Book Description
Backcountry Adventures: Southern California provides 2,970 miles of routes that travel through the beautiful mountain regions of Big Sur, across the arid Mojave Desert, and straight into the heart of the aptly named Death Valley. In addition to the enormously detailed trail information, there are hundreds of photos of frontier towns, historic mining camps, old railroad routes, wildflowers, and native animals. Trail history comes alive through the accounts of Spanish missionaries who first settled the coastal regions; eager prospectors looking to cash in during California's gold rush; and legends of lost mines still hidden in the state's expansive backcountry.
The book appeals to virtually everyone who loves the outdoors: campers, anglers, hikers, mountain bikers, snowmobilers, amateur prospectors, sightseers, GPS owners, wildlife seekers, and more!
CONTAINS 153 TRAILS, 640 PAGES, 645 PHOTOS (85 historic black & white and 560 color), AND 159 FULL-COLOR MAPS!
SIZE: 8 1/2" x 10 7/8"
Customer Reviews:
Great book!.......2007-05-25
Tons of info, loads of great photos show you clearly what to expect on each trail. I'll be buying the Northern Cali book next.
Great Read! Extensive info on So-Cal.......2007-03-30
I bought this, and another book about place to go off-roading in so-cal. This book is like the bible of southern California.
Not only does it have extensive trail location and info, it is a virtual encyclopedia of So-Cals towns, cities, how they got their start. In addition it has extensive info on native species, of plants and animals, important founders of California, and much more. I would definitely recommend it.
Excellent guide for the casual off-roader.......2006-02-23
I've been using this book for close to a couple years now. While I don't consider myself a novice to off-roading, I definitely don't fall into the rock-crawling group, preferring to use my 4x4 to simply get me to new and out-of-the-way places when time permits. Thus far it has proven to be an excellent resource for quick weekend off-roading getaways and for reading up on new trails to explore. In fact, I've enjoyed this book so much I wound up buying two others as gifts for family and friends. The photos and overviews of each trail definitely help give a good feel for what to expect. If you're a techno-geek like me, being able to plot a computer-generated map using the detailed GPS coordinates will prove highly invaluable (though I have discovered a few critical--though easily identifiable and correctable--errors in the coordinates), and with a handheld GPS I don't need to worry about the often-unusual orientation of the printed maps. For those of us who love exploring, this book will make a fantastic resource.
Great Book.......2003-01-28
The best book for beginners. Gives ratings and some pictures for all the trails, so you know what to expect. Probably not a whole lot for more advanced off-roaders, but then they probably won't be reading this book anyway. I recommend this book for anybody with an SUV who wants to use it off-highway. The only downside of this book is the detail maps of the trails. For some reason, they couldn't agree on which way to point North(usually north is up in all other maps) so sometimes you have to turn the book sideways to the right or left to get your bearings. Also, not much detail on the maps themselves, so sometimes you really dont' know where you are in relation to the surrounding area. But they give plenty of detail in the driving directions, so you almost don't need the map. Best book I've ever bought, anyone who likes to adventure outdoors should buy this. You don't even need an SUV on the easier trails.
The quintessential So Cal book for dirt road exploring........2002-09-20
First thing that hits you is the heft of this book. It is large and heavy, but that just tantalizes you of what lies beyond the cover. It is full of so much information about southern California's backcountry you could spend hours and hours reading. But this book is to be used as a guide for exploring. And guide you it does. The maps, descriptions and details are excellent for each trail. The history section is great and my family and I even used this book to identify plants from its full color photos on our last outing. For anyone wanting to explore dirt trails in So Cal, from mild ones not really needing 4 wheel drive to more difficult ones, this book is for you. Rock crawlers need not apply, but for the other 99% of us with 4x SUV's this book is perfect!
Average customer rating:
- Essential
- Glossy, beautiful, informative
- I want more
- Winery Guide for Wine Country Residents
- Don't go without it
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Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide--Revised and Updated, Fourth Edition
Antonia Allegra
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
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The Food Lover's Companion to the Napa Valley: Where to Eat, Cook, and Shop in the Wine Country Plus 50 Irresistible Recipes
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The Napa & Sonoma Book: A Complete Guide, Seventh Edition (Great Destinations)
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Frommer's Portable California Wine Country (Frommer's Portable)
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California Wine Country: The Most Beautiful Wineries, Vineyards, and Destinations
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The Wine Lover's Guide to the Wine Country: The Best of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino
ASIN: 0811840883 |
Book Description
Brimming with both magnificent vistas and practical information, Napa Valley is the ultimate guide to a rich region. This new edition is not only fully updated, it includes three marvelous new winery profiles and boasts a fresh interior design -- and a fetching new cover. Whether it's a garden to die for, a tour that tops all the others, spectacular views, or a combination of virtues, these are the places worth seeing, and going back to again and again. Along the way, author Antonia Allegra delivers a lively survey of winemaking and local history and suggests great places to visit. Sidebars give directions, visiting hours, and highlights, and an appendix lists nearly every winery in the area. Illustrated with spectacular full-color photographs on practically every page, Napa Valley is as beautiful as it is informative -- a treasure for those who know Napa Valley as much as for those planning to visit.
Customer Reviews:
Essential.......2007-05-12
This book is all you need to visit Napa. The explanations are great, and the pictures are excellent. If you do not know where to go or which ones to visit in a short stay (needless to say that you can't visit ALL of them unless you are planning to move in), after reading the book you have all the information to make a plan. I loved the detail explanations about the wine tours. Did I mention that the pictures are excellent?
Glossy, beautiful, informative.......2007-04-24
First, let's ignore the oxymoron of the "ultimate" guide's fourth edition - if that first edition was so "ultimate," how come three (so far) came after?
The format is straightforward: two or four pages per winery, with glorious photos of the vineyards, buildings, or other distinguishing features of each winery. The tourist's basics are spelled out on the first of that winery's pages: address and contact information hours of operation, tour arrangements, typical offerings in the tasting room, and tasting fees. A brief, enthusiastic description follows, often with a sound bite or two from the owners.
It's a great help in planning your wine country vacation, or reminder of the good times you had in the Napa valley. Don't expect serious criticism or comparison of the wines - that's for a different book. Do check the information presented, since it's been at least three years (as of this writing) since the most recent edition came out. But dig in and enjoy, since that's what wine and travel are all about.
//wiredweird
I want more.......2002-05-24
I have been researching my vacation to wine country for about a month now and have been unable to find a book that gives an objective viewpoint. I want a book to actually recommend a winery in addition to explaining what the winery has to offer. This book goes over the tours available at most wineries in the area which is helpful, but not exhaustive.
Winery Guide for Wine Country Residents.......2001-05-30
As a California native, and a person who has lived in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine country for years, I keep my copy of "Napa Valley The Ultimate Winery Guide" in the trunk of my car. It is not only my guide to wineries in each particular geographic section of Napa Valley, but also my resource for tracking down a certain vintage or type of wine.
It also assists me in planning short excursions during which I may want to visit an art gallery along with a winery, and long weekend tours with friends when I want to give an overview with a bit of everything Napa Valley has to offer: a small town not well-known by tourists, a French-Chateau, the best view in the Valley, wonderful walks and, always, pointers on events--both fixed offerings at each winery and seasonal goings-on. The detailed information and directions make this guide a user-friendly pleasure.
In short, this is a convenient reference book on how to get the most out of Napa Valley...whether you are a resident who hasn't yet had the opportunity to discover all of Ms. Allegra's wonderful finds, or a visitor wanting to pack a variety of the Valley's best into a day or two.
This is a must for anyone visiting Napa Valley, or vicariously enjoying an armchair tour through the beautiful photographs.
Don't go without it.......2001-05-23
If you travel to the Napa Valley without this book, you will commit the unpardonable vacation crime of being uninformed about the must-see, must-taste nooks and crannies of your destination. You can purchase other Napa Valley books, but they won't be this well-written, this beautifully rendered, and this chock-full of mouth-watering recommendations and tips. The authors are true food and wine insiders, and they're not impressed by trendiness for its own sake. If you want the most interesting winery experience possible in the Napa Valley, check out this book.
Book Description
Part of a multi-award winning series, Backcountry Adventures: Northern California provides information and directions to 2,653 miles of SUV trails throughout the glorious California backcountry while teaching minimal environmental impact travel. The book gives detailed, step-by-step route directions for 152 scenic drives, rated from easy to challenging that take you from the coastal redwood forests to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. In addition to the enormously detailed trail information, there are hundreds of photos of frontier towns, historic mining operations, old railroad routes, wildflowers, and native animals. Trail history is brought to life through the accounts of Spanish missionaries who first settled the coastal regions of Northern California; eager prospectors looking to cash in during California's gold rush; and legends of lost mines still hidden in the state's expansive backcountry. Every trail includes maps, ratings for degree of difficulty and scenic beauty, driving times, distances, and GPS coordinates. The book appeals to virtually everyone who loves the outdoors: campers, anglers, hikers, mountain bikers, snowmobilers, amateur prospectors, sightseers, GPS owners, wildlife seekers, and more.
Customer Reviews:
Great book!.......2007-03-14
We have two other 4-wheel drive books for northern California, but neither one comes close to this! The color pages, descriptions, and added history and nature lessons are great. We enjoy the eastern Sierra and were glad to find so many trips for that area in this book. We can't wait for the snow to melt so we can try some trips out!
Fantastic book.......2006-08-22
This is the top dog for off road books. I've driven several of these courses in my stock Chevrolet truck with zero problems. Beautiful lay-out, great descriptions and GPS coordinates. Get this book!
Best of the Lot.......2006-08-08
I have read several other map books for off road trails, etc. and this one is by far the most comprehensive and accurate. My wife and I have used this book on a couple of trips now and the accuracy of the directions is uncanny. I also apprciate the GPS coordinates and the maps in the book itself. The fact that this book is all color is awesome too. I would definitely buy this book if you're in the market.
Must have for off road adventures!.......2006-05-14
This is the most thorough resource for off road travel I have seen. I found some beautiful and fun roads near my home town that I was completely unaware of. This book is perfect for those who have stock vehicles and want to enjoy the backroads. You will know in advance whether your vehicle can handle the route without getting damaged or stuck. (Yes, there are also some more difficult roads in the book for those who are equipped and need a challenge.)
The maps are easy to use and sufficiently detailed to find your way in the most confusing dirt road mazes of the Sierras. In addition to the specific descriptions for each road, the historical, geological and other information is great. If your passenger gets bored, just give them this book and there is plenty to read.
The be all of recreational fun!.......2004-11-09
I bought this book thinking that the inside would be black and white text explanations saying turn left here, go right there. How shocked I was to find out that the whole text is full of glossy pages in full color. This book has it all...history, GPS coordinates, turn-by-turn instructions for the trails, a nature guide, even cross references with other books and software!
This book has become a permanent fixture in my SUV! There is nothing else out there than even compares!
Book Description
L.A. moms Meadow and Rocchio help parents navigate the vast and busy parenting landscape of L.A., and offer advice and information on parenting issues from delivery to deciding on a preschool.
Customer Reviews:
Where's the book for those of us on the eastside???.......2006-07-05
I got this book as a gift and while there are some interesting things to do in it...there is almost NOTHING pertaining to anyone who doesn't live in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills. We live in a great community, La Crescenta, and would LOVE to know the preschools around here and parks and great places to shop. Most of the information is outdated now as well. FAO Schwartz is closed...etc.
Excellent resource.......2006-07-02
I always refer to this book when planning birthday parties or before offering suggestions to newly pregnant friends. Most of the referrals are great. However, there is no means for readers to provide feedback to the authors. I used a referral from the book---Awesome Bounce-- and they showed up 2 hours after my daughter's birthday party started. They were completely unprofessional and unapologetic. This is the only instance in which I was really disappointed by the book.
city baby la, 2nd edition.......2006-05-05
THis is a great book ! It's a wonderful resource if you live in LA on the west side. I used the first edition when i had my first child, and i now use the 2nd edition with my 3rd child.
i love the descriptors of the vendors,and the ease of finding what your looking for since they've narrowed down your search by reccommending their favorites.
The kids haircut section i use over and over again.
Not for Parents East of Westwood.......2005-09-23
This book should be titled "City Baby WESTSIDE". Where's the information on parks, playgrounds and preschools for those of us who live in, say, Silverlake? We wasted our money.
City Baby L.A. - Dont buy it, use a phone book........2004-04-23
This book is pages and pages of listings of things like daycare centers and their phone numbers. It is also geared toward the woman who is about to have a baby a lot. Dont waste your money. Buy "Baby's day out in Southern California" which is the great book recommended by the triple-A.
Book Description
Dan Broderick was one of California's most successful attorneys; his wife, Betty, a beautiful socialite. But when Betty discovered Dan's hidden life, the façade of LaJolla's golden couple was shattered. What followed was a vicious five-year battle that finally ended in a shocking double-murder.
A Harvard Law School graduate, Dan manipulated the law to strip Betty of everything she loved: her home, her friends - even her children. When she frantically tried to fight back, he had her committed to a mental hospital. His new wife, Linda, even sent the once-beautiful Betty wrinkle cream ads and weight loss pamphlets.
Consumed by hatred and thoughts of revenge, Betty's rage exploded on the night of November 5, 1989. Before the sun rose the next day, Dan Broderick and his gorgeous new wife were dead - their bullet-riddled bodies wrapped in the blood-soaked sheets of their bed.
Customer Reviews:
Hell hath no fury ..........2007-07-10
Betty Broderick. Where oh where to start with this case? This was a murder case that spoke to us on so many levels, made us all shake our heads, turn our noses up, and secretly fear our own insecurities and what we are capable of.
Betty and Dan were high school / college sweethearts, who started off with such hopes and dreams that they would have a wonderful life together. Their family started almost immediately after they married (their first of 5 children arriving nearly 9 months to the day they married). Dan went to medical school and later law school while Betty raised the kids and did the primary bread winning as a school teacher. Once Dan had completed his education, he accepted a job with a California law firm and they moved to the west coast. From there he began to build his career to become one of the most successful and wealthiest men in town, and Betty could quit working to dedicate all her time to her kids.
It wasn't, however, a fairy tale. Dan and Betty's relationship was troubled from the beginning. They would eventually divorce, and it was anything but a peaceful affair. Betty went from being a "normal person" to a pathetic, psychotic hysteric. Dan began to cheat with Linda, and would eventually marry her. Betty's hysteria went from reasonable to destructive (driving her car through the front door of the house which got her thrown into a psych hospital, for example). It all came to a head when she bought a gun, snuck into her ex husband's house one morning, and shot both him and Linda while they slept. Now she's behing bars.
It's so hard to take sides in something like this. You see so clearly what Betty wanted and what was taken away from her. Yet you also see what Dan wanted, and what was taken away from him. Not to mention Linda. And the kids. And their friends, and their families. So many marriages start off so innocently and with such hopes, and so many end so bitterly. Where are those two people who were so in love once in the wedding pictures? Their partnership fell apart. But then again, as I have seen, the majority of people I have seen marry never should have. They were not right for each other. And sometimes we have to realize that and leave the marriages. It's when one doesn't want to that you will get a crazy story like this. Divorce is never pleasent, that's for sure, and you will face terrible times as you realize you have just had the rug ripped out from under you. But, have some dignity. If not for yourself, for your family and friends.
And, Betty, as far as I am concerned, has a genuine element of evil in her. I understand her sense of despair, her jealousy of the other woman, etc., but she has caused such chaos. It would not could not end until someone died. Dan and Linda had to die before Betty's rage was satisfied. To this day she has expressed no remorse over the fact that the both of them are dead. She says "Dan wanted me dead, but I'm alive". Alive to rot in prison, alive to have lost everything, and alive to be a sad joke to many.
There are No Winners Here! Just Losers!.......2007-06-12
I first saw the television film adaptation which was pro-Dan and Linda all the way. They never showed Dan and Linda bad-mouthing Betty. In the film, Betty was portrayed brilliantly by Meredith Baxter but she played her as a demented, sore loser who never got over losing Dan, her man. In the book, we read more about Betty's feuding which was more like a World War and Dan's indifference to his former wife's well-being. He tossed her aside when he found a suitable replacement like hiring and firing but Betty didn't go easily or ever. She was obsessed with Dan and Linda and defeating them no matter what the cost. The book dispels that Dan was a wonderful husband and father only when he was forced too by Betty dumping the kids off one by one. Betty was smart, attractive, and wittier than some of the most professional comedians according to one of her close friends. She discharged by her husband rather because he decided to have a younger model and version. Now, I don't condone Betty's actions when she shot and killed them in their sleep. Of course if I was Linda, I would run away as fast as I could. Yes, you're in love but look at his first wife. I don't understand why Dan disowned his daughter Lee Gordon Broderick upon his death maybe for siding with Betty over Dan. Dan never liked to lose in life but he lost in death. There is a website where you can't leave flowers and notes on Dan and Linda's graves because it has been misused. That blockage is usually reserved for dictators and serial killers. I think Linda was in way over her head when she married Dan not seeing this coming and thinking that Dan could save them both. I remember in the film where a senior secretary played by Debra Jo Rupp warned Dan about how to treat people fairly when she saw Linda rise above her. It was a poignant moment in the film and maybe showed a side of Dan's egotism that he can handle everything. Like I wrote, there are no winners from this situation. I feel sorry for the children the most for suffering through the loss of their father, stepmother, and their mother's role in their murders.
Betty.......2005-12-07
This book was ok but not near as good as until the twelfth of never. that book really gives you more of an inside look into the life of Dan and Betty Broderick. This book is a quick read if you are looking for a light read on the story and not a lot of details.
One of The Lighter Books,Another Quick Read.......2005-09-29
I feel like a professional as far as this case goes. LOL I have stated before that after seeing the totally pro Dan and Linda movie (The Betty Broderick Story) I started reading and watching everything about this case, including the court tv show, A&E Justice Story, MNCBS Headliners etc...While I will grant that Betty murdering them was over the top, some of the stunts of Dan and Linda were over the top too. You also have to keep in mind that Dan was the one whose "friends" were the lawyers and judges, not Betty. In spite of friends saying she could have gone to another county to find a lawyer, it really was not as easy as all that. The woman was completly blind-sided by this man she had worked so hard for. It truly was a sad, sad story.This book was quick, but did not have many details and certainly not reserched as the book by Bella Stumbo was. It was okay and added maybe a little more insight to the case but not much.
WOW!!! Real life drama.......2005-08-29
I became introduced to this case through court TV and many documentaries, and all I can say is WOW!!!! No matter what you feel about the victims or Betty, you have to feel for the children who were put through this. I was heartbroken while reading this book. It has the same feel of the book I read for the movie "Goodfellas" and you do sort of feel caught up in the mess. It's sad really, but it's a teaching lesson if you look it at in a positive light.
Amazon.com
The Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book is the joyously affirmative answer to the question "Is there an alternative to the prepackaged bus tour of Tinseltown?" William Gordon's guide delivers all the juicy scandal you've come for, but at your pace, at your discretion, and without crackly speakers blasting in your ear. You want to see former homes of Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, or Elvis Presley, current homes of Elizabeth Taylor, Ronald Reagan, or Hugh Hefner, and the site of the Charles Manson cult murders? Gordon helps you conduct your own exploration, and supplies invaluable tidbits of information, such as how Jayne Mansfield came to receive $50,000 worth of free merchandise to decorate her Pink Palace. Gordon covers 32 neighborhoods, providing a practical tour guide as well as a fun gift for the star-struck and Hollywood-bound.
Book Description
The self-guided tours in this book help travelers discover where today's Hollywood lives, works. The book covers a little of everything: celebrity homes and haunts; locations all over greater Los Angeles where popular and classic motion pictures and television shows were filmed; the studios; sites of infamous Hollywood scandals, murders, and suicides; and other sites where entertainment history, including sites that inspired songs. The book is updated annually and covers 17 different areas of greater Los Angeles (from Pasadena to Malibu and the northern San Fernando Valley to the South Bay.) Readers can also ask the publisher to send e-mail updates.
Customer Reviews:
Not your average tacky guide book........2007-01-12
The Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book is full of interesting facts, historical tidbits and interviews with Hollywood natives that provide readers with a realistic view of Hollywood, past and present. As any worthwhile tour guide should, this book lists hundreds of locations of interest to visit in and around the Hollywood area, extending it's reach to surrounding Los Angeles communities that have ties to the entertainment business. However, the tone of Gordon's book is informative, straightforward and friendly, not off-putting or intentionally misleading, as some guide books can be.
Not surprisingly, Gordon's book is even a fun read for those of us born and raised in Hollywood. For me it brought back memories of old haunts, and it evoked nods of approval among friends as we read through many accurate descriptions of favorite locales and pages of sound advice about what to visit and why, as well as what to avoid.
Whether you're a native of the Los Angeles area, a tourist planning just a few days' visit to Hollywood, or a local history buff searching for a fun and interesting book to read, you can't go wrong picking up a copy of William Gordon's Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book.
Wish I had this book a few years ago.......2005-11-08
About 5 years ago I took a summer job giving tours of Hollywood on an old trolley car. One of my most memorable experiences was the day one of the guides for the Beverly Hills tour got sick and I was thrown into the front seat of a tour van and sent on my way to give a tour of the star's homes. It was without a doubt one of the more embarrassing moments of my life as it wasn't my regular gig and I had to make a lot of stuff up because I had no idea whose house was whose and the guy driving the van was as clueless as I was. But if the owner's of the tour company had seen fit to give me this book beforehand I would have known where I was and all those tourists wouldn't have asked for their money back when the tour was over.
Tinseltown Mania.......2003-04-12
There must be 50 Hollywood homes books on the market. If you visit Beverly Hills, a tour-bus or map salesman will gladly take your money. But W. Gordon's remarkably accurate and truthful guide will spell out where the buses point out homes where movie stars never lived. Gordon provides detailed directions and maps to the sites you want to see. And loads of "goodies" and information. He shows you how to get to Arnold's palatial block of homes in Brentwood, and warns that driving there is a $ 500 fine and possible jail time! Wow! He also gives directions to Rudolph Valentino's original 1920's mansion(and much, much more). Forget the B.S. Here it is. When I e-mailed him for an up-date, he gladly provided it for free(see the book). Why waste time driving around freeways?
Decidedly Worth Your Time (and $).......2002-03-02
This is a not so typical tour guide which provides its reader with a lot of bang for his/her buck. It provides information which is fairly accurate regarding the living (who tend to move quite a bit). The listings provided for death scenes are very accurate (assuming you only die once). Ditto for burial sites (assuming that remains stay put in one place.....unfortunately, that isn't always true as I seem to always be finding out). What is really impressive about the many editions of this book that have been published to date is that the author constantly updates the information in the book, so that it is as accurate as it can be given the odd and fluctuating state of celebrity mindsets (and fortunes).
So if you are willing to assume that some of the information may become outdated, you will probably enjoy this book quite a bit.
Great resource for DIYers with cars.......2000-05-09
When I took an exploratory job trip for two weeks in L.A., I had a copy of the previous edition of "The Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book" and found a lot of cool stuff using this book. (I drove by O.J. Simpson's home -- which he has since sold -- as well as the former homes of Joan Crawford and Shirley Temple in Brentwood).
Since I drove down from San Francisco I stopped in Malibu and drove through some of the exclusive star neighborhoods mentioned in here (that was the first time I'd ever seen a street sign marked "Private") and I saw someone who looked suspiciously like Pierce Brosnan riding his bike and he waved! Surreal!
The maps were black and white, but still good enough to get me where I wanted to go; used in conjunction with a regular street map, you won't go wrong. As far as I know, there's no other guide book to L.A./Hollywood like this. So if you don't want to feel like a tourist and see all the regular stuff PLUS stuff no one will tell you about GET THIS BOOK!
Customer Reviews:
CALIFORNIA,S GREAT CABERNETS.......2000-05-15
Bought the book in 1992 and found into be a excellent reference for California great cabs.The book is easy to read has a good index. The wineries and wines are rated in a comprehensive manner.I have used this book to buy wines based on the authors reviews and I have tasted some great wines. I am eagerly awaiting James Laubes next book.
Book Description
Think of them as the tour-guide version of Patsy and Edina from Absolutely Fabulous-if those two ever were sober enough to write a book. Knowing that the agenda of the average gay or lesbian traveler is a bit different from that of Mom and Pop Smith from Des Moines, Jeffrey Epstein and Eddie Shapiro proffer a guide book to the Disney resorts that specifically caters to gay and lesbian readers. While sniping at each other only occasionally, they offer candid, informative and always-humorous opinions on everything from hotels and attractions to restaurants and shows. The writers also provide information about nearby theme parks and local gay life surrounding the Disney landscape. Additionally, the book boasts: "fairy facts," unique tidbits of trivia about every attraction in the parks; vital tips on how to make the most of your stay, such as which restaurants offer the best bang for your buck and how to avoid all the long lines; help on finding the parks' "gay goodies" like Ellen's Energy Adventure (starring none other than Ellen DeGeneres); and where to grab a kiss without feeling stared at. With additional commentary provided by gays and lesbians surveyed from across the country, there's something for everyone: singles, couples, parents with kids, singles looking to be coupled and couples looking to be single. Even people long-familiar with Disneyland and Walt Disney World will want to pick up this funny, irreverent and insightful look at how they, too, can experience family at America's family Mecca.
Jeffrey Epstein is a native of Newton, Massachusetts, who now lives in Los Angeles, California. The former West Coast Editor of Soap Opera Digest, he is now the Senior Editor of Out Magazine, and is one of the organizers of Gay Day at Disneyland.
Eddie Shapiro is the Event Manager for AIDS Walk New York. A former resident of Long Island, he now makes his home in New York City.
Customer Reviews:
Very entertaining and informative guide!.......2007-08-19
We bought this book based on an article we read about Disney guide books. I'm so glad we did! It surpassed my expectations! Maybe I should say up front that I'm hetero, so I can't be a good judge on the information focusing on the best gay friendly clubs and hot spots. But as a Disney park fan, I'm a very good judge on that focus on the book. The writing style is very funny, including the quotes from other people, and I enjoyed how it speaks to the reader as an adult. Plus, even though I have been to Disney World 30 times and read a number of other books, QUEENS still gave me new information. That includes a way to save money on park tickets if you're someone who visits Disney often. Thanks, Jeffrey and Eddie! Like someone said, the maps are very simplistic, but this didn't bother me. I wasn't looking for that kind of thing; after all, I can get interactive ones and ones I can customize for us for free on disney.com, so it didn't affect my review. This is not a book to plan your day, telling you to go here, do this and then that, but an insight into rides, dining, and atmosphere. I've already recommended this book to my family and friends who are both gay and straight.
A lovely guide.......2007-07-25
While this book is aimed largely at the traveller with an 'alternative lifestyle', it also has plenty to offer an elderly couple. The detailed guide of the park's toilet facilities was far more exhaustive than in any other handbook I have read. The special toilet maps saved Doreen from embarassment on at least three occassions. Sadly, there were at least three other occassions when it failed to save her from embarassment, but the staff were understanding about the mess and treated her with dignity. I found it a little odd that the authors devoted more than half of the book to the lavatories, but their consideration is admirable. I was saddened to learn within that they were eventually booted out for trying to ignite a gigantic wicker-phallus to display during Mickey Mouse's parade. Is there no end to the intolerance of society? Anyway, I look forward to the forthcoming guide to Iran, where I hope they will find more acceptance.
PS. The recurring joke about 'taking the Mickey' (Oooh!!!) amused me more and more with every repetition.
A Genuinely Fun Read.......2007-06-26
I found this book to be plenty comprehensive, except where it says it isn't. But most of all, I found it to be funny, well written and a nice way to get the most out of visiting the parks as well as a pleasant reminder of what's so fun (and lame) about the parks, when you're not there... like, say, in Detroit for instance.
great guide for the gay community.......2007-05-21
This book is a joy to read, replete with info I find important as a frequent visitor to Disneyworld.We double income, no kids gays have the money and these guys are telling us how and where to spend it to get the most out of our Disney vacation.There's ratings on each and every resort, rides, restaurants etc. Highly recommended.
Fortunately Helpful.......2007-01-05
I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Jeffrey and his family when he was in Disney World. We were in line with him to see Finding Nemo: The Musical, and he was very kind, and very helpful, and his writing styles are definitely much like his attitude. He's very witty and knows what he's talking about.
So, I went out and got this book when his mother told me about it, and I love it. I think it's very helpful, and I've been to the parks many times before and the book has a lot of details I wouldn't have thought of putting in, and those details make it helpful to the reader.
Book Description
Looking for fun in Los Angeles but don't want to spend big bucks? FREE L.A. details hundreds of free fun things to do in the L.A. area, from Hollywood to Malibu to Pasadena. Discover free museums, free botanical gardens, free festivals, free films, free concerts and more. Whether you're looking for fun in the sun or for something free and easy to do during major holidays, FREE L.A. is a perfect travel planner for tourists and residents alike. Treat the family to a free movie under the stars or bring a date to a free Playboy Jazz concert. Visit LA's top museums for free or take free tours of historic LA landmarks. FREE L.A. has more than 350 free fun things to choose from.
Written and researched by a crew of savvy L.A. travel writers, each event and venue is described in a breezy style that's packed with details, including tips on parking and kid-friendly places. FREE L.A. also features the Thomas Guide ™ map coordinates for every write-up, so finding the free fun is easy. As car-crazy Angelenos know, Rand McNally's Thomas Guide is the ultimate way to navigate your way through L.A.'s freeway maze.
FREE L.A. is simple to use with five distinct sections. In Annual Events you'll find hip descriptions of ethnic celebrations, aviation expos, nature festivals, gem shows and more in a January to December format. Holiday Events covers Lunar New Year parades, Earth Day fests, Cinco de Mayo fiestas, July 4th fireworks, Halloween howls and Christmas boat parades. Extra Events features concerts, films, gardening goodies and ongoing happenings. Venues details dozens of museums, botanical gardens and historic places. All free. The Indexes section includes an alphabetical index so you can find every free fun thing to do by name. A location index lets you search by community with cross-references to the Thomas Guide map coordinates.
Whether you're a tourist or a resident, with FREE L.A., you'll find something free to do every day.
Customer Reviews:
Don't Visit L.A. without this Book!.......2005-10-21
"Free L.A., The Ultimate Free Fun Guide to the City of Angels" contains more free things to do in L.A. than one can count! Over 250 pages of events and attractions are presented with details and contact information (many with websites).
The book begins with monthly Annual Events so you can plan what to do whenever you visit. You'll learn how to attend the January 1 Tournament of Roses Parade for free, complete with parking instructions. On the first two Saturdays in February, your family can enjoy the Pan African Film and Arts Festival Children's Festival at Magic Johnson Theatres. And, in July, there's the Courtyard Kid's Festival at the Japanese American National Museum.
There's another section with Holiday Events, which kicks off with the Chinese New Year's Festival in Chinatown as the first of several New Year's Celebrations. Other holidays which have dedicated sections include Earth Day, Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Halloween and Winter Holidays.
There is also an "Extra Events" section, which features free Concerts, Films, Gardening and more.
The last part of "Free L.A." is entitled "Venues" and includes sections of Free Museums, Museums with Free Days, Botanical Gardens, Historic Places and Nature Centers & Preserves.
Finally, you'll find an index listing all the free goodies, both alphabetically and by location. The book is approximately 3 ½ by 8 inches and would easily fit into a tote bag or a purse so you can take it with you as you tour the "City of Angels".
I Live in and Love LA..........2005-10-19
...and I loved this book. Sorry, but a Google is just not the same. This book mentions places I didn't know existed so I would know to Google them! (LA is a very big place. ) And it gives nitty-gritty secrets about each (especially the free days!) that many sites don't give. I keep it on my desktop right along with my writing references. It's saved me way more than the cost of the book.
---------
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of THIS IS THE PLACE, HARKENING, TRACINGS and THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T
Perhaps we should pay and do other stuff!.......2005-10-02
Very disappointed in this book. I think one could get more from a google of LA. Oh well, I guess I expected unusual stuff, given the title.
A superb introduction to Los Angeles travel and fun.......2004-12-09
Free L.A. is an event guide rather than a travel guide per se, so tourists seeking a broader wealth of information concerning hotels, restaurants, etc. will want to supplement it with a more well-rounded guidebook. Free L.A. is a travel, entertainment and tourist guide especially for the budget-conscious - since all the events, activities, and things to do it lists in the City of Angels are free! Free festivals, museums, historic landmarks, botanical gardens, tours, concerts, art events, films, holiday celebrations and more pack this suprisingly thick little book. Arranged by month and season, each listed event includes an applicable phone number or website, a brief description, parking notes, information on whether the event is kid-friendly or has wheelchair/stroller access, and more. A superb introduction to Los Angeles travel and fun, and also an excellent resource for L.A. natives looking to enjoy themselves.
A Guide to a Year of Fun in L.A. .......2004-08-02
No matter what time of year you decide to go to L.A., there is something fun happening and it might just be free. Most of the events listed in this book are free to the public because they are funded through government grants, corporate sponsorships, non-profit groups and individual donations. If you want, you can make a donation at various locations.
The items in this book are listed from January to December. The dates may be subject to change, so it is advisable to check the website for current information.
Some of the Fun Free Adventures Include:
A LA Harbor Tour that leaves every 20-60 minutes. Take a tour in an open-air tour boat.
Central Avenue Jazz Festival - dine on ethnic cuisine while you listen to music
Summer Concerts in the Park - evenings of music in July and August
There is also information for every interest. If you love gardening, there are many beautiful gardens to visit. You might even enjoy volunteering to help decorate a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade. I saw one of the floats up close and they are pretty amazing. I wondered who had all that time on their hands, and now we know. You can sign up to volunteer through a special website.
Other Interesting Places to Visit:
Frederick's of Hollywood Lingerie Museum
Fall Festival Farmer's Market
Holiday Movie Shorts at Santa Monica Place
This book is filled with free festivals, museums, historic landmarks, botanical gardens, tours, summer fun, concerts, art events, films and holiday events. Each entry features Thomas Guide map coordinates to make finding your free fun much easier.
~TheRebeccaReview.com
Book Description
Spilling over with spectacular vistas and practical information, Sonoma is the ultimate guide to one of California's premier wine regions. This new edition is fully updated, including five new winery profiles as well as a fresh new cover and interior design. Renowned wine and food writer Heidi H. Cusick-Dickerson reveals which wineries have the best gardens, the most informative tours, and the most magnificent views. She also highlights the best season to visit each site and offers insightful information on winemaking and local history. Sidebars outline directions, visiting hours, and winery highlights, and a detailed map is printed on the inside covers of the book, making for easy navigation. Illustrated with Richard Gillette's stunning, full-color photography, Sonoma: The Ultimate Winery Guide is both a practical guide to the region and a beautiful keepsake.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Representation of Sonoma County .......2006-07-18
I used this book for a wine class I conducted focusing on exclusively Sonoma County wines. The book contains some very good general information about Sonoma County as well as information about a number of wineries. Gorgeous photos really capture the feeling of the County. As a former resident of Sonoma County, it made me homesick!
SONOMA THE ULTIMATE WINERY GUIDE.......2000-06-23
As a winery employee, I would recommend this book to both serious and novice winery visitors. This book is loaded with beautiful glossy photographs and detailed information on each winery, organized by region. It focuses on wineries only, with brief referals to nearby food and farms of interest. Each winery has it's own page, with a helpful quick reference in the left margin of the necessary details on hours, fees, directions, wines etc. This is a plus when you have limited time, and don't want to spend half your day searching through a guidebook. There is also a section that classifies the wineries by specific features that may help narrow down your selection when touring. The winemaking calendar and grape glossary would be especially useful to first timers. The size makes it slightly awkward to carry around, but the photos will make a wonderful momento when you return home!
SONOMA THE ULTIMATE WINERY GUIDE.......2000-06-23
As a winery employee, I would recommend this book to both serious and novice winery visitors. This book is loaded with beautiful glossy photographs and detailed information on each winery, organized by region. It focuses on wineries only, with brief referals to nearby food and farms of interest. Each winery has it's own page, with a helpful quick reference in the left margin of the necessary details on hours, fees, directions, wines etc. This is a plus when you have limited time, and don't want to spend half your day searching through a guidebook. There is also a section that classifies the wineries by specific features that may help narrow down your selection when touring. The winemaking calendar and grape glossary would be especially useful to first timers. The size makes it slightly awkward to carry around, but the photos will make a wonderful momento when you return home!
Books:
- Bali Houses: New Wave Asian Architecture and Design
- Big Bend Vistas: A Geological Exploration of the Big Bend
- Black Forest Cuisine: The Classic Blending of European Flavors
- Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves
- California Wine Country: A Sunset Field Guide (Sunset Field Guides)
- Cross
- Cut and Run: Loggin' Off the Big Woods
- Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That's Right for Your Body
- Enrique's Journey
- Everyday Pasta
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