Resorts Books

Having read all of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne mysteries I cannot say which one I like the best. But, I love them all and when I get jaded from reading some of the "modern" mysteries full of sex, four letter words and blood and guts I settle down with one of these before bedtime. Let me say I am in love with Australia and would live there if I could--too old to move and my wife would never go. We were fortunate enough to visit several years ago and loved every minute.
Greenwood has developed a very likeable and superlative heroine. The supporting cast is well drawn and interesting in their own. These are truly "cozies" and I find them very enjoyable reads, rationing them carefully lest I run out.
If you like Australian mysteries I would heartily recommend anything you can find by Arthur Upfield, who wrote in the period after WW II. His hero is an Australian police detective "halfcaste" who specialized in solving mysteries in the outback and rural areas of Australia. Great flavor and good story telling!

In my review of the first in Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series, Cocaine Blues, I wrote this:

"The Phryne Fisher series came highly recommended by a man not usually given to Affirmative Action crits, but I can't help feeling that if this had been written by a bloke . . .

"Female readers may well enjoy the anachronistic cheap shots at Twenties' inequalities, and God knows there could be worse heroines for the Noughties. (Or do we call the present decade the Oh-Ohs?)

"Lovers of crime fiction will surely be disappointed, and not only by the fact that the King of Snow was obvious from the start. This is an amateurish effort, best illustrated by having the members of a White Russian noble family speak French when alone with each other in private (rather than Russian) the better to be eavesdroppedupon by our French-speaking heroine.

"It's not bad wordsmithery, as you might expect of a lawyer who moonlights as an author, but I'm guessing most male readers will not find this enough."

I figured I should give Greenwood the benefit of the doubt (legal pun there, or perhaps a cricketing one) since as an Aussie I had my own bit of Positive Discrimination going. And I'm sure those who know Melbourne better than me take great pleasure in the "local" settings, albeit displaced 80 years into the past.

So I turned to this one, which adds Geelong (and indeed Queenscliff) to its Aussie locales. It also adds precocious kid (and an array of loveable urchins) to its stock of clichéd characters, but I'm guessing that's a chick lit thing.

It also adds to the scale of Phryne's derring-do, having her walk out on the wing of a Tiger Moth minus parachute (with a man she has only just met and never flown with before and who is completely unprepared for this stunt, left at the reserve controls) just so she can prove she is one of the boys.

I don't want to give the solution to the mystery away (although I'm not sure these novels are really intended for lovers of that genre, the plots are way too weak), but my jaw dropped even further than the murder weapon at how much could turn on not one of the cops bothering to look over the fence!

It's worth half a star more than Cocaine Blues, but since I still can't work out how to award half stars (and Cocaine Blues was only worth 2.5 anyway, IMHO), this one gets three.

The second book in the series takes place only a few months after "Cocaine blues" ends and with it returns its bright and luminous Phryne Fisher. Many of the secondary (if you can call them that) characters return which adds a nice touch. I liked this book even more than the previous one. Phryne seems to have found her grove in this story along with moving into her new, fashionable domicile. She has to solve two cases at once, the murder of a cantankerous, generally disliked husband and father and the kidnapping of a little girl. Phryne handles both cases with her normal aplomb, intuition and style along with a little wing walking and flying. I especially like Greenwood's use of language and how it reflects the times; this adds another layer of fun and effervescence to these stories that makes me look forward to the next one. I recommend this book highly.

this second in the series is even better than the first. and it features airplanes.

the characterizations are first rate, the plot is nicely paced, the resolution satisfying, the information about bi-planes enough to send anyone out to find and fly one.

phyne's situation develops and characters who will continue in the series are introduced. this book could still be read without reference to the first, as there is enough backstory to bring a reader up to date.

this series is a must for any mystery lover, but any read could enjoy them for the writing, the humor, the history of australia, and, of course, for phyrne.

In the three months that the Honorable Phyrne Fisher has lived in Australia, she has made a name for herself as an investigator who always solves her cases. She solved a case for a woman who travels in high society circles and that woman gives Phyrne's business a glowing recommendation to her friends. Her latest client Mrs. McNaughton is afraid that her son will kill her husband because he refuses to lend his son money to go on an airplane adventure. At the airport Phyrne talks to Bill McNaughton and tells her about her mother's fears and he tells he was never intending to kill his father. Bill's friend Jack Lawton is amazed as he watches Phyrne fly Bill's plane with much skill.

The next day Phyrne learns that Mr. McNaughton has been murdered and Bill has been arrested. When he is released on bail he hires Phyrne to find the real killer. While she works that case Candida Maldon is kidnapped and held for ransom. Jack convinces the family to hire Phyrne, who she devises a plan using Bill's plane to find and retrieve the kidnapped girl. Solving Bill's problem is a piece of cake in comparison.

Kerry Greenwood is one of Australia's most talented mystery writers. Her heroine is a woman who would be at home in the twenty-first century but since she lives in the 1920's she is careful to project a proper image while still doing what she wants. The wily, spunky heroine somehow makes the audience believe she is smart enough to easily solve two cases in a matter of days while the exotic locale will please armchair travelers.

Harriet Klausner

A friend of mine, was recently telling me how, he just likes to pick up and get away for a few days, but as much as he loves his dog, just didn't want to take the time to search out lodgings that were pet friendly. I then remembered this book, that was a big help to me, "On the Road Again With Man's Best Friend(West Coast edition) by Dawn and Robert Habgood. It is like a dog owner's bible for traveling with your favorite friend.

The book is well researched and has an excellent and plentiful selection of lodgings that will welcome you and your dog. There are tips for the traveling dog, reservations services for Bed and Breakfasts, phone numbers for the various inns, rates(and if there are any extra fees for your pet), addresses, and a good summary of the accommodations and things to do and see in the area. You will also find a key to abbreviations, and other helpful hints.

This West Coast and British Columbia Edition covers the area from San Diego on up. There is also an edition that covers the West Coast just up to Seattle as well. It is sectioned by state(Calif, Oregon, Washington), with a map of the areas, pinpointing the lodging. There are also lists and phone numbers for many other places to call, that did not get a write up.

There are other editions of this book, you may want to check out for other areas. East Coast, New England, British Columbia, Southwest, Southeast, North West and North America. This edition is nearly 10 years old, so I imagine that some of the prices and policies may have changed, and it is probably a good idea to call ahead of time to check these things out.

Looks like there are some great deals on some used editions by the outside sellers. The book is a great time saver,worth every penny for those of us that can't bear to leave our babies at home, and may keep poor old Rover from winding up in a kennel.

4 paws up for this great book....Laurie

I've used the West Coast version of On the Road Again with Man's Best Friend for many years and have found many gems all along the West Coast. We've stayed with our dogs on house boats in Washington and British Columbia, a dude ranch in southern Washington, and in many of the neat waterside accommodations along the Oregon coast. We not only rely on the Habgoods' excellent descriptions, but also on their extensive appendix where there are hundreds of other dog-friendly places to stay that cover the entire West Coast. We live in the Seattle area and have yet to use it for our adventures in California, but look forward to doing so soon!

We've found the Habgood's "On the Road Again..." books invaluable on our travels with our wonderful Golden Retriever, Murphy. Each location is given a complete review with tips about sights of interest nearby. We have stayed in many quaint B & B's, up-scale hotel/spas, beachside resorts, and charming inns, all found through these books. Murphy has enjoyed all of our visits and gives the Habgood's books a "tails up".

The book had excellent information on each B&B, Resort, etc.. However, it was very disappointing that most of the book was about lodging in California. The title indicates that it's for the "West Coast". I expected more information on each state, not just California. The listings for WA, OR and BC are limited.

This is a wonderful resource. I used it to find a B&B in Seattle for $45/night when the cheapest dog-accepting Motel 6 was $70 (*without* breakfast). I wish there were more entries, but it would be a much larger book! :) For California specifically, I would go with "The California Dog Lover's Companion" by Maria Goodavage; it has info on places to visit as well as places to stay. But for B&B's and hotels specifically, "On The Road Again With Man's Best Friend-West Coast Edition" is an excellent one to have. I would not hesitate to recommend it for your Dogs & Traveling bookshelf.

I just loved this novel -- I kept reading it all night and neglected everything else until I had finished it. The characters are intelligent, funny, imperfect, mostly well-meaning, sometimes highly eccentric, self-aware, and very memorable. Lucy, who tells the story, is lovable, smart without being cynical, moving and even heroic. Eileen Pollack makes the failing Catskills resort she writes about seem so real that reading this (very contemporary) book gives the kind of pleasure that you get from just losing yourself in a wonderfully written 19th century novel. Like Grace Paley, Eileen Pollack allows her characters great human dignity, even as she shows their human weaknesses. She is funny, but never unkind. Reading this, I felt I had been on a trip I was happy to have taken, and I came back to my own life knowing more than I had when I set out on that adventure. The book is about all the things that matter: love, family, the ways we embrace or reject our histories, the need to make something out of ourselves, the effects of nostalgia. This novel is the real thing -- I recommend it highly!

I started reading this book after I read a review of it in the Boston Globe over the summer; it sounded like an intriguing book. After neglecting my work (and sleep) to read it (twice!) and after thinking about it again and again all this time, I felt compelled to put in my two cents' worth here. For starters, the reviewer didn't come close to praising this book enough. This is a fabulously entertaining, smart, touching book, intelligent and readable at the same time. I'm glad to see that other readers loved this book as much as I did (except for that last review, which is really rather annoying and confused... I mean, Faustian? The point is, this is an amazing book). Reading this book propels you into a completely different world, one where you are glad to linger and look around. This is the kind of book that makes you want to be friends with the protagonist. I truly loved this book.

With a title like 'Paradise, New York', and a cast of characters who are primarily Jewsih, one enters this book with an Old Testament mindset- that is, we wait for the Fall. The Fall we get is somewhat pitiful as the Eden here isn't a land of splendor and endless earthly pleasure. In fact there doesn't seem to be any real pleasure, earthly or otherwise, here at all. What we do have is a group of interesting characters, though they are somewhat limited in what they do. There is an interesting Faust-ian subtext, and the book is interesting and well-written, once you get around the rhetorical questions used to establish interiority in the characters.

I bought this book after reading a positive review in Hadassah magazine, and the praise was well warranted. I enjoyed the story line, and particularly the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the characters. Ms. Pollack tackled the subject of race relations in a satisfying way. The Catskills were a place I vaguely remember visiting as a child when my grandparents would make their annual summer trek. To learn something of the history and demise of the "borsht belt" made for fascinating reading. Most interestly, I mentioned the book to a non-Jewish, 65-year old neighbor when I was through, not necessarily thinking she'd want to read it. It turned out that she and a close friend worked at one of those hotels in the 1950's when they were in college. Not only did she love the book, she told me the portrayal of the dynamics of hotel life was right on target and even helped her understand some of what she experienced that summer.

With Paradise New York, Eileen Pollack has done what so many attempt, yet so few accomplish; she generously gives her readers poignant characters for whom we at once sympathise, chastise, and recognize as real and three dimensional. With the all-too human but always lovable Lucy as our guide, we follow Pollack on a path that successfully incorporates redemption, oppression, and a search for spirituality, love, and meaning in a life that can prove as difficult as it is miraculous. I can't wait for her next novel!

If you are a ski fan (like me), and you are eager to ski in great West Coast ski resorts in California, Colorado, and Utah -- look no more. You get this book and you have all the information you need for a few years.

It is the only book I've seen of its kind. The info. is great. The maps are useless. It could use to have its section on deals on lift tickets (and the like) beefed up.

Gets to the meat of the subject quickly. An easy breakdown of the mountain by ability levels and recommended places to eat and sleep. 1 drawback are the shadowy trail maps.

This is a really thorough book on just about everyplace out west in terms of ski mountain descriptions -- runs and the like. Whoever was in charge of editing the book's illustrations must not have seen the text, because although the illustrations show runs and lifts, only the lifts are labeled -- but the text usually mentions several runs in the context of a single lift, rendering the descriptions confusing and the maps somewhat useless. The descriptions of the ski areas themselves seem to be a little skimpy

The beginning of the book describes some of the "how-to" stuff in terms of getting good deals and the like, but doesn't go into enough detail about these kinds of things, specifically in reference to particular areas. Surely they must be familiar enough with major destination areas to suggest specifics.

Overall, it's a good read, especially for those unfamiliar with out-west ski options.

An excellent guide covering most major ski resorts in the Western U.S. and some in Western Canada.
The guide contains a rating section that compares resorts on almost all imaginable skiing criteria (e.g., beginner terrain, bumps, consisteny of fall lines, etc.), but it's real strength is in the detailed descriptions of the skiing. Each author writes about one region, providing a thorough overview and a sense of the style of skiing available at each resort.
There are are some minor inconsistencies. Some resorts get almost agonizingly detailed treatments, while some (e.g., Whistler / Blackcomb) get a more cursory treatment than the sheer volume of terrain would suggest. The skiing suggestions are quite specific, naming lifts and runs (good), but the trail illustrations provided for each resort lack sufficient detail (bad)- I found that the book works best with an actual trail map in hand. Finally, one might argue that some worthy areas were overlooked, including some Canadian areas and at least one US area (Mount Baker, Washington).
This guide is a must-have for any serious skier- I've used it to check out more than a dozen resorts, and Lito, et al. have yet to steer me wrong.

This book was amazing! M.T Andersen manages to poke fun at Nancy Drew,
The Hardy Boys, and other childrens books. Each chapter ends in a cliff hanger so I read the whole book in a day. If you read this book be prepared to laugh out loud!

I am uterly shoked at how little recognision this book got... Honestly it's better than Harry Potter.

You should BUY THIS BOOK!!!

This book was amazing! M.T Andersen pokes fun at The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and other clasic childrens books. I laughed out loud many times through out this hilariuos book. I'm uterly shoked at how little regegnision the book has gotten... Honnestly this is better than Harry Potter!

You should buy this book as quickly as possible!!!

Humorous parody that will hit home for anyone who grew up on the various "teen wonder pulp" series of the '40s, '50s or '60s (Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc.) I'll have to let someone else speak to whether it works for today's teens.

You can enjoy this without having first read its prequel, "Whales on Stilts." But I intend to pick up a copy, now that I've been introduced to Anderson's cast of characters!

Katie Mulligan is sick of life in Horror Hollow: the zombies, the vampires, the horrific practical jokes her mom and dad play --- it's all getting a little bit old. So when Katie's friend Jasper Dash, Boy Technonaut, receives a coupon for a free dinner at the Moose Tongue Lodge and Resort, Katie jumps at the opportunity for a few days away from adventure. When Jasper, Katie, and their friend Lily arrive at Moose Tongue, though, they are surprised to find that most of the guests, like Katie and Jasper themselves, are the stars of adventure novel series past and present.

There are the Cutesy Dell twins (dead ringers for the Sweet Valley High girls), the clueless but oh-so-macho Manley Boys, and Eddie Wax (whose best friend is a horse named Stumpy). All the guests are thrown into turmoil, though, when the Hooper Quints, stars of a series of 1950s adventure novels, are kidnapped and held for ransom in a remote mountain cave. Jasper and Lily join a search party, but Katie, determined to avoid adventure, lounges around the pool with her new friends, the Cutesy Dell twins.

Like WHALES ON STILTS!, the first book in M. T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales series, THE CLUE OF THE LINOLEUM LEDERHOSEN delights in over-the-top language and outrageous situations: "Freedom, alas, was far away. As Jasper listened in consternation to the screams of distress, he felt a creeping little feeling. It was inside his nose. His hay fever. It was getting worse." The plot is convoluted and absurd (just as a good old-time mystery story should be), and the novel makes dozens of references to other books and movies (for example, the Hooper Quints have a nanny who's a musical nun. When the outfits she sews out of curtains wear out, she makes them a new set of lederhosen out of the kitchen linoleum).

With its glimpses into the narrator's back story and its tongue-in-cheek tone, Anderson's Thrilling Tales series is fast becoming the heir apparent to Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Stay tuned --- in the next installment, Jasper Dash heads for the wilds...of Delaware.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

I read "Emeralds in the Snow" right after reading "Appalachian Paradise" and found "Emeralds..." to be a vastly more interesting book. I love mysterious anything! The prologue does a good job of setting up how and why the story unfolds.

I found the first few chapters a bit sappy but I am a fan of mystery not romance so my opinion reflects that preference. For the most part, the story flows well and keeps the reader interested.

As the story concludes I was left wondering why, with the rediscovery of an emeralld mine on family property, there were still financial concerns. The mine had once provided millions, why not again?

Tne author does a good job of describing the beginning ski experience and give an informative, appreciative look into the world of Ski Patrol.

Maggie Bishop's Emeralds in the Snow is an extrordinary read. The characters are well developed and interesting. They make for an unlikely match, but the reader finds themself hoping that they will work out their differences throughout the story. The later part of the book has an unexpected twist. A great love story combined with murder mystery, I would recommend this to anyone.

I truly enjoyed this adventure/love story. The characters ring true and you never lose your interest in them. It takes place in a ski area and the descriptions of the area and the knowledge of the ski patrol are right on the mark. I have visited the area she talkes about and in reading the book, I felt as if I were there again. There is much sexual tension as the couple struggles to understand each other and fight their way past their different upbringings, not to mention a murder which touches them both, to discover a love blossoming between them. It is an exciting, passionate and heartbreaking read. I'd definitely recommend it.

Lucky Tucker, member of the Sugar Mountain Ski Patrol, rescues Emerald Graham from a fall while skiing, and the two are instantly attracted to one another. Emerald is the granddaughter of recently deceased Everett Graham, a well-respected, wealthy businessman, and has lived a privileged life. Raised in a family that never seemed to have enough money, especially after his grandfather disappeared, Lucky has had to struggle to make ends meet. He is unsettled that Emerald has a doctorate in math while he only attained a high school education, yet this does not seem to matter to Emerald. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the two cannot deny their feelings and enter into a relationship. They discover a treasure map belonging to Emerald's grandfather, which guides them to land Lucky inherited from his grandfather. Lucky and Emerald hope this will lead them on a path that will bring good fortune; however, the secret they uncover threatens to separate them forever.

Maggie Bishop once more unveils a treasure-trove of information about the Appalachian region as well as the sport of snow skiing. The familial connection between characters from Ms. Bishop's first book, Appalachian Paradise, and this one will, for some readers, feel like visiting old friends. The author skillfully builds the story, with enticing characters and sweet romance, then offers impending doom to a relationship the reader has been rooting for, leaving a spiraling sense of anticipation until the end of the story. An engrossing read, one the reader will not want to put down.

I did not find one entree recipe that I wanted to make. Pictures might have helped. I would have returned the book, but because of other books I purchased, I received free shipping so keeping it was cheaper than sending it back and paying shipping both ways.

Interesting and creative recipes that are easy to follow and amazingly tasty. I by no means consider myself an accomplished cook, yet these recipes made my friends think I was! The directions are clearly written and logical. It was fun creating such unusual and special dishes with this wonderful guide.

I love the recipes in this book, especially the ones from my favorite Southwest restaurants. The recipes are eclectic and easy, and the descriptions are fun. I'm hoping that the next revision will have photos of food and places.

Master cook, wild-food expert, and award-winning author Carolyn Niethammer presents The New Southwest Cookbook, a recipe guide to recent innovations in Southwest cuisine. Sample dishes bursting with original flavor include Anasazi Bean-Dip Boats, Tequila and Citrus-Grilled Chicken with Mesquite Honey, Crayfish-Corn Risotto, Pumpkin Flan, and much more. A brief introductory guide to basic Southwest ingredients, an index for quick and easy lookup, and a short list of recommended restaurants and resorts round out this tempting and flavorful compendium.

I wrote this review for Tell-A-Woman, Philadelphia's monthly women's newsletter:

It's that time of year when I start to ask myself, "What can I look forward to after the holidays?" Well this year I've come across the perfect resource to answer that question. Ellen Lederman has compiled a comprehensive directory of more than 200 adventure opportunities "for the mind, body and spirit." Lederman's book has given me vacation ideas to fill my time-off for the next several years.

The book is organized by vacation types and includes Holistic, Spiritual, Healing and Health-Promoting, Self-Improvement and Learning chapters. There are easy to use state-by-state and international indices in the back to quickly search for adventures in particular areas. Since I'm always looking for that mid-winter, warm weather vacation I immediately searched under Florida and Mexico for my adventures. The general index is also very helpful for finding more specific offerings. I found 40 entries next to the "Women's programs" index and 30 for "Music programs."

The directory of adventures, retreats and workshops includes the seemingly content-free Disney Institute in Florida, and at the other extreme, a five-day intensive workshop for abuse survivors offered by Safe Harbours in California. There's a listing for you if you want to spend your vacation painting, learning to build houses, or cataloging fossils in Uganda. There's even one for those hungry for some intergenerational bonding at the Sagamore Institute's Grandparents Camp.

Of course there are also entries for the usual mud baths, tennis lessons and more yoga retreats than I ever expected -- but you can find those listings most anywhere. The real value in this book is the recognition that a vacation can offer more than just a great view and a seven-day lounge by the pool - admit it, leisure does get a little boring. Many of us have been hungry for a way to use our time off to rejuvenate but we also hope to get something more than a few nice pictures - we want to add to our lifeskills resource bank. Thanks to Lederman's book I think I'll be learning to build my own home in Massachusetts this Summer and within the next two years I'll finally get to see the changes going on in South Africa first hand.

Prices for the getaways vary. Lederman uses a coding for under $1500, $1500-$3000 and over $3000, but don't let that scare you off. Many of the health and healing programs may be partially or fully covered by your health insurance and quite a few of the other programs have scholarships available. I encourage you to pick up Ellen Lederman's book and find out all the things you can do on your next vacation.

Truly a marvelous guide to identifying the new dimension of vacation. It is best put in the quote from the other book I bought from a truly enlightened author: "In this tidal wave of change upon us, the vacation 'want to get away from' has turned into the 'need to get in touch with'. What sufficed to relax and rejuvenate the body must now encompass the increasingly confused and troubled mind. Until now considered a frivolity, the new definition for vacation encompasses a need that is vital to the balance of our mental and physical well-being. Our world is in a core level identity crisis which extends all the way into biblical prophecy. In the turmoil of reidentifying our very foundation stones of belief, finding a temporary sanctuary for the mind may become a matter of survival." from "The Secrets & Mysteries of Hawaii" by Pila of Hawaii.

If you're looking for a vacation that will change your life, this is your book. Clear chapters, where to write or call info with every destination. Definately worth the money!

I received this book as a gift. It is very informative on interesting places and workshops not only throughout the US, but other countries as well. Great ideas for get aways with my mother and a group of friends! I highly recommend it. Prices are not listed, but a general range is provided plus address, phone number and website info to get more info if needed.

Part of the outstanding "Insiders' Guide" series, and now in an expanded and thoroughly updated edition, One-Hundred Best Spas Of The World is expertly co-authored by Bernard Burt and Pamela Price is a superbly organized and "user friendly" compendium of the best spas worldwide. Descriptively showcasing each featured spa, One-Hundred Best Spas Of The World offers essential details on their facilities and services, FAQs on spa etiquette, the best spa packages, and practical planning tips for a stress-free vacation. One-Hundred Best Spas Of The World is very highly recommended for all readers anticipating a vacation anywhere around the globe and are searching for the best choice of spas available in the planned destinations.

Let me start by saying that I am a huge fan of this series. The 2nd edition of "100 Best Spas of the World" was directly responsible for getting me into the spa scene. And it provided a wealth of information that allowed me to create my own spa vacations (sometimes at a much cheaper price than going to some of the posh places listed in the book) simply by taking a less expensive hotel or motel room in the same beautiful towns, and then going into the spas on an hourly or daily basis. But what seems to have happened somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd editions, is that cost-cutting accountants decided that the beautiful color photographs which made the 2nd edition such a masterpiece were no longer cost-effective, and they were relegated to 15 pages in the front of the 3rd edition. This is unfortunate, for it was those beautiful photographs spread throughout the entire text of the 2nd edition that made the reader feel that they were "there" enjoying the wonders of spa living. Now, the 3rd edition is still an excellent book, with a wealth of pertinent information concerning the great spas of the world. But my frank recommendation (especially if you are a beginner in going to spas) is that you get yourself a copy of the 2nd edition of this book (dated 2003). The photographs are what "made" this book, and hopefully for the next edition the publishers will return to the previous format, which made this book the best of its kind in the marketplace. I'm still giving this book 5-stars because of the respect I have for the information contained in the book, but the 2nd edition is deserving of 6 or 7 stars, and it's too bad that this new edition is not in the same category. If you want a book on your coffee table that will give you a visual tour of some of the great spas of the world, and make you yearn to go to a spa on your next vacation, get the 2nd edition.

Good information, but not as much visual content as I would have liked. I expected several quality photographs of the spas, and found only about 10.

I bought a copy of Balaam Gimble's at Book People in Austin on the strength of a review of the book in Texas Observer's summer books round up and was generally happy with the result. Author Mike Nichols sets his story in the fictional Texas town of Willoughby which he locates at the intersection of Highways 21 and 36. The actual town at the intersection of Highways 21 and 36 is Caldwell, seat of Burleson County and larger Willoughby which strikes me as being more like Dimebox, but what of that? Fiction is all about making things up and Nichols spins a fun and funny yarn of the unintended consequences of an accidental discovery and the yearning for a nowhere town to become a somewhere town. The characters are drawn broadly, but the characterizations are not condescending. And I'm certain that if anyone read this book out loud on the steps of the Burleson County courthouse, it would sound as if it were a performance in the native tongue.

When I finished this book, I wanted to run away with Balaam Gimble. But then I realized I couldn't. I had to run to Balaam, since he sure wasn't a'goin' no-where.
Mike Nichols, a native Texan and a writer of unique talent - he's a story-teller in the best tradition of that threatened species - has written a marvelous tale, a gentle satire and comic-tragedy that will have you laughing out loud, shedding a few tears, and always cheering for the pure-at-heart-(well, mostly)-country/philosopher-deer/protector-part-time-handyman Balaam as he tries to show his friends and neighbors in the fictional small Texas town of Willoughby that money really can't buy happiness - or at least it can't buy Balaam - and that change is not always good.
The lessons he's aiming to teach may be wrapped in two worn-out clichés, but in Nichols' able hands the methods Balaam chooses to use to wake the townspeople up (in one case literally) are as fresh and eccentric - and ultimately satisfying - as the man himself.
In a town so dead that the mayor describes it as a place where "you could lie down and take a nap in most streets ... and never get run over," bachelor Balaam's 200-acre homestead of "weeds and woods," a shack and a pet deer is suddenly being hailed as the town's salvation after Balaam uncovers a cave on the property filled with a seemingly endless spring of health-giving mineral waters. The mayor, most of the townspeople and a greedy developer are salivating over the find, hoping to turn the dying Willoughby into Texas's answer to Arkansas' Hot Springs. Balaam, however, is happy with his lot, a life defined by his love for a deer named Stilts, his work keeping the town's widows' washing machines running and his daily stroll over to the deer feeders set up by his mad-hunter neighbor where Balaam takes his morning pee (deer won't come near human urine.) As Balaam fights temptation - millions for his property - and botched terrorism - the developer's Keystone Cops scare tactics aimed at running him off his property - his most daunting challenge comes from trying to "get up the gumption" to say "no" to his fellow townspeople who use all their wiles to make him sell.
The most refreshing thing about this tale of greed and the Don Quixote in overalls who fights against it is Nichols handling of the quirky small-town characters who pepper the pages of this book. The author, who lived for years outside a small Texas town much like Willoughby, has given his characters individuality and humanity. In a lesser writer's hands, they would have become simply caricatures. As nutty and money-hungry as most are, they still come across as unique, warm humans, loved by family and friends and with their dignity intact. He developed these townsfolk in such kind and gentle ways that this reader was left caring for them all (with the exception of the deer hunter) even as I was pained by their frailties.
In one sense, reading this book is like looking into a mirror. Do so. In the end you'll like what you see - unless of course you're a deer hunter.

Mike Nichols has created a group of characters with skills drawn from a deep understanding of human nature. He brings alive the people and community of Willoughby for the reader. Most of us have met several of these characters in our own lives and can easily relate to them and to Balaam Gimbel's struggle to preserve what is good in his town when greed on the part of the townspeople, politicians and a developer threaten to destroy it in the name of progress.

Balaam Gimble's Gumption makes a great gift book that treats a controversial subject with a light yet paradoxically serious touch that is laced throughout with humor. Nichols' treatment of the characters of this rural Texas Hill Country town is delightful. This is good reading for pure enjoyment.