Holidays Books

I am currently deployed to Kabul and after reading and reviewing many guides and books this is the best guide and historic account I have found. Another great book is Taliban by Rashid.

When I picked up this book, I was prepared for a dense, AAA/Lonely Planet-style guidebook (filled with useful information, but not meant to be read from cover to cover). Instead I was surprised to find a very readable and richly informative book on the history and sites in Afghanistan.

Rather than writing a summarized narrative of the history of a particular city, castle, or mosque, the authors use numerous first person accounts from travelers from throughout Afghanistan's history from Alexander's historians to British explorers in the 20th century. These first hand accounts are fascinating. He also includes poems and folk tales translated from historical documents and local interviews. The combined effect of all of these first-hand accounts is a feeling of intimate familiarity with each region described.

The book opens with the history of Afghanistan and is very detailed for being so concise. The rest of the book is broken down into regions. Some regions, notable Kandahar, are left out due to the fact that security was still to dangerous at the time of writing (2006) for the authors to visit. The northeast area of Badakshan opens the account and it is hard not to want to visit this mountainous area after having read the tales. It works its way around the country counterclockwise hitting the areas around Mazar-e-Sharif, Heart, Bamiyan, Ganzi and Kabul to name a few.

Even if you never go to Afghanistan this book could define the concept of the armchair traveler.

This hefty tome oozes quality. From its 768! pages printed on very fine paper to the wonderful photographs to the heavy duty binding. The authors convey a deep love for this intriguing country so often only heard of in terms of war and violence. This is also a most comprehensive history of Afghanistan. Its blue lapis lazuli was used as ornament on The Mask of Tutankhamun. Coins of the Graeco-Bactrion kingdoms of Afghanistan reveal life in the lost "Atlantis of the East". As a travelling guide you get "down to earth" advice: "Driving in Kabul is a contact sport. (An airline)... fly, when they feel like it. "The Worst Hotel in the World." etc. Some places are presently out of reach for the ordinary traveller due to war - again. For the Afghans, I sincerely hope peace will prevail. They are proud and tough people despite, or maybe because of, their many hardships. This book tenfold improved my understanding of their beautiful and complex country. Possibly you would bring the several pounds of guide book along in your rucksack? Probably not. On the final page, as in many places in this "tour de force", there is a fine underlying humour: "Published to appeal to the armchair traveller". I'll be travelling often with this good companion.

This is something betweeen a Planet Earth travel book and an historical compendium of facts and figures. It is quite useful and interesting but some of the material will be outdated rather quickly so a Planet Earth guide, it is not. I like it and am glad I purchased it.

A comprehensive guide to everything about Afghanistan from carpets to stupas. Its excellent photographs and abundant maps leave the reader with a desire to visit this fascinating country. The book is heavy to hold but difficult to put down. A must for all travelers (armchair or footworn) of distant horizons.

This is a great book!! It is well worth your money. If you are planning a vaction, then buy this book. It has theme parks from Disney to Universal Orlando, to Cedar Point, all of the Paramount Parks and many, many more!! The ultimate guide to rollercoasters is this book!!

I had gone to the conference with much knowledge about the subject. I was told about the book from there. Could I have obtained it, I would have been the top in the list of performers.

This book is a must for all amusement park fans. It gives all the information you would need to have a fun and exciting day at any park in the U.S. or Canada. Mr. O'Brien has done a masterful job of helping you plan your visit by giving the operating times as well as the best rides and shows. There is also a listing of all the roller coasters in the park. His vivid description of the park gives you the feeling of being there. I would recommend this guide book to anyone planing a trip to an amusement park in the future.

This is, truly, the bible of amusement park guides. I am always amazed at its thorough coverage of parks, both large and small, in the United States and Canada - is there an international edition in the works??? If so, put me on the list of buyers.

It's difficult to think of a park that isn't listed here - from the mainstream parks such as Disneyworld and Universal, to the tiny, neighborhood parks such as Weona and Nelly Bly, they're all here, and beautifully documented. Signature rides are listed for each park - from the big, modern coasters, to the rarer flats. As a huge fan of Flying Scooters and Lusse Auto Skooters (you fellow park nuts will know what I'm talking about, here), I love that such rides are included. Park histories are here, as well, for all of us preservationists.

Directions, websites, and further information are included for the parks, also, which greatly helps if one wishes to visit a park. Also, common-sense tips for park visitors are here, as well as little-known secrets that assist with getting around a park to the greatest efficiency.

I was fortunate enough to find this book while visiting Knoebels Grove (the best park in America, as far as I'm concerned), and couldn't put it down during the entire ride home. It's addictive, informative, and, well, a must-have. What with the summer practically here, run, don't walk, and get your copy NOW.

This book is just awesome...it reviews over 350 theme parks, amusement parks, and waterparks all over the U.S. and Canada, providing everything you'd want to know about every park...the great roller coasters and other thrill rides, costs, operation schedule, directions, special tips, insider facts and trivia, historical milestones, etc. Also gives phone numbers and website addresses for each park. The author is a life-long park expert and senior editor of a major park industry publication...he really seems to know his stuff, and he injects some fun and personality into the book. It's a great guide to use to plan your park trips and to carry with you for quick reference. It's also fun to to sit down and read through it because it gives so much interesting trivia on the parks. Just a fantastic, authoratative, fun, easy-to-use resource on parks.

I was so happy we ordered this on our child's Scholastic choices for the month! The illustrations are gorgeous as previous reviewers have said. They are almost kind of medieval in appearance.

The book is written in verse and has a beautiful lyrical quality to it.

Of course, the best part is the message. An angel goes to a stable and calls out some animals. Each of the animals has to choose what it will carry. It starts with the horse who chooses the strongest looking person. It then goes to a "lower" animal who chooses the good Samaritan. Although the Samaritan is good, he's not the best. The next animal chooses one of the wise men. The angel acknowledges he is wise and will discover what's at the star. The lowest animal, the donkey chooses Mary because she needs to be carried. The angel says that's the best choice as Mary is carrying the best of all. What a cute way of sharing the story of Jesus! I found myself just as entranced as my children!

This is one of the most beautiful books one could ever own. It's the story of the first Christmas told in lilting verse through the eyes of the animals. Richly illustrated with special embossed details make this book a treasure for many, many generations. I am proud to own it in my own personal collection, and will purchase many copies as Christmas gifts for my family and friends.

I gave this book to my 3 1/2 year old son for Christmas and was afraid it would be too sophisticated for him. But he loved it as much as I do because of the rhythm of the lovely poem and the absolutely gorgeous artwork with golden accents and embossed pages. A book not only to read and look at but also to "feel". It is different from the many other Christmas books and I highly recommend it.

In ancient Nazareth an angel had a riddle for the barn animals. Who was the greatest of the four travelers and which would carry him? One by one the creatures answered--the horse first picked the soldier. Two other animals answered before the donkey told the angel, "the lady waiting here who needs bearing most of all." The three other travelers and their beasts of burden followed the donkey to the stall where Jesus was born.

This retelling of the Christmas story flows gently through a simple poem. It is stunningly illustrated for young children. With thick embossed pages, and rich colors, many will buy the book for the illustrations alone. Its simple message will become a classic in many households. - Carol Stratton, Christian Book Previews.com

I was given this book as a gift. Words cannot describe how amazingly beautiful the illustrations are. The pages are high quality and textured so the kids love how it feels. The colors are vibrant and it is a nice and easily understandable version of the story of the first Christmas.

Second book in this great series of adventures following one of the most interesting and well written child characters to come along in a very long time. For those already familiar with this series having come across a later title (an they're all stand alone stories, so no need to read them in order) and wondering which of Benton's former books in the series to buy first, this one also has the added historic element of how Igor came to become Franny's lab assistant.

Franny K Stein is an interesting character who doesn't follow the stereotype little girl who plays with dolls, has tea parties with stuffed animals and the like that many authors seem to want to write about. No Franny is a very intelligent girl more interested in bats, snakes, spiders, monsters and her number one passion, being a mad scientist. Interests that gel with many a real life boy or girl these days and lets be honest, always have. The length of these books are fairly short and take my word for it these books are so good you'll probably want to get a few of them, if not the whole series. They seem to be a lot cheaper buying the initial four (there are also others) as a box set which at the time of this review seems to retail for about the same price as just two Franny K. Stein books.

In her second adventure Attack of the 50-Ft cupid Franny's teacher introduces the class to Valentine's Day, a concept Franny has never heard of before and now that she has can't see the appeal. Still she wants to fit in and please Miss Shelly and sees a way she can use her mad scientist skills to make the whole writing poems, cards etc tasks more efficient an invents the valentine poem generator. Not quite the results Miss Shelly was looking for the teacher further explains the Valentine Day concept by explaining the recipient likes something a little more mushy. Franny's Valentine Day Card results are worth the price of this book alone and show that if Jim Benton ever wants to take a side job to complement being an author with a greeting card company he'd not just get it but would be highly successful. Also during this book Frannys mother having read up on her daughter's strange hobby believes Franny would love a lab assistant so literally gets her a lab (Labrador dog) assistant. Not quite the assistant Franny had always hoped for she sees Igor as a nuisance and tells him not to touch any of her experiments. Igor just really wants to please his new owner and when he accidentally creates a 50 ft cupid that threatens the town and Franny as a result, Franny will learn the true emotion of unconditional love.

A great story but believe me they all are, buy them all!

My son really enjoys Franny K Stein. He is into science and she appeals to both girls and boys. The length and diffuculty are perfect for bedtime reading. My son just finished second grade, but I would think that Franny would appeal to many ages. I read her to my preschool daughter. She will be attending kindergarten next year and the pictures keep her involved in the story. You can hear my son laughing from his room when he is reading one of her books.

I ordered a copy of each books from this series for our school library. Now there is never one on the shelf, when one is returned, it is quickly checked out again by another student. I have now ordered more copies. My daughters love the books. This one is really cute because it talks about Cupid and Valentines. Also Franny's Valentine poem generator is too funny.

I think that says it all. Or, if not, read the book (or get your child to read it to you next Valentine's Day.) You'll possibly be glad you did.

And, for the uninitiated, "intestines" is what Franny's version of Cupid says. (She asks her teacher about Cupid, and the teacher describes him as a little naked guy with wings, who goes about shooting people with special arrows, and is always saying something mushy. Franny figures that nothing is mushier than guts, and hence... has her Cupid saying "Intestines!")

This is the first young chapter reader series I purchased for my 6 year old, and she loves it. The story is about Franny, a girl that is learning to adapt to other kids and their lifestyles. She is very awkward in the process, of course, as she is a mad scientist.

Franny loves science, and underlying this story is the theme that it's ok for a girl to be a geek. Don't be worried about the "mad scientist" bit. Franny isn't evil. She is a dabbler, liking bats and boogers, bugs and inventions.

The Franny series has captured my daughter's imagination. It is creative, unique, and something my daughter reads almost every night on her own. Franny has fueled my daughter's fire for reading.

There are no real scary aspects to the story. The monsters are silly, like huge lunch meat sandwiches, or fifty foot cupids.

If you are looking for a fascinating chapter book that captures your child's imagination, try Franny K Stein. My daughter wants more books! I have bought her the entire series, and she can't put them down. Her reading ability is growing in leaps and bounds!

I'm a grandmother and I would recommend this book to anybody who loves Christmas and what it stands for. A treasured keepsake. Wonderful stories to read your children, Poems, food for thought, a few stories could be used for programs in church etc. It's an enjoyable read and I wouldn't part with it.The pictures are beautiful and I can't say enough. It was even nicer than I had expected. Love it!

This book's gilt-edged pages, charming colorful illustrations and classic Christmas treats including among many, O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and the nostalgic holiday song, "Over the River and Through the Woods" make for merry family holiday pleasure. Splendid! This book is called a treasury for good reason.

What a beautiful book - and a great gift idea! I saw this at the bookstore a few weeks ago and loved it. I ordered it as a gift for a friend out of state off of amazon.com and was pleasantly surprised when 2nd day air and the book came to less than the cost of the book at the bookstore. Add this book to your Christmas collection!

This is a great collection of Christmas stories, songs and other treasures. All of them are beautifully illustrated by Mary Engelbreit.

If you love Christmas and Mary Engelbreit this book must be in your collection.

You'll love it!

This is a book to be passed on from generation to generation. The illustrations are exquisite, and the poetry and stories and vignettes are extremely well chosen.

Great book for Easter season... pics are really nice and it is brief, making it a good read for the very young as well as older kids...

Our family really loves this story about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The young Jewish boy, Benjamin tells the story of Holy Week from his perspective. As he encounters Jesus through the week, he collects items for his treasure box that his grandfather, a shepard present in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth, had given him. His grandfather had included "hay" from the manger of baby Jesus. The very popular "Resurrection Eggs" can be used with the book, but are not required. This is a must for your Resurrection Day library!

If you are Catholic this book has one sentence in the Last Supper section that refers to the Eucharist as "symbolic." But the book is so great otherwise parents just black out one word and use it. GREAT KIDS BOOK!

This book is a tradition for our family -- our kids eagerly anticipate getting it out of the "Easter" box every spring. The illustrations are very beautiful yet very kid-friendly -- I *loved* the fact that they show children who (despite their era-appropriate clothing) look like any child you'll see today riding down the street on a skateboard. Also, Jesus has dark hair -- the illustrator didn't turn our thoroughly Jewish Lord into a blond haired, blue eyed European as so many artists do. Kudos for that! I can't recommend this book highly enough!

I heard a mother tell of reading this book to her children for Easter. My own son is now an adult ( no children yet) but I felt so strongly about the message of the book that I am buying it for my husband's grandchildren.

A thorough review of major cruise lines with analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of each line, and following, of each ship in the line. Well done and reasonably priced for a nearly exhaustive review of all kinds of cruises and cruise lines.

This is a great book for a first time cruiser like me. I did things a little backwards. Did my homework online, booked my cruise AND THEN bought this book. Everything the author suggested I had already done. Of course I could have save myself a lot of time if I had bought the book FIRST. I definitely would not have had to spend many hours online. Am looking forward to see if his suggestions work!

I am the editor of a brazilian online magazine, the Cruising On Line (www.cruising.com.br).

I've been buying and using Berlitz Cruising as my main reference guide since I saw it at the first time, 8 years ago, at a travel agency owned by a friend of mine. Congratulations to Mr.Ward and his staff for their great job (hope to be one of them in the future... LOL).

Lending libraries catering to travelers in general and the elderly who appreciate cruises in particular won't want to miss Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2008, a survey packed with independent reviews of cruise companies based on personal experience, not advertising or hearsay. Chapters do more than offer reviews of nearly three hundred cruise ships: they discuss what to look for in a ship and crew, how to compare the major lines for pros and cons, and where to find the best among different types of cruises. Simply packed with essential 'know before you go' detail.

I have been consulting the Berlitz cruise guide for many years, and find it a very valuable source of information. Even if I have cruised for more than 20 times, each new edition brings some revised and/or revelant information. Any serious cruise enthusiast should have the Berlitz book for consultation. Highly recommended.

I recently visited the Big Island and brought the usual guidebooks including this new restaurant guide. This volume is well-researched and provides visitors with an unbiased, and well-written guide to many Island restaurants. There are reviews on every type of restaurant from high cuisine (Merriman's in Waimea) to local diners with huge portions (Hawaiian Style Cafe with real people and friendly service ). I agreed with each review of all the places visited and feel that the authors have done an excellent job of helping sort out too many dining choices. Tako Taco is an obscure place in Waimea but has some of the best Mexican style food anywhere in the Islands, and this guide does an honest evaluation of a place that should not be missed.
I look forward to using the authors' other books when visiting Kauai and other islands next year.
I found other guidebooks with restaurant sections to be too generalized and not as comprehensive.

Wow! Another great book from the Carpenters! I have received 2 of their VERY interesting books so far and I am lookig forward to reading more, by them, in the future. They are very straight-forward and full of very useful information. I highly recommend their books for the tourists as well as the locals. They have done the research for me.....WELL DONE!!!

"Big Island Of Hawaii Restaurants and Dining" became a Bible, of a sort, for eating on a recent trip. Without it, selecting restaurants from the multitude of choices on the island would have been hit or miss. Every one of the places where we ate were listed in the book and fit their revues perfectly.

Being a frequent traveler in Asia and Eastern Europe I have come to rely on culinary guides like the Hawaii Restaurant Guide Series. My enjoyment of diverse culinary experiences is enhanced when I have good understanding of what I will partake in. The Carpenters are very knowledgeable and straight forward in presenting the cultures, cuisines and preparations involved in a wide variety of dining experiences. This latest offering, "Big Island of Hawaii" is an education in the dining practice and an invaluable guide to individuals with a taste for adventure and a discerning pallet. I highly recommend this guide.

This book is an excellent guide for delectable dining on the Big Island. We were fortunate enough to visit both sides of the island and dine at several of the recommended establishments. After dining on excellent scampi at an Italian bistro in Hilo, we sampled dessert with the locals followed the next day by innovative pizza overlooking the bay. It all proved quite satisfying.

One of my favorite books when I was a child!

Pat the most athletic kid in fith grade makes a bet with his friend Neal that they can't break a bone or get stitches over the summer. The loser would have to kiss Kristine Plimpton, "the blimp", on the lips in the front of the school on the first day. The rules say they have to still play football, basketball, and continue riding their bikes.
While Pat plays with his friends, Neal Hoffman pays kids to try and hurt Pat. Pat starts to work out and try not to get hurt. As Pat tries not to get hurt Neal plans great evil. Neal is trying to win and will do anything to beat Pat.
Pat and Jose, his best friend, go to Jose's dad's gym to workout. Pat cannot eat junk food. Every day when Pat wakes up he goes and works out. Will Pat win or lose the bet?
I think this book is a great book. It is hysterical. A funny part is when Pat goes for the tackle and misses. He gets stuck under a fence. Read it and it will knock your socks off.

I recieved this book as a gift from my mom in 6th grade, that would be in 1993, over ten years ago and it is still one of my most favorite books. Being slightly plump as well as having a klutzyness problem myself, I could totally identify with the main character. In fact everyone can see themselves in this book. It is like the end of the movie "Nerds", when everyone comes down and proclaims themselves to be nerds.

For everyone who has ever been picked on by the "jocks" or just been made fun of their apperance and wishes they could do something about it. For those who like to see the good guy take the fall for the good of another. This book is for you.

This is a great book for your "maturing" kid. I couldn't put it down. It's about a boy that is a huge klutz, that makes a bet with the most abnoxious boy in school. It definately portrayed a young kids life and the problems they face with girls, and fitting in. You won't be able to put it down! It'll keep you laughing and crying all the same! READ IT!

This book was fun for my 5th grade son and I to read together. A little slow to get into the story, but it builds into pretty good story. The story line revolves araound the typical school bully versus the overweight "klutzy" non-athletic kid. It has a good moral to it. The only part of the book that I haven't been comfortable with since this is probably written for 5th grade children (aged 10) is the continual references to the female anatomy. It was uncomfortable reading it with my child.

This series of books is fantastic. My five year old loves them as much as I did.

All of the Billy & Blaze stories were among my favorites as a child; I'm so glad they are available again. The illustrations alone make these stories classic children's literature!

While women generally ride for pleasure to feel the wind and the movement of the horse beneath, a boys ride is different in that it is the power and speed of the ride that are most dear to him in these chariots of fire, the roar of the engine, the hoofs and the noise of the wheels that inspire their thrill. Boys tend to drive either their horses or their cars to see the height of their power, and whether the beauty of black or the silver shine of white, the joy of the command lies in the skill of the rider and the knowledge of his horse, or his engine, a sight that most can appreciate, understand, and admire.

I read these books as a little kid... The illustrations are incredibly beautiful and lifelike, and the stories are equally enjoyable. Billy and Blaze's adventures would capture the heart and mind of any child -- or even adult! - with their emotional strength and superb literary quality. I can't recommend these books highly enough... every one of them.

for fun and adventure.

The Billy and Blaze series is great fun. Young boys, even those not interested in horses, will love these books. My 7yo has never had an interest in horses (he thinks they smell bad) but he hangs on to every word of these adventurous stories.