Pacific Books

Gives a very good overview of Hawaii. Tells of the lowest rates ect. Very helpfull

Well written book with lots of details and recommendations. I like the way it is laid out in geographical groupings, not just a long list of one type of attraction then another.

The Fodor's Hawaii and Oahu Trailblazer were excellent mates. Fodors was too heavy to carry around all day so we tore out the pertinent pages and used it for their takes on restaurants and Waikiki. If you're on a budget these books are a must.

We used this on Oahu and the big island. It was indispensable for getting around and finding places. The write-ups were very accurate and helped us find a much nicer hotel when the one we had checked into turned out to be a roach motel.

Along with specialty guides for Hawaii like the Trailblazer series, we use this Gold Hawaii book for things like the spa addresses and the refreshment reviews. We keep it in the back seat and reach for it when we approach the little towns. Thumbing through it always turns up something worth seeing.

The shop reviews and addresses always interesting. Sometimes the storefronts don't have curbside appeal and the book always spurs some interest to go inside.

It could stand for more young family with children stops and more cheap restaurants. That's our only criticism of this otherwise valuable book.

This is a great little book. I love the way it's organized and love that it includes web addresses for everything, as well as days, times, and seasons for events, information on public transportation routes and free parking, etc. I'm traveling a long distance to spend just less than a week in SF on a small budget, and I've got my days entirely planned out because of the information in this book. It's well worth the small expense. When I'm done with my little trip, I'm gifting this book to my son who lives in the Bay Area, and I'm sure he'll use it until it falls apart!

I've grown up in the Bay Area and there are so many things in this book that I've always wanted to do. Now that I know they are FREE I will do them! I'm always looking for fun stuff to do with my 2 young boys and I now have a long list of activities to look forward to (like the SF Firefighter Museum). The book is super easy to use too, which is a bonus since I don't have a lot of time to research things. I'd recommend this book to both visitors and natives.

Troy Corley, the "Free and Frugal Fun Expert" from Corley Guides, publishes a series of pocket travel guides to free fun in major metropolitan areas. Free San Francisco is the newest guide in the series, which also features titles on Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and New York. As a bonus, the California titles also include Thomas Guide map coordinates for all guidebook entries.

Free San Francisco covers not just SF proper, but also Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Marin, The Peninsula, and Wine Country. Attractions by the bay include bridges, public beaches, visitor's centers and landmarks like Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, the Haight, Nob Hill, and the cable car interchanges. Golden Gate Park and Gold Gate National Recreation Area each warrant their own chapter, and with dozens of attractions each, one could spend the better part of a year having fun for free near the Golden Gate. One can imagine spending a few tourist dollars at some of these sites (riding the cable cars, for instance), but it would be possible to enjoy all these landmarks for free.

I recommend Free San Francisco not just for the budget-conscious or family-oriented traveler. This is a must-have guide for locals, too! I know I couldn't take advantage of a fraction of these opportunities during a San Francisco vacation, but fortunately I visit from Southern California, so I can make some repeat trips to take advantage of all the bargains.

As someone who has been criss-crossing the country for six years (see my book Cheap Motels and a Hot Plate: an Economist's Travelogue), I am always looking for good travel guides. This books is one of the best I have seen. It is well-conceived, organized, and written. I had no idea that there were so many great free and cheap things to do in the Bay Area--from concerts, to museums, to art walks, and hikes. I will definitely check out the other books in the series. And I'll be keeping this one, since we are planning to move to Berkeley next year. Michael D. Yates

I have gotten all of these books, Free L.A., Free Orange County... These make perfect gifts, stocking stuffers, or just given on a whim. I got a copy for neighbor who lived in San Francisco for the first part of her career, and who goes back often. And I got another copy for a gal in our office who travels twice year up there to visit family. And, why not, I got one for myself for when I visit the Bay Area. Great concept and well done.

This was a present prior to a trip to Alaska. It is beautifully done.. pictures are magnificent.. subject matter is perfect.. written material is well done. I could not praise it more or recommend it more highly. Even if you are not going to Glacier Bay.. it is a wonderful book to own.

Purchased this book to help prepare me for my first trip to Alaska. The photographs are wonderful. I only hope that I see Alaska as beautifully as the photographer has.

We just came back from kayaking for a week in Glacier Bay and this boook captures the place and the experience beautifully! A "must have" book if you've been there to relive the experience or just to feel like you've been there without leaving home. A great book!

We went to Glacier Bay in August 2001 and I can truthfully say that Mr. Kelley's photo's captured what we saw. We never got as close to the brown bear and we didn't see a hoary marmot, but, hey, we're not professionals and we were just there for a week. The glacier shots are so perfect; just open your freezer, put on some warm clothes, look at those photos and save yourself a few thousand dollars in air-fare, etc.

My family has a summer cabin on the outskirts of Glacier Bay National Park, and I have seen the park from both air and water. The book catches every image of Glacier Bay a human being would ever want to see. Those who view this book and then visit the park might even be disappointed, because the park and landscape is so overwhelming that you often get so caught up in the enormity of the country rather than the small elements that form the picture. Anyways, yes, the pictures are fantastic. But even better are the essays. Sherry Simpson is one of the most over-looked yet talented writers in the modern world. The essays she wrote for this book are truly amazing. For more works by Sherry Simpson, pick up a copy of Alaska magazine sometime, she writes for it, and you MUST read "The Way Winter Comes" which is a collection of Alaska stories that are anything but mundane.

I've been down part of the Colorado from Diamond Creek to Lake Mead but have never had the means or opportunity to see the rest at water's edge. Ed Abbey's text and John Blaustein's photos take me on a vicarious trip that brings back all the excitement of white water and the awsome experience of gazing up and up at the canyon's walls that many only view from the rim. It's a different canyon down there and a river journey allows me to see it all and remember the feel of ancient schist and the plaintive song of the canyon wren. It's a book to read and look at again and again even if you can never visit or revisit the river itself.

As a person how recently did a two week raft trip down the Grand Canyon, I can say that this book visually caputures the essence of the experience! The pictures are wonderful. I have recommended it to my rafting friends as well as some Grand Canyon river guides.

Having done the Colorado in a private raft, The Hidden Canyon absolutely thrilled me - again - as much with its elegant pictures as with Edward Abbey's flat-out-fun narration.

Having rafted the Colorado myself 2 years ago, this was a perfect souvenir-reminder of my trip. The photos in particular are exquisite - some I have no idea how he managed to capture without ending up in the river himself. I lost my Pentax to the very first rapid! This book definitely gives a sense of what the Canyon, the river, and the rapids are like. Makes me want to go back!

I have traveled through the Grand Canyon many times, both on the river and on the trails. John Blaustein has not only been able to capture the beauty of the canyon but also the soul of the river it contains. Abbey's journal is a fine compliment to the pulchritude of the pictures.

Every once and awhile a reader is forturnate to come by a book that might seem uninteresting but upon reading it finds it to be one of the best books ever. Such is HOLDING STONE HANDS which I bought several years back from University of Nebraska as one of their sale books. Turned out to have been one of the wiser buys of my time.

One of the very first things that struck me as I began this book was the flat out courage it would take to do what the author has done. Leave home, leave safety, walk upwards of 1500 miles, live, eat, and sleep out of doors much of the time. Another thing that quickly came to me was the interest people, mostly Cheyenne, still held for this historical happening. And they wanted to aid the author in his quest.

I have read some on this subject but things such as the Northern Cheyenne life coming to an abrupt end in December, 1876, was a surprise. Also that Lone Wolf's name was not that but 'Lone Coyote', or that Dull Knife's name was not that but 'Morning Star'. Also that both of these heroic and historic personages of the Northern Cheyenne, each in his own way, ended life mostly an outcast. Remembered today, yes, but only in a tempered way. Many still find fault with some decisions Dull Knife made. And with Lone Wolf murdering a fellow tribesman, his later life of blindness and isolation had to be very unrewarding.

No matter the reason for reading this wonderful book, a reader has struck a true classic of western history. And the main thrust of the book goes beyond history to be one of mission and people. Great reading as usual from University of Nebraska Press.

Semper Fi.

As my title states, this is a very powerful book. Mr. Boye walked the trail that the Cheyennes travelled in their tragic journey to get back home (from Oklahoma to Montana). Along the way the author meets up with two Cheyenne men who travel with him for the better part of the journey. When they leave he meets a mid-20s Japanese man who travels with him for a while. Why is this Japanese man touring the American West? Read the book to find out. Despite my praise for this book, my rating is a 4.5 out of 5. Why? I will give two examples (not that there are many more):
1 - On p. 225 he states that hundreds of Indians were killed at the Battle of the Blue Water (the number was about 86 and his own source--Utley, Frontiersmen in Blue--states 85).
2 - Following Little Wolf's capture his followers shortly after became scouts for General Miles to fight the Sioux. Boye only mentions his surrender. He should have gone on to include this important detail.

Having said that, the book is still a very good read and I really enjoyed his journey and his dramatic retelling of the Cheyennes' escape from Fort Robinson. I would like to know more about the film made by some Cheyenne's as mentioned in the book. Final verdict: Recommended.

I'm not much for history as it is taught in our schools, but this book is great. It is a perfect blend of history, present day (in the form of the author's trip), and thoughts and stories from the author's personal life.

I recommend this tome to anyone that likes travel stories. Especially if you dont know, or want to know more about, the Cheyenne Exodus. Expensive, but worth the money.

This is a story of heartache and strength, of hope and struggle...it is the story of a man's love of the land and a people's fight to keep their homeland. Boye is a gifted and talented writer whose words flow as he leads us from page to page, back into the past and then gently into the present. He is a writer that truly cares about his story and the people that inhabit it. He opens his heart and the words come tumbling out. A wonderful MUST READ for all nature lovers and history buffs.

This is a magical walk through a dark time in American History...Alan's own experiences are so materfully intertwined with history on this voyage, the past truly comes alive as you feel every step and face every fear. With each step, with every encounter along the way, you can feel the ghosts of the Cheyenne people walking in your own shadow. Make no mistake, HOLDING STONE HANDS is a Masterpiece...you'll feel the pain of endless walking, the anger for what the Cheyenne people were forced to endure, and the sorrow for the pointless death as they tried to make their way to the only land they would ever call home.

When people analyze the life of a soon-to-be saint, such as Damien, it's not uncommon for them to gloss over any imperfections. This book, thankfully, doesn't do that. What it does do is show you a very human man, not an intellectual, not the star of his religious community or even his family, but a very devoted man who made an incredible difference in the lives of so many who others wouldn't even touch. Read it.

I visited the leper colony on the island of Molokai, the villages of Kalawao and Kalaupapa last March and this book was recommended to me. I picked it up from a gift shop there as I went round visiting the sites of Fr Damien's enormous and extensive ministry. I also heard from the tour guides, stories of the zeal and dedication with which he ministered to the ill-fated leprosy patients. I also knew about him from other sources.

The book is a wonderful read. It brings to the light of the world a rather obscure life of a Catholic priest who belonged to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts Fathers and worked in the mission of Hawaii. His devotion and dedication to the ministry in favor of the lepers and his eventual martyrdom as a leper seemed to have moved this non-Catholic writer to go into detailed research and strenuous investigation to bring out such a classic work on the subject. Gavan Daws does not idealize Fr Damien's life or make him a superman. According to him Fr Damien was an ordinary man, a priest with his own frailties and flaws, at the same time a hero and a martyr worthy to be called `holy.' The book in fact, is more than a mere biography of the leper priest. A lot of research and study has gone into the writing of this book which is a story of leprosy in the Hawaiian islands, a history of the Church in the second half of the nineteenth century, besides being the life of a saint-to-be. I hope that the book will inspire ordinary people to make deep personal commitments and fulfill them with extraordinary devotion and fervor.

This is a wonderful book for anyone who is curious about Father Damien of Molokai. It is comprehensive, non-religious, and thoroughly satisfying book. Gavan Daws did a great job describing Father Damien, his negative as well his positive attributes. The book is very well written, very well structured. It includes actual photos of key players at that time and drawings of the Kalawao settlement. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. This one is a keeper.

Very interesting, and informative on the times that the event was occuring in the Hawaiian islands. The story kept focused, and was very easy to read and keep up with.

"Holy Man" is undoubtedly the finest and most scholarly work to date on this topic. Prior to Daws' work, the overwhelming majority of books on this topic have been somewhat biased as they were produced by Catholic clergy and lay writers. Daws has brought the secular historian's skill to this subject and has produced a truly balanced account of the life and work of Father Joseph DeVeuster. Only a visit to the Molokai, Hawaii, settlements of Kalawao and Kalaupapa will provide the reader with a more detailed account of Father Damian's life and work among the lepers of Molokai. Father Daimian was beautified in 1993. A church inquiry is underway to determine whether or not this "Holy Man" should be made a Catholic saint. "Holy Man" is required reading for anyone even marginally interested in Hawaiian history. In the short period of time this work has been in print, it has become required reading for all students of Hawaiian History, American approaches to chronic and incurable disease and Catholic doctrine pertaining to leprosy and lepers. Daws has written a masterful account of the life and works of this important nineteenth century Catholic clergyman. "Holy Man" is the definitive work on Father Damian and is likely to remain so well into the next century. Father Damian was buried on the island of Molokai until earlier this century when his remains were exhumed and re-interred in his home of Louvain, Belgium. Today, only his hand remains buried on the island of Molokai. The hand is widely regarded as a religious relic.

I ordered this book because I loved the first edition so much and I needed updated information on the restaurants. When I received it, I tossed my first edition. That was a mistake. This new book doesn't have as many of the classics, it doesn't have a list of late-night and all-night places, and its writers are trying to be hip in the places they review at the expense of practicality. I hope they go back to their roots on the 4th edition. Until then, buy a used copy of the first edition.

If you live in L.A. or are going to visit this is a must have guide.

I picked up this book after the color caught my eye, and it has come in handy much more than expected! It's got some great places that I would never have found on my own. The reviews give all the info you'd need before deciding on a place to eat, and although it doesnt cover EVERY restaurant in the city like Zagat, it gives good suggestions for every neighborhood. I highly reccommend it.

I love LA and I love these books. They're quirky, fun, and really really honest. I couldn't wait for the new edition to come out and was just about to eamil the publishers when I saw that this came out. Since I am (or try to be) a vegetarian, this book's the best yet because it has a huge selection of veggie friendly/vegan places. It also seems like they expanded their coverage of the beaches and westerly areas.

I loved the earlier editions of this food guide when I lived in the city, but now that I'm down at the beach, the older versions just didn't cut it--so I e-mailed the editors and the listened. The new Hungry?, which I just picked up today, has a TON of listings for the beaches, south bay and Torrance area which, unfortunately, I now must frequent. This book is a total must if you live in LA--forget the other guides!

This book has beautiful pictures and really interesting insights on what the best trails are. We loved the ones we chose based on the guide. It worked perfectly for us during our two-day trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

I loved this book. Superbly written and full of interesting facts and history. I have been to Joshua about 4-5 times and absolutely love it, and now armed with this book I am looking forward to going back. Great pictures, narrative and real life experiences make this book a must have!

An excellent book with great photographs. It is organized very well. The author's love of the park comes through and is very inspiring.

The book provides great ideas for trips within the park for any user. I spent 5 days climbing in JTree but enjoyed finding out from the book what the Joshua tree actually is and going on a hike to see some petroglyphs. The photographs are very vivid and the campground maps are very useful (although an overall map with the campground locations would be useful too).

This book is it. As an avid hiker, camper, and all around outdoorsman, I've used a lot of different guides, but this one takes it. Between the photos, the extra chapters on local history, ecology etc., not to mention one of the easiest to use trail guides I've seen, I'm set on Destination Press as my guide of choice. Mr. Kaiser has made my outdoor adventures that much more enjoyable.

A friend lent us this book. Other reviews here convey the flavor. Both of my (precocious) kids devoured it, and then so did I. Now we are anxious for a sequel.

Andy Clay is forced to leave his home and family in Alabama when he is involved in an accidental killing while interceding for a slave. On his journey to Memphis he meets Cloris, a runaway who first saves his life, and then becomes his best friend. They save George from evil men on the river, and Andy, Cloris, and George come together as new sort of family working and traveling together. This book is written in such a descriptive way that vivid mental pictures are formed and the actions of the characters are visualized by the reader. The adventures of Andy, Cloris, and George as they travel across the country in an effort to reach California are so exciting and the characters they meet are so real that I couldn't put the book down, and finished it in a day.
This is a great book for all ages. I liked "spending time" with these 3 characters so much I hope there is a sequel!

Although this novel is described as a "coming-of-age" novel, its appeal goes beyond that for just young adults. As an adult, I found the book engrossing and quite well written. I was particularly impressed with the research (historically and geographically) that Mr. Crawford has obviously done in order to provide authenticity. I would fully recommend "The Journeyers" to any adult- young or old.

A fast paced story loaded with surprises. I had a hard time putting it down and, after turning the last page, the characters still linger. Whether you love them or hate them, you won't easily forget them.

The Journeyers jumps quickly to its inciting incident- Andy Clay, the 15-year-old protagonist/hero, intercedes to protect a slave from a cruel beating and accidentally murders the son of the slaveowner. To avoid being arrested and executed, Andy must flee his home in Alabama. This novel is a coming-of-age story, a slice of American history, and an exciting adventure story. Young Andy travels across the U. S. and finds friends, including Cloris, a young runaway girl. After many narrow escapes and varied encounters, Clay and his cohorts finally arrive in California with dreams of finding gold. The question always pulsing in the back of the adventure: Will this boy ever be reunited with his family?

The Journeyers is full of rich detail, finely-tuned dialogue, and fully embodied characters. With a nimble pace and flawless timing, it's almost impossible to put down. A wonderful read for teens and for adults.

I bought this book to help us decide if Las Vegas could be a family vacation destination. After reading it, I see that most of Vegas is for adults only. However, if you end up with your children in Vegas and need to entertain them, this book is priceless! It exhaustingly covers every nook and cranny of kid-accessible entertainment in and around the greater Las Vegas area. This is invaluable information written by a long-time Vegas resident and experienced mom.

Whoever this lady is, she saved our trip! My wife found this book online while we were planning a long weekend trip to Las Vegas. We thought we would figure out the kids entertainment plans when we got there, but this book did ALL the legwork for us. She has a light hearted writing style, but she obviously knows "her" town!
Ms.Espin, my children thank you, my wife thanks you, and my WALLET thanks you! (Now, can you teach me how to win at poker?)

Las Vegas and kids? Yes, it is possible to bring your children to Sin City and find a good time is had by all - thanks to Kathy Espin. With the glut of gaming books, mob tales and Elvis stories it is a delightful treat to find something that offers a fresh twist! As a long-time resident, I was happily surprised to learn that even us old Vegas 'Hound Dogs' can still learn a new trick or two!

Let me start of by saying I am not much of a reader, but when I received a copy of this book I was moved. The honesty in this book and the references are on point. I have gone to many of these places myself and done a lot of the things said in this book and they are just like kathy said they were. I find this book a good reference when I am bored and have nothing better to do. It also helped me when I had company and didn't know what to do with them. I took them to a few places that the book said to and then I gave them the book and they just had a blast. I recommend this to everybody even the locals who think they know everything about this town(I used to be one of them) its so informational that its kind of mind blowing that kathy took her time to study and find all of these places. Thank you kathy for a wonderful book and I hope there are many more to come.

As a single mother of 3 adolescent kids, this book was a godsend! I was able to find all kinds of fun things for them to do while I was enjoying myself in Las Vegas. I love the organization of the book and all the "local" tips. It is apparent that the author is a long-time resident of Las Vegas and that she has kids herself. The suggested activities are fun and wholesome, which I was worried about. I didn't know if there would be "wholesome" things for my kids to do in Las Vegas until I read this book! Thanks Ms. Espin for all the advice!