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Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Andrew Doughty

May 01, 2005
An absolute great job. Well written, concise, sprinkled with humor and common sense advise. Actually bought an extra copy for my daughter since I refused to give mine up. I've read many Maui guide books and this one is by far the best of the bunch. Love it.

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The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Andrew Doughty

October 15, 2008
There is nothing bad to say about this book. If you are heading to Kauai and want to make the most out of your trip, you have to buy this book. Details about every aspect of the island, including beaches, activities, adventures, hotels, restaurants, etc. Without this book you would miss so much. Just use the book to plan your whole trip. The other islands editions are just as good. Love it!

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The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Candice Millard

October 10, 2006
This is a tremendous book, retelling a significant voyage of discovery in the early 20th century involving the former president; his son Kermit and Brazil's foremost explorer Candido Rondon.

Following his resounding defeat in the election of 1912, when he ran as a third party candidate, and badly splintered the Republican Party, Roosevelt decided, as was his habit, to recuperate by throwing himself into a vigorous physical challenge.

Initially intended as a combination speaking tour/excursion, Theodore Roosevelt's impulsive decision to expand the trip to include exploring the uncharted River of Doubt, turned the journey into a life threatening experience. First time author Candice Millard does a great job of building suspense and ... Read More:

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Audubon Engagement Calendar 2009

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: National Audubon Society

June 01, 2008
This is the 10th year I've used this calendar, not because I'm a Society member, but because of the quality of the book. Its size (approx. 10x6)makes it portable, but each page has one week. I use the book as an appointment book and as a diary of events and have kept all back copies. They have helped me when I need to remember specific dates. The wide spaces for each date are convenient.
Oh, and the pictures opposite each week are stunning!

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Hunter S. Thompson

1971
How can a book be hilarious and drab at the same time? Well, imagine this situation: you've arrived at a huge party with your friends. You're really pumped, you're telling jokes, and everyone is laughing, and your friends are enjoying your company, and everyone is having a good time. But then, a few hours later, your adrenaline runs out, and you've already told your best jokes. Now, you have to force yourself to have fun -- you're talking much louder than you should, trying to affect a witty tone for some laboured one-liners. Nobody wants to leave the party, because they came to have a good time, but everyone is already kind of tired and mildly irritated. At the end, you feel like you shouldn't have bothered.

That's exactly this book. The fun part of the ... Read More:

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NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
from: Firefly Books

November 01, 1998
An absolutely wonderful book; however, the numerous printing imperfections encountered (odd smudges, smears, and stains) have significantly detracted from the reading experience.
The book states that it was printed in China and it shows--really bad for a new book.
Perhaps whoever printed the book thought that one would be reading it mainly in the dark and would not notice the blemishes.
A five-star rating for content and 0-stars for print quality equals 3 stars total (more of less).

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The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Bill Bryson

September 25, 2007
I do enjoy Bryson's writing, and have thoroughly enjoyed his other work. And I do enjoy the writing in this book. However...why am I not laughing so hard at this book? My boyhood in the 60s was just under ten years removed from the world Bryson describes. Yet so much of what he describes was real about my world, too. I, like him, feel keenly the passing of a world and a way of life that was decent and enjoyable. Perhaps it is that bittersweet aspect of it all that makes this book less of a laugher for me. I have to say that the book brought back many fond memories for me, and evoked a time when we all rode bicycles without helmets, collected pop bottles for cash, avidly read comic books, etc. Granted, there are darker aspects of that era that we are better for leaving ... Read More:

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Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West (Lewis & Clark Expedition)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Stephen E. Ambrose

February 15, 1996
This is one of the greatest books written on the Lewis and Clark expedition. It has every element of a great novel let alone the historic, factual, epic it is. There are passages that can make one weep as well as those which terrify. Some day, hopefully soon, a movie-maker will turn this book into an award winning film and reveal to the public the depth and majesty of this great American adventure.

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Voyager (Unabridged)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Diana Gabaldon

February 15, 1996
So much has already been said about this series of books, but I can't help it, I have to add my two cents just in case there are still people out there who have put off reading this series because of the time-travel aspect, (which is why I didn't read them for so long as a big fan of historical fiction). Stop resisting, start at the beginning, go out and pick up a copy of Outlander and I promise you will not stop until you have read all of the books in the series!

The first part of Voyager covers the time Jamie and Claire spent apart and we learn what has been going on in Jamie's life. (God, I didn't think it was possible to love that man anymore than I already did!) I had to fight so hard not to skip ahead to their reunion, but it was worth the wait! Like Claire, I was absolutely shocked ... Read More:

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Hawaii the Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Hawaii the Big Island Revealed)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Travel
by: Andrew Doughty, Harriett Friedman

2002-06
This is an informative book. The book gives good advice and interesting places to visit that are not on the average tourist's radar. Restaurant reviews have helped my husband and I find just what we are looking for. The writing is great. You won't feel you are being weighed down with facts and figures, but you get entertaining stories with a history lesson.