United States Books

I was laughing so hard reading this that my husband came in to check on me because he thought I was crying.
Having read all 3 of Joe's books, I was inspired to check out his website and find out what he is up to now (he is running Camp Creative to rescue America from the couch).
Cycling will save America, and these books are what will bring the rest of my family (somewhat taken aback by my recent cycling obsession) over to Our Side.
I'd recommend this one for the single cyclist, Metal Cowboy for anyone, and Momentum is Your Friend for the cylist with family.

Joes adventures are fantastic. The story telling is good and I like particular the mix between meeting people, funny situations, and the bicycling itself. That makes the book a great travel book, a great cyclo touring book and, just as important, a real funny book. Highly recommended!

I bought this book about 2 days after starting "Metal Cowboy." Joe Kurmaskie's storytelling makes something so foreign to most of us (bike touring in the extreme) seem so possible. Why not get on a bike and ride to the coast? Why not chase a bagpipe troupe across Ireland? Now, I'm not going to start wearing a "What Would Joe Do?" bracelet or sell my earthly possesions to take his message to the streets, but I am challenged to try something a little outside my everyday existence.

If you love biking adventures you will hate this book. I just rambles about with very little concerning biking of any kind. My trips as a preteen were were more interesting. Also, the author tries to hard to be witty.

[...]

A while back I reviewed Metal Cowboy by Joe Kurmaskie which I thoroughly enjoyed. Joe is an amazing writer with a flair for getting to the best of a situation or person and he always has a way of making me laugh out loud while reading his tales. After finishing Metal Cowboy I immediately went out and picked up the follow-up called Riding Outside the Lines.

In Riding Outside the Lines Joe tends to focus more on his international adventures which made for a nice change of pace coming off of the mostly U.S. centric Metal Cowboy. One line in and I knew I was hooked again. I wouldn't be able to put this book down until I finished it off.

The cast of characters this time around was impressive. I always wonder how he meets such interesting people time and time again. My favorite stories in Riding Outside the Lines took place in Ireland because I had spent a decent amount of time there and backpacked across the country with Laura (I hope to someday ride across Ireland but that's a whole other story).

Joe is a masterful storyteller and this book showcases that talent. His descriptions truly bring the people to life in your mind and you begin to feel like you are there with him every revolution of the pedals. In fact, I call Joe by his first name now as if I we were lifetime friends. It's pretty crazy!

From his run-in with the local lifeguard trainees in New Zealand to the the brush with death in Ireland that lead him to the best impromptu B&B in the country to the mountain biking trip that ends the journey in Mexico Joe shows us what it means to be alive and that people, while they have their problems, are generally good and kind. The book is a great read for cyclists and non-cyclists alike and I guarantee you'll become engrossed in Joe's stories within a page or two.

Needless to say I have since purchased Joe's most recent and third book called Momentum is Your Friend and am eager to read it. In Momentum Joe takes along his two young sons on the journey which should yield some interesting stories.

Why am I not jumping into that book right away you ask? Well, I picked up Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage which I am going to read first. I actually got the name of the book from the chapter in Riding Outside the Lines where Joe nominates people for cycling sainthood. Barbara is one of the nominees and in the paragraph about her Joe calls Miles from Nowhere the cyclists bible. After that kind of recommendation how could I not read it?

Please go check out Metal Cowboy and Riding Outside the Lines when you have a chance. They are top notch reads and will really get you thinking about what you want out of life. Ride on!

Riding With Reagan: From the White House to the Ranch: From the White House to the RanchThis is an excellent book and I enjoyed reading it. It was very well written and interesting reading. Very good book.

I had personal reason to buy this after seeing the author on C-span Book TV since I knew people close to one of those mentioned in the book. Can't say who or how it got to her, but after reading it got a nod and wink. Think you'll do the same.

Barietta lets us into the inner circle outside Reagan's 'kitchen cabinet'. He paints a picture of Reagan that allows one to understand the essence of the man; his connection with the individual, and as such, the people. The author's allegiance to the President does not cloud the reality of the relationship between these two men. Despite the professional connection, Reagan had a way, I summize, to bridge that barrier and maintain a bond that is clear through the author's typewritten words.

This was a wonderful look, and the personal side of a great man. These are truly memorable moments from John Barletta, written in an honest, detailed and interesting manner. Well worth the read.

John Barletta, through his insight and understanding, with a rock-solid foundation of character and integrity, has connected with President Reagan as few others ever have. Reagan's inner-core and genuine goodness, plus our personal contact with him and the guidelines and special bonds we forged with this uncommon man were granted to a few of us who were privileged to spend those rare moments at his side while his core values transferred, as if by osmosis, to our minds and our hearts.

Barletta's view and understanding of Reagan is exceptional and true. His pleasant,easy-to-read, conversational style of writing is reader-friendly and gives the reader a "you are there" "eyewitness" feeling. The author had to come away from each experience with RR feeling more and more as if he were part of Reagan's extended family; an almost brotherly connection for the two of them.

It sure did for a few of us who were there at the beginning of RR's political career, like Edwin Meese III, Wm.P. Clark, Lyn Nofziger and Tom Reed.
What a pleasure NOT having to wade though pages of footnotes and notes to get to the meaning of this remarkable book. Not necessary when the author is intimately aware of his subject, as Barletta is. No nonsense, fabrications or embellishments in this book; just the facts--- beautifully explained. Thanks! Curtis Patrick, author, REAGAN: WHAT WAS HE REALLY LIKE?

Nobody in my family has Down syndrome, but I still found this book to be well written. It is not a how to book, it is simply the experiences of a mother who was surprised at birth with premies, including one premie with Down Syndrome. It is not a happy happy uplifting I'm so grateful for all my blessings book but it is an honest story of the work, the shock, the complicated set of feelings, the processing of said feeling, and the reactions of friends and family. I was left with a determination to keep up with this family and especially darling Avery.

How I wish that the young people I work with could read this book and realize that a child is not a cute toy to dress up, but a human being that may have profound needs, or at any rate special needs, and that they need to build a firmer support system and gain maturity before throwing that B/C away.

PS If you're reading this, former neighbor who shunned the family as if Down is as easy to catch as chicken pox, your cruelty shocks me.

This book took my breath away with its factual, emotional, and honest capturing of the journey through the birth, diagnosis, and early growth of a child with Down syndrome. Groneberg clearly displays the confusion, guilt, exhaustion, fear, and (later) unparalleled joy that the news, 'Your baby has Down syndrome' brings. I hope that all new parents of babies with DS will read this book and find validation, encouragement, and most of all hope as they walk through the initial maze of doctors' offices, therapy appointments and stacks of insurance papers. Groneberg rightly emphasizes that the delights and treasures brought to their family by their son with DS makes it all worth it.

I think this book should be the first thing a parent receives from the hospital, along with the diagnosis of Down syndrome. If it were, so many new parents would be spared some of the misconceptions, confusion, and fear that often accompanies the initial diagnosis. If you are a doctor, family member, or therapist in contact with new parents of babies with DS, please consider giving them this book. It will do them a world of good.

In ROAD MAP TO HOLLAND Jennifer Graf Groneberg reveals a lifetime of lessons learned in a very short time-span. Her message of hope resonates with the joy of her ultimate discovery that one of the greatest gifts she can give her children is to simply teach them how to love. Read this book, read Jennifer's blog, and join in a celebration of a unique family with a mom-writer at the helm who's gracious and generous enough to invite us all along on her ongoing journey of discovery.

This book is wonderful! As a new mom with a son with DS, I cannot express how accurate this book depicts the wide range of emotions, confusion, feelings of being lost and guilt, and most of all love we all feel for our children. This book should be handed out in the hospital before you leave with your child. It would help to ease so much fear and help you understand, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I was in tears so many times through out this book and remember thinking, "YES, that is exactly how I feel/felt!"....HIGHLY recommend to anyone and everyone! If you don't understand DS, read this and educate yourself!! Great book!

I couldn't put this book down.

The author writes about her experience with premature delivery of twins, one of whom is diagnosed with Down syndrome, and the first two years of their life.

This isn't just a story of a mom having to come to terms with that trip to Holland, but an honest mom's story--of balancing the arrival of twins with her preschooler, the affect that her situation had on friendships--both good and bad, her marriage, and her perception of herself as a woman.

This is an excellent book--honest without being morose, uplifting without coming across as saccharine-sweet. A must read for all moms.

For a native San Franciscian, this was a thrilling read. I was shocked on what I learned and it is interesting to see how things change. Strongly recommended.

Some very interesting tidbits here, but as a San Francisco resident I kept asking "what's there now?" It would have been great to include more (brief) history on what happened to the properties after these places were no more, or at least the addresses of the buildings that are there now. Some of this info is there, but it's hit or miss. Also, poor editing is a distraction throughout.

I've got an obsession (of sorts) with obscure San Francisco lore...all the different incarnations of the Cliff House, the rise of "hoodlum" culture in the 1800s, the ups and downs of the Barbary Coast, you name it. That said, "San Francisco's Lost Landmarks" is loaded with stories I've never heard before (waterslides in the Upper Haight? Who'd have thought!), mostly related in a prim, rosy-tinted manner by Mr. Smith. The chapter on the 1939 World's Fair, for instance, is mostly a list of who, what and where with no attempt to convey the excitement and novelty of the event. There's plenty here for any student of SF history to enjoy, but it lacks the seductive you-are-there storytelling of a Herbert Asbury or Luc Sante.

I am a fan of the 1960's coffee table, giant picture book histories of urban America distroyed. Lost New York, Lost Chicago, Lost Boston, and the now hard-to find pre hurricane Katrina, Lost New Orleans had a part in urban historic preservation awareness. Lost San Francisco never existed. And that's too bad. James Smith's book, Lost San Francisco Landmarks is a fine, well written work of local history. It explains San Francisco better than anything I've read. The why of Treasure Island, the tolleration of "civic sexuality" and the over use of quake prone land-fill engineering all get aired. It's A great read. RW Los Angeles.

So many books appear yearly on San Francisco that it's easy to miss one - and San Francisco's Lost Landmarks is not one to miss; it holds riches like few others. Where competitors offer listings of dates and facts, San Francisco's Lost Landmarks uses vintage pictures to blend with history to tell of lost pieces of the past. From the Tivoli Opera House and Gardens to Ralston's failed Grand Hotel, San Francisco's Lost Landmarks is history at its best.

In his book Ed takes us along on his journey to Everest. Along the way, there are lessons to be learned. Mostly about respect. Respect for other people, respect for things that are greater than you and most of all respect for the most precious gift of all... life itself!
His words and photos place you beside him as he faces, and overcomes, his fears .

A superb narrative interspersed with excellent photography.

This is not a book for mountaineers alone, but relays a vivid and descriptive tale of the experiences of life when following a chosen, committed path.

The narrative conveys a real sense of tension and emotion which draws the reader into the story.

Strongly recommend.

What a great book! Ed Webster is a gifted writer with an engaging and powerful story. He is also a gifted photographer who includes fascinating photos of his expeditions and some never published photos from other sources. The foreward and introductions by John Hunt and Tom Hornbein are excellent. The story is uplifting and makes you marvel at the courage and tenacity of humans. I highly recommend this book.

I met Ed Webster on a field trip with my daughter's grade 5 class to DeLorme Map in Yarmouth, ME, home of Eartha, the world's largest rotating globe. He held the class spellbound, especially when he told us of Everest. I bought a copy of SNOW IN THE KINGDOM, and read it into the wee hours, which is saying a lot since I'm not ordinarily a night owl. It was so exciting, I could hardly put it down! But much more than the excitement, I especially appreciated Ed's sensitivity and respect toward peoples of other cultures, keen insight into human nature, and careful explanation of what life is like in the Himalayan regions. Months later, I saw an Omni theater presentation entitled EVEREST at the Boston Museum of Science. I could appreciate it so much more by knowing the names of the people and places from Ed's book. Ed Webster has created a legacy in laboring over a decade on his fine book, for it will enrich the understanding of generations of people. Allow yourself the privilege of being one of them (and visit Ed in person at DeLorme Map in Maine if you get the chance)!

Here's the perfect weekend: a great book, a great subject and the company of great men and women...
Put this on your short list of essential adventure classics: fine writing, wonderful photography (and more of than you'd ever thought possible on a climb of this sort), profound emotion and the ultimate challenge...
I loved this book!
Thank God he survived to tell the tale...

Ian's first song, "Hair of Spun Gold," written when she was not even a teenager, describes a girl who feels that her life is "over and done" by the age of 21. Shortly thereafter Ian wrote her 1960s hit, "Society's Child," a song about the toll taken by prejudice on young romance. With her first album a success, and her second album also on the charts, she spent years concerned about writing a new hit. Then that megahit came in the 1970s with "At Seventeen," a brilliant and moving song that describes the anguish of high school outcasts. Among other lines it refers to girls who "married young and then retired."

Ian's extraordinary autobiography shows that indeed life is not over by the teens, the twenties or the thirties. By being honest to her inner voice and caring about conveying true feelings rather than cliches, she has been a model for artists who are more concerned about the emotional impact of their work rather than wealth or fame. She has shown that creativity continues to flower through seeking new avenues for expression rather by focusing on reliving past glories. The irony of the title of her enjoyable new book is that she mentions in it that she didn't perform the song "Society's Child" for decades to prevent herself from becoming a nostalgia act. And indeed she's never been a nostalgia act, but rather, as her autobiography shows, someone who is always looking for creative new opportunities--this inspiring book being its latest mode of expression.

Like many of the reviewers, I was a big fan of Janis's work from Society's Child to Aftertones, and then I moved on when she moved on from the "melancholy college girl music" that sustained me and my friends during many a Tea and Sympathy filled night at our New England women's college. Janis, a fellow Jersey Girl, has been touring near me for the past couple of years but I haven't had a chance to see her perform; thankfully, I'll be seeing her at my local concert venue in November, so in preparation of that evening I purchased Society's Child.

Janis's memoir is suprisingly candid. She tells it like it was, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, from failed business relationships as well as failed affairs of the heart, to openly discussing her illnesses and financial difficulties and life's disappointments. Her openness and honesty make her all the more admirable, and I suspect many will find her story inspirational and therapeutic. By showing us that she's just as vulnerable as anyone else, she has endeared herself even more (if that's possible) to her legions of fans worldwide.

As with Girls Like Us, the popular biography about Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, and Carol King, one of my favorite aspects of Society's Child was learning the stories behind the songs. Being a non-musician, I naively thought songs were simply plucked from the air; I really enjoyed hearing about the inspiration behind Jesse, Stars, At Seventeen, and many more.

I recently had a conversation with a college music professor. When I asked him who was his favorite female artist of the era--Joni, Carol, or Carly, he smiled and said. "Janis." I replied, "Joplin?" No," he said, still smiling. "Ian." And now I understand why.

I enjoyed reading this book. It comes as no surprise how well-written it is, since Janis Ian has always been a master with words. She shares many physical and emotional hardships that she has overcome during her lifetime and leaves very few unanswered questions.

The photograph section is rather skimpy for a book of this length, and I thought it strange that she did not include a photo of her lover of 19 years. She also said that her "Society's Child" song and other pre-adult earnings were put into a trust fund her mother had access to, but never mentions what happened to those presumably sizable amounts when she was strapped for cash in later years. Probably embezzled by one of her dishonest employees noted in the book.

This book would make for a terrific motion picture, provided the producer and director stick to nothing but the facts.

Janis and I were both 15 when this waif of a girl came on stage in NYC, after being introduced by Murray The K, and, standing alone in the spotlight, sang Society's Child.

We were stunned, and I admit, I had an adolescent crush on Janis for years.

Honestly, along the way, I lost her music, but always felt a kinship to her. Then, when the book came out, I couldn't wait to read it.

I had no idea how much adversity this beautiful woman overcame. I don't want to reveal "spoilers", but, suffice to say, I don't think 4 people could have overcome what this one person has. She walked through hell, and out the exit door. This book should be required reading for today's "instant celebrities" that don't appreciate what they have, and how fast they can lose it all.

I have nothing but respect (and still love her)for her courage and her talent. I am reacquainting myself to her music, and feel like I've found an old friend. I am totally inspired.

The book unfolds, and each chapter tells another story well. It's unreal; just when you think Janis is back on the road to happiness and success, something new detours her journey. Janis learned that success and happiness are not the same, and happiness is not dependent upon success.

PLEASE read this book. Thanks you, Janis, for sharing your innermost feelings, providing inspiration, and for hanging in. As you said, they can take away anything BUT your talent. May the sun shine on you forever.

So- Janis Ian can write books too. Her big talent, though, is living. That she is still even alive to write about her numerous re-tunings in the music world is the amazing part of this story. If you dropped her off in the middle of a desert with nothing, she'd get back before you and have a great song about the experience up and ready to record. This book is a great read. Buy it.

I was in the 173d Signal Co when we went back to Dak To II in Nov 67. I met Dave Brueggmann on a perimeter wire detail. Had all day to get aquainted. He was quiet and one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. A couple weeks later I reported for duty at the LRRP area,, and there was nobody home. I soon found out that they were pulling Dave and his team out of the woods with ropes. Welcome to the LRRPS. I didn't know the author but I went on a mission with Tadina, once, outside Tuy Hoa. He mentions a few familiar names that brought back memories like Arslanian, (wherever you are). I also had the privilege of knowing guys like Rabel, Don Waide, and Sgt ''Rock'' Tremblay. It is difficult to meet people and not use these guys for a Standard of Character. They set an example for me.
It's a very readable book and it gives a '''Non-Carrer'' soldier's version of THE HERD.

Excellent view on how we worked. Bill & John did and great job! Lurp Teams were the "Eyes and Ears of the Commanding General". We had many tense situations. I personally slept with my M16 on my left side, my radio phone on my right ear and my 45 on my chest- finger on the trigger thumb on the safety. Ed Zapata RTO, Team G. Thanks Bill. Never forget you guys, Bill, Dave and Arthur Bell.

Excellent view on how we worked. Bill & John did and great job! Lurp Teams were the "Eyes and Ears of the Commanding General". We had many tense situations. I personally slept with my M16 on my left side, my radio phone on my right ear and my 45 on my chest- finger on the trigger & thumb on the safety. Ed Zapata RTO, Team G. Thanks Bill. Never forget you guys, Bill, Dave and Arthur Bell.

This is the true story of Bill Shanahan and his two tours of duty in Vietnam. Bill and his co-author John Brackin have created a book that gives the reader a fox-hole view on a unique kind of warfare. In Vietnam at this period of time, the Army and the Marines were all engaged in large operations with big units going into battles. Meanwhile, small Ranger units began to play by another set of rules with the enemy forces. They would ambush and engage the enemy where and when they chose. Sometimes the NVA and VC had greater numbers but these silent and invisible killing forces were able to pull success after success.

The authors give the reader some rich imagery through their wording and descriptions. This story is well worth telling and it will inspire and entertain. Bill was a real hero as were the men he fought with in his Ranger unit. I believe that this book gives justice to what they did.

A highly recommended book to read; it is given our Top Rating!

I think that Bill Shanahan's is one of the very best first-hand accounts written about LRRP operations. His verbiage is not egotistical, but it does reflect the confidence with which he and his teammates and others in his unit carried out their very speciallized and unique operations. They were a fine unit and this book gives testimony to their memorable combat achievements as part of "The Herd", the 173rd Airborne Bde. This books ranks right up there with the best of Gary Linderer's series of books and other great combat narratives of the Vietnam War. He puts the reader right out there "in the bush" and explains tactics and actions in a manner even those who did not serve in a LRRP or Ranger unit can readily understand. He tells what his unit did, where they did it, how well, and "lessons learned", all in a very candid way. It is particularly good considering that this is apparently his first book. I hope more are forthcoming from him. I speak from first-hand knowlege as a former LRRP in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. I would highly recommend "Stealth Patrol" for a valued place in anyone's library.

Don't start this book unless you have time to finish it in one sitting. I never expected it to be such a good read, so engrossing and emotional. Because I was only a few miles from part of the May 3rd tornado and have a friend who lost a twin brother in the Woodward tornado I expected to find the typical stories of the death and destruction of those storms contained in one book. How surprised and delighted I was that after a short time of deep attention I learned more than I knew was even out there. I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and have seen the weird destruction within my own hometown (the roof blown off my dad's office with one picture on his desk gone and the other still setting there undisturbed!) Those of us living in "tornado alley" are not terrified by tornadoes but have a healthy respect for them because we know if we pay attention that we can save ourselves. Our kids know how to protect themselves before they even start school. Gary England (who's like kinfolk) always speaks directly to the youngsters, instructing them on what to do if they happen to be alone. We suffer extreme property loss but because of the work of the people depicted in this book the loss of life is minimal. We have family living in other parts of the country and realize how blessed we are here to have the weather forecasting that we do. We know within blocks of where the tornado, or even thunderstorms, will hit as well as when. Now I know the nuts and bolts behind this fantastic gift we have where we need it the most. Thanks to Nancy Mathis who did such deep research in every area of this story and brought it together with her great writing talent. If there's one criticism is that there's a lot of technical material that I found hard to understand but my husband loved it! This is a good book and I'm buying several to pass around to family and friends!

A compellingly detailed narrative that's concisely written and superbly researched. Gives you just enough science and history to make sense of the events, but focuses on the human cost of this extraordinary storm.

I thought the book Storm Warning by Nancy Mathis was outstanding. Besides explaining a lot about the history of tornadoes there is a book background on the late Japanese tornado expert Ted Fujita.

The May 3, 1999 tornado stunned central Oklahoma--but yet, it was not entirely unusual. As I grew up in Norman, Oklahoma (the center of weather research and now home to the National Weather Service), tornadoes were a fact of life. Springtimes in Oklahoma always included the hours spent in front of the television, watching the supercells. Even the non-scientific minds among us learn to grasp the basics of supercells, of the hook echo, of the wall cloud. We are willing to watch the storm on TV until it is within 10 miles of us, and then, and only if it is heading in our direction, will we descend to our storm cellar.

Nancy Mathis has captured the feeling of the springtime in Oklahoma; the awe, the fear, and the respect with which tornadoes are regarded. The book weaves together many stories of common people from this area, people just like any other central Oklahoman. And she compellingly tells the story of how lives are shattered, molded--simply changed by the power of the tornadoes.

The May 3 tornado (the big one--A9) passed within 15 miles of my house; I had been playing golf that afternoon on a course in Moore that was destroyed--in fact, had we played the back 9, we would have been on the course when the twister hit. But the sky looked ominous, with the clouds at different elevations moving different directions--signaling significant wind shear, a factor in tornado formation that Mathis discusses in this book. It was simple stories like this that Mathis used to create the feel of the book.

Mathis captures the history of tornado forecasting and the personalities involved wonderfully. She tells the story of the meteorologists excellently. I believe this book to be the best available at telling the story of the tornado in totality and of the people it impacts. I have just a few quibbles with this book--the occasional instances of strong language (always in quotes) require editing before youngsters can read it. The book is not particularly scientific, and there are no photos or charts explaining the science. That is not the intent of this book. The story is so gripping (and graphic), that some children could have difficulty stomaching it. But this gripping retelling is what makes the book so good--for the story of the tornadoes is so extraordinarily exciting, and the springtime afternoons in Oklahoma so spellbinding, that only a book written in that way can accurately tell the story of the May 3 tornadoes.

I have been hesitant about writing a review for this book because I am very clearly biased. I felt very honored that Nancy Mathis chose to include my daughter in the book. I got to participate in the portion of the book that discussed the people involved in the storm. Those parts were emotional for me to read. I got to see a tiny portion of the research that went into the book and after reading the book, I realize that there was a tremendous amount of research done for the book. I learned a great deal about the history and science of weather forecasting. I also learned about home construction. I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this one.

This is probably the best book that explains what "STORYBOOK STYLE ARCHITECTURE" actually is.

Before I purchased this book, I had a slight idea of what "storybook style" might be, however, after buying this book and seeing the photos, I now know better what this style is all about.

The descriptions in the "Introduction" are very worthwhile because the author attempts to describe where this style came from and how it evolved.

The photos, of course , speak a thousand words, because they actually show what "storybook style" actually is.


Living in Puget Sound, we just don't see too many "storybook style" homes out here, so it was just wonderful to find a book in which this interesting style of architecture was explained and shown (ie: mainly in California).

Although, we do see many "TUDOR STYLE" homes out here in the Northern Pacific Northwest, we do,however, not see any "storybook homes". Thus, it was actually nice to find a book that explains the difference between Tudor and Storybook Architecture.

Formally trained architects may not view this "storybook style" as an architectural style per se, however, the author of this book explains how Hollywood influenced this style greatly, and how eventually it became a "style" that was different from the actual Tudor style. As stated before in my previous statements: photos speak a thousand words.

This book offered plenty of ideas in my restoration and planning process of my tudor home. Great buy for the $$$

Having grown up in Southern California in the 50 and 60's I fell in love with the storybook house and my grand aspiration was to at least live in one if not own one.
My dream almost came true because in the 60's many Orange County houses were built with storybook features; diamond pane windows, shake roofs, cat slides - they weren't as wonderful as the masonary models, but, still fun. Unfortunately, these house were updated with asbestos shingle roofs, the windows were removed for double pane. The character was diminished, but not completely lost. You can still see these houses in Anaheim in the neighborhoods surrounding Disneyland. What a perfect setting for a fairytale style.
And I recommend this book as a nostalgic look back and a real joy to read.

I received this as a Christmas gift and promptly took it to Christmas dinner that night... the entire family enjoyed flipping through the book (and were eager to buy their own copies). Beautiful pictures of unique and gorgeous homes, with some neat historical/factual information to boot. My favorite homestyle. The pictures gave me great ideas for my own cottage home.

A BEAUTIFUL LOOK AT WHIMSICAL HOMES FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART - THE BEST I'VE SEEN ON THE SUBJECT -

I must say that I really enjoy this book. It is well written and provides alot of very good information. It is a good resource book to keep in your RV. I am planning to go full time RVing in the next couple of months and this book helped me to make that important decision. Read and enjoy folks!

We found this book a very valuable resource for planning on our eventual fulltiming phase of life. It is a very easy read, but it also has the information you need. It's very well laid out! Thanks for a great book!

Support Your RV Lifestyle: An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road (Second Edition)
is a wonderful resource -- it's well-written, filled with great information, and is inspirational and encouraging, as well. Jaimie Hall is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her topic. It's obvious that she's a seasoned traveler -- and has been both working on the road and talking to many other RVers who have worked while enjoying their travels.

The book summarizes over 350 jobs (in categories like work at rv parks and resorts, christmas tree farms, state parks and national forest areas, concessions, seasonal jobs, sales of rv related products, crafts, writing and consulting). Details like how to handle resumes, long-distance job interviews, contact information and communication while traveling, and the right questions to ask about jobs are also covered. In addition to the many options it lists, it points out possible problems and challenges one may encounter on the road while trying to find a job or while working.

If you (like us) are thinking about traveling in an RV, this is the book to have in the planning stage -- and I assume it will also be helpful when on the road.
Also check out the author's website and enewsletter.

My husband was intrigued by the idea of full-timing in an RV. This book gives you ideas of working while moving around in your RV. Maybe working a seasonal job in a theme park or with a tour group, on a guest ranch or in a national park appeals to you. Some jobs offer free campsites.
Ultimately I chickened out on the idea, but if you think the open road is for you and want to make some money along the way, be sure to read this book.
It includes a ton of info in the appendix: including contact information for state tourist bureaus, state parks, state revenue offices and state motor vehicle and licensing bureaus and more, plus an additional 32 pages of resources.

Many people who contemplate living the RV lifestyle probably equate it with a leisurely retirement. But what if you combine RVing with a lucrative work life? You may discover that you can hit the road at a younger age and reap more rewards.
Support Your RV Lifestyle spells out in great detail exactly how to live this dream life. Jaimie Hall speaks from her own experience and culls information from a wealth of other sources to create a comprehensive tool for planning to live and work on the road.
Just as you wouldn't set out on a trip without a road map, you would be miles ahead by consulting this guide before embarking on this life journey. There's a lot more to consider than where to park your vehicle each night. Don't assume you'll just "find a job" when you reach your destination. There are many considerations, from tying your marketable skills to a job on the road, to balancing work and fun, to tax implications. Because Ms. Hall is so thorough with her guidance, you will be well-equipped to make decisions about how to combine work with pleasure.
It is likely that some of her 100-plus pages of worksheets and resource lists would assist travelers in general, not only those traveling and working out of an RV. You'll recoup the price of this travel guide many times if you choose to follow its course for living and working on the road