Tours and Travel Books

The Great Minnesota Touring Book: 30 Spectacular Auto Trips by Thomas Huhti is a superbly organized and presented traveler's guide to planning a personal or family road trip vacation among Minnesota's most scenic, historical, or exciting places. The offered tours span all parts of this great state. Enhanced with maps, explicit directions that make mention of every single turnoff in every detail, trivia about the sights to see while en route, and so much more, The Great Minnesota Touring Book is a thorough, handy, and welcome resource and reference for self-directed tours.

A nicely done survey of notable smaller art museums in Europe: James Stourton, an expert in his field, gives enough material on the history and collection of each institution he has selected to satisfy without overwhelming the reader.

This book, and the pictures it contains, should inspire many a person to tour Europe just to visit the whole collection of museums covered in this most entertaining work.

Ralph Shanks is my math teacher and he gave me an urge to read the book. From personal expiriences to interviews. 5 stars.

This book starts with a brief introduction about Philadelphia before and during the U.S. Civil War. In 1860, Philadelphia was the second largest city in the country with over half a million people. Its population was increasing as many immigrants arrived and moved to neighborhoods along the edges of the city. There were businesses everywhere, especially in textiles, and the railroads covered so much of the city that they were a safety concern. The book addresses a little of what that time was like, but its main purpose is to describe sites associated with the war.

There are 15-20 sites described per chapter, with chapters ranging from the Abolition movement to libraries to vanished Civil War sites. I picked up this book because I was researching some Philadelphia ancestors who lived in the city during the Civil War and I wanted to know more about some of the resources available for researching that period. For this reason, I found the chapters on libraries and cemeteries to be more interesting. Over 20 museums, libraries, and historical societies are described, including lesser known places such as the Civil War Library and Museum on Pine St. and the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library. There are examples of regimental histories, biographies, manuscript collections, etc. that you can find at these locations. Descriptions for 18 cemeteries are also provided, with Laurel Hill and Woodlands receiving the most attention. Information includes famous Civil War military people who are buried there.

The appendix has some interesting lists, including companies that had government contracts, military hospitals that existed between 1861-1865, Civil War manuscript collections that can be found at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Chester County Historical Society, and a list of Philadelphia shipyards with their specific vessels and launch dates. Also, the book provides over 70 black & white photos.

Overall, this is a nice introductory guidebook. It's especially useful if you're looking to take some day trips of Civil War sites or cemeteries, and you're a historian or a genealogist. It's not for the casual tourist. Also, if you're just starting to do some research on Philadelphia history/genealogy during that period, then this book can give you a general idea of where to find some things.

What a great book. I learned so much and I even live in Florida... Great reference, too.

This book contains everything that an experienced kayaker needs to know to plan a trip to Alaska's Inside Passage. For those who already know where they want to paddle, the first chapter and apendices still provide great local information and advice on gear, clothing, and techniques that are most appropriate for this area. Anyone who will be paddling in these waters should read these sections of the book not only because they will answer many of the difficult logistical questions but because they will make your trip safer and more enjoyable while helping reduce your impact on the area. For those seeking ideas on where to paddle, the rest of the book offers a wealth of suggested routes without getting so specific that you lose all sense of personal discovery.

As a sea kayak guide based in Gustavus I have paddled most of the northern routes described in Jim Howard's book over the past 20 years and I can report that his descriptions and advice are current and accurate.

Something that really bothers me about some guidebooks I have seen is that they name specific campsites and suggest day-by-day itineraries for a few selected routes; they are like a journal of the author's trip. This approach leads to over-use of a few areas and sites and diminishes the sense of discovery that is one of this wild area's greatest attractions; following one of those guidebooks is more like taking someone else's trip than one's own. Not only that, but many of the best sites along a route are (thankfully) NOT named in those guidebooks, so kayakers can have a better trip by ignoring those authors' detailed suggestions.

Jim Howard took a different approach. His routes cover most of the region and for each he gives a description of the area and an assessment of the difficulty of the trip. He names the hazards and gives helpful logistical advice and a general description of the route. This is just what I look for when visiting a new area. I want to know whether I am getting in over my head and how to get to the area. I don't want to know exactly where someone else paddled and camped and what they saw. Finding my own campsites, wildlife viewing areas, and special places is what sea kayaking in a wild place is all about.

Because Southeast Alaska is a wild place with plenty of hazards far from help, it's wise to have solid sea kayaking skills if you are alone or leading less experienced paddlers here. Therefore, this book doesn't cover basic sea kayaking and navigation. Beginners will need to find this information in one of the many other general sea kayaking books and by going with experienced paddlers.

Jim Howard does an excellent job of giving helpful area-specific information while preserving opportunities for wilderness self-discovery. I can tell he's explored the area thoroughly and talked to lots of local folks. Get this book if you're coming here.

What a wonderful book! Bill Mann certainly knows the Mojave Desert of California and the Calico area like the back of his hand! I have enjoyed visiting the sites mentioned in his book and I appreciate the detailed "detective work" Bill went to in sharing the information. By using photos, descriptions and maps the book guides you to the "special gems" in the Mojave and the Calico Ghost Town. If you've never been to the Mojave Desert and Calico, I highly reccommend you have his book as a guide before you come- it's worth it!

There is not too much to say: a must if you like railfaning. Stefano C. (Boston MA)

Now in its 37th Annual Edition, the Kalmbach Guide To Tourist Railroads And Museums 2002 (drawn from "Trains" and "Classic Trains" magazines) continues to be the definite "bible" for railroad enthusiasts, modelers, collectors and operators for planning their railroading themed vacations. Guide To Tourist Railroads And Museums 2002 also offers a wealth of information on steam engines and diesels, railroad lines, and trolley cars available for riding. Also included are a number of displays (including model railroads) accessible to the general public. Site descriptions include operating schedules, locations, phone numbers, photos, accommodations, special events and directions. The Guide To Tourist Railroads And Museums 2002 is enhanced with coupons for savings on entrance fees and tickets! If you are a railroad buff looking for that perfect vacation, begin your planning with the Guide To Tourist Railroads And Museums 2002!

I am a frequent traveler to Vancouver, and over the years have picked up a variety of books to city, and recently found this one in a Seattle bookstore. It is a smallish guide, but contains everything a traveler needs to make the most of a visit. I like to get out and about when on business-related travel, and found that the book has led me to many interesting places I never new existed (I had a great morning sea kayaking up the Indian Arm on the author's reccomendation). I also like reading about those quirky facts about places that are hard to come by, and again, the author knows the city well from the inclusion of many of these facts (Vancouver: Secrets of the City is a book devoted to the subject). The section on restaurants is extremely comprehensive, with all price ranges covered, and I found the author's picks spot on. The book ends with a chapter on nearby Victoria, a helpful addition.