of this cafe. The recipe given is intriguing--but not for me, Cap'n Crunch French Toast. I'm not going to ever make this, but it's fun to imagine making it and tasting it. Ingredients: heavy cream, eggs, vanilla, Cap'n Crunch, sugar, bread, sugar, berries. The 5 steps in the recipe sure look doable for amateur chefs. Interesting. . . .

Then, there is "Panini Pete's," located in Fairhope, Alabama. One interesting aspect: the head cook is a classically trained European chef. One recipe: Pete's Rubbed and Almost Fried Turkey Sandwich. Focaccia bread, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Kosher salt and pepper, Dijon mustard, fried turkey (a menu provided for that, too), roasted red pepper, baby greens, mozzarella, and garlic mayo. Oooh. Read the recipe and imagine the tasty results!

Then, there is Joe's Farm Grill in Arizona. Much of the food is grown right there. One specialty is hamburgers, with all sorts of eye popping toppings (e.g., apple-cider smoked bacon, pepperoni, roasted red peppers, and so on). But this isn't just a burger joint. Witness the recipe provided--Asian Slaw with Spicy Thai Vinaigrette. Combine the vegetables, including green and red and napa cabbage, julienned green onion, julienned red bell pepper, shredded carrots, salt and pepper, topped with spicy Thai vinaigrette. Looks yummy.

Anyhow, this is worth the price of purchase simply for the description of the diners, delis, and dumps--and seeing the building where the establishment is located. The recipes are interesting, too, although I would not even think of making many of these (some may be great tasting, but they're awfully fatty and loaded with cholesterol). If you like Guy Fieri's show, you'll enjoy this book, I think.

crazy tasty, October 24, 2008

Okay, but not much of a cookbook..., October 30, 2008

Sadly, It Doesn't Live Up To Potential, November 9, 2008

A "Must Have" for DD&D Fans, November 1, 2008

What was the point of this?, June 24, 2009

I don't know what I was thinking here. I like the show, but what was I hoping for from this book? Perhaps, A bit more depth and behind the scenes info? Well, if you're looking for an overview of the show with even less information than the show supplied, buy this book. Even the recipes are weak, with nothing here that couldn't be found someplace else or figured out from watching the show (We're not talking haute cuisine.). Throughout the book there are even "Guys Asides," little comments attached to the main article, which seem strangely redundant in a book that he has "written." Hey, this is my fault, I bought it without checking. Unless you are a huge fan of the show or of Guy's odd coif and bling, this one will not be missed on your bookshelf.

money thrown away, January 27, 2009
While the show is interesting and entertaining the book is just the opposite. Not well organized, and receipes are disappointing. Would not recommed this book,if you want to visit the places he visits, just watch the show and make note of the names and locations and take the list when you travel to that area. Looked up several areas of interest we had seen on the show, and none of the resturnats are mentioned in the book.

Too little of everything, November 6, 2008
I have been a DDD fan from the beginning. I have seen every episode at least once, some thrice. I have wanted a book forever, and have long thought about what I wanted it to be. So maybe that is why I am disappointed so much.

I was hoping for a travel guide that I could use to seek out DDD favorites. But this guide does not cover everyplace he has been, just some of them. And it lacks a good index by state and city for the locations he does cover. You can flip thru the pages by part of the country, but it is tedious and not as easy as it could be. A national map with numbered locations would have been good too. The fact that the pictures of the people and locations are black and white keeps it from becoming exciting or make me want to visit. A black and white picture of a building sign is just a waste of book space. These places have character, and you get NONE of it in the pictures. The whole book feels boring and drab from the minute you pick it up.

The book tries to be part travel guide, part cookbook, and part show diary. IMHO, it fails at all three. It has a recipe from most of the selected locations, but no pictures of the food. That may be just as well, because black and white pictures of food would take the book to a new level of dullness. The narratives for each location are uninspired, and sound like they were written by a newly-graduated ghost writer rather than the inimitable Guy. Most of it reads more boringly than a small-town restaurant review. As a show diary, it lacks any funny stories or off-camera tidbits that might have brought some humor and interest to an otherwise exceedingly dull book.

Maybe i will feel better about this book once I make a few recipes. But I suspect that this one is going to end up on eBay or Amazon Used Books in a few weeks. ... Read more

Editorial Review

No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world's most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.

Compiled from the favorite trips of National Geographic's travel writers, Journeys of a Lifetime spans the globe to highlight the best of the world's most famous and lesser known sojourns. It presents an incredible diversity of possibilities, from ocean cruises around Antarctica to horse treks in the Andes. Every continent and every possible form of transport is covered.

A timely resource for the burgeoning ranks of active travelers who crave adventurous and far-flung trips, Journeys of a Lifetime provides scores of creative ideas: trekking the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania... mountain biking in Transylvania... driving through the scenic highlands of Scotland... or rolling through the outback on Australia's famous Ghan train... and dozens of other intriguing options all over the world.

Journeys of a Lifetime also features 22 fun Top 10 lists in all sorts of categories. What are the world's top 10 elevator rides, bridges to walk across, trolley rides, ancient highways, or underground walking adventures? Readers will love evaluating and debating the selections.

Each chapter showcases stunning photography, full-color maps, evocative text, and expert advice—including how to get there, when to visit, and how to make the most of the journey—all packaged in a luxurious oversize volume to treasure for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews

A Good Starting Point for Adding to Your Trip Choices, January 30, 2008
If you take one trip a year and never go to the same place twice, even the most fortunate person will probably visit no more than 50 different places in a lifetime. What a great idea it is to be more aware of what your choices are before taking one of those 50 trips.

The book is organized around nine themes as described thusly on the contents page:

1. Across Water (Unforgettable voyages, from luxury cruises to dugout canoes)

2. By Road (Chasing the horizon: legendary drives and secret detours)

3. By Rail (Watching the world pass by your window)

4. On Foot (The pleasures of the oldest and greenest mode of travel)

5. In Search of Culture (Life-enhancing odysseys for lovers of all the arts)

6. In Gourmet Heaven (Seeking out the world of flavors)

7. Into the Action (Hands-on adventures for those who'd rather do it for themselves)

8. Up and Away (Flights, skyways, and bird's-eye views)

9. In Their Footsteps (Pilgrimages for readers, dreamers, and history fans)

Typical trip choices are usually described in one or two pages with color photographs and maps taking up at least half of the space. An entry contains brief advice on when to go, how long the trips last, how far ahead to plan, special packing advice, and Web sites for more information. Highlights of such a trip are also briefly described so you can get a sense of what you'll see and do. Some trips are, however, listed in as little as a paragraph.

Naturally, you have to judge a book like this very carefully. By definition, you haven't taken most of the trips!

I looked at trips I've taken that were terrific and noticed some weaknesses in the advice. Here are a few examples:

1. Each entry is treated as though there's nothing else nearby that might be of interest. As a result, you need to check the geographies to see how you might combine several trips listed in the book into one. For example, many of the New England trips are located not too far from one another and you should consider doing more than one on a visit.

2. The timing of how to enjoy other events isn't always considered in enough detail. For instance, Boston's Freedom Trail is listed in the book. But you aren't told that if you come around Patriot's Day (a Monday in April) you can also see re-enactments of the battles of Lexington and Concord and the running of the Boston Marathon on the same trip.

3. Some of the advice seemed just plain wrong from my point of view. When I went to the Galapagos, I was there for 10 days in the dry season and 4 days in the wet season. The wet season was awful! People there said to be sure to always come in the dry season (which ends around the beginning of winter in North America). The book made no mention of this issue in discussing when to go. Also, many of the most interesting things to do in the Galapagos aren't mentioned.

As a result, use this book to start dreaming a little about what you might go see. I was fascinated by some of the choices for Australia and New Zealand that I had never heard of but which looked very beautiful. But do plenty of homework beyond the book to find out what you really need to know before choosing and organizing a trip.

Bon voyage!

A "Must-Have" for those who love to travel!, January 12, 2008
I love to travel and I think this book is fantastic! Browsing through this beautiful book, I had to add several travel destinations to my list of places I someday want to visit. If you want some great vacation ideas, from US to exotic oversees destinations, this book will provide many. Paging through the book is also an educational opportunity to discover a bit more about places around the world.

The book is not organized by location (although there is an index for finding specific destinations), but rather the itineraries are listed under the following categories:

Across Water
By Road
By Rail
On Foot
In Search Of Culture
In Gourmet Heaven
Into the Action
Up and Away
In Their Footsteps

Each destination or journey entry includes a page of photos and information. A small map showing the location and route (if applicable) is included as well as a list of highlights. There is also a paragraph or two about the trip and each destination includes sections labeled: When to Go, How Long, Planning, Insider Information, and Websites. These provide some good information and tips for travelers and the website listings give the readers a way to find more details if they want to plan a trip.

The book contains a wealth of ideas and there is certainly something for everyone. Just a sampling of the trips in the book:

Sampling Food along the Mediterranean
Following Che's trip in Argentina (as depicted in the movie "The Motorcycle Diaries")
Cycling Across Transylvania
Riding the Moroccan Camel Train
Driving from Utah's Bryce Canyon to Capital Reef
India's Golden Triangle (Dehli, Jaipur, Agra)

This is a beautiful book that is very well done. National Geographic does not disappoint here!

Amazing value, December 27, 2007
This is a great "coffee table" style book, filled with interesting information and the sort of excellent photography one would expect from National Geographic. What's most remarkable, however, is simply the price. This is a big, heavy, tome of a book--hardcover--and I would have expected it to easily cost twice what it does. It's a real pleasure to browse through, and I learned of quite a few places I had not heard of or would not have thought about as options for travel destinations. It is not a resource per se. Think of it as a collection, a wide array, of mini-travelogues with good photography (even if on a fairly matte paper stock), and given the large size of the book, this allows for fairly large-format images. A good value.

Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips, December 25, 2007
The format is wonderful--one simple page for each recommended location or activity. Each page includes the best time of year to travel and other recommendations. We've been to some of the selected locations, and the descriptions were very good for a one-page summary. It also helps you think of places to travel that you might not have thought of or considered. The pictures are beautiful. Great gift idea from friends who travel.

Fantastic!, December 29, 2007
This is the perfect cocktail table book, and everyone that has looked at it loves it. I plan to order more for gifts.

I travel a lot, and this is very well done, with good photos and descriptions. It even gives the right time of year to travel to each place. Great book, and would highly recommend it.

nice, January 27, 2008
This book can be a little annoying at times. The chapters are divided into catagories such a "travel by train," or "travel on foot." This means if you want to say go to Peru, you have to look at the index for Peru and flip to all the scattered writeups. You might miss something. I think there could be a little more info written too on each "Journey" mentioned. Sometimes it's not enough to get a true excitement about the place, event, or experience. Overall I do like the book though. Great reference and gives enough info to do some research on your own when making plans for your trip. Great photos.

Must Have for all Travelers, February 8, 2008
This is an amazing book. It has everything you ever need to know about amazing vacation spots. It even tells you the best time of year and best travel route. I especially liked that each section also included the top 10s, like top ten boat rides, etc throughout the world. This is a must have for anyone who loves to travel and is also just a great coffee table book. Everyone who visits finds themselves lost in the pages of this amazing book!!!

Great broad perspective travel book, January 7, 2008
Great book for those interested in a little bit of everything. It is broken up into several sections that provide a nice variety of travel types (ex. culinary, culture, boat, plane, etc.) Incredible pictures for each entry.
This book is best used as a means of getting ideas for travel because it provides only general information rather than the specific "how to" for each journey.
Overall, a really interesting read.

pretty darn good book!!!, February 9, 2008
i purchased this book as a birthday gift for my brother. now i don't want to give it to him. i want to keep it.
the photos in this book will knock your socks off. it's a lovely book and it's so much fun to just pick up and turn to any page. i recommend this book for people planning a trip AND for people who just want to see what a wonderful world we live in.
my only complaint: IT'S HEAVY!!
enjoy.

Great Travel Book, Average+ Photo Book, November 19, 2008
This book generally fulfilled my expectations as a travel book. It gives a great number of amazing destinations with enough info to allow you search further. I also liked the idea of splitting the trips by means of travel (boat, plane, train, car, 2-legs, 4-legs, etc).

On the other hand, as an amateur photographer/photo enthusiast and an overall National Geographic fun, I found the photos as well as the printing quality of the book not of the best quality, or at least not of the quality that NG normally provide in their photo books.

Overall, a great publication that I would recommend!

Check out also "Where To Go When" (Eyewitness Travel Guides) - DK Publishing. Highly recommended, great travel book, great photo book too!!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A Genuine Masterpiece, October 15, 2010
I also read the excerpts in the New Yorker and was very anxious to get the complete book. I was not disappointed. This is easily one of the best nonfiction books (or books of any kind, for that matter) I have ever read. I am always wary about using the overworked word "masterpiece," but I truly believe this is one. Frazier takes us on a wonderful journey: his gradual discovery of Russia through its literature, history and by meeting several native Russians in New York; his deciding to visit the country with Russian friends; his efforts to learn to read and speak the Russian language; and his first trip to eastern Siberia by crossing the Bering Strait from Alaska to Chukotka. The longest journey he takes is by van with two Russian guides across the entire length of Siberia in 2001, arriving at the Pacific Ocean on September 11th. He returns to Siberia in 2005, traveling from Yakutsk to the village of Oimyakon, "said to be the coldest place on earth outside Antarctica," and along the Topolinskaya Highway to the see the abandoned prison camps of Stalin's Gulag. His last visit is in 2009, when he travels by himself to Novosibirsk, Siberia's largest city. Throughout the book, Frazier's descriptions of the forests, the steppes, the taiga, the mountains, the rivers and lakes, the cities, the villages, the monuments and outposts, as well as the horrific mosquitoes and the often questionable food, are simply riveting. He meets a truly remarkable assortment of men and women from all walks of Siberian life, learning how they survive, and often thrive, in such a difficult, unforgiving place. He recounts tales of many figures, both famous and obscure, from Siberia's incredible past: Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes, the revolutionary Decembrists of the 1820s, exiles like Dostoyevsky and those who died in the horrific Soviet prison camps, Czar Nicholas II, Rasputin, Rudolph Nureyev, and even Yul Brenner. And like all great writers of nonfiction, Frazier sees things that others would miss and makes discoveries that will take your breath away; he is always looking for the unobvious and finding the most fascinating wherever he goes. Consequently, we are treated to a unique portrait of an amazing place by one of our finest writers. Ian Frazier has written a great, great book.

Great historical journey through Siberia, October 13, 2010
i read two excerpts from this book in the New Yorker Magazine a summer or two ago and couldn't tear myself away. It's such an adventure. If you've ever read one of the great Russian novels or studied world history at all you already have an historical vision filed away in your head and this book brings it all back, richly. The spirit in which Frazier traveled to research this book and because he's written it so well you feel like a fly on his shoulder throughout the journey. i'm so happy the book is finally published, i've been waiting a long time for it. Highly recommended!

Brilliant - But PLEASE, people, review the BOOK, not Amazon!!!!, October 25, 2010
I will not try to add much to the other 5-star reviews of "Travels in Siberia" except to say that the superlatives being used here are totally justified. As a review in the San Francisco chronicle said, "'Travels in Siberia' is a masterpiece of nonfiction writing - tragic, bizarre and funny. Once again, the inimitable Frazier has managed to create a genre of his very own." This review is spot on. Readers should read this book and savor every word. It truly is one of the most beautifully written books I have ever encountered--one for the ages.

BUT, I implore people like Mr. Piro to stop giving 1-Star reviews to books because you don't like Amazon's pricing policy! Don't you realize that you are supposed to be reviewing the content of the book? If you are upset with Amazon, why are you taking it out on an author who has nothing at all to do with how Amazon sets its prices? Your anger is totally misdirected. If you are upset with Amazon, CALL them up or WRITE them and complain. To give this great book a 1-star review because you're upset with Amazon is the height of stupidity.

Gorgeously written, but flawed American viewpoint, November 12, 2010
I'm going to write my review without biasing myself by reading the others.

I lived and worked in Siberian and the Russian Far East for several years in the 1990s. Frazier has always been one of my favorite authors; he is king of detail. "On the Rez" was a phenomenal book. Missing my second home, Russia, I snatched up Travels in Siberia the instant it became available.

I'm going to start with the limitations of this book:

1. East of Chita and Yakutia, the locals uniformly call their land the "Russian Far East." They do not call it Siberia, any more than people from Idaho or California call their land the Midwest. Just like Americans have the Midwest and the West, the Russians have the corresponding landlocked Siberia and the coastal Far East. It perpetuates Westerners' geographic misnaming of the region.

2. Leaving the history of Siberia's Indigenous peoples out of the book. This is the most egregious oversight of this book, and it's particularly perplexing given Frazier's history researching and writing "On the Rez." Can you imagine an author writing on the history and the experience of the Dakotas without mentioning the Sioux? This book manages to paint Siberia and the Russian Far East as the historic battleground of Russians and the Mongols, without mentioning the couple dozen tribes - of Asian, Turkish, or European descent - that migrated to, lived in, and defined Siberia for centuries before either the Russians or the Mongols arrived. In a few of these regions, Indigenous peoples still outnumber Russians, and it is still common to hear the native languages spoken on the streets or in government offices. Frazier writes about two visits to the Republic of Buryatia without clarifying that Buryatians are Indigenous descendents of the Mongols. He then visits a bit with the Even peoples in Yakutia, but again fails to relate any information about their history, although the book has some history on the Russian colonization of the region.

3. Frazier entered Siberia with the notion that it is All About Gulags; that is a typical American lens/misperception. Siberia is a whole lot of things, and Siberians do not, nor did they ever, think of their land as Prison Land, any more than Californians currently obsess about Japanese internment camps in California. In both places the gulags are a sad and horrible history but they are far from defining the place. If you lived in Siberia for a year and listened to Russian conversation, you would never know there are any prisons there. Another stereotype of Siberia that Frazier failed to question, and ended up just perpetuating.

4. Siberia and the Far East are the very most beautiful (a) in nature and all the wilderness parks, which Frazier never seems to get off the highway to see!; and (b) in private homes, where Russians and other natives fully open their hearts and are your best friends for life. Frazier is more exposed to the (much harsher) "public life" of Russia, the train toilets and the public litter, than to its wonderful private life. Russians often said to me, "I've visited America, and it's boring there." What they often mean is that Russians, and particularly those who live east of the Urals, are a very social, hospitable, warm, fun people who know how to have a good time. Frazier for whatever reason barely gets a peak at this. And he writes about forests, but never really gets a look at how gorgeous they are in Siberia, because he is always sort of on the main drag, pushed on by two hosts from St. Petersburg who only want to drive faster rather than slowing down and actually seeing anything.

That said, this book is wonderfully written, has riveting detail, and has some truly brilliant insights into both the Russian psyche and the land that Frazier visited. Worth reading.

Travels in Siberia, October 27, 2010
`Travels in Siberia` is an excellent and up to date travel book through Siberia by American writer Ian Frazier, best known for his 1980s travel book Great Plains. Parts of the book were originally serialized in The New Yorker, which sponsored one of his five trips to Russia (those five trips making up the five main chapters of the book). There are countless older travel books about Siberia, many with the exact same title "Travels in Siberia", but things have changed rapidly since the collapse of the USSR so it's good to have a recent account. Frazier's fascination and love of Siberia is somewhat infectious, though he and his friends often wonder what the appeal is given all its problems and horrid history. Frazier is an excellent writer who focuses on the small detail, such as types of trash on the road, the types of clothes, food, restrooms, service (or lack thereof) etc.. one really gets the sense of how crude and rough it is, like a third world country. As a traveler, Frazier is ironically not very adventurous, given how dangerous Siberia can be, it is a safe pedestrian journey. The most daring thing he did was jump out of the car and snap a picture of a prison from afar. When his Russian guides went off to party with the locals, he would stay at camp alone inside the tent. Perhaps because his Russian language skills were very basic it limited his comfort level in new situations. We learn a lot about his guide Sergei, an archetypal Russian who had an amazing ability to fix any vehicle problem with a nail, wire and roadside refuse. In the end I think it's a good book because it covers so much territory and Frazier's eye for simple but revealing detail combined with his excellent writing and humor keep it always interesting and fun to read.

The best book of the year - More like a great Russian novel, November 1, 2010
I have read a number of the year's so-called "best" books, and there are quite a few very good ones, both fiction and nonfiction. But Ian Frazier's "Travels In Siberia," in my opinion, stands head and shoulders above the rest. Frazier somehow has captured the size and scope of this enormous place and describes it with a force equal to one of the great Russian writers--I do not exaggerate!--yet with a totally American sensibility. Since a number of other reviews have concentrated on the amazing experiences and adventures and the fascinating people he encounters, I would like to focus on another aspect: the absolutely brilliant writing. What I have always admired about Frazier, in both his humor pieces and his nonfiction and reporting work, is how effortless his writing seems to be. I am sure, like all great writers, he works incredibly hard at each sentence. But it never shows. His descriptions and metaphors are truly fresh, original and unexpected, yet they always work. A couple of examples: "On the Barabinsk Steppe . . . stretches of real forest often appeared here and there, intruding into the flatland like the paws of a giant dog asleep just the other side of the horizon." And this passage about his arrival back in the US shortly after 9/11: "I smelled diesel fuel, bus exhaust, and a whiff of Jamaica Bay not far off. The speedy channel changing in my head slowed to a stop, and all the ordinary JFK Airport surroundings seemed to settle on my shoulders like an old coat. In my gratitude I did not fall to my knees and kiss the ground. But for a moment I did squat down and touch the warm, black, grainy, pebbly asphalt with the fingers of one hand."

"Travels in Siberia" brims with observations and insights that are simply overwhelming. I do hope people will read this book, as they'll be in for one of the great literary experiences of their lives.

Great history lesson, but shaky travel book, December 5, 2010
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I am learning Russian and took my own first trip to the country this year; there is so much to learn and discover about Russia and I appreciated Frazier's interesting, concise and occasionally humorous lessons on the country's history, culture and geography. Indeed, I found myself laughing out loud at several passages - a valued experience during a good read for me!

Nonetheless, as much as I appreciate seeing an author's sense of humor and personality shine through a narrative like this, I found parts of Frazier's discourse to be simply grating and tinged with a familiarly uncomfortable, unmistakable East Coast self-importance. As many times as Frazier may call himself a Midwesterner in the text, his worldview is clearly that of an affluent New Yorker. This is perfectly evidenced by his reference to his guide/trip organizer/translator/mechanic throughout Siberia as his `driver'. It took a native Russian teacher later to point out to him that he should call the talented person who shepherded him (and his expensive fishing rods) across thousands of miles of Siberia his `colleague' instead (also worth pointing out that in addition to this man's guide credentials, he's the head of the robotics lab at St. Petersburg State University, hardly a `driver' qualification).

Frazier goes on to display a latent sexism in a passage about the beauty of post-soviet-era Russian women. He marvels at the `beautiful women walking everywhere' in Krasnoyarsk, recalling a negative Cold War American stereotype of Russian female appearance and questioning its origins. In his quest to figure out how Russian women apparently became beautiful, he examines historical male perceptions of Russian women (including that of John Quincy Adams), questions a Russian male friend and then finally agrees with the theory of an American male economist that compares Russian female beauty to a commodity crop. Not once does he ask Russian female friends about this apparent phenomenon; had he taken this simple and evident approach, he might have heard numerous, more logical explanations, including the simple reason of the sudden availability of Western fashions after the fall of Communism.

In general, and as other reviewers on Amazon have pointed out, Frazier's attitude and approach keeps him tied to a high-way or zipped up in a one-man tent for good portion of his travels. As his Russian `drivers' go into towns and villages in the evening and get to know the local people and culture, letting the flow of the journey lead them to new experiences and friends, the author remains a somewhat hesitant observer. His obstinate request to see a Siberian prison causes an obvious cultural disconnect and tension between himself and the Russian guides; once again baring his East Coast mind-set, he seems to believe that the simple act of paying them to show him a prison should override their evident discomfort with exploring this aspect of Russian history.

On the whole, I liked this book. My repeated bouts of irritation with the author's personality, however, chip two stars off of my rating.

Well researched, but a little off-putting...., December 14, 2010
I enjoyed all the research included in this massive history of Siberia. Frazier did a great job with a lot of information. The book is fact-filled, very detailed, and generally written in an entertaining style. Good map showing the location of towns he visited -- although I'd recommend that readers refer to maps that show the geography from the "top" of the globe instead. His map seriously distorts the northeastern part of Siberia.

Prior reviewers have covered the strong aspects of the book better than I can. But the some things were a little off-putting.

For instance, it made me squirm when he too-frequently compared himself to fellow-travelers and his hired tour guides, with himself coming off as the better person. That's not something nonfiction readers enjoy in an author.

And he missed out on a lot of the culture of the country by sanctimoniously avoiding the consumption of vodka or people drinking it. Hey, he's in Russia! What about When in Rome, do as the Romans do? Not that he needed to be a strong imbiber, but imagine all the good stories, camaraderie and experiences he missed out on! It's like a foreigner writing about rural America and refusing to attend a potluck, whether he ate the food or not.

Too: I'll bet his married tour guides didn't much appreciate him tattling on them and their escapades. Imagine the stories Frazier could've told if he'd occasionally accompanied them! Maybe he did... Would love to read a book with their version of the long journeys with him.

He very briefly mentions a few people he encountered who were exploring Siberia without paid hand-holders. Those are the kind of stories I'd recommend and will be looking for next. Also, like a previous reviewer noted, I wish he'd included more about the many ethnic groups in Siberia. And why couldn't he have found or taken better photographs?

Finally, the book needed a good editor. Got tedious by the end. Doubt if I'll read any prior books of Frazier's.

More History Book Than Travelogue, December 14, 2010
Ian Frazier's Travels In Siberia is a lengthy tome about not just Mr. Frazier's travels in Russia but a history of the country including Genghis Khan, the Decembrists, Stalin, Lenin and everyone in between. The book is extremely well written and you can feel Mr. Frazier's genuine love of the country coming through, but I felt a little shorted by the passages on his actual travels in Siberia. The first thing you think about when you think of Siberia is that it is a cold desolate place, but on his first trip he goes in the summer. While he does rectify this by going back and travelling through Siberia in the winter that trip seems more like an afterthought in the book. On his first trip, he spends much of his time sitting back in the camp his two travelling companions set up in various campgrounds, roadsides, etc. while they go out and experience the towns. It would have felt more like a travel book if Mr. Frazier had joined the two on their excursions into town and written about the locals instead of the many museums he visited. That being said, Mr. Frazier deserves credit for an extremely well written book especially his story of how he ended his first journey through Siberia on 9/11/01 and his resulting trip back to his home in New Jersey. It was quite compelling and the most heartfelt portion of the book.

Been there, done that, December 3, 2010
In a previous life, ie before marriage, I spent a good amount of time in the wilds of Siberia/China working for a timber company. In the 5 or so years since my travels I often wondered just what it was about this desolute, cold and sometimes downright ugly part of the world that I found strangely compelling. Now I know it is the love of russia that Ian talks of often in this book. While I mainly flew, the author does a wonderful job of bringing back memories of just what it is like to see the real Russia, and the real Russians.

I really liked this book, a great combination of humor, tribulation and history... from a part of the globe still a faceless wasteland to many. Also a good insight into the vast difference between the rule the world mindset in Moscow versus the simeply make it until tomorrow of the 1960's era of the countryside. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in). ... Read more

Reviews

More than a hiking narative., May 10, 2000
This is much more than a travelogue of two neophyte hikers on the Appalachian Trail, and readers looking for a blow by blow account of the travails of Bill Bryson and his companion, Stephen Katz, will be disappointed. Hiking provides only a backdrop to a heartfelt discourse on the social condition of America, local history, the environment, and the complexities of friendship. The pretext for the book was Bryson's return to the United States after twenty years in Britain, and his interest in "rediscovering America" after such a lengthy absence.

The vast majority of the reviews of the book cite its hilarity (one reviewer called it "choke-on-your-coffee funny"), and indeed there are very many funny parts. However, the deeper I got into the book, I detected a strong shift in the author's sentiment from satire to deep introspection. His observations became more acute, more angry, and more individualized as his long hike constantly brings to his mind the fragile environment of the Trail, the insanity of bureacrats entrusted with the AT, and his own personal limitations.

This was my first encounter with Bill Bryson, and while I found him entertaining, a beautiful writer, and an astute observer, some readers will be put off my his sharp satiric wit. It is certain that he will offend somebody. A friend of mine, who also read the book, was very much upset by the fact that Bryson and Katz didn't hike all 2,200 miles of the Trail, and that somehow their "failure" should prevent the telling of the story. This is utter nonsense and just throws more manure onto the present dung heap that has accumulated from the participants involved in peak bagging, wilderness races, and experiential therapy groups.

Bryson and Katz at least tried to hike the entire AT, and they returned from their hike as changed men who learned many lessons about the wilderness and friendship. Towards the end of the book, the two men are talking about the hike. When Katz remarks that "we did it," Bryson reminds him that they didn't even see Mount Katahdin, much less climb it. Katz says, "Another mountain. How many do you need to see, Bryson?" I agree with Katz (and ultimately Bryson). They hiked the Appalachian Trail.

I strongly recommend it to anyone, February 7, 2000
A Walk in the Woods is a travel memoir on the Appalachian Trail, one of America's greatest hiking routes. The author, Bill Bryson lived in England for 20 years and came back to the United States with the urge to go on a long hike. Stephen Katz, an old college friend, and a former alcoholic accompanies him. Both men are out of shape, and beginners at hiking, so it is a wonder how they can endure such hardships along the trail. They had to carry a pack that contained their tents, food, water, clothes and other items. Katz and other interesting characters provide the book with much comic relief to keep the reader involved. At some points in the book I was laughing out loud. Along the journey they meet many people including Mary Ellen a slow-minded woman who follows them around, and Beulah, a fat woman with a very angry husband. The commentary about the long, rich history of the Appalachian Trail brings insight on the wilderness that we hardly know about. It also speaks for the preservation of the forestry and animals that we take for granted in the city. After reading this book I have more appreciation of the wilderness, and an interest in going hiking myself. One downside of the book was that some points in the book the author expanded the book with knowledge that made it a little less interesting, then the actual story. But I liked how Bryson went back and forth to discuss his journey and the history, creating a balance of interests. This book will offer something to any type of reader because it is funny, and contains a lot of historical information, and is interesting enough to keep the reader to keep going. But for someone who wishes to go on a hike, this is not a how to guide. It is also not an amazing adventure of two men and the great outdoors. What this book has to offer is an entertaining journey of two regular guys, who decide to go on a hike along one of the most difficult trails in the United States. I am highly recommending this book, and it will truly leave the reader entertained.

Interesting history of the trail, second half less compelling than the first., September 23, 2006
As both a Bill Bryson fan and a long distance hiker myself (although I have not done the Appalachian Trail yet) I really expected to love A Walk in the Woods. I was a little bit concerned, since when my partner handed it to me (he finished the book first) he said, "I don't think you're going to like it..." But still, I was really looking forward to reading it.

For the first half of the book, I also really did enjoy the book. I wasn't bothered by the fact that they were unprepared or out of shape. Nobody is really prepared for their first long distance hiking trip until they are a few weeks into the trail. I remember my own experience of staggering along under my overly ambitious pack. I also enjoyed that he talked honestly about the experience of hiking, and I liked the way that he interspersed history and facts about the trail with the travel writing.

The second half, however, got much less interesting. The day trips and the abortive Maine portion were actually kind of disheartening. The whole feel of the prose got sort of mean spirited. He didn't have to walk the whole trail to feel like he walked it, but I honestly would have preferred to see him expand the first half and leave the second half out completely.

There is still quite a bit of good stuff in here, particularly if you are interested in the southern part of the trail. There is also quite a bit of truth about the culture of the long distance hikers. I laughed quite a bit while I read. I guess that the complaints boiled down to not quite being as good as it could have been.

Laugh out loud funny!, January 8, 2000
Very seldom do I read anything that makes me laugh out loud. To do so more than once or twice in a single book almost never happens. With "Walk," I became almost hysterical over certain chapters - in an airport, no less, while waiting for my flight. People must have thought I was nuts! Anyway, this is the story of two middle-aged and out of shape men (Bryson and his buddy, Katz) who decide to hike the Appalachian Trail. The AT is the third longest nature trail in the US, stretching from Georgia to Maine, along some incredibly rough terrain. Not all of their journey is rustic, however, as they often take a break to spend a night in the closest little town off the trail to have a shower, sleep in a "real" bed, and wash the grime from their clothes. It is during one such trip to the laundromat that Katz has a rather interesting encounter with 300 lb. Beaulah, her extra-large-sized panties, and a washing machine. Aside from the comical adventures, Bryson also has a great deal to say about the AT itself, and in particular, how much the National Parks Service needs a giant kick in the pants to help preserve these Trails.

It's not only funny, it's educational., March 19, 2007
Bill Bryson has a great sense of humor and an excellent, precise way of expressing it. My husband had just had heart surgery when I started reading this book. I was concerned that my LOL while reading A Walk in the Woods might disturb him as I sat next to his hospital bed. However, on the other hand, I thought it might expedite the healing process. He told me later he heard me laughing and it made him feel better. So, there you go, Bill, your book is good for heart patients!!

Bill and buddy, Stephen Katz, the only person to take Bill up on the offer to join him as he hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1997?, began their odyssey on March 9 (this just happened to be the day I began reading the book...2007). The laughs came early and continued throughout, though parts of the book are more history and information than comedy. I took notes in these sections.

Both Bryson and Katz were out of shape when they hit the AT, but Bill noticed his body slimming and becoming more svelte right away (one thing I looked for, but never found, was word on how the adventure affected Katz's weight and figure. I would've been interested in knowing that). The men hiked the AT in two segments and, incidentally, did not hike the entire trail, which they decided was okay. I agree. At any rate, they hiked a few weeks in pre- and early spring and again in the heat of August. While they were off the trail, Bryson took day trips to walk parts of the AT between where he and Katz left off and the Hundred Mile Wilderness in Maine they planned to hike in August. This book not only tells the tale of two men attempting to walk the 2,200 miles of the AT, but is full of history lessons, geological and geographical information, stories of lost/doomed hikers, and social intercourse (i.e., the more than rude, self-centered, and boorish hikers the boys meet on their next to last day on the trail the first time).

This book is a good companion so read it slowly, digest it thoroughly, and you will enjoy it immensely.

Carolyn Rowe Hill

Nature writing and a travelogue with "oomph"!, August 18, 2007
Perhaps it was a fit of angst dealing with his own personal version of a mid-life crisis that led Bill Bryson to tackle the challenge of hiking the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail! It was certainly a solid understanding of his own personality and clear recognition of his own physical and mental limitations that prompted him to invite his friend, Stephen Katz, an overweight and out of shape recovering alcoholic with an inordinate fondness for snack foods and cream soda to accompany him on this daunting challenge. The demands of the AT ultimately proved too much for Bryson and Katz who sensibly (and with an almost relieved sense of philosophical acceptance) decided to abandon the notion of a complete through hike. But the resulting story, drawn from Bryson's daily journal of the summer's efforts, is an overwhelming success and pure joy in the reading.

"A Walk in the Woods" is an extraordinary, entertaining travelogue on both the AT - the Appalachian Trail - and the people and places of small town America that dot the trail's path along the eastern seaboard from Georgia to Maine. At the same time, it is much, much more. Bryson is scathing in his political commentary and almost enraged criticism of the ongoing state of mismanagement and the sadly misguided policies of both the Parks and Forest Services of the US government. "A Walk in the Woods" is also a deeply moving introspective examination on the nature of friendship, family, perseverance, joy and despondency. As he and Katz amble along rock strewn trails dappled with sunlight broken by the leafy forest canopy, Bryson frequently, effortlessly and almost without our even noticing the change, wanders metaphorically off the main trail and onto a side path of lightweight but nonetheless informative and educational sidebars of nature writing on an amazingly wide variety of topics. Glaciation, bears, bugs, ecology, continental drift, hypothermia, hypoxia and weather are only a few examples of the topics which he elucidates for the lay reader with his clear, concise prose.

Then there is the humour! It is perhaps an understatement to say that, in this regard, Bryson has a rare gift. He has treated his readers to laughs originating in every imaginable corner of the vast world of humour - wry sardonic wit; biting satire; slapstick; self effacement; sarcasm and insults; fear; and even extended comedy sketches worthy of stage or television. His description of the astonishingly stupid and entirely self-absorbed fellow hiker Mary Ellen who has the annoying habit of constantly clearing her sinuses with a grating honk is definitely laugh-out-loud material.

Pure entertainment and enjoyment from first page to last. I believe Bill Bryson would consider it a compliment if I suggested that "A Walk in the Woods" is the first book I've ever read with a smile on my face during every single moment of the reading. Highly recommended - even if you've never spent a single night under nylon in the woods.

Paul Weiss

Funny and informative., February 27, 2002
Bill Bryson's travel writing has influenced my personal life in no small way. His 1989 book "The Lost Continent" (which I first discovered in 1996 and have since revisited many times), documenting his (mis)adventures driving cross-country in the United States, played a significant role in my own decision to hit the road and see this fascinating nation for myself. (Coincidentally, I am currently writing this review from Iowa, Bryson's birthplace and frequent target of his signature dry wit.) Having spent the greater part of his adult life abroad in England, Bryson returned to the United States with his family several years ago, settling in a small town in New Hampshire, to rediscover the land he'd left as a youth. He has since written two books about his time spent in America, one of them being "A Walk in the Woods", Bryson's account of his experiences hiking the renowned Appalachian Trail.

Considered by many to be the Holy Grail of hiking trails in the United States, the Appalachian Trail runs approximately 2,100 miles long, stretching from Georgia to Maine and passing through 12 additional states along the way. Every year, hundreds of people attempt to walk the entire length of the trail from beginning to end, with only a small portion of them successfully completing the endeavor. Known as "thru-hikers", the majority of these aspiring individuals underestimate the sheer scope and arduousness of the undertaking. Most drop out well before the halfway point. Those who persevere are treated to extreme temperatures hot and cold, gruesomely harsh terrains, unrelenting winds and rainfall, a wide variety of wild predators, and some of the most awesomely scenic sights of natural beauty on earth.

Bryson begins his own trek along the Appalachian Trail admittedly inexperienced and somewhat out-of-shape. Accompanied by an oafish college buddy named Katz with whom he shares a decidedly odd love-hate relationship (it often feels like Katz's sole purpose in being there is so that Bryson will always have someone to make fun of), the two set off with full backpacks on what promises to be a journey filled with humor, wit, insight and adventure. Along the way they encounter other hikers (some highly eccentric in disposition), endure the hardships of bad weather, visit neighboring small towns, and cover more ground on foot in a scant few weeks than most of us will in an entire year. Eventually they end their first phase of the hike in northern Virginia and part separate ways. Bryson continues to investigate key points along the trail in short spurts over the next several months, embarking on daytrips and brief overnighters in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New England. In the last section of the book Bryson and Katz reunite to tackle the final hundred-mile stretch of the trail in Maine. Although Bryson never actually completes the entire length of the trail in true "thru-hike" fashion, he explores enough of it from enough different places to ensure that his description of the Appalachian Trial overall is valid and well-informed.

If you have read any of Bryson's previous books, you will be familiar with his penchant for digressing from the main line of action to muse on various tidbits of history, factoids and trivia. In one paragraph he'll be admiring the splendid view from a mountaintop; in the next he's providing an overview of the trail's origins. Some of this information, especially when it pertains to the ecological aspects of the Appalachian Trail, is genuinely fascinating. Bryson is also well-known for his wry and witty observations about virtually everything he encounters: from the exasperating science of shopping for hiking gear, to the shoddy upkeep of certain portions of the trail. Though not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other works, there are plenty of moments scattered throughout the book that will inspire a hearty chuckle. He also does an admirable job of conveying the beauty and grandeur, not to mention the less attractive elements, of the Appalachian Trail. Although you never obtain a true sense of actually "being there" from reading his descriptive passages, Bryson nevertheless provides an adequate depiction of what it must feel like to embark on this epic journey.

There is something agreeably comforting in reading a book by Bryson, who comes across as a friendly, educated, next-door-neighbor type of guy who would make a fine traveling companion. His informal, chatty writing style is ideally suited for a warm, lazy summer's afternoon sitting on the front porch with a glass of lemonade by your side. It's a pleasant, light reading experience that provides equal doses of laughter and insight. Although "A Walk in the Woods" is not particularly romantic, it is affectionate and sentimental in the right places, and may very well inspire me to someday throw on a pair of hiking boots and head off for a little 2,100-mile walk of my own.

You will LOVE this book!, November 18, 1999
Fair Warning -- do not read this book while commuting - you will be laughing so uncontrolably you will risk being committed by your fellow commuters. I have loaned this book to 3 friends - in each case, the spouse was so intrigued by the constant belly laughs that they also read the book before returning it. One friend bought copies for Christmas presents. The appeal is that universal. I dare say even those with no interest in backpacking or the Appalachian Trail would find the book highly entertaining.

Laughing out loud while I'm riding the train, April 7, 2007
I'm about 2/3 of the way through this amazing book and have to let everyone know that you need to read this one. I have been reading it during my train commute, grinning from ear to ear, and cackling out loud every few minutes.

The book alternates between a hilarous telling of a lengthy hike along the Appalachian Trail by the author and his out-of-shape buddy Stephen, and a well-researched description of the AT's construction, history, & ecology. The stories of their hiking-gear research, the author's deathly fear of bears, and their run-ins with neurotic fellow hiker Mary Ellen had me in tears.

This book ties with "Catch 22" as the funniest I've ever read, just ahead of Palahniuk's "Lullaby".

Half good read, half disappointment, August 30, 2004
If you are looking for a book that describes the experience of hiking the ENTIRE Applachian Trail (a.k.a. "the AT," per hiking lingo)in a year's time, then do NOT read this book.

Yep, you read that sentence correctly. This is NOT that kind of book.

Knowing this one important fact in advance (as the book jacket copy does not disclose this), then you won't be disappointed as I was when I hit the point, midway through the book, when Bryson and Katz, a friend from high school days who decides to accompany Bryson on the AT, make the decision to stop at Front Royal, Virginia, part ways for a few months, and then resume the hike later that same year in Maine's Hundred Miles Wilderness. (They don't even bother to hike the entire segment from the start of the AT to Front Royal, getting into a cab at one point to take them further along the trail.)

The first half of the book is incredibly funny and educational as Bryson prepares for the hike and begins to learn about the history of the AT. He also begins to face the truth of what it means to make this type of journey. Hiking the entire AT in a year is, after all, not your typical Sunday afternoon hike or 3-day backpacking holiday in the Sierra Mountain range. The piece on the dangers of bears is especially fine writing, and places the issue of bears in the larger context of the wilderness lands that surround us, even in large urban centers. Bryson skillfully weaves current events, history, and anecdotes about the AT.

However, the quality of the book suffers once Bryson and Katz finish the first part of their great adventure. Bryson's writing almost mirrors the disappointment he must have felt, knowing he wasn't going to finish the trail but still had to complete the writing of this book. The writing in the second half is sketchy and almost haphazard, seemingly written in bits and pieces that lack the loving flow, attention to detail, and story-telling that mark the first half of the book.

This is my first book by Bryson, and I may pick up another of his books, although I'll probably borrow it from the library rather than buy it. "A Walk in the Woods" is probably best saved for readers who already know Bryson's work from other books and are already-won fans of his writing style. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Introducing the Eighth Wonder of travel books, the New York Times bestseller that's been hailed by CBS-TV as one of the best books of the year and praised by Newsweek as  the "book that tells you what's beautiful, what's inspiring, what's fun and what's just unforgettable everywhere on earth."

Packed with recommendations of the world's best places to visit, on and off the beaten path, 1,000 Places To See Before You Die is a joyous, passionate gift for travelers, an around-the-world, continent-by-continent listing of beaches, museums, monuments, islands, inns, restaurants, mountains, and more. There's Botswana's Okavango Delta, the covered souks of Aleppo, the Tuscan hills surrounding San Gimignano, Canyon de Chelly, the Hassler hotel in Rome, Ipanema Beach, the backwaters of Kerala, Oaxaca's Saturday market, the Buddhas of Borobudur, Ballybunion golf club-all the places guaranteed to give you the shivers.

The prose is gorgeous, seizing on exactly what makes each entry worthy of inclusion. And, following the romance, the nuts and bolts: addresses, phone numbers, websites, costs, and best times to visit—all updated for 2010 with the most current information.
... Read more

Reviews

Not bad ... for a to-do list, December 24, 2003
I was prepared to really dislike this book, if for no other reason than because it takes one of my passions -- travel -- and reduces it to a kind of grocery list. Travel, I have always thought, is about experiencing a different culture and its history and not about checking the most important cathedral or museum in a city off a to-do list.

But I must admit this small-but-thick book intrigued me. Most of the criticisms of something like this will be of specific choices the author makes: How could she overlook X? Or what was she thinking when she included Y? And while I admit that I scratched my head at a few curious omissions and chuckled at some of the choices that did make the cut, I must say that overall, the selection is very good. Every traveler or would-be traveler will find selections of interest on its pages, whether they are looking for luxury or natural beauty or history or art or culinary masterpieces or thought-provoking journeys.

But I think the real strength of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is author Patricia Schultz' lively writing. Ms. Schultz has a real gift for description, and her love and enthusiasm for the places she writes about at once manage to excite the reader about the place being described and to give him or her a small taste of it before even diverting the eyes from the page.

All that said, I would be disappointed to scan someone else's copy of this book and see places that have been already visited crossed off in red ink or to discover that future trips were being planned to maximize the number of the 1,000 places that can be visited in a short time. I don't think the book should be used like that, but rather as a means to provoke thought and conversation regarding the best of what the world has to offer us by giving us the views held by one person (albeit someone who is extremely well traveled and with unusual writing talent). We'll all come up with our own lists in our heads, lists that may or may not overlap with the contents of this book. And that's something worth being passionate about.

A great book for hotel lovers, January 19, 2004
This is my first review of a book for Amazon. I just had to write this to tell the truth about this book.

For a person who loves to travel, I just had to purchase this book to see what places I need to go to and review places I have been to.

According to the author, I missed a lot of places because I was too busy to vistit all the recommended 5 star hotels. For an example, Torres Del Paine, Chile is one of the most beautiful nature wonder of the world with its glaciers, lakes, peaks, and majestic views. Instead of writing this, the author decide to descibe in detail about the over-priced hotel in the park.

Author consistently writes about:

1. Hotel, hotel, and more hotels. Not just any hotel, but the most expensive accomodation in town.
2. Hotels, of course. I have not counted, but I can guess about 250 places to see are hotels.

If you like hotels, this is a book for you, otherwise look elsewhere.

A great choice for the traveling grandpa, January 1, 2004
If grandma and grandpa are getting bored in retirement, this is a fantastic book to buy them. If *you* are looking to explore the world, consider a Lonely Planet or guide better geared at the under-65 crowd.

Certainly people would quibble with my list of 1000 places, but here is why I believe this book is not appropriate for anyone who doesn't get an AARP discount:

- Euro-american focus. The book is almost insulting in its lack of coverage of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For instance, there is nothing listed in Delhi except a restaurant vs. nine sites in over-touristed Morocco. There is virtually nothing in places not covered by travel guides, such as Central Asia and almost anywhere in Africa that doesn't have pyramids or characters from "The Lion King." Iraq is the cradle of civilization, but apparently UFOs in Roswell and Disney theme parks are more important. At least Schultz acknowledges the bias, saying that places like Kolkata and Madagascar are "arduous choices."

- Cultural insensitivity. Schultz's use of the most anglicized names possible and long-replaced colonial monikers (like Calcutta and Laotian for Kolkata and Lao) makes her occasionally sound like Mr. Burns asking for "the Prussian consulate in Siam."

- Intended for traveler-writers with unlimited budgets. Despite claiming with a straight face that she's "never a travel snob," Schultz typically choses the most expensive way to see a place. I am a travel snob, but sometimes Schultz's recommendations of tours are too outrageous even for me. For instance, Ayuthaya, Thailand, is easily reached by a comfortable air-con first class bus from Bangkok for 95 cents, but Schultz recommends a $390 tour.

- Questionable rationales. Schultz gives the Toronto Four Seasons an entry because, well, celebrities have stayed there. Never mind that the Toronto Four Seasons is potentially the most shabby, cramped, and run-down property in the chain. I have certainly never seen it on a list of Four Seasons's top properties, and the food was nothing spectacular. Entries like that make me wonder if Schultz is holding back the truly great establishments.

1001 Hotels and Overpriced Experiences, January 6, 2007
Having traveled to more than 40 countries, I thought I had experienced some of the most amazing sceneries, sights and cultures in the world.

Apparently, according to the author of this book, most of what's worth seeing on this globe is between four walls in various overpriced hotels. How wrong I have been! How pitiable this poor traveler who finds riches in conversations, delights in traditional foods and is enchanted by places off the beaten track.

This book is not meant for real travelers or people interested in experiencing something new or unique. It is aimed at the rich, luxury adoring crowd, usually seen getting out of air conditioned limo's next to the pyramids, snapping a few pictures and rushing to the next place they have to see before they depart this mortal coil.

The book is filled with endless gushing passages relating to well known tourist traps and overpriced hotels in easily accessible places. It seems that if a place is to feature in the book, it should have a 5 star hotel and a major airport not more than a few miles away, and preferably a restaurant with the basics like caviar and Dom P�rignon in the vicinity.

I have come to the conclusion that in compiling this book, the author wrote to various tourist agencies worldwide and compiled their responses into this shallow tome.

A sample entry reads:

"What: site, hotel. Where: [...] north of New York City. Tel:[...] Cost: from $1200 - $2500 per night, year round, includes all meals and activities for 2."

Woohoo! A place I have to see before I die from only $2500 a night! And the meals are included!? I'll just quickly sell my house and car and I'll be right there!

Admittedly, if you've never heard of the internet, rarely spoke to people, have never read a book and didn't own a TV, some of the places featured would be new to you. Unfortunately you'd have to sell most of the possessions in your cave to be able to afford a few nights at a place you *have* to "see before you die."

Save your money for a decent travel guide such as Lonely Planet or The Rough Guide and ignore this bloated advertisement for the beaten path like the plague.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING? GET THIS ONE., September 27, 2003
I have owned books like this before. Some have just boring predictable suggestions for places to visit (Paris, Rome, Sydney etc,) while others have a bland guidebook type of narrative.

Schultz's compilation is a tightly researched work with fascinating trivia about the places he recommends, and there are plenty of places you wouldn't have thought about, and its got pictures to speak for themselves!

Makes for quite a handy gift item too, which is why I bought it initially, but liked it so much I decided to keep it for myself. Delectable!

1000 places to stay before you're bankrupt, December 21, 2003
This is a great idea for a book, and it is fun. I'm being a bit tough to give it only 3 stars, but after a while it got to me.

There are probably about 50 to 100 places in this book that one ought to visit if at all possible. There are also some places that ought to be there, like the Vale of Kashmir, but one would die while visiting them. There are also about 8,765 very expensive hotels to exercise a Platinum card on. She's a traveller who likes her servants elegant and plentiful. I'm sure they're fine hotels, I've known a few of them myself. Still, they're hotels darn it! Not one is worth ten minutes in the Louvre, or a walk in any fine forest.

Some of the places she mentions I knew 20 years ago when they were fresh, now they are well worn and there are different and better alternatives. She also is rather stuck on the northeast.

That said, it is a fun bathroom read for residents and guests. As a travel book it's three stars, as a certain kind of recreation it's 3-4 starts. If you want to travel with it, use the examples as hints, but explore as much around the places she mentions as in them.

1000 x 1000 cheers - This is The Best, April 28, 2004
How glad I was to have overlooked a scathing criticism or two re the author's would-be emphasis on expensive hotels only - were we reading the same book???? What planet do these people live on?? The beauty of this book is that it covers every category or travel destination imagineable - from events to museums, bars to national parks, annual festivals to ancient temples. Are there hotels? Let's hope so, because the author's choice in every other category is so on the dime, you can be sure she has singled out all of the world's best hotels too. Are they expensive? Most are, yes - but where else do you intend to go for your once-in-a-lifetime trip to celebrate a honeymoon, a promotion, an anniversary or your mother's 80th birthday??? Still too expensive? Then go and sit in the lobby, wander the impeccable grounds, take in the white-gloved service with a smile and get a glimpse of the good life and make believe if only for a few hours....then explore the hundreds of other options that will fit a leaner budget and keep you mighty busy and awefully happy for years.
The book blew me away - and I thought I had been around the block.

Kudos - A Job Remarkably Done, February 13, 2004
I have been professionally traveling for 35 years and for personal reasons twice that. Yes this 900-page travel bible features a lot of (historical, must-see and unusual) hotels, but there are so very many more museums (the world's biggest and best and the small gems too), festivals (a betrothal festival in in Morocco's Atlas Mountains and the Spoleto Festivals in both Spoleto, Italy and Charleston USA), food experiences (the Maine Lobster Festival and George Blanc in France) and sites of natural beauty (the Grand Tetons, Patagonia, Cappodocia in Turkey, Italy's Dolomite Mountains, Connemara in Ireland) - oh and I could go on and on....as Patricia Schultz does. You can never please everyone all the time, but no one has ever come as close as this intrepid author, and with a lovely and easy to read prose that should awaken the adventurer and explorer in all of us. I gave 20 of these books away as Christmas gifts and now have 20 best friends who are still talking about the best gift they ever received.

Places to see if you're a millionaire or fast food conniseur, December 29, 2003
Maybe I'm being a little critical, but I was extremely disappointed with the authors selections. She chose many high-end expensive restaurants rather than great historical sites. Charlie Trotter's in Chicago? Why not spend $1000 less to see a ballgame at beautiful Wrigley Field. You'll be able to spend more time there, plus catch a baseball game while you're at it. Also, I was upset to see that a rib restaurant in Tennessee surpassed Rainier National Park or the Olympic Penninsula as a sight to see. What about the salt mines in Krakow or the Alambra in Rhonda? For the author's sake, I suppose you do become wary after the first 500 places. Eventually you want to go to $5000 a night spa in Jackson, Wyoming (yes it is one of the mentioned places to see) and dictate a travel guide from there.

Jet-Setter's Life List, March 20, 2007
Board your private jet (or, if you're on a budget, hop into your Mercedes) and see the world! Is money no object? $300 a night for a room, or $150 for dinner, your idea of travel? Then this book is for you!

The author wrote hotel reviews for Conde Nast, and obviously drew on those reviews in writing this book. Not just any hotels, mind you, but the swankiest possible. Does living in luxury from one city and resort to another qualify you as a world traveler? You make the call. She claims that no visit to London is complete without teatime at the Ritz; funny, I spent about seven months there (it's my favorite city in the world) without going anywhere near the Ritz, and I didn't miss it at all!

So why do I give it three stars? For all her jetsetting, Schultz does manage to slip in a good number of scenic and historic destinations that the normal person would do well to visit. And it makes a good daydreaming book. If I did make a million a year, I'm sure I'd love her restaurants and hotels--and I can always dream, can't I? ... Read more

Editorial Review

Join New York Times bestselling author and Food Network star Guy Fieri for a second helping of the best diners, drive-ins, and dives across America!

Guy Fieri strikes again with More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, giving you a road map to road food that's earned its culinary citizenship in "Flavortown." Join Guy on a cross-country noshing parade, mapping out the best places you've never heard of—more than fifty establishments off the beaten path. Compete in a (no hands) apple-pie-eating contest at Bobo Drive-In in Topeka, Kansas, dip your taste buds in Sweet Spicy Love sauce at Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken in Memphis, Tennessee, and get a load of the killer four-cheese mac-and-cheese at Gorilla Barbeque in Pacifica, California. Filled with Guy's hilarious voice and rampant enthusiasm for these hidden culinary gems, More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives is the perfect book for lovers of the American food scene and fans of Triple D.

Reviews

IMHO, April 15, 2010
I love 'Triple D' which is why I ordered both books. I was hoping to see a laundry list of places Guy has gone so I can back track him. I was not too happy to see a selected review on a few places, and really not happy to see food etc, in B&W. I still watch every show with drooling anticipation, but I wouldn't order either of these books if you anticipate the slightest imitation of the show...

More Triple D, November 6, 2009
Do you enjoy Guy Fieri's show on the Food Channel, "Diners, Drive0Ins, and Dives"? Did you get a kick out of his first book exploring the three Ds? If yes to either, you should enjoy this volume, too. If you want a lot of recipes, then this book isn't likely to engage you.

However, I do enjoy the author's televised Odyssey through diners, drive-ins, and dives throughout the country. Here, you get a brief sense of the uniqueness of a variety of joints--as well as an illustrative menu item or two from each. It all makes for a nice diversion. And there are always a few recipes that are a lot of fun to contemplate and to make.

As before, Fieri divides the country into regions--in this instance, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest, and West and Southwest. For each region, he selects a handful of places (between 10 to 18 per region). One of the charms, in the author's own words is (Page 3): I get to shine a light on a real group of people. . . . I get to bring out the kid and adventurer in all of us. . . . We're reminding people to get back to the basics: real food from real people."

Let's take a look at a couple representative D,D,or Ds.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Kelly O's Diner in Pittsburgh. Fieri's visit boosted business quite a bit, according to the owner. The example from the menu: Haluski. Green cabbage, butter, julienned Spanish onions, garlic salt, sliced bacon, egg noodles, black pepper, and grated Romano cheese. Cook cabbage leaves in water; melt butter and add onions and half of the garlic salt stir in cabbage until onions and cabbage begin to caramelize; stir in other ingredients (except cheese) then plate and add cheese to the top of the dish. Down home cooking here!

West and Southwest: Pat's Barbecue in Salt Lake City. Nice, brief description of the place's operation. The dish? Smoked barbecue meatloaf. Ingredients: ground beef, eggs, seasoned bread crumbs, milk, barbecue sauce, dry onion soup mix, and grilled onions. Key to the recipe is smoking the meatloaf mix for 4 hours! Now that's a whole lot different than the way I make my meatloaf.

Once more, if you like the show, you'll probably enjoy the book. If not and if you are interested ikn a more traditional cookbook, this might not do the trick.

www.jennifervido.com, November 8, 2009
Guy Fieri, best-known as the bleach-blonde spiky hair chef on The Food Network channel, is at it again in his latest release MORE DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND DIVES. Winner of the second season of The Next Food Network Star, he took the network by storm with his vivacious personality and good-natured charm. What started out as a test drive has turned into stardom and fame for this fun-lovin' California guy.

As host of the three hit shows, Guy's Big Bite, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Ultimate Recipe Showdown, Guy serves up the right balance of know-how and charm to keep his fans coming back for more. His first book, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives made its way to the New York Times Bestseller List. In his follow-up release, he takes his readers on another tour around the country serving up some of the best dishes discovered on his culinary cruise.

With a foreword written by none other than the legendary chef Emeril Lagasse, MORE DINERS, DRIVE-INS AND DIVES gives the reader a backstage pass to the making of this popular television show.It also includes a Q&A section with Guy himself plus anecdotal recaps from some of the most memorable episodes. The most interesting part of the introduction is the section called "What It Takes to Pull Off the Show." Each member of the crew shares thoughts about Guy, his pranks, and other interesting facts and tidbits.

The many restaurants Guy has frequented are divided into four main sections of the country. With each establishment, he delivers some background information complete with photographs to make the reader feel right at home. The mouth-watering recipes make even the most finicky eater want to step out of the box and try something new. From Cheddar Cheese Burgers with Jezebel Sauce to Bar-B-Q Fried Chicken, Guy Fieri once again makes mealtime the best part of the day.

3 of the best D's, November 5, 2009
What more could a food lover want than diners, drive-ins and dives with a top down to drive. Guy Fieri has a sequel to his first book and it is enjoyable and definitely covers this all-American food.
The book covers how the program 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' is made and who the crew is that creates this popular show. There are many black and white pictures of the people and places and Guy's top 5 pranks, how to eat in 'the hunch'. (The position to avoid grease and spills from covering your shirt.)
The Northeast and Mid Atlantic, the South, Midwest, West and Southwest are covered, giving spots to get some of the great 3 D food. I do wish there were more states covered, only 22 are represented here, some states having several food places covered.
Some history for each location is given, their address, telephone number and web site - if available. There are one or two recipes from each place. Guy also includes many side spots `Guy Aside' giving his personal thoughts.
An index covers recipes by breakfast, burgers and sandwiches, condiments and sauces, starters, dinner mains, sides and sweets. There is also a list of all the restaurants that have been featured on the show, ones in red are in this book, those with an asterisk were in the first book and then the others that have been on the show; addresses, telephone numbers and web sites are given - a great resource.
If you enjoy the show, or enjoy diners and drive-in, dive food- this is a book for you.

Another great DDD book, January 31, 2010
I love Guy Fieri and this book is great. I have made a couple of the recipes and they were pretty easy and yummy. The writing style in this book is just like watching the show. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of DDD and Guy Fieri.

more diners drive-ins and dives, January 10, 2010
I really enjoyed Guy Fieri's firstr book and was excited to get his second book, which unfortunately I found somewhat of a let down. I feel this srcond book is to wordy and places seem to established. There are so many places on his TV program that have much more appeal.

More Diners, Drive-ins and Dives pbk, February 6, 2010
Fun book! Along with Fieri's TV show, it makes you want to jump in your car and start exploring these fun places to eat! Recommend it for anyone who likes driving trips and eating.

Diner, Drive-ins, and Dives # 2, February 1, 2010
I'm a current watcher of triple D, and enjoy the shows very much. I'm using Guy's books as my personal "BUCKET LIST" places to be try when I travel. And as long as you have a good GPS system it makes the food treasure hunt most enjoyable. I plan on trying some of the recipies, in my spare time at home. My only wish is that in Guy's next book (and I'm sure there will be one) he'll give us a small map for location, and hours that the D,D,and D's are open. some of them have irregular schedules, but all in all I think there worth the effort. Best of luck Guy. You have the job I know I'd enjoy the best

Off The Hook!, January 30, 2010
Have two of Guy's books, been to some of the places he reviewed and they were all he said they were. This guy (no pun intended)is for real! What a personality! Love his shows, makes me want to eat even after I have eaten!

great book, January 27, 2010
I love reading about all the diners, drive-ins and dives even though I've seen mostly all the shows. This book has even more to offer. THere are stories from the crew and stories about guy, as well as owners telling you what happened at the show was aired. ... Read more

Editorial Review

See the world, one day at a time. Adapted from the roaring #1 New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die celebrates the discovery and exuberance of travel with hundreds of thrilling destinations in full color. Tour the lush canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest. Trek to the terraced rice paddies of Yunnan, China. Closer to home, explore the ancient pueblos of Mesa Verde, Colorado. Plus Arctic adventures, island paradises, majestic medieval castles, otherworldly caves and caverns, travelers' lists—most gorgeous coral reefs, best North American Shakespeare festivals—Traveler in the Know tips, and quotes: "A traveler without observation is a bird without wings" (Saadi).
... Read more

Reviews

great photos, January 19, 2009
this is my second year of buying this calendar. I keep it at work, right by my chair, and look at the beautiful, colorful photos (and read the interesting tidbits about the place pictured). An added bonus -- you get to choose to receive a second page-a-day calendar free by e-mail, just enter the special code found inside this calendar.
Highly recommended.

So much fun!, December 27, 2008
This is the 2nd year I've bought this for my husband. Even my 5 year old gets so excited to see each page and the fun and exotic places we could possibly travel to.

Beautiful!, January 31, 2010
Amazing, vibrant, colorful photographs of places you will find yourself wanting to visit. I couldn't bring myself to throw out my 2009 1,000 Places calendar because I can't see throwing out those gorgeous pictures. I am determined to come up with an art project for them. I would have given this five stars if it had the miniature month-before and month-after feature that most standard calendars have.

Travel Each Morning, February 4, 2010
I had one of these calendars last year at work. It has been a great way to start the work day by taking a few seconds to change the page and see if it was somewhere that I had already traveled to or some beautiful new place that I may never arrive to and enjoy other than the photo. Have shared with my co-workers from time to time. The weekly quiz is fun to polish geography and history skills. Would love to travel and this is my Walter Mitty.

Beautiful Pictures Plus Quizzes, Quotes, Trivia, January 2, 2010
1000 Places to See Before You Die Page-A-Day Calendar features 313 pages full color photographs of amazing destinations. In addition to pictures, it also furnishes delightful quizzes, quotes, and trivia.

For example: a nightscape picture of Gateway Arch in St. Louis adorns Saturday 2 January & Sunday 3 January, 2010 page (weekend is combined on one page). Above it, this multiple-choice question is provided:

Soaring 630 feet above the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is the masterful work of which well known architect?
a) Alvar Aalto b) Santiago Calatrava c) I.M. Pei d) Eero Saarinen

It's a great fun to start a day realizing that our world is full of beautiful places. Makes me want to pack my bag and go there.



By the way, this answer to above question is provided on its back page:

d, Eero Saarinen. The arch was unveiled in 1965 and commemorates the 1803 Louisiana Purchase of vast Midwestern lands from France.

Each Day A Treat!, January 12, 2009
I am really enjoying this calendar. Each day brings a new color photograph of yet another place to add to my list of places to visit. And I'm learning too!

Can't imagine starting the year without it!!!, November 18, 2010
Waking up each day to a glorious picture of one of the thousands of wonderful places to visit in this world has been my delight for the past 4 years. I could hardly wait to get my hands on the 2011 version of my favorite daily calendar so I would be all set to start my "arm-chair travel" adventures on January 1. I am ready to discover new places to visit and to ponder lovely memories of places around the world I have been lucky enough to visit in the past. This calendar is a must have for any travel buff.

Great fun, and great ideas!, March 1, 2010
I enjoy seeing what beautiful photo or trivia - and a travel idea - await me every day. Even those who are not particularly taken with the concept behind the book or some of the locations the authors put in it should appreciate the calendar's daily selections.

Best Calendar, June 15, 2009
I have received this calenader for the last three years and each year is excellent. The places that they show are so interesting and different and I have vacations plans set up until I am 90. It has quizzes that are fun to try to figure out once a week. So it is an over all fun calendar.

Amazing product!, October 13, 2009
This is amazing calendar, in last 3 years i buy this product every year. Every day view one good place on Earth. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Highlighted by some of the finest photography in the world, this book offers a glimpse of each country’s perks and quirks: when to go, what to see, how to eat it up and drink it in, and ways to immerse yourself in the life and the land. What results is a grand snapshot of our diverse and kaleidoscopic world rather than an encyclopedic reference. ... Read more

Reviews

Spectacular Images Will Weigh Heavily on Your Coffee Table, October 13, 2004
I had no idea the editors of the Lonely Planet guides would have such an extensive library of National Geographic-quality photographs. After all, like other travelers, I am used to the miniscule text and overabundant data of their inevitably tattered handbooks. But this oversized coffee table book is nothing you can carry with you too easily, nor would you want to as this is not a comprehensive reference source for global travel. It's merely a staggering feast for the eyes.

The stunning images in this wonderful book provide a potent reminder of what a diverse place the world is, as it covers each of the 230 countries existing today in visually enticing two-page entries. The text for each country is minimal but creative within the following standard sections:
--"Best Time to Visit" - Not only time of year but in some cases, when in history was the best time to be there.
--"Essential Experiences" - A bulleted list of the top five to eight things to do in that country.
--"Getting Under the Skin" - What to read, listen, watch, eat and drink in each country...what happened to "smell"?
--"In a Word" - The one word or expression in the country's native tongue that epitomizes its spirit.
--"Trademarks" - What you immediately think of when someone brings up the name of the country.
--"Surprises" - ...which really amounts to some interesting trivia and arguable observations, e.g., under the entry for the United States - "New Yorkers love to help strangers."

Your enjoyment of this comprehensive approach will depend on what your degree of wanderlust is. Since mine is quite high, I love poring through the book to get a visual sense of each country's identity. Unless you are a geography addict, you will be surprised that many of these countries even exist. It's also intriguing to see the entries for current hotspots like Iraq and North Korea where their political turmoil is mentioned but contrasted with some unexpectedly vivid photos. Note the surcharge for delivery above as this is indeed a big book, over eight pounds. Say, isn't that the weight of the human head according to the little boy in "Jerry Maguire"? I wonder if that's a coincidence.

Down to Earth Around the World, December 20, 2004
The adventurous folks at Lonely Planet have given us this nearly perfect book of photos and travel possibilities from around the world. Every nation on Earth, and a few non-nations like Antarctica or Puerto Rico, gets equal coverage in two-page spreads, regardless of size, influence, or fame. Now since this is a British book, the recommendations for each country can be a little curious, especially what the Lonely Planet editors think is representative of the United States (which you'll find curious if you're American). In general, just watch out for some poorly considered travel recommendations for out-of-the-way countries that are basically stereotypes, and merely sound cool but which the Lonely Planet folks couldn't have possibly done in person. Examples include "beach-hopping from one gorgeous sun-soaked spot to another" in Albania, or "taking a boat ride down the Euphrates River" in Iraq. Also watch for under-written stereotypical moments that list poverty and sex as calling cards of Cuba, fish as a trademark of Finland, national pride as characteristic of Moldova, or Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra movie as a real cinematic representation of Egypt. You have to give Lonely Planet credit for at least trying in the writing department though, and there are usually true treasures in their recommendations for each nation's literature, music, foods, and drinks. But in the end, the true value of this gigantic book lies in the tremendous photography, with consistently eye-catching shots of natural beauty, architecture, and especially real people from every spot on Earth. This is how armchair traveling is done. [~doomsdayer520~]

It evokes the exhilaration from travelling, September 20, 2004
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, ... and continues on to the last country Zimbabwe, Lonely Planet has put together an extraordinary travel book that brings us to every country in the world. Listed alphabetically from A-Z, each country occupies 2 pages with vivid pictures and some impression of the lands. Even tiny Pacific islands get the same amount of space as everybody else, regardless of their size and popularity in tourism. Using a more liberal concept of 'country', it brings the total number to 230.

In just one volume, it makes no attempt to be a comprehensive reference book. Instead there are many fun ways to use it. Flipping it to a random page to get some inspiration for your next travel destination (you will likely end up in some distant place rather hard to get to.) Cover the title and try to name the country by the pictures alone (a challenging game given the pictures are more focused on people and landscape than instantly recognizable landmarks.) Or just read it cover to cover as I have prepared to do.

This book evokes the same kind of exhilaration from travelling. I was joyous like a kid while walking away from the bookstore with this 3kg book.

Don't Analyse - Just Visit, January 10, 2007
As an "Intrepid" traveller, I loved this book, it serves as a whistful reminder of the beautiful places I have visited and better still as a valuable "taste" of the countries I have yet to visit. It's doubtful I will get to all 230 countries featured in this great coffee table book, but of the 67 I have visited, the pictures for those have done complete justice to the location. Simply stunning. Good to have general facts and figures listed, enough for you to see if you need to delve further in exploring a country. In fact my last trip was brought about by this book, I closed my eyes, opened the book randomly and it opened on Nicaragua so off to Central America I went. Don't Analyse the book, simply try to live it.

A must-have for globetrotters, armchair travelers, and kids!, November 1, 2004
This is the most beautiful, inspirational and informative coffee table book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who travels, dreams about traveling, or has children who want to see the world in a much more exciting way than sitting in a geography class or looking at a globe or atlas.

Every country comes alive in this book. The photos are spectacular and I always get a smile or a laugh out of the "in a word" phrase for each place... "Bula" for Fiji and "Hakuna Matata" for Tanzania are so spot on.

It's so much fun to revisit the 28 countries I've traveled in and even more exciting to find new places to go... I wish I had this book when I was a kid, or at least when I started traveling.

(A great companion book to this is "1,000 Places to See Before You Die.)

Wonderful reference, June 24, 2006
This book, in fact, is a very like a kind of reference book of geography rather than a travel book but you can use it to give you a rough idea of the countries you want to visit before you are really going to plan your trip.
Anyway, after reading this book, you will know how large is the world and make you always dream of the next destination for the travellers.

incredible photography, November 20, 2005
Lonely planet has really impressed me. This book is beautiful! The photographs are just gorgeous and captivating. Everytime you open the book there is something just lovely waiting for you. The Travel Book includes every country in a two to four page spread with pictures, geographic information, population,language, and cultural facts. These cultural facts are what I most enojy, they include popular sayings, music, foods, and a book or movie that relates to the country so that you can learn more. This book is fantastic for anyone interested in culture, travel, or photography. Its great for a coffee table or office book and its just an interesting guide for countries you have wanted to learn about. Lonely planet also has many other great books and travel guides but this is my favorite.

Travel Book Through Every Country, May 11, 2005
This is an excellent acquisition if you plan to do extensive
travelling overseas. Each country is listed with details as to
the best time to visit, the "must see" tours, music, food and
details on the local culture. The volume will help anyone unfamiliar with the travel itinerary. The book is perfect for
student projects as well. Antarctica is presented with full color
pictures; such as , the Dawson Lambton Glacier by the Weddell Sea
or the Mosques of Bahrain. The sand dunes of the Atacama desert
provide a spectacular view of Chile's outdoors. The acquisition
is worth the price . This volume would make a perfect gift for
any student or cultural enthusiast.

A TRUE MUST HAVE!, March 17, 2005
Once I saw this book I bought it immidately! And trust me it was worth all that excitment! The Travel Book is a quick-smart phtography guide to the world. You will learn so much from a couple of paragraphs about each country, Best time to visit, Languages, food, drink, entertainment and so much more. The pictures are absolutely stunning and the format enriches it. It is also in alphabetical order so it is easy to find the country you are looking for. The only letdown is that it does not show each countries major religions but what it loses in the religions it makes up quickly with everything else. This is a must buy- I would be willing to spend up to $200 for it - thats how good it is!

Fantastic for Reference or Coffee Table, July 7, 2007
I am taking my teenager on a backpacking trip around the world, and this obviously requires a bit of research. I have to admit that I have done most of this in the bookstores, sitting with a book such as this one, and taking notes.

This book, this massive tome, though, kept calling to me every time I went in. I came up with a justification for buying it easily enough - it will look great on the coffee table! (And it does)

It impresses in several ways

1- The breadth - every country in the world - every single one - has a 2 page spread. (Only thing left out are the micronations, but don't worry, LP has a separate book just for them!)

2 - The pictures - in true LP fashion, the photos are stunning views into another place, a different culture, often taken from an angle you don't expect.

3 - The information - concise, accurate, up-to-date. Included are little bits you won't easily find elsewhere, like how much for a cup of coffee, or the best things to shop for, or unexpected experiences one may find just off the beaten path. Of course, you will also find the essential bits of history and culture to help you get a feel for the place.

I find my self turning to it time and again as I research our trip - it gives me just enough info to know if I want to further investigate a place, or if I should just leave it to armchair travel. This book, by the way, is the ultimate guide for the armchair traveller!

My son has used it for school projects. When he had to write a paper on Africa that included 5 different countries, this is the book he used to determine which countries to research.

Also, it really does look FANTASTIC on your coffee table! Your friends will pick it up as soon as they sit down - you'll see. It is such a large and gorgeous book, and at such a crazy cheap price, there's little risk here.

If your considering buying it, go ahead, you will be happy to own it. And your friends will be glad you own it, too!

... Read more

Editorial Review

From the bestselling author of Oracle Bones and River Town comes the final book in his award-winning trilogy, on the human side of the economic revolution in China.

In the summer of 2001, Peter Hessler, the longtime Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker, acquired his Chinese driver's license. For the next seven years, he traveled the country, tracking how the automobile and improved roads were transforming China. Hessler writes movingly of the average people—farmers, migrant workers, entrepreneurs—who have reshaped the nation during one of the most critical periods in its modern history.

Country Driving begins with Hessler's 7,000-mile trip across northern China, following the Great Wall, from the East China Sea to the Tibetan plateau. He investigates a historically important rural region being abandoned, as young people migrate to jobs in the southeast. Next Hessler spends six years in Sancha, a small farming village in the mountains north of Beijing, which changes dramatically after the local road is paved and the capital's auto boom brings new tourism. Finally, he turns his attention to urban China, researching development over a period of more than two years in Lishui, a small southeastern city where officials hope that a new government-built expressway will transform a farm region into a major industrial center.

Peter Hessler, whom The Wall Street Journal calls "one of the Western world's most thoughtful writers on modern China," deftly illuminates the vast, shifting landscape of a traditionally rural nation that, having once built walls against foreigners, is now building roads and factory towns that look to the outside world.

Reviews

Peter Hessler Does It Again, February 16, 2010
Mr. Hessler's 3rd book on China continues his tradition of excellent writing and reporting. His tales of his travels driving through China are illuminating, as are his village and factory narratives. He truly provides insight into a time, people and place in China that most of us will never meet, see or experience. His previous books, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.) and Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China (P.S.), have become must-reads for anyone who wants to learn about modern China and this book might be his best yet.

His humor, insight and empathy are as extraordinary as his ability to pack so much information into such a compelling narrative. I pre-ordered the book and once it arrived I couldn't put it down until I finished it. If you are trying to understand China for work, study, travel or just personal interest - this should be right at the top of your reading list. You won't be disappointed.

Useful insights into modern China, February 21, 2010
As a long time "New Yorker" reader, it's been a joy to follow Peter Hessler's discovery of the complexities of modern China in a series of his articles published over the past 12 or so years. This is probably his best book on China, and I found it fascinating.

Hessler was born in 1969 in Missouri and became a Peace Corps volunteer assigned to China. He learned the language well and does not rely on interpreters unlike other journalists. As a result, his writing has a very attractive conversational style.

Like many other "New Yorker" writers, Hessler publishes much of his work first in the magazine and later in a book: his first, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, covered education and cultural matters; and his second, Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China's Past and Present, focused on ancient history.

Hessler's third book starts out as a road trip roughly paralleling the Great Wall, on superhighways, local paved roads, and dirt paths. An experienced driver himself, among many other things he had to contend with Chinese drivers who had recently learned to drive as adults and who rarely spent much time learning the principles of safe driving.

Hessler learned about the Chinese highway system, of course, driving alone in his rental cars, but he also learned about a pervasive business development culture. His book breaks into three sections: highway development in section one, retail development in a village in section two and industrial development in larger and growing cities in section three.

In the village of Sancha, which became a suburb of Beijing because of better roads, Hessler buys a house. He becomes especially friendly with a couple who open a restaurant to serve the increasing number of tourists.

The third section describes factory development in Lishui, a small city becoming a manufacturing center; it specializes in a small ring used in making bras.

Hessler is a wonderful traveller; his website describes a bit of how he got started:

"... I saw little of the world outside of America, until 1992, when I received a scholarship to attend graduate school at Oxford. That was really the start of my international experiences -- I lived cheaply at Oxford and picked up odd jobs and the occasional freelance writing gig, and this allowed me to travel extensively in Europe and Asia. During those two years I visited something like 30 countries -- Oxford was very generous with its vacation time, and I traveled cheaply, using rail-passes and camping a lot. I finished in '94 and decided to go home around the world -- an unplanned trip that started in Prague and continued by land and boat all the way to Thailand, via Russia and China. After returning from that trip, I freelanced and took other trips, including a long hike across Switzerland -- in the summer of '95 I received a grant to hike across the country, and I spent two months camping and hiking in the mountains, from the French border to the Italian border."

His books on China are wonderful examples of how well he becomes a part of the societies he visits and how well he brings his experiences alive. I look forward to reading more of his "New Yorker" pieces -- they may reach the heights of the experiences in this fine travelogue.

Robert C. Ross 2010

Glimpse into everyday life in China, February 15, 2010
Well written observation of the impact of the Chinese Economic boom on the nation's citizens. This book is three stories - it is not just a travelogue of driving around the country.

Mr. Hessler's writing is tight and descriptive. He takes a non-judgmental attitude throughout the narratives and allows the reader a clear look at the country's current zeitgeist. The book held my interest and I'd happily purchase further writings from this author on the subject matter.

Excellent Insights Into China!, February 16, 2010
Country Driving" consists of three narratives intended to convey how China is changing with the building of new roads. While the book accomplishes little in that regard, it does help readers understand Chinese culture, how that culture is developed at school, and the idiosyncrasies of life in China. The book begins with Hessler acquiring a Chinese driver's license in 2001 after living and touring in China for five years teaching English, serving as a free-lance reporter, and learning to read and speak Chinese.

Obtaining a driver's license is no mean feat for Chinese citizens - requirements include a medical checkup, passing a written exam, and completing a driving course and extensive driving test. (These requirements are greatly lessened for those already licensed in other nations.) Unfortunately, the driving courses and regulations have little connection to safety - seat belts, turn signals, and children's car seats are not required, and despite having only one-fifth the number of vehicles for about the same geographic area as the U.S., China has twice the number of traffic fatalities. A lesser problem is that maps do not label most roads, lack a marked scale or distances between towns, and the indicated roads sometimes turn into creek beds. Nonetheless, almost 1,000 new drivers register each day in Beijing alone. Hessler always rented the vehicles he used, probably because autos owned by foreigners have a distinctive license plate that would reveal when he was traveling outside his residence area - guaranteeing special police attention.

Hessler's first narrative summarized his driving over 7,000 miles across northern China following the Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty - 1368-1644, from the East China Sea to the Tibetan plateau in a rented Chinese-made Jeep Cherokee ($30/day). (Hessler was required to immediately leave the Tibetan area - it is forbidden to foreigners.) Many days he traveled less than 100 miles, taking time to tour and visit with locals, and usually camping out to avoid small-town hotels because they often reported him to local police. (Foreign journalists were required to apply to local authorities before arriving - Hessler rarely did so because he lacked a set itinerary and the process invariably led to more questioning.) Truckers' dorms were an alternative because they normally lacked the police registration forms. Besides rarely seen portions of the Great Wall, Hessler also observed numerous remains of signal towers also built during the Ming dynasty - the remains were over 20' high, made of tamped earth, and had been used to send military communications using fires, lanterns, smoke signals, and flags. Some of the Great Wall has been denuded of its brick facing - used as a 'free' resource and also a target of Cultural Revolution efforts to obliterate China's feudal past; this is no longer allowed. The less-traveled roads often were covered with grain piles during harvest time - an illegal practice that provided free threshing by passing vehicle tires. Occasionally Hessler's travel was interrupted by stops at roadside funerals that lasted up to 7 days. (Most deceased Chinese are cremated, except in outlying areas.)

The second, and most appealing, segment of "Country Driving" covers the six years beginning in 2001 that were spent in Sancha, a small walnut farming village in the mountains north of Beijing that had shrunk from a population of 300 in 1970 to less than 150. (About 90 million Chinese migrated from the countryside by 2001, primarily to new factory towns on the southeastern coast; these numbers grew to an estimated 130 million by 2008.) Here he rents a 3-room house ($40/month) amidst a community with an average GDP of $250/capita and 17 Communist Party members. Party membership requires a formal application, followed by meetings, interviews, evaluations, and self-criticisms that can take six months, or more - only about 5% are members, and some join primarily (eg. his neighbor, in 2004) to add business contacts and leverage with local officials. While there, Hessler becomes close to his neighbors and their young son (Wei Jia - only child in the village) and part of the community routines.

Hessler's reporting on the 'local' boarding school, 30-some miles away, is particularly interesting. Report cards are 30+ pages long - the evaluations begin using a 20-item list titled "Elementary School Rules of Daily Behavior." Examples: 1)"Be interested in national events, respect the national flag, respect the national emblem, know how to sing the national anthem." (Many rural villagers, however, don't even know the name of the current premier.) 2)"Cherish the honor of the group and be a responsible member of the group." Etc. Physical measurements are also included - height, weight, eyesight, hearing, lung capacity. At the end of the 2nd-grade and other report cards are a series of unfinished faces where children draw either a smiley, straight, or frowning face in response to self-evaluation questions such as "participates in labor for the collective welfare."

Hessler's education perspectives continue, reporting almost never meeting a parent without educational aspirations for his/her child - unlike America. Everything revolves around memorization and repetition (sometimes with no context - eg. memorizing instructions for Microsoft FrontPage XP), though their mathematics texts are far more advanced than their equivalents in the U.S. There is no ability grouping. Returning to Wei Jia, his education begins inauspiciously. Wei's kindergarten year (staying at his grandparents in another village) begins with him declaring "This place is no good!" - understandable since he had never been with a group of children before, and the school was in such poor condition it was closed the next year. Regardless, Wei's first school year quickly ended because of ITP (a bleeding disorder) that necessitated a trip to a Beijing children's hospital for gamma globulin treatment. Fortunately, despite the staff's aloofness and requiring payment in advance (Wei's parents had insurance that paid after-the-fact), Wei fully recovered, though one wonders what would have happened without access to Hessler's rented auto and advice from foreign medical sources. (The 'good news' is that China is now expanding health care and insurance for all.)

Wei's second year (first grade) in school, however, was as bad, if not worse. Homework was mostly ignored, he wandered around the room during class, didn't eat all his food, and even failed to stand at attention during an address by the principal. Wei's parents made it quite clear to him that they were very upset, and followed up regularly. Second grade brought a total turnaround - Wei led the class in mathematics, did his homework, ate all his food, and was appointed Politeness Monitor (reports on bad behavior and deducts points accordingly). Chinese classrooms also have Homework Monitors, Hygiene Monitors, and Class Monitors - the latter helps the teacher organize fellow students; in addition, each dorm room has student Room and Vice-Room Monitors to ensure cleaning is carried out. Peer discipline also takes place when misbehaving children are required to stand in front of the class and be criticized by both the teacher and the other students. Finally, parent-teacher conferences are a group exercise - all parents attend together and listen to the teacher's critique of each student, with the bad ones receiving the most attention. Beginning with the 5th grade, class/dorm monitor positions are elected - Wei, however, declined to run, declaring that it was 'too much bother.'

Other interesting China education factoids: Before 1949 80% of the population was illiterate; now UNICEF reports a 99% literacy rate among youth. Nine years of education (free) is required - passing a test is required to attend high-school or vocational school, and tuition is charged. Its higher-education system was devastated during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, though is now rebuilding. The proportion of college-age youth enrolled in higher-education is 20%.

Smoking among men is pervasive, and exchanging cigarettes is part of social relations. There are over 400 brands of Chinese cigarettes - all state-owned and with varying status levels, 50 cable channels cost less than $20/year, nobody knocks when they visit a neighbor in Sancha, the village chief is elected by all via secret ballot and need not be a party member (he/she is outranked by the Party Secretary, however), the town's propaganda speakers blare out news each morning about government initiatives, and by 2006 the town's GDP/capita had risen to $800 as a result of tourism from Beijing generated by the road being paved (now about a two-hour drive from Beijing). Wei's father gained more than most by starting a restaurant that served fresh fish kept in a tank, and adding several rental rooms. The money for these ventures originally came from his personal savings and loans from relatives; later, after joining the Party he was also able to get government grants and loans. Credit cards are rare. Obtaining bank loans requires village approval. Construction workers cost $3/day in 2001, $6/day in 2006.

The biggest used-car market in Beijing has about 20,000 cars for sale, and most sellers are individuals paying 25 cents/hour to park their car there. Approved religions include Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam; Catholics, however, are not allowed to recognize the authority of the pope - avoids conflicts of leadership.

The final segment of "Country Driving" covers two years in Lishui - a newly built manufacturing small town in southeastern China. Starting wages were about 47 cents/hour, though those persistent and with prior 'claimed' background could get more. (Many lied about both their age and experience.) Per capita GDP was about $1,460 in 2006 - much higher than rural areas, and illustrative of the tension within China over equality of economic opportunity. About half the town's revenue came from taxes, and the rest from land 'sales' that involved changing permitted use from agriculture to industrial. (Land status in China is confusing - as best I understand, it can't be sold, but it can be leased). Considerable corruption occurs through officials forcing occupants to give up tenancy for below-market reimbursement, then turning the site over to others at much higher rates associated with new 'zoning' and collecting a hefty 'fee.' A side effect of obtaining sizable revenues through rezoning is that towns become overly reliant on growth for stable revenues - the central government is attempting to change this.

Readers learn near the end that Hessler received a number of photo radar tickets for speeding, that local police invest in the individual photo-radar machines for a share of the revenues, and that they were strategically placed to maximize revenues.

Bottom-Line: "Country Driving" provides good insight into rural life in China, and especially how its education system encourages achievement and fitting into adult society. On the other hand, Hessler's failure to include even a single photo is quite aggravating because it is easy to become interested in some of his characters. The 'good news' is a little Internet research re Sancha, Wei Jia, and Lishui corrects that omission - I was particularly delighted to find photos of Wei Jia in his subsequent early teen-age years guiding Olympic tourists outside his village.

Thoroughly enjoyable read, May 10, 2010
I don't remember ever giving a book five stars but this was such a pleasure to read that I could not resist. The book is divided into three parts. First, he drives a route along the Great Wall travelling into some remote parts of the north west. His account is funny and informative in places and always written in an easy, engaging style. However, this was the weakest and least interesting part of the book. It lacked the people contact which made the rest of the book so interesting. The second part takes place in a rural village outside of Beijing. The main focus is a single family - husband, wife, and five year old son. There is lots happening in their lives - opportunities to better their lives come and go, village politics, Party politics, schooling of the son, problems of economic success as the family businesses grow. The author rented a house in the village for at least a couple of years and visited afterward so the story covers about five years. The author speaks fluent mandarin and becomes very close to the family. A great story, well written. The third part takes place in a development zone and describes building, staffing, and operation of a new factory. Once again the author manages to insert himself into their world and he tells a gentle and humorous story of growth and development in China. I think he captures the character and nuances of the new China really well.

I think that this book appealed to me, in part, because I know little about China. I was not looking for something focused on economics, politics, or history. I bought it because I was told that it was well written, a pleasure to read, and told some good stories of China in the new millenium.

Complaints? I would have loved it if he had better maps.

Hilarious and terrifying, in a way, June 8, 2010
Peter Hessler wrote an excellent book about the hazards of driving in China and while doing so he became a close observer about the (micro)-economic development in China. I found his book hilarious because the many anecdotes he tells should make you laugh out loud. What I found terrifying about this tale are the author's observations about economic life in China. This book should be compulsory reading for a lot of people in the west, if only to understand what is really going on in China.

Part One of the Book deals with Hessler's road trip along the wall and back. Given that foreigners are not supposed to leave Beijing Municipality, this is quite a feat. I couldn't decide whether the many questions he quotes from the Chinese driving exam are for real or if he made them up. I have no idea if it is allowed to bring small amounts of explosive material into a taxi but I would instinctively answer "Yes". Hessler tells many stories about the Chinese style of driving and if you have been to China none of these will be unfamiliar to you. I read somewhere that Peter Hessler was terrified of the Chinese style of driving. I would wager that the Americans were probably more terrified of him, when he re-joined traffic in the US.

In Part Two, Hessler rents a house in some village north of Beijing and it is incredible to observe through his eyes how the place develops with his "Family" developing from a level of poverty hardly any of us would be able to imagine into "the entrepreneur" of the village. One might be inclined to believe that this development was exceptional but as you read on it becomes quite clear that this sort of thing is happening all over China. In Part Three, Hessler writes about a development zone in Southern Zhejiang in general and about a bra ring production plant in particular. And again it is incredible to observe how this development takes place.

All told I found this book a real page turner and I can only highly recommend it.

Beautifully done., February 23, 2010
This might be the strongest yet of Hessler's three books on life in contemporary China. "Country Driving" is a masterpiece of travelogue and cultural analysis. Hessler is doing for 21st century China what Tocqueville did for 19th century America. If cultural cataclysm were a sport, Hessler would be its Red Smith.

The writing, while lean, is descriptive and compelling. By "embedding" himself among working-class Chinese in multiple urban and rural locales, Hessler avoids the pitfalls, suffered in comparable works, of relying on the views and experiences of the elite or the avant garde of an emerging society. His work is in the spirit of David Remnick's landmark "Lenin's Tomb," on the fall of the Soviet Union. Little wonder that The New Yorker, where Remnick is now the editor, has been so supportive.

Written with wit and empathy, devoid of any shred of judgmentalism, "Country Driving" is a roadmap through the chaotic psychic wilderness of a society that is literally plunging from the 8th century into the 21st, in a compressed span of mere months. The strange, the impossible, the ingenious, the unthinkable and the inexplicable all meld into a vertiginous portrait of a nation that's not quite sure where it's headed, but is hurtling forward at 140 mph.

I sincerely hope Peter Hessler's notebook is not yet empty.

Social commentary with a twist of dry wit, May 3, 2010
Hessler's excellent China travel journal was really fun. His clear, warmhearted writing serves as serious social commentary, but it also carries an understated sense of irony and dry wit. Starting with the title, "Country Driving," the American past-time takes on an entirely different meaning in Hessler's rural China. He captures a string of insightful and respectful conversations with a wide range of rural and urban Chinese men and women. The informal exchanges help illuminate the very different Eastern and Western cultures and class distinctions. I hope Hessler keeps traveling and writing.

Insight into life in China, June 2, 2010
Having been to China earlier this year I was interested to read what this author discovered from living in China for several years. As a Chinese language (Mandarin) speaker the author was able to interact with many people from many parts of China and the insights are great indeed. Peter Hessler writes with great sensitivity but also great humor and insight. He has a journalists eye for detail but also an appreciation and understanding of history.The result is a fascinating book which takes us into the lives of individuals and families.We care about these people, their careers ,their jobs and their dreams. To sum up , an engrossing book which keeps you reading.

Well done..., May 22, 2010
This was a very informative and entertaining book. My favorite part is the author's time spent in the developing village of Sancha a few hours outside of Beijing. Peter is perfectly positioned to be a witness to the largest economic and industrial development in human history. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For pure pleasure, few experiences are as satisfying as a chance to explore the world’s great culinary traditions and landmarks—and here, in the latest title of our popular series of illustrated travel gift books, you’ll find a fabulous itinerary of foods, dishes, markets, and restaurants worth traveling far and wide to savor.

On the menu is the best of the best from all over the globe: Tokyo’s freshest sushi; the spiciest Creole favorites in New Orleans; the finest vintages of the great French wineries; the juiciest cuts of beef in Argentina; and much, much more. You’ll sample the sophisticated dishes of fabled chefs and five-star restaurants, of course, but you’ll also discover the simpler pleasures of the side-street cafés that cater to local people and the classic specialties that give each region a distinctive flavor.

Every cuisine tells a unique story about its countryside, climate, and culture, and in these pages you’ll meet the men and women who transform nature’s bounty into a thousand gustatory delights. Hundreds of appetizing full-color illustrations evoke an extraordinary range of tastes and cooking techniques; a wide selection of recipes invites you to create as well as consume; sidebars give a wealth of entertaining information about additional sites to visit as well as the cultural importance of the featured food; while lively top ten lists cover topics from chocolate factories to champagne bars, from historic food markets to wedding feasts, harvest celebrations, and festive occasions of every kind. In addition, detailed practical travel information provides all the ingredients you’ll need to cook up a truly delicious experience for even the most demanding of traveling gourmets. ... Read more

Reviews

Great Book!, November 10, 2009
This book is sooo cool! I have been to many of the places they write about, and find the book to be amazingly well researched. I plan to use it as a travel planner supplement for future trips because you can't get this kind of information out of a regular travel book. Plus, it a great daydreaming tool. One can flip the pages and imagine wonderful places to visit and eat. I especially appreciate the way they cover all types of dining experiences -- it's not just about expensive, 5-star restaurants. Each page contains loads of information that connects the food to the context of the place. These pieces were clearly written by insiders, people who know the area and can guide you to authentic, memorable experiences.

This is my idea of a great travel book., November 11, 2009
Who doesn't want to eat their way around the world? I love this book, it takes care of my holiday shopping list and is hugely entertaining. Food Journeys captures the essence of why I/most people travel -- they want to eat great food in gorgeous locales with interesting people. The photos are beautiful and the info is rich and very helpful. Hadn't thought of food festivals as a good travel destination. Also looking forward to hunting down the best baguette. Lots of fun ideas here. Am glad someone finally made a book like this.

Love the "lists of 10", November 12, 2009
This book represents my secret -- I don't eat when I am out travelinig, but I travel to eat.... And imagining what I am going to eat when I go to places is really almost as good as being there (not really, but it does help to build the anticipation.) I found myself lingering over the Lists of 10 things in many of the categories. It's the kind of compare and contrast thing that really gets you thinking. The cheese tours of France and the Literary Watering holes of the world particularly, particularly are begging to be implemented.

For the armchair as well as experienced traveler, November 11, 2009
I suggest that you keep a copy of this evocative book by your desk. On those endless afternoons when you've had just about enough of spreadsheets and office coffee, pick it up and turn through the pages at random. Yes, there is a world outside your four walls and the luscious photos and descriptions in this book will conjure up the tastes, scents, and sights of places you've never even heard of...you'll be roused from your boring day funk, your appetite whet for food adventures. Just when you feel that you may never experience life outside a cubicle again, this book will remind you that's it's a mysterious and diverse world out there--seek it out!

Pure Pleasure, November 10, 2009
I bought two copies of Food Journeys of a Lifetime: one for myself, the other for a foodie friend. The photography is beautiful; the descriptions are comprehensive (when to go, planning, recommended websites, and more); and the layout makes it easy to take it all in. (Thank you, National Geographic editors, for including an index!) Food plays a big part in my travel, and I will use this book to dream, to plan, to reminisce. Five stars!

Culinary Globetrotting, National Geographic Style, February 1, 2010
When I have the privilege to travel to exotic places abroad, I've generally made it a point to find an opportunity to take a cooking lesson in the local cuisine. I figured out a while back that the most intimate way to get to know a culture is through the food they grow, create, cook and eat. Now comes a book from the editors of one of my favorite magazines, National Geographic Traveler, that focuses on the culinary adventures to be had around the globe. As expected, it's a handsome coffee-table book that takes full advantage of the vast catalog of images and articles long featured in the magazine. It's divided into nine beguiling chapters:

-- "Specialties & Ingredients" focuses on foods which are unique to specific locales, ranging from Vermont maple syrup to the fresh sushi found at dawn in Tokyo's Tsukiji Market to the vanilla bean that originated on the island of R�union.
-- "Outstanding Markets" spotlights the world's great bazaars such as Thailand's floating markets, Venice's Rialto Fish Market, and in my own backyard, San Francisco's Ferry Building Marketplace.
-- "Seasonal Delights" runs the gamut from French truffles to Finnish crayfish to Maryland's soft-shell crabs.
-- "In the Kitchen" brings to the fore the intimate secrets of the world's cuisines through classic technique and unique ingredients. Recipes are plentiful in this section's sidebars.
-- "Favorite Street Foods" is the section with which I have the most affinity since it highlights exactly the type of food that I would eat as a traveler, the local eats found on mobile food carts, at street kiosks, and in expansive night markets.
-- "Great Food Towns" travels far and wide to identify the culinary capitals from Bologna to Goa to Hong Kong to the inevitable destination, Paris.
-- "Ultimate Luxuries" identifies the rare treats to be discovered by those with deep pockets, for example, kaiseki feasting in Kyoto and luxuriant dining at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice.
-- "The Best Wine, Beer, & More" focuses on some unusual beverages such as Peruvian pisco and Greenland's glacier beer, as well as more predictable choices like Oregon's microbreweries and Sonoma wines.
-- "Just Desserts" looks at the world's confectionary delights such as Belgian chocolates and Florida's key lime pie.

For each entry, the editors provide critical information on when to go, how to plan a particular culinary adventure, and what relevant websites can help with the planning. There are entertaining top ten lists throughout the book in categories as diverse as Extreme Restaurants and Monastic Tipples. My only complaints about the book are that certain areas (Western Europe, Japan) seem to be favored at the expense of more exotic locales and that there aren't as many "a-ha" moments as I would have hoped from a list as comprehensive as this one. Still, the photography is mostly spectacular, and the editors recognize the most important discovery for the reader - that what and where we eat becomes as much a part of our travel as what we see - and the book successfully delivers an exercise in cultural immersion through our individual palates.

On "Food Journeys for a Lifetime", December 1, 2009
On the basis of a favorable newspaper review, I bought this book for my son, who has been a chef and kitchen manager in several restaurants, as a birthday gift. I didn't really do more than scan it myself, but I could tell from his reaction that he liked it and appreciated my choice of gift. He, the famous curmudgeon, even gave me a hug!

Foodie Fun!!, December 26, 2010
A richly produced National Geographic book. . . . I received this as a Christmas present and enjoy its quirkiness immensely. The subtitle suggests why: "500 Extraordinary Places to Eat around the Globe." And I have actually been to some of the places, such as Ben & Jerry's in Vermont, Philly cheese steak venues in Philadelphia, the Beaver Club in Montreal, steak in Buenos Aires, beer halls of Munich, and Les Deux Magots in Paris. Some nice memories came back to me! Sitting at Les Deux Magots in Paris, having a Croque Monsieur for lunch. . . .

The book is divided into a series of sections, such as Specialties & ingredients, Outstanding markets, Seasonal delights, In the kitchen, Favorite street foods, Great food towns, Ultimate luxuries, the best wine (beer and more), and Just desserts. After each title page, a series of examples is provided. For instance, after "Specialties & ingredients," we see a segment on lobsters (from the Atlantic coast) to maple syrup (Vermont). Also, there are "Top 10 listings," such as Top 10 Unusual Food and Drink Festivals, such as the Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater, Texas, or the Cabbage Festival in Hungary, or the Fete de fromage (Cheese Festival) in France. . . .

In short, a lot of fun if you are a foodie. Not much in the way of recipes. Not much detail on any of the 500 places to eat. But a richly illustrated, enjoyable work to peruse.

a fabulous journey, June 22, 2010
I gave this as a gift to my Mom who is 86. She can't travel anymore, but loves going to all the places by reading. She loves it and says the photos are spectacular!

But Can You Lift It?, March 3, 2010
Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe � National Geographic Society 2009
By Nan C.
That travel bug you were sure airport hassle, terrorists, or a current stay on Poverty Row had killed, comes right back to haunt you as soon as you open this book. Supersized 12"L x 9.5"W and 1" Deep (not counting sturdy hard cover), this five-pounder is no takalong guide. But what a beautiful way to browse and dream! Be sure to take notes - in case.
National Geographic never shys away from sending contributors to wild parts of the world. Foodie destinations in most corners of the globe are covered, as though grim State Department Travel Warnings do not exist. Wonderful index of 313 non-gushy pages, beautiful photos (of course), suggestions for international hotel chains, bed & breakfasts, campgrounds to stay near the goal - from gourmet cooking schools to street food vendor-specialists in world capitals and villages, including the USA, plus the occasional sidelined recipe. Those Preserved Lemons somehow inspired me to get to Morocco ASAP! ###

... Read more

Editorial Review

To live in a pristine land ... to roam the wilderness ... to choose a site, cut trees, and build a home ... Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them. Here is a tribute to a man in tune with his surroundings who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond. ... Read more

Reviews

To Do a Thing to Completion
This has to be one of my very favorite books. I have read it front to back at least 7 times! It is written with the true adventurer in mind. Every detail of his experience makes the reader wish it were he/she that was there with him. If you have ever wished you could just go off into the woods, build a cabin and be self-sufficiant, This is the book for you. ... Read more

Editorial Review

With more than two hundred photographs - many rarely seen and some never before published - this is the most comprehensive collection of Ansel Adams' photographs of America's national parks and wilderness areas. For many people, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and other iconic American wildlands exist in the mind's eye as Ansel Adams photographs. The legendary photographer explored more than forty national parks in his lifetime, producing some of the most indelible images of the natural world ever made. One of the twentieth century's most ardent champions of the park and wilderness systems, Adams also helped preserve additional natural areas and protect existing ones through his photographs, essays, and letter-writing campaigns.

Edited and with commentary by Andrea G. Stillman, the foremost expert on Adams' work, this landmark publication includes quotations by Adams on the making of numerous photographs and essays by Wallace Stegner, William A. Turnage of The Ansel Adams Trust, and journalist and critic Richard B. Woodward. This is a must-own for Ansel Adams fans and all those who, like Adams, treasure America's wilderness.
... Read more

Reviews

Ansel Adams Is A Genius, October 22, 2010
What I Can Tell You:
I have always been interested in Ansel Adams. As someone who calls themselves an amateur photographer, his use of black and white has always amazed me. It was so fun to open this huge book chock full of Ansel Adams rarely seen photos. It was fascinating to hear the rational behind the photos. Ansel was a visionary who has documented some of the most beautiful nature photos. How can a man who worked in black and white have had such a career? I never know when to use black and white and found myself in awe of Ansel's vision and use of light.

"A photograph is made, not taken." I love that line from the book. This week I told two people who noticed my camera and said, they can't take good photos with their current camera and wish they had a camera like mine. Both were told as nicely as possible, that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a camera. It is the photographer who makes the picture, not the camera. My entire life, I have been told, your camera takes great pictures. More often than not I was insulted by the statement. After 8 camera's and many years of maturation, I just roll my eyes at that statement.

Ansel Adams In The National Parks is a great gift for the photographer in your life, the Ansel fan, or just for someone who appreciates the beauty of the glorious world we live in.

Ansel Adams finest images, November 10, 2010
Exquisite photography presented beautifully. And a bargain price, at that!
Sparing text, when used, adds greatly to the accompanying images.

Beauty, Captured, October 24, 2010
Ansel Adams' dramatic black and white photographs of the American natural wonders have become somewhat of modern-day icons. Their stark, imposing beauty is undeniable, and it can often be hard to take away your gaze from them.

This collection of Ansel Adams' photographs brings together some of his most famous works, as well as some more restrained and subtle ones. The book is also filled with numerous biographical notes, as well as with explanation of Adams' technique and the unique visual style that he achieved. This is a beautiful coffee-table book that celebrates one of America's foremost artistic geniuses. It is also a great introduction to the timeless natural beauty of the National Parks.

Beautiful as Always, October 21, 2010
Ansel Adams is best known for his black and white photographs, and the magic of his simple and captivating images can once again be experienced in the new book, Ansel Adams in the National Parks. The book features over 200 of Adams' photographs and spans forty national parks, from Yosemite to Yellowstone to Glacier National Park. Ansel Adams in the National Parks also includes commentary by the photographer on certain photos, giving us more insight into his creative process.

I enjoy photography, but am by no means a fanatic, and I loved browsing through the book and learning more about the National Parks (I've never been to one). There were a few particular images that really made me stop and take notice of every detail; I'm sure everyone will find some that do the same for them. Ansel Adams in the National Parks is beautifully presented and would make an amazing gift to anyone who appreciates nature photography, or is simply a fan of a great coffee table book.

Simply stunning, December 14, 2010
I was fortunate enough to review Ansel Adam's In Colour last year and was eager to read the newest release - In the National Parks.

Adams travelled and photographed forty national parks during his 50+ year career. This newest volume contains over 50 photographs never before published.

Ansel is one of the greatest photographers in the world. His stunning pictures are all the more incredible as he worked with what we would now consider 'basic' equipment. Prints were developed by hand, a skill he excelled at. His black and white work is instantly identifiable.

"For Ansel, the creative process began at the camera but did not end until he felt a sense of satisfaction in the darkroom. His photographic prints are a personal intensification of what was in front of the camera. They reveal not only the photographic process, but also the photographer." To quote Adams - "A photograph is made, not taken."

Ansel was an ardent proponent of preserving 'America's wild places.' Through his photographs, campaigns, and Sierra Club activities, he was successful in his raising awareness and affecting change.

As I slowly perused each page, I was struck by the beauty of each and every photograph. Stand outs for me were Redwood Stumps and Ferns/California on Pg33 and Forest/Alaska pg186 . These two images radiate movement and fairly leap off the page. The play of shadows in Grand Canyon/Arizona 1942 on pg35 was breathtaking. It accentuated the timeless and enduring quality of the stone. The detail captured in the waves and mist of Grand Prismatic Spring/Wyoming pg36 is again a testament to Adam's skill with a camera, but also his ability to see the beauty in our natural world. I think perhaps my favourite shot is Aspens at Dawn/Colorado 1937 on pg66. The lighting makes the trees look so eerily beautiful.

Accompanying many of the pictures are letters from Adams, setting the time and place, along with his thoughts. Also included are essays from Andrea G. Stillman and essays by Wallace Stegner, William A. Turnage of The Ansel Adams Trust, and journalist and critic Richard B. Woodward. These are intriguing as well, describing Adam's thoughts, actions and processes. Also included at the end are selected additional notes for certain images.

"Ansel often said ' I go out into the world, I make a photograph, and I give it to you as the equivalent of what I saw and felt."

Thank you. These timeless images are a reminder of the beauty of our natural world. And why we need to look after it.

Not just a portfolio of photographs!, October 24, 2010
This is a very good book! Along with some wonderful photographs of our national parks, the writers shed some light on how Ansel Adams cared about the environment and photography. I would highly recommend this one! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Featuring 375 color photos and 80 full-color detailed maps—more than any other park guidebook—this is the most comprehensive, up-to-the-minute book of its kind on the market today. A perennial favorite with more than a million copies sold in previous editions, it reflects National Geographic’s century-long association with America’s national parks system and its peerless reputation for travel expertise and cartographic excellence.

The guide opens with an essay by Yellowstone authority Paul Schullery, a section on how to use the guide, and a national locator map. The parks are presented alphabetically region by region, with individual maps and geographical profiles. Colorfully illustrated descriptions offer tours tailored to the time available, whether it’s an hour or a week, and tell visitors the best spots to enjoy hikes, spectacular vistas, wildlife, and more. An Information & Activities page provides practical advice on visiting—park contact information, camping and lodging, accessibility, pet restrictions, things to do, and special advisories. Excursions to nearby wildlife refuges, monuments, forests, and other areas of exceptional interest follow many of the park entries.

From planning a trip to making the most of every minute, here’s all the information anyone could want on the scenic national parks—the crown jewels of the park system—plus invaluable advice from National Geographic writers who know them well. ... Read more

Reviews

An Excellent Book about National PARKS!, October 1, 2009
This is an excellent guide to the fifty-eight national parks. It doesn't matter whether you are interested in week-long back-country hikes, overnight camping, a long hike in the woods, sight-seeing, or just driving through: this book is an in-depth guide to the parks, their history, their features, and what you need to see, bring, and know. The one-star review entitled "Not A Resource" is completely off-base. This book correctly notes that it is a guide to the national PARKS--not national historic sites or national lakeshores. My son and I visited Harper's Ferry this summer while we were biking the C&O Canal. I enjoyed Harper's Ferry, but it is a national historic site and NOT a national PARK. Isaiah and I also stopped at Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home in southern Indiana on our way from Saint Louis; I would recommend this site, too, but it is NOT a national PARK. Frankly, the author of that review should remove her post AND apologize to the National Geographic staff. This book is now in its sixth edition because it is that good. Buy it and pack it with you.

great travel companion, September 13, 2009
This is the best guide to the US national parks. It is decriptive and accurate and thorough. I wish they had a spiral version so one could take out the park pages that you need for travel without having to take the whole book. I actually have 2 copies, one I keep intact and the second one I rip out the park pages that I am traveling to, and take along. These pages are a great guide while touring the parks.

One of the best take-along totes or lending books on the topic, June 16, 2009
Preserves of nearly unspoiled nature rest all across the country. Now in a fully updated and expanded sixth edition, "National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States" is a guide to exploring the best of America's national parks. With stories from famed travel writers who offer much advice in experiencing these parks, full color photographs to give readers a sample of what they can see, and countless maps, "National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States" is a must for any traveling nature enthusiast.

Great Book, November 24, 2009
This National Geographic product functions well as a short, concise overview of the National Parks in the United States. (That is not to say that the book is short, just that the individual reviews on each park are short.) Each park gets a map, some beautiful color pictures, and a several pages of description. You find out good times to visit, places to stay, and sights to see. Also included are nearby attractions that you can also visit when you are in the area. The book is well put together, has great photos, and just feels like a high quality product.

Now so you won't be disappointed, let me note what it isn't. It isn't a book covering the entire park system. It doesn't cover monuments, forests, or other national park attractions other than the NATIONAL PARKS themselves. It isn't all inclusive on each park. If you want to know all of the trails, a complete list of attractions for each park, or other specifics to each park, you should buy park specific books. They are on Amazon and you can easily find one for whatever you need.

But this book does get you started if you are trying to decide what parks to visit or if you just want a very nice book to summarize all of the great National Parks.

Awesome Companion, October 27, 2009
I purchased this after watching the National Parks documentary, and I was not disappointed.

This is not related at all to the documentary other than the subject matter.

The pictures are impressive and the detail by the writers is extensive. It contains a ton of good information about each of the National Parks and information on other places.

It is a very detailed guide as they walk you through what you should do and how long the trip will take.

I plan on using this is a guide whenever I go to any of the National Parks in the U.S. (first up is the Grand Canyon).

Love it!, October 28, 2009
I prefer this book over Foder's. It elaborates on the parks a little bit better.

Brilliant Travel Planner, April 21, 2010
Bought this as an accompaniment to the State parks book also from National Geographic. It's quite similar, with massive amounts of detail (best times to visit, things to do, outside resources) and some stunning photos as well. I can heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in seeing the more natural side of the States.

A Must Have For Visiting NPs, August 23, 2010
While on vacation this summer at Glacier National Park, I came across this book in the bookstore. I started thumbing through the pages and saw all the information contained about each park. We had already spent the morning just stopping at the usual tourist turnoffs in the park, but after purchasing the book, we followed the step by step recommendations on what to see and what to do in the park. The book lists the specific amount of time each activity should take as well as additional background information about the activitiy (how the geological formations were created, what the wildlife behaviors are, etc). Not only did it guide us to the best locations, it gave us a lot more information about the locations that the typical park visitor wouldn't have. After Glacier NP, we were headed to 3 more national parks before the end of vacation, and I kept this book by my side the entire time. I never received incorrect information or wished I had not taken the advice the book gave. It was perfect, and I can't wait to use it on our next vacation to a National Park. On a side note, I did pay full sticker price for it at Glacier (since I didn't have the luxury of ordering it off Amazon right then), but it was definitely worth it...even at that price!

A Fitting Replacement, August 22, 2010
For years I relied on the Rand McNally National Park Guides by Dr. Michael Frome, PhD. This was a guy that actually went to the Parks and gave firsthand guidance on what to see, when to see it, how to approach the parks and where to stay. When he retired and stopped developing National Park Guides (the last were for Frommer), I felt a great disconnection because there was no one replacing him as the park system expanded and changed.

Then I found the National Geographic Guide to the National Parks at a NPS visitor center. In the spirit of Michael Frome, it tells you how to get there, how to visit, what to see, how to see it, when to see it, how much time to dedicate to a park based on your interests and what excursions from the park are worthwhile. These guides improve on the Frome guides by providing better pictures and maps but fall short by not providing information for National Monuments.

Although the National Parks are spectacular, National Monuments, in my estimation, are equally worth your time because they are generally more accessible. You can absorb a National Monument more completely than a National Park because they are smaller, less daunting, and less crowded. In fact, Rangers are more available to you at National Monuments since there is less of a crush of visitors. In any case, perhaps I'm recommending to National Geographic that they develop a National Monuments companion guide to go along with their lovely Guide to the National Parks.

National Parks Book, March 24, 2010
This National Park book is great. It explains about the parks and gives suggestions on activities while you are visiting the parks. It doesn't matter if you can't take the long hikes, it gives suggestions for the non-hikers also. It also gives accomadations near or in the park. We are really enjoying the book and it is helping us plan our vacations. ... Read more

Editorial Review

At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s harrowing exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth.

The River of Doubt—it is a black, uncharted tributary of the Amazon that snakes through one of the most treacherous jungles in the world. Indians armed with poison-tipped arrows haunt its shadows; piranhas glide through its waters; boulder-strewn rapids turn the river into a roiling cauldron.

After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find, the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer, Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon, Roosevelt accomplished a feat so great that many at the time refused to believe it. In the process, he changed the map of the western hemisphere forever.

Along the way, Roosevelt and his men faced an unbelievable series of hardships, losing their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and enduring starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder within their own ranks. Three men died, and Roosevelt was brought to the brink of suicide. The River of Doubt brings alive these extraordinary events in a powerful nonfiction narrative thriller that happens to feature one of the most famous Americans who ever lived.

From the soaring beauty of the Amazon rain forest to the darkest night of Theodore Roosevelt’s life, here is Candice Millard’s dazzling debut. ... Read more

Reviews

It Gave me a New Appreciation for TR
Anyone who enjoyed Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage or any other tale of exploration and hardship will love River of Doubt. Candice Millard's new book chronicles the expedition of Theodore Roosevelt and his Brazilian co-commander, Candido Mariano da Silva Rondon, down one of Amazon's last unexplored tributaries in 1914-the River of Doubt. The 400-mile river trip tested every ounce of the ex-president's intellect, courage, and physical stamina. Millard's book, therefore, is more a tale of survival than adventure.

Roosevelt and his American companions were woefully unprepared for their journey. They brought boats too large to be of use on a shallow river, and had to rely instead on Indian-made dugouts-canoes designed more for local transportation on flat water than long-distanced descents through rapids. The American and Brazilain members of the group often had to portage these heavy, waterlogged boats around rapids, which cost the group both time and precious food supplies.

Food proved to be one of the most vexing problems of the journey. Much of the canned food shipped from the United States was too heavy to be carried to the expedition's launching point in the Brazilian highlands, and had to be discarded. Instead, Roosevelt hoped to augment his increasingly meager rations with game shot along the way. Unfortunately, the rain forest did not offer much bounty and the group ended up eating monkeys and piranhas to survive-creatures far more difficult to kill than deer and antelope.

If that were not enough, disease plagued the expedition at every corner. Kermit, the son of President Roosevelt, fought malaria for most of the trip and Theodore almost died when he contracted a deadly bacterial infection from a small flesh wound. Author Candice Millard does an excellent job of describing the numerous hazards confronted by the group without getting too bogged down in rain forest ecology. The book's moderate length and circumscribed subject matter make it much easier to plow through than a typical biography. With that being said, some historians may be disappointed that the book does not shed much more light on Roosevelt's political philosophies or his quest to preserve public land. Was Roosevelt an early environmentalist or simply an avid hunter and adventurer? This book does not answer that question.

It does, however, show us a side of Theodore Roosevelt's character often lacking in traditional biographies of the man: his humanity. The author describes how the ex-president shared in the work, dangers, and hardships of the journey. In one scene, she shows Roosevelt washing the clothes of his companions and in another, the sick ex-president giving away his rations to one of the expedition's "more productive" Brazilian laborers. In short, readers will walk away from this book with new-found appreciation for President Roosevelt and his undaunted courage-something often lacking in today's breed of politicians.

Fascinating
When I saw River of Doubt it struck me as a fascinating story and I immediately put in my order with Amazon. As I waited for it to arrive, I began to worry that I might have been too impulsive. Afterall, a fascinating story can be as limp as milk toast in the hands of a mediocre writer. I wondered if the author would bring Roosevelt's Amazon journey to life without adding so many extraneous details about Roosevelt himself that the real adventure was lost. Or, on the other hand, not supplying enough details about the central characters to allow me to understood the true context in which the adventure occurred.

After I got the book and started to read, all of my concerns were put aside. Completely. I know next to nothing about T. Roosevelt. Millard gave me what I needed to know to understand why he would take such a dangerous trip, at such a late age, in the first place.

She was equally masterful with all the other participants (many fascinating characters in their own right). I think Millard was near perfect in giving the background of people and why they ended up on this diasterous adventure while keeping the story moving at a fascinating and absorbing clip. One really gets a sense of how people were feeling when they started with what they thought would be a casual adventure and found themselves descending into one of Earth's strangest hells. It's a spellbinding story delivered by a very competent writer and researcher.

I've always enjoyed true stories of the Amazon River. Miller's River of Doubt is fascinating, informing, and gripping and stands with the best of them.

T.R. Survived, But was Never the Same Again
After narrowly losing the 1912 Presidential election to Woodrow Wilson (how history might have been different if Roosevelt, who despised Racism and was Pro-British, had beaten the Racist Wilson), Theodore Roosevelt decided to embark on a long journey into an unknown tributary of the Amazon River - The River of Doubt, hence the title of this book. Roosevelt was confident, cocksure, - after all this was a man who advocated "the strenuous life", had built himself up in the Badlands of the American West and had explored the deepest, remote regions of Africa. After all, a river in Brazil couldn't be much different, right?

Well, unfortunately for Roosevelt, wrong. The jungles were full of poisonous snakes, of Anacondas, of malaria-ridden mosquitoes, and other parasites, and his expedition had not prepared adequately for the task of exploring this dangerous region. In short, most of the expedition became ill quite fast, and even the former President, stricken with dysentery and a festering leg wound, urged the expedition and his son, Kermit, who was with him, to go on and let him die along the banks of the river. Indeed, Roosevelt was ready to take his own life, but Kermit Roosevelt, ironically not as fit as his brothers Archie, Quentin, or Theodore Jr. - who weren't on this dangerous voyage - refused to let his father die an inglorious death, and managed to bring him out of the jungle.

Yes, they survived, but the experience completely shattered what was left of the Old Lion's health - after all, he had been shot in the chest only two years before in the Bull Moose campaign against Wilson, and had gone blind in one eye. Susceptible to infection that weakened his heart, Roosevelt died but five years later, at a relatively young 60. In many ways, this is as much the story of Kermit Roosevelt, who accompanied his father to toughen himself. The experience proved to be the opposite, as he never recovered from his father's death, and would plunge into alcoholism, infidelity, and finally suicide.

The author, a National Geographic well-traveled veteran has written a fairly detailed, incredible book about the preserverance of T.R. and of the region, aptly named the River of Doubt, that he explored.

The reader might also consider "The Lion's Pride" by Edward J. Renehan. While the passage on the ill-fated journey is short, there's much about the Old Lion's relationship with Kermit, and Kermit's subsequent, unhappy life in it.

Roosevelt's Adventures on the Amazon
There is a spate of books concerning Theodore Roosevelt's life: his New York years and first marriage, his cowboy days in the Dakota's, the Spanish-American War phrase and his presidency. Until last year, there were few books about his retirement decade until Patricia O'Toole's "When Trumpets Call." His dangerous exploration of the Amazon rain forest covers a mere 7 pages in Ms. O'Toole's biography. That exploration is the subject of "The River of Doubt."

Does this brief three month trip of discovery on the Rio da Duvida (River of Doubt) warrent a full scale book? In Ms. Millard's superb account of the near fatal expedition, the answer is yes. The former president was an adrenaline junkie who needed to forget his loss in the 1912 campaign for the White House. He found all the adventure he would ever crave on the Rio da Duvida, for he was way in over his head. If not for their guide, Colonel Candido Rondon, no one would have made it out alive -- Roosevelt's disappearance would have top Amelia Earhart as the mystery of the century. This adventure yarn focuses, not on the political animal, but on a man who would never quit and never did.

History comes alives in a riveting adventure
I shall be brief; for it is better to spend any free time that you might have reading or listening to this extraordinary book. It actually is three books in one. It offers every bit the insight as the historical writings of Ambrose, MuCullough or Ellis. It involves you every bit as much as the adventurous writings of Krakauer and certainly offers every bit of the fascination of the natural history narratives of Burroughs. I would suggest you listen and read along with this story. While at home you will not be able to put it down, so be advised to listen during your commutes. Almost as interesting as the story is the author herself and how she came to find the story. Near the end of her writing project, she herself had to draw upon the insipration of the expedition. But that is a story you will need to find on your own if you so choose. The bottom line is that this a superb book on so many levels, and destined to become a classic and, hopefully, a film. If you enjoy presidential history, natural history and adventure there is absolutely no reason you will not fall in love with this book as I did. I suspect as well, you will be reading passages aloud to your friends and family...sometimes to their dismay of the subject matter, perhaps. Also, one note of warning: it may bring a tear or two to your eyes as it winds down. I give it my highest recommendation.

Fact, More Thrilling Than Fiction
Candice Millard tells the riveting true story of an obscure event in the sprawling life of Theodore Roosevelt. Had this story been a work of fiction, it would have seemed less believable than a made-for-television melodrama. But fiction it is not; it is fact, more thrilling than fiction.

Millard's meticulous attention to detail, coupled with her page-turning writing style offers the reader a story hard to put down. Add to that the fame of the leading character, the father-son connection, the multiplied harrowing situations, and you have an adventure tale of epic proportion. It's hard to fathom that this month-long death march was so unknown, until now.

Though certainly not "preachy," Millard's accounting conveys a clear message of indefatigable courage. The River of Doubt became for Roosevelt, his adult son, and their traveling companions, a torrent of hope. Their darkest journey converted into the light of perseverance, sacrifice, team-work, and survival.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

Incredible Adventure Story
Although I'm something of a history buff, I had never heard of Roosevelt's journey down the River of Doubt. Candice Millard does a great job of describing the harrowing trip through uncharted areas of the Amazon rain forest. Although Roosevelt's journey was much shorter than Lewis and Clark's, the story reminded me a lot of Stephen Ambrose's "Undaunted Courage," which is high praise for Ms. Millard. Ms. Millard's writing is certainly up to the drama of the trip.

The expedition's difficulties were almost beyond belief, and even after finishing the book, it was difficult to imagine how Roosevelt or anyone else survived the ordeal. No wonder that some critics were initially skeptical of the expedition's success.

The expedition included a number of colorful characters, and Theodore Roosevelt is clearly the celebrity of the group, but other characters, including Roosevelt's son Kermit and the Brazilian frontiersman Candido Rondon, are portrayed vividly as real people, not just bit players in Roosevelt's great adventure. One of the most fascinating elements of the book is the interplay between the characters as the extreme hardships of the journey brought out the strengths and weaknesses of the participants.

Besides being a really superb chronicle of the journey, the book is full of fascinating information about rain forest dynamics, which explained why the expedition had so little success in finding food along the way. After reading River of Doubt, I have no desire to go wandering around in the Brazilian jungles!

A really good, well written adventure story that I recommend to anyone. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Awesome Guide filled with Secrets!, November 22, 2010
I went on my honeymoon to Italy and this book was the only thing I used to guide me around Rome. Rick Steves is simply AWESOME! One example I remember was following his tip about buying the Colosseum tickets on the Colina Palatina booth, in order to skip the HUGE lines on the Colosseum! I did just that and me and my wife went laughing ALL the way from the back of a 200 person line to the entrance and into the Colosseum! AMAZING! This book is filled with MANY, MANY secrets like this and I couldn't find any situation on which Mr. Steves was wrong. If you are going to Italy, take this book with you and SAVE a TON of money! Highly Recommended!

Italy Tour Book, November 14, 2010
I haven't finished reading this book yet, but so far I'm really enjoying it. The text is easy to read and it sounds much like
Rick Steves when he's doing his TV show.

great book, November 11, 2010
I think all of Rick Steves' books are great. He gives advice on how to be a good traveler as well as gives a great assortment of places to visit. I also purchased his vocabulary/phrases book.

For a tasteless, odorless Italy, December 2, 2010
I bought the Rick Steve's Italy 2001 based on good reviews and was hoping that it would help me plan an itinerary, discover places less known by common tourists and eliminate some tourist traps. I turns out that this book did everything but that. It only covers the big touristy places with no insight. For exemple, Capri is only decribed as a famous hideaway of Roman emperors and then it tells you how to get there... but is it even worth the detour if you have X number of days??? This kind of info is easily found on the internet for free no need for Rick Steve.

I wanted to know if there's some place interesting other than Rome between Tuscany and the amalfi coast but the Lazio wasn't even covered by the book. Bologna? Abbruzzo? Puglia? Marche? Sicily? Campania other than Naples and Amalfi? not covered! If you want to know if Capri, Ischia or Procida is a better fit for you, then for Rick Steve only Capri exists in Italy.

This book is made for the typical average tourist who has never been to Italy and wants to see the "most well known" sites by fear of missing something, a guided tour for people who doesn't want to do it with a group. This book will probably be helpful for people who wants a taste of Italy but doesn't need to savour it. As far as I'm concern, Italy is more than just museums and churches, will never buy a Rick Steve's book again, it's by far the worst travel guidebook that I've ever bought. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Every time Bill Bryson walks out the door, memorable travel literature threatens to break out.His previous excursion along the Appalachian Trail resulted in the sublime national bestseller A Walk in the Woods.In A Sunburned Country is his report on what he found in an entirely different place:Australia, the country that doubles as a continent, and a place with the friendliest inhabitants, the hottest, driest weather, and the most peculiar and lethal wildlife to be found on the planet.The result is a deliciously funny, fact-filled, and adventurous performance by a writer who combines humor, wonder, and unflagging curiousity.

Despite the fact that Australia harbors more things that can kill you in extremely nasty ways than anywhere else, including sharks, crocodiles, snakes, even riptides and deserts, Bill Bryson adores the place, and he takes his readers on a rollicking ride far beyond that beaten tourist path.Wherever he goes he finds Australians who are cheerful, extroverted, and unfailingly obliging, and these beaming products of land with clean, safe cities, cold beer, and constant sunshine fill the pages of this wonderful book.Australia is an immense and fortunate land, and it has found in Bill Bryson its perfect guide. ... Read more

Reviews

Stereotype-free...fair dinkum, June 7, 2000
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Bill. As a proud Australian, it has been a never-ending source of irritation that Australia is forever portrayed as a land of beer-swilling "yobbos" who say "cobber" and "fair dinkum" rather a lot. For instance, 'The Simpsons' - usually such a witty, clever and insightful show - completely missed the point in their Australian episode. Finally, someone has managed to capture a bit of the character of this great country. He releases it from the shackles of the Paul Hogan stereotype.

This is a terrific read. Bryson has, mercifully, gone well and truly off the beaten track to explore many different parts of Australia - the cities, the outback, the tropics, and everything else in between. But as ever with a Bill Bryson book, more than the destination itself, the pleasure is in getting there. Laugh-out-loud moments abound, though perhaps more in the restrained way of "A Walk in the Woods", as opposed to the guffaw-fest that is "Neither Here Nor There".

You don't have to be at all familiar with Australia to appreciate and enjoy this book. I am, sadly, one of those Australians to which Bryson refers that has never seen Ayers Rock / Uluru myself. In fact, I have never been to the majority of places Bryson visits. It was a revelation for me, too.

Bryson once again recounts numerous historical and trivial anecdotes which, together with his unique view of the world, elevate this book well above the mere travel genre. This is insightful, this is informative, this is FUNNY.

Perversely, my only criticism is perhaps that he likes Australia a little too much. God knows, I'm so pleased that he does. However, he is, I believe, at his best when distressed. Dull and drab places, and stupid, mindless people bring out the devil in Bill Bryson, and have always proven to be useful comic fair. There are elements of that here - his body boarding experience, his views on Canberra, and his trials and tribulations with hotel receptionists in Darwin - but at the end of the day, opportunities to vent his sarcastic wit are somewhat limited.

Being an enthusiastic and devoted fan of the great Stephen Katz, I would also have loved to have seen him deal with the hardships of outback Australia. He would have absolutely LOATHED it.

Read this book. It is a treat.

Another Bryson winner, June 14, 2000
I am an unreserved Bryson fan. I love "Made In America" about the English language, and, as an Australian living in England for an extended time, thought he captured perfectly both the expat experience, and the endearing and irritating qualities of the Brits in "Notes from a small island" . This book is factually correct. That might sound inane, but there is nothing more irritating than reading about your own place and finding it tritely stereotypical or factually incorrect. Bill scores well on both counts.

Bill's take on the Australian Prime Minister of the day (a small, invisible and colourless entity) is a reasonably brave thing to say in a sense - an outsider commenting on a political identity invites derision, but he captures the essence of the man so well.

The other special moment for me is his discovery of cricket on the radio...when all other stations fade out to static, there is the mighty game. Somehow or other, despite writing nonsense words, he captures the rhythm and cadences of radio cricket commentary PERFECTLY. To me, cricket on the radio is as much about summer as cicadas, running under the sprinkler and crackling heat. Beautifully pulled off!

A good read, and for the first time since leaving school I actually engaged with some of the stories of explorers! A wry but never cynical tone makes for an entertaining read. I am glad he pays "homage" to that other good 'outsider's book' - "Sydney" by Jan Morris.

Bill Bryson covers much of the same terrain as the other great US travel writer, Paul Theroux, and seems to meet as many odd or intersting characters. Bill's disposition, however, makes him far more open to LIKING a place, and enormously less self-absorbed.

Recommended.

Very informative and quite funny, July 24, 2000
Bill Bryson has an excellent way with words, especially with his descriptive writing. For a travel writer, I suppose this is a must. He's also a humorist, and I laughed out loud on at least a half a dozen occasions while enjoying his adventures down under. Particularly amusing were his descriptions of a Cricket match, of a particularly bad hotel in Darwin and and of a drunken night in the Outback. He also gives a fine overall view of Austrailia, of which he covered much, but alas not nearly as much as he wanted. Though some might gripe that he spends too much time ruminating over the poisonous wildlife and looking for a cold beer, overall this is an exceptionally fun book to read. He includes many historical facts about Australia and even devotes some space to the unfortunate condition of the Aborigines. But not too much to spoil the fun. Bryson's travel writings remind me of an apolitical P.J. O'Rourke, and for that he's worth a read.

Very informative, telling you many things no ordinary travel book does, August 19, 2006
Bill Bryson is best known for writing very humorous travel books, and "In a Sunburned Country" is indeed a funny account of his travels in Australia. Those who love Bill Bryson's books for their humor won't be disappointed.

But unlike most people, I like Bill Bryson best when he's NOT trying to be funny, and my appreciation of this book is mostly due to the great amount of very interesting information presented.

Bill Bryson amazes you with loads of information about the geology, the animal life, the plants and insects, the history, the statistics, the folklore, etc., etc. The many dangers: poisonous snakes, poisonous insects, poisonous jellyfish, crocodiles, sharks, and rip currents - they're all out to get you. The inhospitable deserts, the beautiful beaches, the huge distances; Bill Bryson gives you a feeling of what it's all like.

The book goes into detail about many aspects of Australian life that are fairly unknown, including the discovery (and re-discovery) of Australia, the settlement by British prisoners, the early expeditions to explore the interior, the gold rushes, the outlaws, and the devastation caused by rabbits and other imported animals and plants. Bill Bryson talks about the many unusual animal species found only in Australia, including giant earthworms that grow up to 1 meter (and can be stretched to 4 meters) and the platypus, a cross between a reptile and a mammal. He talks about Australians and the Australian society, and the situation regarding the native people, the aboriginals.

Bill Bryson doesn't cover all of Australia from the geographical point of view, and the parts he does cover are somewhat random. But that doesn't matter because he captures the spirit of the whole country based on the parts he does visit and the general information he includes.

A very positive aspect is that Bill Bryson makes it clear that he loves Australia. The feeling is infectious, and it makes you want to pack your bags and head "down under" for a long leisurely trip so you can do your own exploring.

If I were to mention two things I was less happy about, it would be the occasional excessive attempts to be funny and the lack of contact with Australians. One of the best parts of the book is about his traveling together with an Australian couple for 3-4 days, but other than this passage Bill Bryson is mostly playing the typical tourist, with little or no contact with Australians. And despite a fairly long discussion about the aboriginal situation he does not ever get into contact with any aboriginals. Why not?

A final note regarding the unabridged audio version of the book, read by Bill Bryson himself: Most authors are poor readers, but Mr. Bryson does a very good job here, almost on a par with a professional reader. Recommended.

Rennie Petersen

PS. "In a Sunburned Country" has also been published under the title "Down Under". It is exactly the same book.

A Travel Writer for Smart People, September 19, 2001
Born and raised in Iowa, Bill Bryson spent 20 years in England before moving back to the United States to live in the perfect college town, Hanover, New Hampshire. A syndicated columnist, many of his columns about life in Hanover have been collected and published in "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," an enjoyable book, but because of the nature of its source material (syndicated columns) also a simple and highly sanitized one. At no point is the reader confronted by complex intellectual concepts or any obscenities.

"In a Sunburned Country" is a different matter. Written as an integrated book, it is a wonderful introduction to the more intellectually complex aspects of Australia, as well as the funnier ones, providing fascinating anthropological, botanical, geological, historical, political and sociological insights about our friends Down Under. Prior to reading it, I had dismissed Australia as being little more than a very dull version of America in the Fifties; Like Bryson, I now view it as the most fascinating place on earth. Similarly, I had viewed Mr. Bryson as being a male Erma Bombeck; I now view him as one of the more intelligent writers I have encountered.

The Australian Tourism Authority should consider licensing this book and either giving it away to prospective visitors or otherwise using it to promote the country. It is that good.

Mixed reviews from this reader, July 20, 2000
When Bill Bryson's newest book was published, I had been home from my 5 month semester abroad in Australia for almost as long. Still achingly missing a country I had come to love and feel at home in, I eagerly ran to the bookstore to buy Bryson's book.

Yes, the book is overall entertaining and pretty much witty; it's easy to read and a little hard to put down. But for the most part, i was disappointed. Occasionally, I would even find myself thinking, "I could have written this book and done Australia more justice!"

Australia is a spectacular, wonderful, welcoming, enchanting country. As if anyone could have any doubt about that after listening to Bryson effuse for 300 pages. Perhaps some will find the fact that he sings the Lucky Country's praises page after page grating; for me, I felt I had found someone with whom I could sympathize about missing the place!

However, for all his accolades, Bryson seems to only brush the surface of a country rich in history, landscape, and experiences waiting to be had. He spends only ONE DAY at one of Australia's most recognizable landmarks, Uluru, the giant monolith; he is too much of a sissy to even GO UNDER WATER at the Great Barrier Reef; he misses out on the beauty and home-i-ness of Adelaide (my home away from home!); he doesn't see an opera at the world famous Opera House; and he doesn't even VISIT Tasmania, a place almost too beautiful and wild to put into words.

Having lived in Australia for those 5 months, and having traveled extensively, I was looking for something to aleviate the sadness of having had to come "home" from a place I had become so attached to. I wanted something to evoke a vivid trip down memory lane. What I found did not live up to those expectations, and I suspect for those like me, the feeling will be the same. And for those of you who have yet to visit Australia, there's more out there than Bryson relays; it's better than the book.

It's a big country...*somebody* has to travel it, September 8, 2000
I have a great deal of affection for Bill Bryson's writings. I'm a long-time fan of travel essays, but I always cringe at those that take their subjects too seriously...reflecting solely on the majesty, history, culture, and tradition of a place. I want to shout at these writers: C'mon! You're looking for a clean public toilet too, just like the rest of us!

Bill Bryson isn't the only humorous travel writer, but he's one of the most effective at taking the p*ss out of travel as a holy grail. He's well informed and read on his subjects, but not afraid to say he's forgotten the name of Australia's Prime Minister (and reflect that that says a lot about the rest of the world's focus on Australia in the global stage). He's curious and willing to try new things like body surfing, but not too proud to let you know he's dead rotten at it. He'll seek out exotic wildlife, and then retreat quickly to safety if it's venomous. He loves to try out the local cuisine, but spends much of his time looking for a cold beer. In short, he's someone *I'd* like to travel with--informed, funny, and personable. He's less grumpy than usual (then again, these travels are less physical arduous than hiking the Appalachian Trail in "A Walk Through the Woods").

His anecdotes are entertaining and informative. I read this book the weekend before the airing of the PBS mega-series on Australia, and learned much more (and laughed a whole lot more too) from Bryson than from Robert Hughes. From the big cities to the Outback Bryson travels (sometimes in a good nature, sometimes in a humorous grumpiness), talking to the people we wish we'd meet on our travels, doing the things we'd like to do, and asking the questions only a man with the outspokenness of an American but the politeness of an Englishman could ask.

Which is not to say the whole book is a laugh riot. He's remarkably effective discussing the treatment of Australia's Aborigine tribes by modern culture, and the self-fulfilling prophecy of the country's educational failure in teaching the Aborigines' next generation. That's the mark of the best travel writer, in my view: he makes you laugh, he makes you think, he teaches you something, and best of all, he makes you long to visit and experience the country for yourself.

Who knew a travel book could be so fun?, September 29, 2005
Bryson combines a compelling case for a trip to Australia with a terrific sense of humor. Who else could make the driest, most remote, and deadliest country in the world a must for any traveler. I couldn't put this down.

Thanks Bill!, June 10, 2000
A new Bill Bryson book is always a treat of the highest magnitude. I preordered this book and counted down the days until its arrival. This book was as wonderful as his previous efforts, in fact, maybe even more so because it hit so close to home. As a former Sydney gal, I miss my homeland and Mr. Bryson reminded me of why. He takes the reader on a journey that most people (including most Aussies) would never go on; Australians tend to travel abroad before exploring their own country. I think anyone who reads this book will want to actually travel to this beautiful country and explore its riches. The reader will discover that there's more to Australia than Kangaroos and Foster's Beer (which no self-respecting Aussie would ever drink.) The author introduces us to the colorful locals and explains in painful, yet hilarious detail, how he gets from place to place. He has toned down the sarcasm for this book, and one almost gets the impression that he just likes the place too darn much. This book will not disappoint fans of his previous books. Thank you, Mr. Bryson, for writing a humorous, yet flattering book about the most under-appreciated country on the planet!

Another Bryson success, September 2, 2000
Bill Bryson, a travel-writer with a difference, in a league of his own. Bill Bryson could be you or me; an endearingly incompetent traveler who often gets lost, brings the wrong map, whose nerve sometimes fails when faced with steely service staff, who is not a great conversationalist (unless drunk), who likes good food and drink, and who, when hiring a car and bravely setting forth to some distant destination, more often than not spends half a day extricating himself from the suburbs.

I'm British and have read all Bryson's books, except "A Walk in the Woods". In this book, his 6th travel book, he visits Australia, which he imagines as a sort of cross between Britain and the US, "Baywatch with cricket"; however, the reality turns out to be much more fascinating and complex than that.

Bill Bryson is an honest man who gives his spontaneous, personal responses to what he encounters - Ayers Rock (now called Uluru) evokes from him a genuine awe, whereas some of the souvenir shops he sees are full of "overpriced shit".

A knowledgeable man (Bryson was a journalist in the UK for 10 years, and has written 2 books on the English language) who clearly does his homework both before and after his trips, as attested by frequent references to writers on Australia, the wealth of background information, and the 3 pages of bibliography. He comes prepared, and knows what to look for, and plans his route accordingly. However, he is interested in the wacky and weird as well as the conventional cultural icons, and is often ready with an interesting anecdote about the people involved. The opening page of this book contains "the startling fact that in 1967 the Prime Minister, Harold Holt, was strolling along a beach in Victoria when he plunged into the surf and vanished." A little further on he tells of Sir Eugene Goossens, head of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, whose goading led to the Sydney Opera House being built, but who failed to see his dream realized: "In 1956�che was found to be carrying a large and diversified collection of pornographic material, and he was invited to take his sordid continental habits elsewhere. Thus�che was unable to enjoy, as it were, his own finest erection." And then there is the Big Lobster - not a biological specimen, but made of wire and fiberglass, one of about 60 dotted around the country, which you can visit if, as Bryson puts it, "you have sufficient petrol money and nothing approaching a real life."

Bryson visits the main cities and famous spots, including the Great Barrier Reef (complete with a hilarious description of Bryson trying to skin-dive, and a more somber account of 2 young Americans stranded on the Reef and never seen again), the Gold Coast, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Alice Springs, and various deserts (often with a gruesome anecdote or two). There are also not so famous spots, such as Shark Bay with its prehistoric stromatolites, Tree Top Walk, Daly Waters with its famous tree, the aviation museum in Alice Springs with the wreck of a famous airplane, Red Bluff Beach where 2 Dutchmen were abandoned, nearly 150 years before Captain Cook, and so on, each with its own background story or anecdote, usually humorous or at least enlightening.

In the background to the travel is Bryson's potted history of Australia, including Captain Cook, "transportation" era, the gold rush, various expeditions to explore the country (still incomplete), the Aborigines, the rabbit invasion and myxamatosis, the "White Australia" policy, the republican issue, and horrific stories of crocodile attacks. This is what history and geography in school should be like! Full of humour, and human interest, as well as information.

This book told me a lot of things I didn't know, not only about Australia but also terrestrial evolution; it made me want to visit the place again, and, as Bryson's travel books always do, it sometimes made me laugh till I cried, tho, as others have noted, it is not trying so hard to be funny as his previous books.

(I read the UK version of this book, entitled "Down Under"). ... Read more

Editorial Review

2011 New York City Restaurants covers over 2,050 restaurants in all five boroughs. This handy guide contains Zagats trusted ratings and reviews for New York City restaurants based on the opinions of 38,000 avid diners like you. The trademark reviews and corresponding ratings for Food, Décor, Service and Cost are organized alphabetically in a user-friendly format. Use the indexes arranged by cuisine, neighborhood and special features, such as Winning Wine Lists, Celebrity Chef or Romantic Places to find the perfect restaurant for any occasion. ... Read more

Reviews

New York restaurants, December 18, 2010
We recently used this book to plan a trip to New York with our grandchildren. It was very helpful, although it doesn't, of course, contain all the local little restaurants. ... Read more

Editorial Review

There's an incredible similarity between the mechanics of a fly cast and the swing of a golf club. Perhaps that's why Chris Santella, author of Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die, can be found on the links when he's not on the stream. With Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die, Santella gives voice to his other sporting passion, interviewing 50 people intimately connected to the sport about some of their favorite courses around the world.

For both passionate golfers and armchair travelers, this gorgeous full-color book presents the world's greatest golf venues, the personal favorites of renowned players, course architects, and other experts in the sport. From Ballyliffin, Ireland's northernmost course, whose rumpled fairways wander along the North Sea in the shadows of Glashedy Rock, to New Zealand's Cape Kidnappers, perched atop dramatic cliffs some 500 feet above the ocean, the book's beautiful photographs capture the architecture, noteworthy holes, location, and ambiance that make these courses standouts for ardent golfers. A brief history of each course, an experiential account-filled with local color-from the person recommending the venue, and trip-planning advice provide adventurous readers with all the information they need to chip and putt their way around the globe.

A close-up look at golf's top courses around the world, recommended by such experts as Nick Faldo and Christie Kerr (pro golfers), Pete Dye and Tom Doak (course architects), Brian McCallen (editor and author), and Donald Trump
With breathtaking color photographs of each site, this is a great gift for avid golfers and armchair travelers alike ... Read more

Reviews

A good gift item for the golfer on your list., November 18, 2005
This really is an attractive volume, and it constitutes a sort of fantasy list of unique golf courses. The author has gone out of his way to avoid many of the "obvious" big name courses that golfers know from televised tournaments. This gives the book an added interest factor, as one can read about exotic courses in such out-of-the-way locales as Morocco and Oregon.

Full Disclosure: I know Chris. He is a genial companion and a talented, assured writer.

O.K. Little Book, May 16, 2006
Notice that the title is not "The Fifty Greatest Golf Courses." My title would be, "Fifty Interesting Places to Play Golf." Whether it's my title or the real title, the emphasis is on "places to play," or "destinations," not golf courses per se. More than fifty golf courses are covered. Which is not to say that the book does not include a lot of great golf courses. The format is mini-coffee table, with several pages of text for each destination and one small picture for most of the destinations. The quality of the printing, photo reproduction and binding in my copy is excellent. The text for each destination has been volunteered by a different prominent golf person. For example, Nick Faldo writes about the Royal Melborne Golf Club (West Course) in the Australian state of Victoria. Alice Dye about the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course (see a connection there?). On the plus side are the quality of the color photos and the introduction (to me) of golf courses in some far away places (e.g., Bhutan, Morocco, India, places, however, I'll never get to). On the minus side, I don't have a prayer of playing some of the U.S. courses, even after I die (e.g., Pine Valley, Sand Hills, National Golf Links of America), which, honestly, the author points out. Finally, why not at least one photo for each destination? From the two page description of the Pacific Grove muni: "[T]he back nine . . . takes you right out to the water and combines incredible views of the Pacific and Monterey Bay with windswept bluffs reminiscent of some of the great courses of Scotland and Ireland." Why no photo of this course? From the two page description of the Torekov Golf Club in Sweden (my ancestral home): ". . .a links-oriented course. . . You can view the sea from all eighteen holes. In the summer, wildflowers are blooming everywhere . . . ." I want a photo, darn it!

Beautiful Pictures, really nice gift., February 2, 2006
Being a golfer, I got this as a gift from one of my relatives. I must say the pictures are outstanding. This book makes me want to travel more to other countries to experience the pleasure of these courses. This book will always have a permanent place in my library. For excellent golf instruction that helped me to drastically reduce my handicap, I recommend,
The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide: Key Techniques for Becoming a Zero Handicap Golfer or Better, isbn 1933023090

and

for more great pictures of specific golf holes, I recommend,
Golf Digest 365 Golf Holes Calender 2006, isbn 0761137343.
This maintains a permanent place on my office desk.

A Must-Have For Any Golf Fanatic, February 12, 2009
Part coffee table book, part guidebook, this well-produced volume features fifty recommendations of some of the greatest courses in the world. Author Chris Santella asked esteemed golf industry professionals around the world to recommend their favorite course. Those interviewed by the author include such golf luminaries as Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Pete Dye, Peter Jacobsen, Nick Faldo, and Dave Pelz. The content of each course description is approached like a magazine article, with quotes from each interview interwoven with well-written descriptions of the course and a few special holes. The accompanying photos are excellent, and the "If You Go" section at the end of each course provide some basic directions on how to get to the course, where to stay, and how to book your round. A very-nice book.

-Bryan Fryklund, author of The Golf Fanatic's Guide to Hawaii

Great Book!, January 15, 2007
Bought it for my Dad, an avid golfer and traveler. He loves it.

Great list of courses, quality printing, January 13, 2009
I gave this as a gift to a well heeled friend who lives out of state. Though he has already played several of the courses he was very excited about the list and he said that the pictures and overall quality of the book were excellent.

A fabulous Find!, May 14, 2007
Top Notch Golf and World Travel...what more could a serious golfer want?
This book is a fabulous find and an inspired gift you will be proud to share with a golfer you love. Even as a non golfer, I enjoyed the travels insights and the background on how each course was created. It provided me a whole new appreciation for the game and the "art" of golf course creation.

50 Places to Play Golf Before You Die, June 7, 2007
A lovely book. Not exceptional, but enjoyable. It was disappointing in two ways:
1. some of the authors (each chapter talks about a specific course or courses) of the chapters were the course designer of that specific course - clearly, a conflict of interest!
2. would have loved to have more courses that are out-of-the-way and/or extremely private - courses that we can only dream about playing! ... Read more

Editorial Review

A fusion of simplicity, healthy ingredients and just-right quantities, these delicious, exciting new recipes are designed for today's growing world of empty-nesters, couples without children and smaller households.For millions of fast-paced, modern households, the old cookbook standardof "serves four" is increasingly outdated and a daily nuisance. Withmore than 77 million baby boomers adjusting to the Empty Nest Syndrome,and with their adult children setting up their own new homes, there is amounting demand for quick, easy, healthy recipes yielding fewerservings.

But cooking for two people or even singles isn't assimple as cutting a recipe in half. In EatingWell Serves Two, theaward-winning editors and recipe developers for America's leading foodand nutrition magazine have created 150 dinner recipes from their hugelypopular "Healthy in a Hurry" and "Serves Two" columns to meet thespecific needs of smaller households.

More than a cookbook, EatingWellServes Two provides a smart guide for how to shop in smallquantities, how to store leftover ingredients, keep a well-stockedpantry and use easy cooking strategies that result in minimal wastewhile putting a healthy, delicious meal on the table in 45 minutes orless. Filled with mouthwatering photography and tips on shopping,planning and simple cooking for two with healthy ingredients andwithout waste. Full-color photographs throughout ... Read more

Reviews

Tasty, tasty, and quick, November 13, 2006
Quite simply, this is the best "cooking for two" cookbook I have ever used. Most recipes call for "regular," i.e. non-exotic, ingredients and attention has been given to avoiding awkward leftovers: you know, 1/2 can of white beans that -- well, what are most of us going to do with THAT?

These go together quickly, too. Each recipe includes an estimate of time to table and, if anything, the estimates seem to run a little on the long side. Some cookbooks that promise 30 minute recipes are optimistic about how quickly some of us can chop. Here are recipes that really do go together in a scant 30 minutes, especially if both people are in the kitchen.

The Publisher's Weekly bit above mentions some of the more esoteric recipes. Interesting as those sound, more appealing to us have been chicken tacos and salt and pepper shrimp (Best. Shrimp. Ever. -- and incredibly fast and easy to make). A strength of this book is its imaginative ways with relatively ordinary ingredients and its helpful introduction to ingredients that I have not used before (chipotles [smoked jalapenos] in adobo sauce is one example that comes to mind). I am becoming a bolder, better cook because the information gives me courage to try new things and to use old ingredients differently.

The introduction provides an overview of how to shop when cooking for two, including specific suggestions for shopping for produce and meats. A concise section of very basic cooking instructions will help anyone new to or simply timid about approaching a stove. There are complete, accurate descriptions of methods and there is a brief but thorough section on outfitting a kitchen for the first time. The lavish photographs are beautiful, in themselves, but also impart information about how a particular dish should go together.

The back of the book has an easy to use section on sauces, side dishes and fast (really fast!) desserts for two. These things are, for me, particularly challenging because I am used to preparing larger quantities. I appreciate directions for scaling down sauces and preparation of grains. In addition to indexing recipes by name, recipes are also sorted by preparation time and a list is provided of "healthy weight" recipes.

Yes, this is a book about healthful eating and each recipe includes nutritional data. But the reason I like this book and recommend it so highly is that the recipes are exceptionally tasty, easy to prepare, and fast. It is a book we would have enjoyed as newlyweds. As empty-nesters, it's an absolute treasure.

Subtitle "In a Hurry" could be a bit misleading..., December 6, 2008
This is a well-written book with very healthy recipes. The nutritional information is provided for each recipe, which to me is one of the marks of a good cookbook. The downside is that there are quite a few ingredients in most of the recipes, including some unusual ones, at least in my kitchen. This means that unless your pantry is really well stocked, you won't be able to make most of the meals without a trip to a really good grocery store. For example, do you regularly have miso in your pantry? Whole wheat orecchiette? Plum sauce? I have made some of the recipes for my husband and myself, and they always turn out wonderfully delicious, but I definitely needed to plan ahead for that trip to the store, and the dish wasn't prepared "in a hurry".

this is a fabulous cookbook!, July 23, 2007
I have dozens of cookbooks and it takes something special for me to keep one on my kitchen counter. This one certainly qualifies. I've tried several of the recipes and all were delicious and it is so nice not to have a ton of leftovers. I love that the nutritional information and suggested sides and included for each recipe.

What really makes this book a winner for me are the Notes. Every time I read an instruction or ingredient I'm not quite sure about, there is a Note exactly on point, anticipating my question. In addition, the tips regarding shopping in small quantities are very valuable.

If you're looking for a cookbook with delicious recipes and smaller quantities, don't pass this one up!

Fabulous cookbook whether you're serving two or more, June 9, 2007
I use this cookbook regularly, usually doubling recipes for leftovers or to serve more than two, and I have been very impressed with the food. Everything is so flavorful, the recipes are clear and easy to follow, and above all, the food is truly healthy. Beyond the main recipes, there is a section on quick sauces and sides to spruce up any salad or meal. There's a huge variety, too--Asian, Mexican, Italian, American--a range of flavors to enjoy. This book also has thick, glossy pages and tons of gorgeous photographs to make browsing and planning pleasure. You can't go wrong with this purchase. A fantastic cookbook! I also recommend the EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry cookbook, which was my favorite for a long time but is now rivaled by Serves Two.

Delicious, easy, healthy, September 26, 2007
The book is large and sturdy and stands up well to typical kitchen abuse. It includes information on shopping healthily for two, as well as menu suggestions. Recipe chapters include: dinner salads, soups & stews, vegetarian mains, poultry, fish & seafood, meat, and accompaniments. In keeping with the healthy aim of the book, desserts are relegated to a several-page portion of the accompaniments chapter.

Small symbols mark particularly low-carb or high-fiber recipes. Each recipe estimates both "active minutes" spent preparing the dish as well as total minutes. There are make-ahead notes and detailed nutrition information. There's also a "nutrition bonus" note that points out any particular vitamin benefits found in that recipe. For example, the "Caesar Salad Three Ways" includes plenty of Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and omega-3s (it also comes with a basic recipe as well as a shrimp and a chicken variation--hence "three ways"). Sometimes extra notes are included, for example, the Caesar Salad has a side note with instructions on making your own croutons. It also includes a delectable-looking photo; while photos aren't included with all of the recipes, there are certainly enough to make your mouth water!

I personally found not all of the flavors to my liking. Some were a bit bland, and some tried to make up for blandness in ways that just didn't appeal to my palate. A Lentil & Chicken Stew appealed to a friend of mine who particularly prefers bland food, but I just couldn't enjoy the lemon, dill, and chicken flavors together. On the other hand, she and I both loved the Creamy Artichoke & Spinach Soup, which takes a rather unusual approach to making a thick and creamy soup out of very healthy ingredients.

There's a really nice Grilled Peach Sundae recipe in the quick desserts section that we heartily enjoyed. While it's true that I found a few of their recipes to be not entirely memorable, on the whole they're quite good. The Eggplant-Cheddar Bake, for example, disappeared very quickly!

My only reservations with this book are definitely taste-dependent. If you don't enjoy the kind of semi-bland, lemony-chicken type of recipe that shows up in a lot of healthy eating cookbooks, then there will be some recipe sections in here that won't appeal to you. That said, there are plenty of people who will enjoy those recipes, and even the rest of us will find lots to work with in here!

Everyday Cookbook, March 27, 2007
I bought this cookbook in November and use it 3-4 time a week. Every recipe is easy and fast. My boyfriend is somewhat of a picky eater and he likes just about everything I've made. I bought copies for my empty nester parents and "in-laws" and would give it to every couple I know if I could. I like the built in "portion control" since every recipe is for 2 which keeps us from over-eating. The vegetarian recipes even satisfy carnivores. Each recipe includes nutrient information, too, so when you need to up your calcium, fiber, etc. intake, you know what recipe to choose. Even when you're too tired to cook, some recipes are so simple and tasty (chicken tarragon) it takes less energy to whip something up than look through the take-out menus. I have dozens and dozens of cookbooks, but this is definitely the most-used. Buy this book!

I'm shocked at how much I use this book!, April 6, 2008
I have over 100 cookbooks and a serious phobia of boring healthy food. For years I wouldn't even try a recipe if it looked too simple. This book has changed my mind about fast nutritious cooking. Every time I flip through it I have to add a couple of more post-it notes reminding myself to try certain recipes.

Today I made a pot of the Corn and Bacon Chowder. White chowder, for me, says "lots of fat in order to be good." This stuff has 1/2 cup of low fat milk in it and is as creamy and thick as I was craving. The flavor is great and it'll make a great lunch tomorrow, which is why I made it. I have to say I have enjoyed every single dish I have prepared. And it's really cut down on my meat department grocery bill. This recipe only calls for two pieces of bacon.

The recipes taste complicated, like you spent hours preparing them. Yet, they are simple enough for a novice cook. I disagree with a comment I read saying this book tends to lean more toward the bland, lemony chicken recipes. I definitely have not found that to be true. And while it does use a few of the same ingredients over again in several recipes, I appreciate alternative uses for miso if I'm going to spend $6.00 to have it around. My only problem with this book is that there are no leftovers for lunches.

I have probably bought 10 books on cooking for two over the years. And this is the only one I have really ever used. I can't recommend it enough. I'll certainly be passing this one on to my other child-free friends and family!

Just Fantastic, December 28, 2007
I'm a complete foodie, I live alone, visit the gym often and love to eat fresh foods. I've made over half the recipes in this book so far and have really just loved them all (I've done some tweaking for fun). They are quick to make, very healthy and incorporate all kinds of fresh and ethnic ingredients. I was very surprised by how much I use and love this cookbook (as I usually whip up random concoctions). I go food shopping with it all of the time. The tips at the front of the book (i.e. for essential pantry items and proper portions for two people) are really helpful. Enjoy!

Wonderful and easy, November 22, 2007
I got this book when I decided that my partner and I needed to stop our usual, come-home-from-work-and-nosh-in-front-of-the-refrigerator-all-evening pattern. I was drawn to the promise that the meals were appropriately-sized and quick to make. I was not disappointed. I've tried the fettucine, the artichoke and spinach soup, the sesame and herb encrusted halibut, the garlic mashed potatoes, and the tuna potato croquettes (my advice on this last one is to follow the recipe and use chunk light tuna, not solid albacore, which I found impeded the stickiness of the croquettes). Most every recipe has been at least good and at most, fantastic . . . the miso-glazed salmon is to DIE for (I buy Whole Foods fresh-frozen, wild-caught Alaskan coho salmon steaks, and put one in the fridge in the morning before work to defrost). There are also some good tips on how to make side veggies interesting. I highly recommend this book for couples who want a roadmap for easy, quick, healthy and really, really tasty meals. All nutrional information is included, so if you are watching your calories, you can choose accordingly.

very pleased, April 12, 2007
i'm very happy with this purchase, in fact it may be my favorite cookbook. it is beautiful, well written, with enough variety and different recipes to keep my interest. all of the recipes i've tried so far have been great. the creamy walnut pasta is so good that i've tripled it for guests!

ps- another really nice feature is in the back there is a section of every kind of veggie and how to prep and cook it. VERY handy!

update: a year later it's still one of my favorite go to books! ... Read more