Lodging Books

Started reading this on the book counter at the local B&N and couldn't put it down. Fascinating premise and wonderfully vivid excursion into turn-of-the century New York. Stylish, well-researched and entertaining.

Boorstin has a unique voice and take on the period and an interesting speculation on what I understand to be a missing period in the life of William James. This book gives a vivid and entertaining picture of life in New York a hundred years ago. Recommend.

"Newsboys'" boasts a page-turning plot as well as the wonderful ability to make you think about important life questions. I read the entire novel during one ten-hour stretch of business travel ... and it made what could have been a grueling day of planes and airports a day of pure joy. The plot kept me entertained, but the philosophical elements kept me both hooked on the book and repeatedly pondering my own life and choices. "Newsboys'" may not be in the same literary league as E.L. Doctorow's "Ragtime," but it's much better than the current crop of historical novels typified by "Carter Beats the Devil" -- a lot of research in search of a purpose. I finished the book feeling enriched, invigorated and determined to do better at all things. Any work of art that leaves you feeling like that is a great and rare gift.

The gifted philosopher and psychologist William James suffered a mental collapse at age thirty. This fact is well known by anyone familiar with James' works, but what remains unclear is what happened during his convalescence. "Twenty-one pages (as much as forty-two pages of writing)" were cut from James' diary that surely held some answers about his dark hour. Thankfully we have Jon Boorstin who writes so well from James' point of view that we need to be reminded these writings are actually not James' confessions but historical fiction. "The Newsboys' Lodging House" brilliantly extrapolates upon the missing pages to form a cohesive and believable account of what led James to become the renowned modern thinker and progenitor of Pragmatism and the Will to Believe.

The novel jumpstarts in 1908 Cambridge with a stranger imploring an attention-grabbing question, "Is you my father?" That teaser grabs the reader's unequivocal attention as James elegantly recalls how one chance encounter at McLean Asylum in 1872 with Horatio Alger, a writer of boys' stories, inspires him to leave the asylum and research "the question of evil" among the poor newsboys of New York City.

Boorstin has magically crept into James' psyche and delights us page after page despite many somber expositions that detail James' anguish over evil's place in the world. Reading in fact becomes compulsory as we eagerly await an answer to the stranger's aforementioned question. In the meantime, Boorstin expresses James' ideations in an entertaining manner and more succinctly than several philosophical tomes.

Bohdan Kot

As a lover and student of philosophy, I have a prediliction toward pragmatism. And as I have a prediliction toward pragmatism, I have a fondness for James. And as I have a fondness for James, I found this fictionalized account of a 'missing period' of James's life interesting (if not a bit strange and obviously fabricated).

In this novel, John Boorstin is envisioning James in his thirtieth year. This is when he experienced his mental breakdown leaving him an inch from suicide and in complete emotional paralysis. He had spent quite a few months, we know, in a mental institution, but here, the diary stops - the pages referring to this few-month period have been cut out of his diary, leaving the period a complete mystery.

Boorstin imagines a scenario that as far-fetched as it is (and the author acknowledges that) is interesting and at very least entertaining. James goes to New York with little money where, in fascination with Horatio Alger, volunteers to instruct children at a Lodging House for orphaned kids. It is there he meets a 9-year-old boy called Jemmie and becomes determined to save this child (who James is convinced is good at heart, but slipping into street-life) from the cold and hard world of the streets. Therein, James finds himself ensnared in quite a few 'plots' that gradually help him become his own person (as we know that when the 'missing period' was over, James was remarkably more directed and focused).

As I do not know how many people reading this will be as familiar with William James as us philosopher types, there is one part of the novel I think that may get lost on those not as familiar with James. Though one need not at all be a philosopher to like this novel, the story very much ties into the meaning of James' philosophy of pragmatism wherein 'truth' is said to be dictated sometimes by the 'facts' and sometimes by 'what we personally need to believe'. So as not to get too philosophical here, I will copy one paragraph from the novel that beautifully explains:

"Until this moment, I had thought true belief to be absolute and beyond one's control, the inevitable expression of one's fundamental knowledge of the workings of the world. Now I saw that we created our beliefs even as we cherished their eternal permanence. All of us are bound up in beliefs which express not only our deepest truths but our deepest needs."

This is very much a part of James (both as a psychologist and a philosopher, James being equally adept at both). Boorstin's goal, in this fantastic but quite engrossing tale, is in part to give us a 'real live shot' of what James' pragmatism looks like in practice through James' very own eyes. The result is a very good novel that will at once entrhall you and capture your philosophic imagination.

We used this book every day - and usually more than once. It is filled with great suggestions and recommendations. We found a few entries "outdated," but that can be expected. The suggestions for which shops to visit in small and large cities I found to be particularly helpful. Best book I have ever bought for travel.

Best Places Alaska is an outstanding travel guide that features only the 'best' restaurants, lodgings, and destinations in Alaska, including guides and outfitters in its lists of recommendations for particular Alaskan regions. An excellent, involving survey of Alaska's best places, Best Places Alaska is a recommended take-along tote.

A fantastic guidebook describing some of the off beat places in Alaska. If you want the true Alaskan experience, get this book. It contains over 200 restaurant and lodging reviews and stories of the 'best' places in Alaska. One of the three must travel books (Milepost, Discovering Denali, and Best Places Alaska) if you are going to the Last Frontier.

When planning our Alaska vacation to celebrate my parent's 50th anniversary, we bought this for them to read (since they don't use the internet). They read it with regards to all the stops on our itinerary for the cruise/land package we were taking and found it tremendously helpful!

I have to admit. I went to Alaska alone without a guidebook. But I had a great time anyway! When I came home, I decided to go back again, but this time with a guidebook. After going through many of the guides, we choose this one, because it was written by people who live and work in Alaska. It's full of practical tips ("Bears and Humans), offbeat trivia ("Chicken"), and subtle information ("Eskimo Etiquette"). From small towns way up north, to the rugged beauty of the Kenai Peninsula, and to the urban fun of Anchorage, this guide covers it all. Read this, and you'll be calling the airlines to book your flight the next week!

As a single mom, finding inexpensive accomodations can make the difference between taking a vacation...or not!! "America's Cheap Sleeps" has been an invaluable resource - saving me not only money..but alot of time looking for a place to stay! I found the information to be accurate and complete, and the added info on pronunciation a welcome plus! Mr. Whitcombe's added knowledge and inclusion of helpful "tid-bits" was greatly appreciated! Thank you, Mr. Whitcombe!

This book has been a great resource in my travels by car. I've been able to find affordable rooms in every city I've visited, from north to south, east to west. The book is easy to use and offers helpful tips on finding accomodations that will not break the bank. America's Cheap Sleeps has saved me a load of money!

I found this book to be a great resource for cities where I don't know anybody. It gave me a place to find affordable accomodations and allowed me to do other activities with the money it saved me by going to large chains. It will come in handy for a long time to come.

Mr. Whitcombe has put together an incredible reference tool that anyone in America, or anyone who wants to visit anywhere in America, should definitely have. After my purchase of his book I took a two day vacation and in those two days I saved myself the cost of his book twice over. I recommend this tool to anyone and everyone, whether a cross-country sight-seer or a casual overnight traveller!

This book is a valuable guide to finding rooms in NYC that are cheap and affordable. It is well laid out, and provides all the information you need to know in order to make a wise choice. I've stayed in several hotels mentioned by the book, and have not been disappointed.

However, the only problem I have with this book is that it is getting dated. The book was published in 2002, which means the info probably was gathered one or two years before that. I recently had the necessity to consult this book in October 2006, and some of the hotels are not as cheap as they were, and some were just plain expensive!! ( and I've been to NYC 9 times in the last 5 years, so I know the avg hotel rates).

So in a nutshell...this book is an excellent starting point, and will probably help you out in finding inexpensive accomodations, bearing in mind that the info on prices are at LEAST 5 years old or more ( as of Jan 1, 2007). If there is a later edition out there, consult that, and if not..there is definite NEED for one!

A great resource for anyone who is planning to visit NYC - or any New Yorker who wants to know more about the affordable hotels in his or her city. Very informative and cleverly written.

Travel writer Lisa Mullenneaux's Sleep Cheap in New York: High-Quality Lodgings at Rock-Bottom Rates is the definitive guide to staying in one of America's greatest cities while on a budget. Filled with handy street maps, it covers a wide variety of affordable places to stay from the American Dream Hostel to the New York Inn to various YMCA. Each affordable hotel has a ratings guide, contact information, and a short, direct description. Sleep Cheap In New York is a core, essential reference to finding reasonable lodgings. If you are planning a budget-restricted trip to the Big Apple, begin your travel planning with a careful, money-saving perusal of Lisa Mullenneaux's Sleep Cheap In New York!

By Bill Marsano. As a native New Yorker and a long-time resident of midtown Manhattan, I'm often asked to recommend a "nice, good, inexpensive" hotel. Bad idea! I live here, and although I do keep a short list in my head, I've never actually stayed at the hotels and know very little about them. After all, nice, good and inexpensive are flexible terms whose definitions vary widely. And since your definition is the only one that counts, don't call me--get a guide. This guide. It's well-organized and thorough, covering not only Manhattan but the 'outer boroughs' (The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and even Staten Island) as well, and it's easy to use. The outer boroughs are especially important. Although most people want to visit Manhattan, it's worth remembering that those 'outer' boroughs are but a few minutes away, in most cases, by bus or subway. OK, from Staten Island you have to take a ferry--but it's a terrific scenic ride, and it's free besides.

Lisa Mullenneaux rates hotels (one to five stars) in categories running from Bare Essentials to Full Services, then proceeds to a helpfully large number of sub-categories: First come value for money, cleanliness, guest services and security. Then she gives you all the dope required for an informed choice: rates; number of rooms (and whether the hotel has private baths or shared baths or both), in-room amenities (TV. hair dryers and such), whether there's an on-premises bar and/or restaurant; hotel parking and the kind of clientele you're likely to run into (tourists, businessmen, etc.). Phone and fax numbers, e-dresses and websites, and cancellation policies are included, as well as any special group discounts (e.g., for AAA and AARP) and wheelchair-accessibility. And after each checklist, Mullenneaux provides a thumbnail description that gives an idea of the 'flavor' of the guest experience.

This is the best coverage of New York's low-cost hotels that I've ever seen--miles better than you'll get by calling the city tourist bureau, for example. A half-hour's perusal of this book will save you money, avoid disappointment and quite possibly be the making of your New York vacation.

My wife and I live in New England and are always looking for somewhere to spend a quiet weekend hiking, fishing, or hunting. The foghorn guide has colorful and accurate reviews of some fantastic cabins and cottages. We've already stayed at a few! Check it out, yo.

My wife and I travel often to New England, and this is a great resource for anyone who wants to see the sights, go foliaging, climb mountains, paddle in a kayak, or just relax near a lake. It has detailed reviews of cottages throughout the region, complete with information geared to specific outdoor interests (canoeing, hiking, etc.).

I am a Los Angeles, CA based resident & traveler who enjoys frequenting the more quaint areas of the world, New England being one of those areas and, incidently, a favorite destination. For the longest time I scoured the book shelves for the quintessential New England travel guide but most often would only come up with the more esoteric titles such as "Famous Haunts of Salem" or "The Spiritual Guide to New England". Finally, a book has arrived that spells out simply and beautifully the information I want and need to know about cabins, resorts and B&Bs throughout the entire region. Kudos to the Foghorn series of guides and to Ericson for designing such a helpful resource. I am very pleased with this discovery!

A important book which all the upcoming hotel owners in India should have in possesion.

Gives a great insight over how what goes where. If you're in the hotel and lodging industry, this is a must have reference for you.

this is a great tool for any new hotelier to have. very informative!

What I especially liked about this book was the author's recommendations for best cabins and cottages for: hiking, fishing, horseback riding, boating, winter sports, families, most unusal, best in desert,best value, most luxurious, best for beach activities, and most seclued. With these recommendations and cabin descriptions we've planned a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a girlfriends retreat, and a star-gazing party with friends. This book is a hit in our household.

Ann Marie Brown's book is beautifully written. It not only gives reviews of quaint out of the way cabins, but is sprinkled with a lot of charming personal observations. Her book is just out, and her review of the one place we stayed at was 'dead on". I would have never found this place without her book!

Carol Schimke's Incredible Inns Of Central America: Lodging In The Bed & Breakfast Tradition is a superbly researched and presented guide for anyone seeking a unique and memorable travel experience while touring or doing business in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, or Nicaragua. Based upon her own personal visits, Schimke provides detailed and honest descriptions of each lodging (including interior and exterior photos); a wide-range of style choices and price levels; lists all amenities, services, rates, payment methods, and contact information; includes helpful tips on making reservations and specific inquiries; as well as website and on-line registration addresses (where applicable). If you are anticipating traveling in these Central American states and looking for the adventure of a life time, begin your travel plans with a careful reading of Schimke's Incredible Inns Of Central America.

From Planeta Journal - This is the first comprehensive collection to the region's small inns which offer lodging in the "Bed and Breakfast" tradition. Brilliantly executed, the book showcases accommodations in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua which offer something distinctly different from traditional hotels. While Central America may not be home to a thriving "B&B Culture," it does have quite a few unique inns. Author Shimke describes the best, providing information on amenities, services, location and the time it took to receive a response via email! Black and white photos compliment the text. Highly recommended!

The listings in this book are Mobil rated which means not only could we find places which accept pets, but they are nice for us humans as well! Best of all, Andrea Arden offers some great advice on teaching your pet to enjoy travel. The resource guides (especially on places to visit with your pet) are an added bonus.

This book gives really useful information in a simple and interesting format. I especially like the tips on places to visit with your pet.

A wonderful, entertaining & thought provoking text.