Mule Trader

Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Moon Grand Canyon (Moon Handbooks) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A good book to gain information of where to go and what to expect to find; this book is true to form of the information provided.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Moon Grand Canyon (Moon Handbooks)

Novelist and yoga instructor Kathleen Bryant offers an insider's perspective on the Grand Canyon, from river rafting in the inner canyon to experiencing the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Bryant includes many unique trip strategies, including A Wild Week in the Grand Outdoors and A Romantic Weekend for Two. Including expert advice on camping along the remote North Rim and visiting the Hualapai and Havasupai Reservations, Moon Grand Canyon gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Moon Grand Canyon (Moon Handbooks)

First Footsteps in East Africa or an Exploration of Harar Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Sir Richard F Burton is one of the most famous of unread authors. Nearly everyone can tell you about his scandalous doings with native women, his marriage to an ultra-Catholic Englishwoman, and the latter's destruction of the author's private papers after his death.
Ever since I read Fawn Brodie's excellent biography, THE DEVIL DRIVES, I have collected some 20 different Burton books and read most of them. If you make allowances for Burton's diabolical thoroughness (involved footnotes, appendices, foreign language quotes, tables, etc.) and his Victorian circumlocutions in dealing with taboo subjects, he is a truly wonderful read.
Although FIRST FOOTSTEPS is not his most famous book, it is probably the best one to start with. The action is not only more focussed, but Burton did feel he needed quite so much of a scholarly carapace to report back to the scholarly organizations back in Britain. And it finishes up with a stirring postscript about an attack on Burton's camp by Somalis in which the author barely escaped with his life.
Perhaps this is a book that Presidents Bush and Clinton should have read before committing U.S. troops to the region: Burton shows us that not much has changed in the region in 150 years. He was in constant danger, and survived only because his knowledge and guts were more than an a match for his enemies.
This is an exciting book and deserves to be better known.

Click Here to see more reviews about: First Footsteps in East Africa or an Exploration of Harar

Subjects: Horn of Africa -- Description and travelNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there.--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Get 6% OFF

Click here for more information about First Footsteps in East Africa or an Exploration of Harar

Wild Winds: Adventures in the Highest Andes Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A superb book. Highly recomended first-hands descriptions of fantastic climbs in the andes. Full of interesting histories and facts. Outstanding!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wild Winds: Adventures in the Highest Andes

Click here for more information about Wild Winds: Adventures in the Highest Andes

Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes by Martin Li is a very well written and fascinating book in which the author describes in great details his ambitious trek through the Andes. He is an ambitious hiker and made his journey to discover and trace the history of the last great pre-Columbian civilisation in South America, the Incas. The vast empire the Incas built and the civilized society they formed who built the amazing places such as Cuzco and Machu Picchu was conquered by a small band of Spaniards after only about three generations on the Inca Empire. Li's journey explores all the history of the Incas, visiting each significant place across the beautiful and rugged terrain of the Andes. His book is fascinating and informative as well as descriptively beautiful. Anyone going to the Andes should read it first in order to get a lot more out of your trip. We highly recommend it and wish we had had this book before our trip to Machu Picchu. a portion of the proceeds from the book is donated to help finance solar energy and other development projects in Bolivia and Peru. A MUST READ!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes

Imagine taking a wondrous journey through the remote, rugged and beautiful wilderness of the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. Imagine further that during your journey, you discover the gripping, poignant story of the rise and fall of the Inca empire. The Incas were the last great pre-Columbian civilisation to evolve in South America. Believing themselves the chosen people of the Sun God, they forged a vast empire that spanned the length of the Andes. Yet, at the height of their power, the all-conquering Incas themselves fell prey to a tiny band of Spanish invaders. Where did the Incas come from and what is the truth behind the many myths surrounding their meteoric rise and dramatic downfall? Join the author on a breathtaking voyage to find out. From the Incas' mythical birthplace in Lake Titicaca, journey across awe-inspiring Andean ranges to the empire's majestic pinnacle at Cuzco and Machu Picchu, and beyond to the scene of the Incas' final stand in the jungle-choked forests of Vilcabamba. Breathe in the clean, crisp air of the snow-capped Andes. Feel the tingling spiritual stillness of Lake Titicaca. Marvel as shooting stars streak across the Andean sky. Wonder at glorious Inca cities such as Machu Picchu, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Choquequirao, and the beautiful colonial architecture of Cuzco. Woven throughout the tale of the journey is the gripping, poignant story of the rise and fall of the glittering, but short-lived, Inca empire. Discover the truth about the Incas and their fascinating culture and beliefs. Witness the bloody but daring Spanish Conquest and the doomed Inca attempts to repel the Conquistadores. Virtually the entire journey is a breathtaking palette of spectacular landscapes, historical resonance and vibrant culture that never fails to thrill and inspire. As you read, a deep sense of wonder cannot fail to awaken within you.

Click here for more information about Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes

Letters From My Windmill (Penguin Classics) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In the late 1860s when Alphonse Daudet set out to write stories about his native Provence in serial form for a newspaper, I seriously doubt that he was aware that he was going to leave a masterpiece behind. Luckily for us, he has done just that. The stories are not linked by any particular theme and they all concern the humorous and sometimes tragic goings-on of local characters. Daudet has a peculiarly powerful way of displaying his sympathy for these people and the beautiful countryside they live in. These stories almost seem to have an air of medieval romance to them, though Daudet's writing is very modern in its simplicity of style. The plots display a range from uproarious comedy to a sweet melancholia. Always there is a whiff of nostalgia in the air as Daudet witnesses the very beginnings of modern life and its impact on his beloved Provence. This is a book to treasure and to share with your best friends. If you have not seen the old 1954 black and white French film version in English subtitles, by all means track it down. It's a classic.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Letters From My Windmill (Penguin Classics)

Alphonse Daudet's novels established him as the most successful writer in France by the end of the XIX century; but it was the "Letters", first published in book form in 1869, which remained his favourite creation and has proved his most lasting. Throughout his working life in Paris Daudet never lost his almost umbilical attachment to Provence. These tales of that region are characterised by a tenderness and delicacy, a wistfulness and wry humour, which give moving substance to his claim that to invent, for him, was to remember.

Click here for more information about Letters From My Windmill (Penguin Classics)

Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently bought this guide along with two other guides for my trip to the Grand Canyon. This one was so good that I literally threw out my other two guides three days into my trip. (Actually I gave them away to other vacationers to reuse and recycle but terminology aside, I still ended up getting rid of them to lessen the load in my backpack because they were nowhere near as thorough as The Complete Guide). Other books can't compare to the glossy color photographs, maps, trail recommendations, park background, flora and fauna highlights to look for and most importantly the insider's tips provided in this guide. It actually felt like the other two guides that I bought for my trip (and to be nice I won't name names but they were from big travel book publishers) were written by people sitting behind a computer in an office who hadn't been to the Grand Canyon in years, while this guide reads like the author is sitting on a rock perched over the Colorado River sharing his insight to friends. I loved this guide and can't recommend it enough. Besides a good backpack, hiking shoes and some food, it's all that you need for a great trip to the Grand Canyon. Buy this one book, skip everything else that's out there, and you'll be all set.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park

Filled with beautiful color photographs, this award-winning guidebook reveals the best of America's most famous national park. Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide equips travelers with detailed maps, travel tips, and extensive listings for lodging, camping, and sightseeing. From river rafting to mule rides, Grand Canyon is filled with adventures. But without careful planning, a trip there can be overwhelming. This guide divides Grand Canyon into sections--the South Rim, North Rim, Colorado River, and Havasu Canyon--and offers invaluable tips on enjoying the park's highlights while avoiding the crowds. The park's most popular hiking trails are covered in detail, and outfitters for backpacking, mule rides, and whitewater rafting are listed. Carefully researched chapters about the park's history, geology, and wildlife take readers behind the scenes, providing fascinating context for one of earth's greatest natural wonders.

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon Guide: Your Complete Guide to the Grand Canyon Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well thought out & comprehensive guide for the Grand Canyon. It's good information prior to arrival. Published in 2010 so one may be assured that its contents are timely. If you have the time I would point you toward the North Rim. Be certain to have a reservation at the lodge before making the trip.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Grand Canyon Guide: Your Complete Guide to the Grand Canyon

Whether your interest in the Grand Canyon is in a quick look from a few of the rim view points, a week-long whitewater trip on the Colorado River, a stay in a lodge on the very edge of the canyon, a walk along a rim trail, camping in the rim forest, or hiking down into the canyon, this book is for you.Grand Canyon Guide has two major parts, Activities and Exploring. In Activities, you find out how to get to the Grand Canyon and what do do once you're there. Exploring The Canyon is for those who want to learn more about the national park, national monument, national forest, and Indian reservations that all have a part in managing the lands of the Grand Canyon region. You can also learn more about the natural and human history of the Grand Canyon.

Click here for more information about Grand Canyon Guide: Your Complete Guide to the Grand Canyon

A History of Africa Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With a sharp eye towards debunking a few centuries of self-serving white European mythic history about the origins of African societies, but without any particular ax to grind but those of intelligence and accuracy, J.D. Fage's work is scholarly and readable. It is a critical survey, with an excellent bibliography spanning a large number of subjects. His knowledge of west Africa is particularly impressive, and he clearly delineates the powers of both external cultural forces sweeping into Africa (Islam) as well as those that originated there.

Click Here to see more reviews about: A History of Africa

A History of Africa is a thorough narrative history of the continent from its beginnings to the twenty-first century. Long established at the forefront of African Studies, thisbook addresses the events of the 1990s and beyond.The issues discussed include:post-apartheid South Africathe prospects for democratization in Africa at the beginning of the new millenniumdevelopments in Muslim North Africa including the threat of Islamic fundamentalismeconomic and social developments including the devastating impact of Third World debt and the provision of debt reliefcultural, environmental and gender issues in Modern Africa.

Get 5% OFF

Click here for more information about A History of Africa

Tiki Road Trip: A Guide to Tiki Culture in North America Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Tiki Road Trip is an excellent, if somewhat scattershot guide of Tiki bars, restaurants, and other Polynesian-themed facilities. Teitelbaum provides names, addresses, reviews and in some cases, photos to help you plan your next driving trip.
The author's reviews vary from cursory to pretty detailed. His emphasis is on the "Tikiness" of each place, based on decor, atmosphere, and food/drink. I didn't always agree with his "TiPSY" rating of some places, primarily because his emphasis seems to be primarily on Tiki decorations. I felt that Teitelbaum did not give enough weight to rarer architectural features (e.g. lava rock construction, A-framed roofs, etc.) in calculating his TiPSY scores. However, he states in the beginning that TiPSYness ratings are subjective, so any criticism described here is very minor.
This book isn't so much a road trip guide, as it is a compendium of Tiki joints past and present. While some places are alive and well, Teitelbaum includes places that are closed - in some cases for many years. Some of the Tiki spots documented are long forgotten, and the only testament that they even existed is a mug or matchbook. Also the addresses or, in some cases, cities of some of the spots listed are not provided.
A few improvements would help with subsequent editions of this guide. An index would be useful. Tables listing Tiki joints by TiPSYness, category, etc. would also be beneficial. Another recommendation is the inclusion of maps, at least at the state level. Finally, color photos are a must. Teitelbaum includes some outstanding pictures, unfortunately all in black and white.
While this book could be a bit better, it is still a must have for Tiki buffs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tiki Road Trip: A Guide to Tiki Culture in North America

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Tiki Road Trip: A Guide to Tiki Culture in North America

Sarah Heckford: A Lady Trader in the Transvaal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Sarah Heckford's adventures as a teacher, farmer, and peddler make fascinating reading. Even more interesting is her account of her role in the siege of Pretoria during the first Anglo-Boer War. The book is well worth reading and Silver's scholarly but lively introduction puts Heckford's extraordinary ideas and activities into perspective.The narrative is more than an account of Heckford's ox-wagon journety through the rugged interior of the former Transvaal Province, but a history and commentary of the people and the times. A compelling read.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sarah Heckford: A Lady Trader in the Transvaal

A LADY TRADER IN THE TRANSVAAL presents the South African adventures of Sarah Heckford, a once famous but now forgotten Anglo-Irish gentlewoman. After treking to the Transvaal in 1878, this intrepid woman served as governess, doctor, builder, nurse, and farmer. When her farm failed, she broke through the barriers of gender and class to make her fortune as a smous or peddler -trading with the Africans and Afrikaners of the remote bush-veldt. Caught up in the Anglo-Boer War of 1879-1880, she survived the hundred-day siege of Pretoria only to find the British dishonored and herself financially ruined. Silver's introduction to SARAH HECKFORD: A LADY TRADER IN THE TRANSVAAL examines Heckford's eventful life both before and after the events of her book and contextualizes her both as a "traveler in petticoats" and an atypical trader. It explores Heckford's attitudes to war and empire and to Africans and Afrikaners as it seeks to reveal the private selves of this unique and multifaceted woman. CAROLE G. SILVER is Professor of English at Yeshiva University's Stern College for Women. A recipient of a PhD from Columbia University and of Woodrow Wilson and National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships, she has written widely on Victorian literature, art, and culture, notably on William Morris and Pre-Raphaelitism. Her recent works include STRANGE AND SECRET PEOPLES: FAIRIES AND VICTORIAN CONSCIOUSNESS (Oxford, 1999), an introduction to an international exhibition of the paintings of William Holman Hunt, and a forthcoming collection of Southern African folk tales.

Click here for more information about Sarah Heckford: A Lady Trader in the Transvaal

Blog Archive