Travel Books

After reading many titles and authors dealing with strange phenonema Jim Brandon is one of the rare authors who actually makes sense of all these strange goings on - on this planet. This book is a detailed, state by state listing of some of the weirdest places and occurances in North America. Jim Brandon writes with hunour and with an open mind. If you've read the reviews above they mention that copies are stolen frequently from libraries. There is a reason for that. It a rare and wonderful book. Its strange that it hasn't been reprinted. Used copies go for over [$]US. Maybe there's a conspiracy afoot.

This book should be required reading for school kids except that it might create a generation with open minds. If you can afford the money to buy a used copy, follow it up with "The Rebirth Of Pan" if you can find it. That book tells more about specific sites. If you've done a search for this book and want more try: Loren Coleman, John A Keel, or Salvatore M Trento. But do a search for Sourcebook Project on the web first. You'll thank me later.

There is an alternative to this reality and you'll find that it overlaps at many of the points Brandon sites in this beautiful book.

Good luck.

A book about Forteana and other oddities has to be good to appreciate in value like that.
Most have lame stories that are borrowed from other books of the strange. This is much better than that. You will see what and where, and when you get there, the thing is there.
Unfortunately, I lost my copy when I loaned it to somebody. This is mitigated by the the fact he owns a somewhat misplaced gold mine. Been there. But I digress.
The book is a classic about Forteana and things unexplained. Get it if you can.

I borrowed this book from the library 15 or 20 years ago and still remember how good and how unique it was. Wanted to borrow it again, and it had been stolen. Figures that it's out of print.

I bought this book in the 70's due to my interest in unusual places and happenings. What a goldmine! I still posess this wonderful road map to the weird and highly recommend anyone with a mistrust of reality to pick up this gem, if you should be so fortunate to run across it. It covers the gambit from bigfoot to big mounds, giving directions and advice on how to reach the location of some of our country's strangest places and/or happenings. Jim Brandon, where is our sequel to your amusing and fascinating book? Now, there's a mystery...

If you ever get a chance to read this book, you will find it amazing. I went on a trek in 1993 to follow up on some of the listings and I had a great time across three states. Some things have changed, of course, in the intervening years. The strange beehive structures that used to sit on public land in Arizona are no longer available to the public because someone bought that parcel and named it "Beehive Ranch." Still, the photos alone are worth the cost of the book...

If you live, have lived or plan to live in North or South Carolina you have to read this book. I was amazed at the subjects in the book. I had heard of and had seem many of the weird items but that did not distract from the book. It actually enhanced my enjoyement of the book. What supprized me was I never considered the items I had seen or heard of as weird until I read the book and thought "yea that would be weird".

I have purchase this as well as the "Weird USA" book and love them both. The author's theory on "every small town has a tale" is so true and it is neat to see them in print. I plan on buying more of the "Weird...." books.

This bok gives you awesome places to visit when traveling through the Carolinas. Great history and awesome pics.

This is a great book with some very interesting finds in it. Well worth reading.

Excellent, just like all the others. If this is your interest, you won't be disinterested just enjoying your book. Splendid!

This is a great walk down memory lane. When I was a kid in the fifties and sixties, Wildwood was my favorite place on earth. I remember the Toonerville Trolley, Mack's Pizza, Laura's Fudge, the Jack Rabbit and Mr. D's. I remember checking out the waitresses at Pierre's on the boardwalk after working my own shift at Kelly's Cafe. This book is rich in memories and a good historical piece. I have lived in Hawaii for almost two decades and I love to tell folks here about the Wildwood palm trees that you unscrew in September and put away for the winter. Great reading!

This is a wonderful book detailing the history of this seaside resort. A MUST for anyone interested in this New Jersey area. Reading this book will bring back great memories for anyone who has ever vacationed here.

This is a nice addition to your collection if you have any interest at all in the history of 5 Mile Beach. Nicely written, though a bit redundant at times, "Wildwood by the Sea" begins in the late 1800's, before paved roads were common, to the late 1990's, where huge roller coasters and monstrous resort hotels dot the skyline. The book doesn't delve very deeply into the local political scene, giving a view from the eyes of the business owner instead. Some of these men were entertainment visionaries (such as Gilbert Blaker and William Hunt), and had to deal with competiton from other cities, bad weather, and frequent fires. The roller-coasters that sprang up along the boardwalk closely mirrored the up-and-downs of the local economy.
There are plenty of excellent and fascinating photographs from the island's early years, and it's fun to contrast those photos with the modern ones from the early 1990's.

Wildwood holds a special place in the hearts of many people (like myself) who spent a good portion of their childhood there. If you have fond memories of the place, grab this book if you can, it's really hard to find these days...but you can if you look hard enough!

For anyone who can remember things like the "Hell Hole", the Pirate ship on Hunt's Peir,the "Oliver Fox Men's clothing store,the cam car screaming all night"Watch the car please", Oliver Fox playing his clarinet with the other Swing Band members on the Boardwalk Bandstand,the Boardwalk Majic & Trick shop, the "Ocean Court Motel across from the tennis courts(and their super cheap rates) and of course Mack's Pizza Shops this book is a must! I bought this great volume at the Boardwalk Bookstore several years ago just to have the memories. Back in the early 60s my family would never dream of going anywhere else once we went to Wildwood.Even living in Baltimore,Md our Ocean City didn't have a chance against all that the Wildwoods had to offer and for anyone who grew up walking those long sandy beaches like I did know exactly what I'm talking about. This book is a must for folks like me who enjoyed it when we were kids and now take our children and grandchildren as so they also can start their own memories!
"Enjoy" Joe Kopeck

I have been going to Wildwood every summer since I was a young kid, and it is one of my favorite places in the world (since I was born in Jersey). Recently, I realized that I knew very little about the history of the resort I love so much, and so I decided to buy this book and find out the details. This book is expensive, but I highly recommend it. It thoroughly details Wildwood's history, from its 1890's beginnings through the present day. Now, some people might think 'Oh, it's a historical book, so it must be boring,' but this book holds your attention. It was written in an incredibly good way, and has plently of picutes and illustrations in it, so that you know exactly what the author is talking about. None of it is boring, it has great details about everything you could ever want to know about the Wildwoods, and it covers everything from the beach to the Boardwalk. So, if you love Wildwood and want to know a little more about its history, read this book. It is expensive, but is worth every penny!

I love this book! My son loves trains, and is forever figuring out how to postpone the moment when he must finally close his eyes and go to sleep. This book explains that you just can't get to tommorrow, unless you will close your eyes and board the night train. Great Concept, Great Pictures.

With a son named William who loves trains, I couldn't pass this up. I love the illustrations. The story is cute.

My son adores trains, but you don't need to be a train lover to enjoy this beautifully illustrated book about William's journey to tomorrow. My husband and I are always thrilled when he selects this one because it is such a joy to read and look at. The illustrations are gorgeous. The story is fun and simple. My son frequently shouts out, "All daboard! All daboard de night train!". I highly recommend this book.

My 3yr old received this for his birthday a couple of weeks ago and it is THE favorite for both bedtime and naptime. He loves this story and night after night asks the same questions about William and his mama. And just this week he decided to "read" it to me. But the sweetest part of the story in my opinion, is when William's mama finally gets him to calm down and he is lulled to sleep by her heartbeat. Listening to each others heartbeat has added another bonding moment for my son and I as he rides his own night train to tomorrow.

We got this book because of the title; my son shares the main character's name. So for that alone, we loved it.

The pictures are lovely and have lots of the kind of small details you can use to engage a child in a book. And the rhyme scheme, while not entirely consistent, has a very train-like quality to it. Read aloud, your voice falls into the pattern of an accellerating steam train, with the lines getting longer as the train moves faster. It's not completely consistent, but it carries the train motif into the very sound of the words of the story. This 'choo-choo' ness is not just in the meter, but in the consonants of the words themselves; I found it was a fun book to read for that reason.

This was a bedtime favorite for months, and not just because my son thought it was about him. The comforting rhythm and gradually hushing sounds of it drew him to it again and again.

If you're interested in history, specifically of places you go everyday and you live in Los Angeles, this is a must read. Yes, it gets heavy with details, but that's the fun of it. To read about Wilshire Blvd. when it was nothing more than a kind of paved route to the ocean, it's amazing and nearly incomphrensible. The one thing that did it for me, and again, this with only make sense if you know the area: an aerial period picture of the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and Wilshire. Nothing going on 'cept a RACETRACK. Seriously.

This is a well researched and perfectly realized tribute to one of the great American thoroughfairs. The progress and history of Wilshire is tracked from its inseption right up to present day. There is no doubt that the author has a real love for the history and a respect for the singular importance this boulevard had and has to the city of Angels. The text is articulate and thorough and the images are crisp and well presented. If you have any interest in the history of Los Angeles, or great boulevards, or just great books in general, then i cannot conceive of you not being pleased with this purchase. Highly recommended.

If your interested in the history and development of Wilshire Blvd, this is the book to own. Fantastic pictures, I have a hard time just putting the book down. Buy it, you wont be dissapointed!

Before I bought it, I did not expect this book to be worth the money. But this is SIMPLY one of the BEST LA history books I've EVER read! I read the 200 pages cover to cover in no time! The authors put tremendous effort in covering the history of all parts of the Boulevard. The book tells histories of the people behind the real estate deals and the landmark buildings built. This is a mountain of research well presented! And the excellent photos can't be beat!

The authors have produced a grand tale about one of the great streets of Los Angeles. Replete with numerous photographs that capture its storied history. The narrative is comprehensive. Famous personages liberally walk across the pages. Gaylord Wilshire himself, of course and firstly. Then we later see General Otis, Tallulah Bankhead, Earle C Anthony, Hancock, Ansel Adams, Ralph Parsons, Morgan Hunt, Upton Sinclair, and many more.

You get a feel for how Los Angeles grew to a world class city. With Wilshire Blvd at its core. Ah, reading the book might inspire you to see the street for yourself. One easy way when you are in LA is to take the bus 20 (or the express bus 720) from downtown. It travels along much of Wilshire. Avoiding only a few blocks in downtown. Riding the bus will give you time to savour much of the architecture described in the book. Without having to worry about the driving, which can be pretty hectic. The street is often rather congested.

So, I asked a sort of pen pal of mine who lives in Scotland what people there think of my country and she recommended I check out Xenophobe's. There happened to be one more specific based on geography though so I bought this one instead. Now my friend told me that, more or less, the US is far below her and her cohorts favorite country ... big surprise. That should have set the mood for what to expect when I got to finally read this book, however, I was expecting something a bit detailed and factual, perhaps even a few hundred pages thicker. My expectations set the stage for the disappointment I got after I read Xenophobe's.

Yes, it is written by a native californian who has traveled more extensively within this state than I have. No, he does not speak very highly of my/our homeland. Yes, it is what I should have expected to read after getting the recommendation from a girl who thinks along the same lines as the author of Xenophobe's - that is to say that Californians are, in fact, the stereotype that everybody thinks we are. In that respect the book succeeds.

Perhaps it is just me but throughout this book the author seemed to be focusing either far more than would be prudent on Los Angeles or succumbing to the average stereo-typical perception of what Californians are like. Almost during the entire course of reading it felt like he was writing about a land completely foreign to the one I know. To make it worst, there were constant contradictions. If that wasn't bad enough he used words like all, most, and entirely far to frequently, and, without giving near enough reasons for the readers to want to believe him.

A good book if you want to read what outsiders think of California.

A moderately okay book if you would like to read about the dramatized and overly publicized California.

A terrible book if you would like to read about what California is like for those Californians who aren't drug induced idiots, gang bangers, movie moguls and their disciples, or who just don't live in Los Angeles.

If this is what all of the Xenophobe books are like then I don't see much benefit in reading them. Good day sir!

This 60+ page guide to the Californians is a delight! A unique combination of witty, tongue-in-cheek comments and factual information about California culture, history and geography makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to natives and foreigners alike!

I began reading this book on my lunch break at work -- laughing out loud from the start! After work, I read it while walking to my car and while stopped at traffic lights on the drive home. Now, if that isn't a ringing endorsement! I've been to the Golden State a few times and I can vouch that the author describes Californians to a "T". This is a witty and insightful book that will be enjoyed even if you have no plans to visit. It's a lot of fun, give it a read!

I am a Californian, and I loved this little book that is filled with fact and wit that had me laughing out loud. The character differences between the Northern and Southern Californians were hilarious. All of the stereotypes of the golden state were well illustrated. This is a great gift for every Californian, those who visit California, or anyone who would just like a few laughs.

Wow!! California has been analyzed and humorized in this delightful book that will keep you laughing from beginning to end. Mr. Marais doesn't miss a beat as he rattles off one quip after another about this culture of characters that even Hollywood couldn't dream up! From pampered pooches to personal growth weekends, from smog alerts to freeway traffic jams, California has set itself up for this author's hilarious take on the "sunshine state". Enjoy!!

This is a great source for Yosemite Big Walls. It provides valuable information including strategies, ratings with relative comparisons to other big wall routes, approaches, precise topos, optimum belays and bivy locations, pitch-linking possibilities, weather/seasonal factors, and descent routes. For those interested in Yosemite Big Wall history, there is a section devoted to the pioneers of Yosemite Big Wall climbing that is quite interesting. All in all, a great book for Yosemite's Big Walls. Thumbs up!!

Yosemite's best in painstaking detail -- a truly outstnading resource !

These topos are the best on the planet!

They are so detailed they allowed me to relive most of the hard or akward sections on the wall, occasionally even describing a single move. With the supertopos you can be ultimately prepared, as they include to what extent "clean routes" depend on fixed gear and what to bring if some of it rips out.

Real wall-rats/purists might feel that it removes some of the adventure, but then again you don't have to read everything and there is still plenty adventure left. Also the stories of the first ascents and histories of the climbs make it the ultimate guide, and even a good read.

Reading it got me so psyched up that I can hardly wait for my next "Big Wall" trip.

I can only hope that the other supertopos (e.g. free climbs) will be just as good.

This is hands down the best climbing guide I have ever purchased. Not only does McNamara replace the ambiguous beta from past books with straight-up ratings and tips, he also provides entertaining history and profiles to get you psyched. I also recommend "The Road to The Nose" book that Chris sells on his site ...

This book sets new standards for climbing guides. The production values are superb, and the information contained detailed and informative. If you're even thinking of climbing a big wall in Yosemite, buy this book. If you're a guidebook author, or thinking of becoming one, buy this and imitate it.

I took this book on my trip to the Yucatan, and it proved to be an absolute gem. The itemized, unreadable lists of hotels, restaurants, and sights that comprise most of the other guide books here are kept to a reasonable length. Instead, there is vivid -- and very readable -- prose, organized logically. What you can see by driving down southward along the Mayan Riviera, with histories of the region, histories of every little town. It's all put in context, like a novel. The detailed walkthrough of Chichen Itza made me a bigger expert on Mayan history, architecture etc. than the guide we hired. Overall, I highly recommend it!

This book is jam packed with in-depth information about the Yucatan including a full chapter on the Maya, another chapter on the history of the region, on top of all the important travel-related information that you usually see in travel books. I have a few books on the region and I think this is one of the best!

I have just returned from a two week driving vacation that visited 23 Mayan ruins and several museums and cities between Cancun and San Cristobal de Las Casas. I used it for hotel reservations as well as Mayan site and city visits and found it to be excellent, much better than the Moon guide or the Kelly guides to ruins. It let me down only once, in Cuidad de Carmen, where it had no map of the city, and its hotel recommendations were incomplete and misleading. Otherwise it was accurate and up to date. I recommend it highly to travelers who want comfort but not luxury, and who like to travel fast and intensively.

I spent 3 weeks in the Yucatan this fall and this book helped make my trip very enjoyable. I traveled to Merida, campeche, cozmel, cancun, plus many of the ruin sites and this book proved to be an acurate and reliable friend! If you like to travel on your own and seek out those outta the way places this is the book for you. I also enjoyed "Tourist in the Yucatan" fun thriller adventure novel set in the yucatan.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of praise, with one very small caveat. Comprehensive, in-depth, great historical background to put everything in perspective. We traveled with this and the Lonely Planet, but eventually just left the Lonely Planet in the car at all the sites, as Nick covered things so much better. But this is starting to get a bit out of date - published in 2002, so much of the info is now 4 years old. While there was more practical information (restuarants, hotels, etc.) here than I expected, it's worth the few extra bucks to get another, more updated guidebook as well.

This unique book examines the human and psychic history of the Greeks by following the trail of its ever-evolving chief deity through the dark passages of history. It shows how a wide range of factors, - political, geographical, etc. - influenced the Greeks and their twisting mythical narratives. Not only does the book make sense of the sprawling but compelling cosmos of the Olympians, it also provides an insight into human consciousness, struggling to make sense out of a cruel yet wonderful world. What exactly these gods meant to the Greeks is still hidden in ancient ruins, but reading this book is like walking through those ruins and having everything come to life. Simultaneously scholarly and fun, clear, and full of mystery - Great book.

I expected it to be a bit dry, but after the first chapter, I found I could not put it down, and read it cover to cover in one night.

This book is a genuine gem! In its unabashed enthusiasm, it reminds me of David Hendon's Guide to Biblical Coins and its great to see an author so happily entrenched in a topic and so able to spread his infectious excitement for it.

Yes, on one level this is the story of the birth, life and ultimate death of a God. But along the way, we learn something about the people who worshiped him and why.

In the beginning Zeus wasn't even worhshiped in Greece. He was only brought there when invaders imposed him on the local people as a deified object of their superiority. In this respect, the story was kind of reminiscent of what happened in India when the idea of reincarnation was given to the locals as a salve for their resulting serfdom.

Over time, Zeus' trysts reflected the various ways in which other Greek peoples were knitted into the story. In this respect the Zeus myth was reminiscent of the Old Testament stories of Abraham and Sarah and their various relatives were related to each other (with a strong emphasis on the children of Jacob who came to be known as Israel).

And in time Zeus came to be snuffed out by new God and another religion.

Along the way, certain parts of the story are infused with such native flavor that I could almost taste the spinach cheese pie.

Everybody loves a good fairy tale, but as you get older you may feel silly reading "Cinderella" or "Hansel and Gretel". Thank goodness for the Ancient Greeks; their mythology stories are the perfect fairy tales for adults. There's plenty of double-crossing, emotional outbursts, sex, violence and jealousy, and you get the added benefit of learning about classical civilization while you read these soap-opera stories. In "Zeus: a journey through Greece in the footsteps of a god", author Tom Stone manages to blend these wonderful mythological tales with a travelogue of Greece. Since the stories that comprise Greek mythology are so numerous, with so many characters, Stone focuses his book on the tales involving Zeus, the most powerful of the gods. He also does a wonderful job of presenting the stories in a somewhat chronological order (time being a fuzzy thing when talking about mythological events), beginning with Zeus's early years and his struggles against his own father Kronos. Stone also weaves in the various ups and downs of Greece, conflicts with her Aegean neighbors, changes in Grecian society and the growing influence of monotheistic religions. A timeline, a map and a ton of endnotes helps round out this really engaging look at Ancient Greece. It's a wonderful read for anyone who likes Edith Hamilton (mythology), Simon Schama (history) or Peter Mayle (amusing anecdotes of interactions with colorful locals).

A wonderful scholarly, but immensely readable odyssey through Greece. Stone visits ancient sanctuaries and shrines throughout the mainland and islands, and discusses the myth and the reality of this glorious civilization.

We had bought the Moon guide for Utah and upon reading it realized it wasn't very good, so had this one expressly shipped just in time for our big trip. It was worth the extra shipping costs. It's full of useful information and it covers all the National Parks in Utah (so they should really change the title). The trip wouldn't have been the same without it.

Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

We used this book to plan, execute, and review an amazing trip through Southern Utah. The guide covers much more than the two National Parks listed in the title, including Arches NP, and Capital Reef NM, among others. Not only was it extremely accurate, but it was remarkably entertaining to read. This book is a must-have for anyone venturing into this beautiful part of the country.

This was an invaluable resource for our 16 day trip to southern Utah. This book also includes information for the other national parks in Utah. We used it every day on our trip.

This book is the best and most informative source of useful information for visitors to the national parks of southern Utah that I have found. It provides information on: the most popular hikes, popular restaurants, good camping sites, activities, descriptions of geology, flora and fauna, and brief histories of the early cultures, explorers and settlers. The book is very well written by authors who obviously know their stuff. All material is presented clearly and concisely and in a manner that enhances its usefulness. I recommend this book whole heartedly.

Great little book. I do not know why it is named "Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks". This book covers all the national parks, monuments and State Parks in Utah. For each area, the book gives information on what to see depending on the amount of time you have to visit(half day, one, two, three or more days). For each location it gives you the sights to see, trails to hike and other activities to do in the area. Along with places to stay (Hotels, Motels and campgrounds), places to eat, equipment rental and more. This book is small enough to put into your glove box.