Tours and Travel Books

I bought this book before going to Acadia Natl Park. It was incredibly helpful. Our exploration of the Park Loop Road was more interesting because of all the helpful info in this book. Loved the pictures. Very representative of the actual places.

I can't wait to get there in late Summer '06!
This book is great for anyone planning on visiting Acadia National Park.
If the park is only half as beautiful as the pictures in the publication, I can't wait!
I've already planned several routes to run and ride (bicycles) while we are there.
Thanks!

After throughly reading this book through 3 times I have come to the conclusion it is a wonderful book full of useful information. The pictures alone are beautifuly taken giving reason enough to purchase this book. Also Mr Thayer is an excellent chemistry teacher and I hope after reviewing this comment he will raise our grades

An excellent overall introduction to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. Good overview of geology and natural and cultural history. Provides up-to-date information on roads and hiking trails. A wonderful guide or souvenir of the Acadian experience.

All of the books written by Robert Thayer convey the true beauty of Acadia National Park. Robert is an outstanding photographer/ author and is an inspiration for my own work. I have seen many slides of Roberts work and I am always impressed. I give this book my highest recommendation for any person interested in learning about Acadia, nature, wildlife, and especially photography. He also has 3 other books available on Amazon.com of an equal caliber.

This book is an in-depth and thoroughly detailed discussion of the various features of Painter X. But more than that, it is also an excellent step-by-step how-to for using these features to create a very satisfying painting from a photograph - with almost limitless potential variability. While artistic effects are certainly involved, this is not a book for the graphic artist who has the ability to create a painting starting from scratch on a blank canvas. For that one might consider Painter X Creativity: Digital Artist's Handbook by Jeremy Sutton, or the Painter X Wow! Book by Cher Threinen-Pendarvis.

The only flaw is one found in the otherwise useful accompanying CD. While most tutorials were easily viewed, some were obscured by a red screen, with an error message stating that the problem was due to an error using Macromedia Projector.

But don't let this one flaw deter anyone interested in this book. The book is excellent.

The author also writes for the San Diego U&T; many of these trips are culled from his archives.
He knows the area, and he has an adventurous spirit. He maps out routes that are out-of-the-way, ones that you wouldn't think of yourself, like out to a desert town, but also more urban trips. The attention to detail is key; miles, times, markers, etc.

A great guide if your new to the area, or, if you've lived here for awhile and want to experience a part of San Diego you've missed.

I had the chance to see and hear this author at a local community college. In addition to his appearances on a local television station, he has written for the Travel section of the San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE. No other county in the United States offers beach, mountains and desert all within its boundaries. And such treasures as a historic gold-mining town turned picturesque destination, an almost-unspoiled desert, a world-famous observatory, an authentic Mexican village. the first California mission are also contained here. One can almost spend a week or more on a vacation without traveling far from San Diego and still feel that he has been to unique places.

This book is great! We have done one drive so far and it left from our front door. We did everything he instructed and had a GREAT time! We went to a restaurant he suggested and it was awesome. My advice is to call ahead if you plan to go to a restaurant he has suggested because some close early. If you are a local and want a great book to liven up your weekends, this is it. You will explore San Diego and have a blast while doing so. All in your backyard!!

My husband and just got home from one of the trips in the book, "Russians, Wineries and the Real Baja," which goes from Ensenada, to Tecate, Mexico. We had a wonderful time. It is so beautiful and we saw a side of Mexico we never expected. I highly recommend this book.

World Trek A Family Odyssey by Russell and Carla Fisher

When a friend passed on this travel book to me I was very interested as I am a reasonably seasoned traveler myself and it boggled my mind to think of a family of four (including two teenagers) putting their lives on hold to go on a year long adventure. And what an adventure it turned out to be! This is not just a travel book ; it gives a detailed description of the year long planning that was necessary before the trip. Most people would balk at the idea of taking their children out of school for a year, closing up their house and putting things in storage but Russell and Carla Fisher have shown us that a trip like this is within reach of anyone. It doesn't have to be just a dream; it could turn out to be the dream of a lifetime as it was for them. Very useful planning and budget details are given in the Appendices.

During their trip they visited many of the usual tourist spots but were not afraid to go off the beaten track to explore lesser known places which almost invariably turned out to be most interesting and enjoyable and often surpassed their expectations. A less adventurous traveler will be inspired by their narrative.

It was interesting to see how much fun a family can have while traveling on a budget. Indeed, traveling on a budget gave them better and more honest insights into people and places. I enjoyed their spirit of adventure and thoroughly enjoyed my vicarious journey around the world with them, even when they came upon difficult situations. I wish them good luck with their future travels.

It is difficult to imagine the courage it takes to put your life on hold for one year, sacrificing careers that have taken years to come to fruition, and venture into the unknown for a once in a lifetime experience. The story of this family and their adventure around the globe is an inspiration to all of us who have dreamed of escaping the routine lives we know so well to seek out what the world has to offer. This book reveals the joy and passion of jumping out the norm and following your distant dreams to the wonderous places that they will take you...not knowing what is around the next corner (of the world!) It was a sensory pleasure to discover each new culture and it's offerings along with this mainstream American family who openly shares their excitement and challenges throughout their journey. It was a delight!

Whether you're planning a long trip around the world or a much shorter excursion, "WorldTrek: A Family Odyssey" will not disappoint. This book is a gem. Russell and Carla Fisher and their two daughters travel an entire year to nineteen different countries around the world. The book is well written and easy to read with each stop described in concise and imaginative prose. For those wanting travel tips, "WorldTrek" offers ideas on what to see, how to get there, where to stay, how to pack, and how to stay healthy all within a reasonable budget. In addition, extensive planning ideas and other travel resources are listed in the appendices.

"WorldTrek" is not just a book for those interested in travel. It's an inspiring story about an ordinary family who did an extraordinary thing with their lives. The Fishers did what is unthinkable to most of us. They quit their jobs and took their daughters around the world for a year, home schooling them along the way while giving them an education that no amount of study could possibly provide. Their adventure required a lot of planning, but planning alone did not make it happen. Through their courage and willingness to risk, the Fisher family reminds us that it's possible to turn dreams into reality. Their expansive outlook and passion for seeking opportunities are lessons the reader can apply to his or her own travels as well as many other areas in life.

I enjoyed the story as well as the information. I've recommended the book to family and friends who are planning an overseas trip for the great resource section of the book. I've recommended the book to family and friends who have never traveled overseas for the opportunity to vicariously visit wonderfully exotic locations with the Fisher family.
Get this book to learn how to plan a trip or to learn about places you wish you could travel to. You will be inspired.

This book is a witty blend of honest, practical travel information, and descriptive snapshots of settings that are as paintings, sprinkled with historical facts and hysterical situations that made me laugh out loud, all making the book a quick, enjoyable read.

I recommend the book for anyone who has traveled or is about to travel to any of these places from his family's journey.

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.

Published by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, this thin (176 pages) paperback covers the Cape, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. It's beautifully illustrated with examples of the art created by the featured artists in the various communities, with recommended walking and driving (where needed) tours to take you to their studios and galleries. The maps for the Cape are not much help--they only show driving routes which anyone with a map of the Cape would have anyway. However the town maps for Nantucket and Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard show exactly where the studios and galleries are located so it is easy to find them and connect them in walking tours. There are also maps of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard islands showing the outlying artists' places. Written directions aid in finding the locations.

The areas on the Cape feature 17 pages in a chapter including Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Osterville and Hyannis; a chaper with 23 pages covering Sandwich, West Barnstable, Barnstable, Yarmouth Port and Dennis; a chapter with 15 pages from artists in Harwich Port, Chatham, West Dennis and Dennisport; 16 pages for Brewster and Orleans; and 16 pages overing the outer Cape from Eastham, Wellfleet and Truro out to Provincetown. The Nantucket chapter has 19 pages on studios and galleries and a page on local festivals and special events. Martha's Vineyard earns 11 pages on studios and galleries.

Each article about an artist or gallery gives something of the artist's history and describes her or his work, highlighting the particular emphasis that artist brings to the pieces. There are also listings of museums and theatres and websites and phone numbers for them as well as for other art forms such as Opera and Chorale groups.

With the first edition printed in 2006, all the material is up-to-date, at least for the present.

Having been to the Cape a number of times, I was surprised to find out how much I had been missing.

Great organization and matter of fact accounting of great places to visit make this a very useful guide. Maps and points of reference help you streamline your travel, without missing a thing.

With more than can be accomplished in any one trip, it has been useful for many weekend getaways to Cape Cod.

As a frequent visitor to the Cape and islands over the years I was amazed to find the Arts and Artisans Trails guide book describing the roads and highways I've been traveling but with such insights into the history and Galleries hidden along the way. I can't look at the map or plan a trip without sneaking a peek at the Artisan's guide to see if I can include one or two on my next drive down to the Cape. This should be given to every visitor and newcomer to the Cape and islands. It's like having your own family or friends recommending things to do and see from an insider's point of view. Well done! Kevin Clancy Somerville, MA

If your summer guests don't know what to do or where to go, this is the book to have! It's full of wonderful studios and galleries, interesting information and lovely illustrations. I keep one on hand for my visitors and plan to give some as gifts. Even if you live on the Cape, you will find places you didn't know about...I know I did!

I highly recommend the Art & Artisans Trails of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. The book is layed out nicely, with different walks for each area of the Cape (and one each for the islands). Each walk has a number of stops, including information on the artist, the hours, the website, etc. There are also lists in the back of artists by medium, by studio, and information on at guilds and fairs. A very comprehensive guide, and a fun way to see the Cape & Islands!

"You enter Ivy House through a screened-in porch, where you can while away the time relaxing after a ride, reading, visiting with other guests, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet. Proceeding into the living area, you'll find comfortable green wicker furniture beneath a ceiling fan that diffuses the fresh breezes off Lake Erie." (Ivy House, Marblehead, Ohio)

Such carefully crafted descriptions abound in this recently published guidebook. The authors, a Toledo-based couple, lodged, dined and biked at 27 bed-and-breakfasts throughout Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. What resulted from their adventures and strict attention to detail is a very thorough and thoroughly interesting guide to the best of biking and lodging in America's Heartland.

The Midwest, especially Ohio, especially, have a tradition of friendliness to bicyclists. It is only fitting, then, that Ohioans have created this latest addition to the Anacus Press Bed, Breakfast, and Bike Series. Co-author Theresa Russell has written frequently on bicycle touring and is currently completing a guide to cycling Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

The truth about the Midwest is that much of it is not flat. Accordingly, the Russells cover inns and nearby bike routes in lands of giant hills (Southern Ohio), valleys, rolling terrain, lakefronts and, of course, plains. One bike route even includes a ferry and an island (Kelley's Island in Lake Erie).

While the appearance and menu of each inn are described in perfect detail, biking content for each is plentiful and handy. Lodging rates reveal many inns that are pleasing to the purse as well as the eye. All of this information is critical for those planning weekend bike getaways but not planning on any surprises.

What does pleasantly surprise the reader, however, is the variety of accommodations (one is a sternwheeler riverboat, for petesake) and the listings of not one, but two, suggested bike routes from each inn. Most routes are comfortably under 50 miles.

But the most pleasant surprise is the final chapter listing 18 recipes shared by inn hosts along the way. Culinary delights range from "Blueberry-Walnut Coffeecake" to "Hash Brown Quiche." Treats for the palate, yes, but also excellent fuel for a hearty morning of Midwest bicycle touring.

While my big behind has never been balanced on a bicycle seat, I thoroughly enjoyed..and benefited from..my reading of Bed, Breakfast sand Bike Midwest, by Robert and Theresa Russell. The Russells have combined descriptive prose with precise information in their well researched work. When I visit the Midwest in the fall, I will be well armed with all the facts I need to make considered decisions in re: my accommodations. And, between now and September, should I be overtaken by the spirit of the winner of the Tour De France, (highly unlikely), I will be well apprised of routes to take, locations of bike shops, landmarks, sights to see, and all other information required to expedite a safe and engaging bike tour. On the other hand, should "the spirit" elude me, (highly likely), I will know just where to go to get a tasty breakfast of "Dutch Babies" and other goodies. All in all, a tasty read.

How can you not like a book that inter-mixes snippets from Voltaire, Chief Tecumseh and the local innkeeper with nitty-gritty facts? The Russells thought of everything. They detail biking routes down to a tenth of a mile, grade them as to severity, even include dirctions to the nearest bike shop. The descriptions of inns and innkeepers reflect the differing personalities of the various lodgings. I've stayed at several; the Russells' reports are unerringly accurate; I can't wait to try the rest. In fact, the inns are sound so delicious that I bought a copy of the book for my non-biking but B & B-loving aunt!

What a great book-- well researched and a very interesting, easy read.

Not being familiar with the B & B's in the Midwest I spent a days beer allowance (in what I hoped would be a good investment) to learn about the area, the accommodations, and the trails. I can only imagine the voluminous research that went into the investigation of the various places mentioned in the book by the Russell's.

For anyone considering biking or staying in a B&B in the Midwest do yourself a favor-buy this book-even if you have to give up a week's beer allowance.

Thanks to the Russell's -write some more on other areas.

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I just picked up a copy of Bed, Breakfast and Bike Midwest and thought it was absolutely the best book on that subject I have ever read!! I was thrilled to have found it and recommend it to anyone wanting to know about B & B's and biking in the Midwest! I first heard of it from listening to "Travel World Radio" on WPBR in West Palm Beach and ran out immediately to find it. At first, I thought I'd just sit in the bookstore writing down notes but once I took a closer look at it, I bought it immediately and won't even loan it out!! As an avid biker and lover of cozy bed and breakfasts, I found the contents to be thorough, accurate, fun-filled and entertaining!! I used it to plan my Ohio vacation and had the best time in ten years!! Please...Robert and Theresa...write another one about another part of the world. I'd love to see one about biking and B & B's in Mexico!! Perhaps the Mexican Government would help you out with research or even fund part of it!! THey can definitely call me for a recommendation!! Congrats on a job well done!!

A very enjoyable read that informs and entertains. It feels as if our upcoming trip to Tuscany has already begun.

This is a great read. Short, funny and I loved the way he wrote the book. Passed it on to friends and they loved it also.

I dearly loved this book. I vacationed in Vagliagli, the tiny Italian hamlet and recognized the sites and people the author talks about. When he describes the sights and sounds (the rooster, hunting dogs barking) upon waking, I find myself back at our villa down the way from Cignano. Everyone who appreciates the solitude and the true Italy needs to read this book. Thank you for sharing, Dario. I am a fan of your books.

When I finished reading Castagno's book, A Day in Tuscany, I felt like I had visited the Tuscany region. His ability with Robert Rodi, to bring in interesting and humorous history mixed with sorrow gave me a greater portrait of a portion of Italy I was not familiar with. The people he wrote about came to life and I loved their mannerisms and the way they approached life with each being a delightful individual. You do not have to go to Italy to appreciate this glimpse into life in Tuscany.
Bettye Johnson, award-winning author, Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls.

Dario Castagno is a wonderful story teller, and his gift for painting beautiful pictures with his words really comes out in this book. I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed every page of this book. Whether you've ever been to Italy or not, you will love this book! I also loved his first book - "Too Much Tuscan Sun" - a delightful and funny read.

A masterful guide to the Gettysburg battlefield. I took several books on my trip to Gettysburg earlier this year but this was the only one I carried on the battlefield. It is organized around the tour stops, but also contains several side trips to lesser known areas, and simply tells you all you need to know about the events in that area at the time of the battle. It contains several maps and the directions it provides to areas on the battlefield are concise and easy to follow. If you wish to seriously tour Gettysburg National Park, this book is essential.

I recently took a trip to Gettysburg (my 3rd) and carried this tour guide for the 1st time. It is far and away the best experience I've had seeing the battlefield. It follows the battle chronologically and offers several sites and insights not offered on the audio tours available at the local shops. Many of the stops are multifaceted. At several points the stops feature 7 to 10 asides which often involve only a minor shift in position to point out various phases of the battle. It includes a side trip to the cavalry field which I've never run into on the audio tours. The driving directions are easy to follow but do veer from the order of the Military Park brochure and the audio tours to give greater detail to the battle. The book says to allow for 6 hours-it's more like 10 hours to give time for exploring beyond some of the "stand here and turn left" instructions. 11 hours total if you include a break for lunch. We started at nine on one morning, toured until about 4 with a break for lunch and finished the following day. Sites included on the audio and Park tours tend to start getting crowded from 11 to 3, so this will add to the tour time depending on time of year and crowd. To sum it all up and paraphrase a popular commercial-when going on a tour of Gettysburg-"Don't leave home without it!"

I grew up near Gettysburg & have been there numerous times. I just spent 2 days there with this book on the battlefield--this book made the battle crystal clear! I ran out of time exploring the battlefield (it takes more than the 6 hours described in the book--my only criticism). This book brings the battle to life and explains the terrain like never before. I learned a lot about the battle that I never knew and many components of the battle came into focus in new and exciting ways. In particular, this book does a good job on overviews of each day and with it's clear directions, leads the reader through each stop--I really felt as if I had an expert by my side explaining all the facets of each aspect of the battle. Along the way, everything was just as the book described. The maps were excellent & it's nicely complimented with various portraits of leaders, common soldiers, etc. The guide brings the 3 days together as a cohesive whole. This is the book to get if you're going to visit Gettysburg; forget all the others.

I now live near Chickamauga and I plan on getting their book on that battle!

An excellent, well-written guidebook and the best I've seen on the subject. I carried this book on my first visit to Gettysburg in Spring 2001, and it greatly enhanced the experience. The directions are clear and up to date, and the text is precise and detailed enough to be compelling without trying to be an exhaustive treatment of every minute detail. If used as a companion to an actual visit, I would strongly recommend reading the book in advance of your visit, then bringing it with you for reference. There are only a few very minor faults I might find with this guidebook. On the maps, it would be helpful to have present-day landmarks indicated in some way to help with orientation. Also, the book suggests the full tour can be completed in six hours, but in my experience to make all the stops and fully enjoy it you'd need at least a full day, or preferably two. You'll want to leave some time for reflection at such places as McPherson's Ridge, Little Round Top, the High Water Mark, and others to think about the enormity of what occurred on that ground.

Read this book and you'll come away with a good working knowledge of the three-day battle. Highly recommended!

I've lived and/or worked in Gettysburg for almost twenty-five years, and I've been on the battlefield hundreds of times. But I can honestly say that I never really had a good appreciation for what happened there until I got my hands on Grimsley's and Simpson's guide. It's completely user-friendly.

For each of the places it highlights, the guide includes:

(1) Driving instructions to each site.

(2) An extremely useful orientation section telling you what's on your left, on your right, in front of you, etc. (For example, for Barlow's Knoll, the Orientation is this: "As you face west, the town of Gettysburg is due left of you; Oak Ridge and Oak Hill are straight ahead, as is Carlisle Road in the middle distance.") For those battlefield visitors who don't think to bring a compass with them, this kind of information is worth its weight in gold.

(3) An historical description of what actually happened during the battle at the site.

(4) A "Vignette," which provides one or two eyewitness accounts pertinent to the site.

(5) A tactical analysis of what happened at the site.

The maps are excellent, the layout of the text is convenient and easy to follow, and there's an informative appendix on "Organization, Weapons, and Tactics." Moreover, the East and South Cavalry Battles are included in the guidebook, and the description of Farnsworth's deadly charge in the latter is the best I've ever read.

Highly recommended for both the beginner and the seasoned Gburg afficionado.

By the way, for those who don't know it, co-author Mark Grimsley's The Hard Hand of War (1997) really is one of the best books on the Civil War written.

The eyewitness series is excellent. I own several of these books and we have used them on three different vacations to Europe. The book introduces you to Paris with background and historical information. A summary of seasonal happenings, weather, art, architecture and regional food information. The short essays are occpanied by pictures, maps, photos and graphic representations. It makes the book easy to read and a quick reference for planning daily activities while on vacation. The main section of the book has a break down of "regions" or areas. Each section starts with a map and locations of sights. You can then reference the specific site descriptions, which also include business hours and contact information. The back of the book list hotel and restuarant information. These books are an invaluable resource for planning a vacation itenenary. Also, they make an good refernce tool during your stay. The only negative I have found to these books is they are somewhat heavy to carry in your shoulder bag or packback all day long.

This guide is wonderful - I have never flown anywhere before and was very nervous about going to Paris, but after having this book for a week now I feel MUCH more confident! I am always opening it to look up more info - Theres so much in it I can't imagine how all that stuff can be in Paris!! I researched quite a few travel guides to Paris before buying this one and I am SO glad I chose this guide... it has detailed descriptions of each region, each monument, each street! Even comes with a menu card to help you figure out what you're about to order! haha... It gives detailed walking tours, bus routes, best times and price differences for visiting museums,... The very best part of this book though is the PICTURES!! There are pictures of everything and THAT makes it the best for me... What else can I say - if you're going to Paris - BUY THIS BOOK!

Dorling Kindersley makes the best travel guides hands down. They are extremely well illustrated, have extensive and detailed maps (thank god, because I tend to get lost very easily), up to date information on hotels (rates, rooms etc), restaurants (costs and reservation policies), and sites to see.

The travel guides have wonderful pictures, well researched histories and facts about France and more specifically Paris, what wines to look for and taste (not just by region and vineyard but also by year), sample dishes that one should try, detailed walking tours, information on famous art (there is a great section on the Louvre and all how to speed thru if you only have a limited amount of time).

The guide covers customs, money changing, travel information - you name it! Most importantly, it shares with you the best places to shop (and there are SO many in Paris), where to get good deals and SOOO much more. The book give you wonderful ideas on how to see the city in a limited time or really enjoy it if you are there for more than a few days. The book also covers things to do that many tourists might over look as well as telling you what is worth your while and what to skip. The guide also has great ideas for day trips beyond the city itself.

This is one of the best guides available on the market. It is perfect if you are planning to go to a few cities in a limited time or for more in depth information when planning a longer trip. We always lend this out to people before they plan a trip and everyone else has agreed it is top of the line.

I purchased numerous guide books before our trip to Paris, but the Eyewitness book was the only one I took with me. It is so comprehensive in its coverage of Paris, it was only book I needed. In it's handsome leather case, I felt comfortable refering to it on the bus and metro because it wasn't obviously a guide book. It didn't shout "tourist!" to everyone around me as I consulted it. Do not depend on the maps, however. Invest in a Michelin map of Paris; it's worth it.

I purchased this before taking a spur-of-the-moment trip to Paris with my boyfriend, based on its excellent reviews on Amazon. I was not dissapointed!

This guide provided an incredible wealth of information about everything Paris -- from sights to see, places to eat, and things to do. Almost every site is accompanied with a nicely written description, map, and full-color photograph.

Here are a few notes: 1.) The information (allbeit interesting and informative) is about the touristy stuff. If you're interested in going to visit lesser-known sites, you may want to get a supplemental guide. 2.) Make sure to look up every place you go/have gone. I was surprised to found out that many of the seemingly understated little cafes we visited have long, rich histories, which the book very colorfully described. 3.) The restaurant guide, while good, is not entirely complete. If your visit will center on the French culinary experience,you may want to do a little additional research beyond the confines of this book. 4.) This leather bound special addition also contains 4 laminated, easy-reference information cards (menu reference sheet, address finder, Metro map) and a full-size city map, all of which were incredibly helpful and can not be purchased separately. 5.) The section about customs is good, as it contained valuable information on topics such as tipping and using the bathroom. (Interesting Fact: In many restaurants you have to *pay* to use the ladies room -- even if you have already purchased a meal or snack. Make sure to carry a handful of 2 Franc pieces with you at all times.) 6.) The book, though helpful, weighs a ton. Be prepared -- or beg one of your travel mates to carry it for you!

Bon voyage!

Beautiful photography, follows and expands on the extremely well done PBS series.

I picked up this book without having seen the companion PBS series, but now I'd really like to see it. The book presents a very nice story for each lighthouse visited, discussing more of the people stories that go along with the history of the houses themselves. A really nice find for lighthouse fans.

It is very informative and provides much detail about all the lighthouses. There are numerous pictures and they are absolutely great. This book also gives you very good directions on how to travel to each of the lighthouses some of which are very remote. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

I loved Ray Jones book, "Legendary Lighthouses". I do have copies of all his books, since he is married to my daughter.This book he autographed, For Mom Happy Chanukah Keep the lights burning. Ray & Fran. Arent I lucky!!

Ray Jones is among the best lighthouse photographers working today. He provides some of his best photos for a book in which writer John Grant provides a good narrative and history of lighthouses in general. This book strikes a good balance between information and photography.