No comments about Frommer's Niagara Region (Frommer's Complete).

5 comments about Names on the Land: A Historical Account of Place-Naming in the United States (New York Review Books Classics).

1. What a wonderful book! And such a pleasure to learn where the names of places come from. A great find.



2. If you ever want to know how American cities and towns got their names, this is the place to go. My husband and I both have really enjoyed looking through this book and plan to take it on trips.



3. Quite a disappointment, actually two of them since the book I ordered at the same time, How the States Got Their Shapes, was disappointing also. Truly a record to get two losers at the same time. I disliked this book so much I stopped reading it. Very boring which is a shame since I am normally interested in this subject. I love American history also but this book didn't cut the mustard for me. I think it may have gotten better if I had stayed with it but I had had enough. Sorry there aren't many reasons given to back
   up my review. It was such a forgettable book, to me, I simply forgot them.



4. Behind every name there's a story and Stewart's tome is a staggering monument of scholarship. One can only imagine the time and resources he put into this book which tells the origin of many of the place names that today are so familiar. And he reveals the naming processes, from adopting Indian appellations to names of explorers, to descriptions of events that took place there, to artificially contrived names, to names that evolved, to names brought from abroad -- in other words, the whole gamut of naming places. Stewart's telling of the story behind so many names adds a new and pleasureable dimension to American history. This is a book you read slowly, savoring the names on the land as they tell their story.



5. I'll join everyone else in saying this book is fascinating. Stewart's prose is strong and easy on the eye, the kind of informative and engaging writing John McPhee does so well. In fact I'd compare it to McPhee's Annals of the Former World. Stewart does for geography what McPhee does for geology.

4 comments about Streetwise Transitwise Map - Laminated New York Metropolitan Commuter Rail Map - Folding pocket size travel map with LIRR, NYC subway, NJ transit, path trains & Amtrak.

1. Purchased for my daughter prior to her attending college in NYC. She says this has been very helpful in navigating her way around



2. I've been using this map (multiple copies) in my classroom during my class' New York City unit for the past several years. It is perfect for our needs, though it only shows half of Manhattan on each side, so it is not great for display purposes. We also take it with us when we visit the City on our class trip and it is perfect for walking/riding around - very clear and easy to read.
   Good value for the money.



3. While planning my second trip to NYC, and remembering the frustration of relying on that "free" subway map which was completely tattered and torn by the end of my first day in the city, I researched several laminated options with seemingly the most comprehensive information and went with this one. I was not disappointed. It stored nicely in my interior coat pocket, and I used it several times as a convenient bookmark for my travel guide book. Most importantly, the information contained on the map is quite easy to read considering the overall size of this product.
   You can purchase numerous city maps with subway overlays, but this one had (in my opinion) the most useful information. If I had to pick just one map to take along, this would be it.
   
   One slight disadvantage of this map is that to have all the subway trains from the Bronx to outer Queens represented, it's simply not possible to include a city street grid along with the subway lines and still have it readable. So, it is helpful to also have a second city street map for reference purposes while using this product. This is the only way to determine, for instance, specifically how many blocks one might need to walk to a particular station. To me this was not a problem, however, because my travel guide had any number of maps I needed for this purpose, so they complimented one another and worked together well. My friends ended up relying on me to be our group navigator because this method turned out to be the most efficient system for determining where we needed to go and exactly HOW to do it.
   
   I think the most important and helpful feature of this map is that EVERY train stop along all subway lines is included along with which SPECIFIC trains actually stop at each station. The most confusing aspect of the NYC metro rail is knowing which trains are "express" or "local". You sometimes have a number of train options to take from one location to the next, but it is possible to jump on a train which might travel through the particular station you want without stopping during certain hours. Most other maps include only the station information and what number/letter trains go through, but NOT which lines are express or local. You avoid using a third reference source to get this information by using the Streetwise map. It's all right there! You can quickly glance down and see if the train approaching will stop at the destination you're seeking, making it possible to adjust your itinerary on the fly instead of sticking to one you and your friends just plotted out at the restaurant (which took ten minutes to do as everyone argued about the "best" way to get from point A to B!) This info lets you save time by glancing quickly at the map to see if the train just arriving (not necessarily the one you planned to take) might also take you to the same destination, reducing wait times and averting the need to tediously plan out each and every move with no flexibility. I liked being able to use the map in this way because we seemed much less like tourists. A quick glance, and we were on our way as the map slipped rick back in my pocket. I giggled a few times at some other tourists who were juggling the five maps they needed to get the same information, and thought they should have bought the Streetwise.
   
   A very wise investment of a few bucks. The map is durable and I will be using mine again and again. The best part is that with my new familiarity of how to use this particular product in the most efficient way, getting around my next trip will be a snap! Buy this map...you won't regret it!



4. This map held up during the rains in New York. When we weren't sure which train to go where, this map made it very clear.

5 comments about New York Atlas and Gazetteer.

1. The product came on time, well packaged, and exactly as described. A great shopping experience.



2. Got us to South Dakota, but none of the roads we wanted to go on once we were there were marked with road signs. So we had to guess and got lost. A LOT.



3. This atlas is not confusing. Generally each grid has the county or area within it that you are wanting information. I buy mobile homes. When the person is giving directions, I can see it on the map instantly. I highly recommend it.



4. "The DeLorme South Dakota Atlas and Gazetteer" is an excellent resource for trip planning. South Dakota is a deceptively large state with a lot of wide open spaces and its own rugged terrain. This atlas should allow the average traveler to navigate to pretty much any place on the road network, and to gain a limited appreciation for the terrain along the way. The scale of the map is quite good for such a large state; the numbered and multicolored map sheets are detailed to one inch equals 3.2 miles. The map sheets also include latitude/longitude markings for GPS grids.
   
   In addition to a locational gazetteer, this DeLorme Atlas provides general information on recreational opportunities. The listings include federal and state parks, game management areas for hunting; and locations suitable for fishing, hiking, or bicycling. The map scale is not detailed enough to support off-road movement; those travelers planning to do off-road route finding are advised to consult more specialized products.
   
   The DeLorme South Dakota Atlas and Gazetteer is very highly recommended for planning and navigating for business or pleasure in South Dakota.



5. In a time of GPS usage there is still value in a map that is so accurate and easy to follow. Sometime's you just want to see more than a 5" screeen can show at one time.

5 comments about City Walks: New York: 50 Adventures on Foot.

1. We've spent a lot of time in NYC, and I can attest from experience that each walk is well worth taking. The format is easy to use, with a master card showing the location of all the walks, and clear directions in the cards.
   
   Each card has red circled numbers and letters on the maps, and NO explanation of what the numbers and letters signify. Are they bus and subway numbers? Are they points of interest? I'll figure it out when I'm there next week, but it would be nice to know ahead of time.
   
   The boroughs are an important omission. We've been to Manhatten three times, and intend to concentrate on Brooklyn (the 4th most populous city in America, if it was a city unto itself) this trip. Many of the 50 Manhatten walks could be consolidated, to allow 10 walks for Brooklyn, and 5 each for Queens and the Bronx. Brooklyn has Prospect Park and Park Slope, Coney Island, and so much more I'm unfamiliar with.



2. I bought this to give as a Christmas gift. It arrived in used condition although it was sold as new. There was no wrapper so when I removed it from the shipping box, the contents spilled. There was a barcode sticker placed over the original barcode on the bottom of the box. As far as I can tell the contents are intact. This is the first time I have received anything from Amazon that was less than expected. I hope you don't have any similar experiences.



3. Our family recently returned from a visit to Manhattan. We used 5 or 6 texts as well as this boxed set of walking tours. The set consists of 50 3-3/4 by 5-1/2 inch heavy stock cards and a folding master card that shows all the walks in the context of a five bouroughs map.
   
   There are 5 walks in Central Park, 8 Midtown, 3 north of the park and 19 south of the Flatiron Building. Two walks cover The Bronx, two are in Queens, 5 in Brooklyn. Each walk card shows a map on one side, of about a square mile, complete with Metro stops and a trail marked out; on the other side the text (which is smallish, but I'm glad for that because there's such a wealth of information one could fit on each card!) that points out historic buildings and architectural features and tells a few stories about the character of the area as well as its characters.
   
   It was very convenient to grab a few cards as we went out the door. Also, after we got back and looked at pictures, it was easy to find that tour and get some information about it.
   
   The only complaint is predictable. Each walking tour could handle a booklet, so a few hundred words is, of course, inadequate. There is no information about restaurants; again, that's understandable, but maybe more information could be included on the maps?
   
   I would buy them again.



4. I like to walk in Manhattan.
   Before, I just circle by the area of Central park,
   now with City Walks I can go everywhere,
   enjoy walking and see all the Manhattan places.



5. This is a total waste of your time and money - take 30 minutes online and you can find better recommendations on neighborhoods and areas to visit. Limited directions, bad maps, no logical order to the walks. Glad I didn't pay full price....

5 comments about The Historical Atlas of New York City: A Visual Celebration of 400 Years of New York City's History.

1. The Historical Atlas of New York City solved a huge problem for me. I'm writing a novel set partly in New York in 1864, and while I lived in the City in 1964, that's a hundred years too late for this novel! I live now where research facilities are slim, and I needed something to show me where people lived, shopped, worked, entertained themselves.
   
   This book answered my questions. It showed me which landmark buildings were on which streets then and gave me the background for the characters who inhabit my novel and the City. It has prevented me from having a character walk past the Flatiron building, or attend a ball at the Waldorf-Astoria.
   
   It also confirmed that elderly gentlemen probably played chess in Tompkins Square Park just as they did a hundred years later, and that the brownstones around Washington Square were inhabited by wealthy families.
   
   It has enabled me to put some of my own reminiscences (faithfully recorded in my journals of the time) into the book while avoiding some anomalies.
   
   Not all my questions were resolved in this book, but studying the maps gave me enough information about the trains in New York to avoid some errors, like describing Grand Central Station, because it gives the date that amazing edifice was built.
   
   A valuable addition to my own research library!



2. This book was a gift to my daughter. SHe asked me to buy it for her for Christmas. I asked her how would she rate the book .. Phenomenal .. was her ansewer.



3. This is a great pictorial and editorial history of the city. Being an Aussie I was looking for something that took me back to the roots of the city which this did. Somewhat brief in many areas it is a general history lesson on the city in an easy to read format which reminded me somewhat of a high school history book. Lacks detail but was what I was looking for as an introductory and complete base knowledge of the City of NY.
   My knowledge of the City is now enhanced (from nothing) to the point where I am condident I am far more knowledgable about the history, geography and culture of New York that I was prior to this purchase.



4. The best way to understand what you see about when visiting New York. Why is it all like this ?... How it happened to be ?... Very clear, easy to read, nice illustrations. Either before visiting the city or after. Very Good !



5. I still did not get my book. I needed it for class a month ago. Where's my book...The Historical Atlas of New York City: A Visual Celebration of 400 Years of New York City's History

2 comments about Streetwise Central Park Map - Laminated Pocket Map of Central Park, New York - Folding wallet size map for travel.

1. Central Park is huge. Maybe not quite as large as Prospect Park, but you don't have to go to Brooklyn. ;-)
   
   Even if you live in Manhattan, you're bound to visit this great park eventually. Why not do it smartly? Rather than just wandering about, wondering what you might come across next, use a map like this to find your way and plan your day in the park.
   
   The map divides Central Park in half, one half on each side (111th St to 85th, and 86th to 59th). There is a little overlap, which is a smart idea. The adjacent subway stops are clearly marked, as well as prominent features of the park. The author cleverly used the reservoir to present the map key and a scale indicator, so nothing pertinent in the park is obscured. There is even an indicator for the recreational paths, important for those who wish to jog about the park.
   
   It is made of a flexible card stock with a thin lamination. At first I thought it might be made of a thin plastic, but I can see from the corners that it is paper. It may last a good while even if kept in your back pocket, but it is susceptible to bending. Size-wise, it is about the dimensions of a wallet, so it won't fit in one. However, it does tri-fold and can be tucked in a shirt pocket easily. It doesn't stay folded naturally, but this is a good thing as it can be laid flat making it easy to read full length. If you're a stickler for convenience, you could use a paper clip to keep it closed (but I suggest using a clip that clamps on flat, as a paper clip is uneven).
   
   One key complaint (why it only got 4 stars) is that the toilets are not prominently marked. They are present on the map, but annotated with a small "T" and a blue dot, whose color blends in with the background. You really have to look closely to find them. For anyone planning to make a full day of it, knowing where the toilets are is important. Also, the streets through Central Park are one way. The tiny black arrows that show the direction are small--would have been more useful to make them larger and perhaps in a red color. This is important for those who are planning to bicycle. Although the roads are often busy making the direction obvious on arrival, you can get on a road at a lull point with no traffic and find yourself going the wrong way.
   
   All in all, I heartily recommend this map. It is very affordable and a great way to push your slightly under $25 order to over $25 for free shipping (if offered). :-)



2. If you have any visions problems, you won't be able to make out this print.

5 comments about Moleskine City Notebook New York.

1. This little book came in very handy during my first visit to New York. The best feature was being able to sneak a peek at the subway and street maps without looking clearly looking lost. It also has lots of places to list your places of interest, as well as a back pocket to keep cards, etc. of places you want to remember for next time.



2. Practical, well thopught out, compact, yet it has EVERYTHING you need for business and leasure. Perrrfect !



3. NYC is probably the last place you'd want to stand on a street corner with a huge fold-out map of the subway grid... It screams TOURIST!!! This little book is the best alternative to that scenario. You're still able to get the information you need without the rest of the world knowing you have no idea where you are. It's loaded with every possible map you could need in The Big Apple, including Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Queens. And for those of you with a REAL sense of adventure, it even shows you how to get out of Manhattan and into Staten Island, Jersey or the rest of New York State. Not that you'd want to go there... : )



4. i wish there were a way to get the maps in a booklet, without all the extra blank pages in the back. i just can't figure out what to do with all those pages, that make this one of the thickest moleskines available. but yeah those maps are perfect. you can label them easily with where all your favorite hangouts are.
   
   actually, not perfect. there are little useless "M"s where all the train stations are, but not the actual letters of the trains that stop there. get it right next time, skiney.



5. Worthless. As a user of Moleskine notebooks, I was excited to order this book and equally dissapointed when I received it. It's nothing more than a cute well-constructed hard cover notebook with a few small, hard to read subway and street maps and mostly blank lined pages. There are no lists (much less recommmendations) of places to eat, things to do and see, shopping and sightseeing tips or any other useful information. The icons on the page tabs are useless. A better investment would have been a good travel guide chocked full of information commensurate with a place like New York City, accompanied by a cheap little notebook found at any drugstore.

4 comments about Streetwise Manhattan Bus Subway Map - Laminated Subway Map of New York City.

1. We expected a more detailed version of the transit [subway and bus] maps included in Streetwise Manhattan. It is an exact duplicate. It is alright to have it separate, I suppose, (...)!!!



2. The product was exactly what I ordered, however, I was sent 3 of them, and I only need one. Amazon has done this to me before. So my advice, be sure to doublecheck the total amount of each item.



3. I visited NYC this past fall, and am planning another trip in April. I had a terrible time trying to get subway information to load on my smart phone while in NY (I swear they must have cell phone jammers near the Statue of Liberty), so I thought I'd go ahead and get this map. I love the size. It is small enough that it will fit in a pocket. It is also very discreet, so I won't be walking around with a 2' x 2' map screaming "I'm a tourist!" I hate having to use the big map on the subway wall and trying to read the maps in the subway cars while sitting 8 feet away from them. I think this map will be a huge asset and I cannot wait to use it.



4. If this is the only item you need for your trip, then this is plenty. But if your an enthusied tourist like myself your probabally going to buy a Fromers Guide. And one of these is included.
   
   As far as the item itself. It can be a bit confusing if your not used to the NY Subway system but that isnt the maps fault. I would have liked it to have been MUCH larger so I could Identify the MAIN subway stops.

5 comments about Streetwise Manhattan Map - Laminated City Street Map of Manhattan, New York - Folding pocket size travel map with subway map, bus map.

1. y'know, it's a nice, laminated map with some other info, too. BUT...consider that your hotel(for FREE), every 24 hour drug store (and there are MANY), and half of the other stores will have an ABUNDANCE of maps, many inexpensive. and any device with internet access will give you precise directions, including SUBWAY and BUS and WALKING. so don't panic, think about it. of course, it's hardly a major purchase.



2. This map is amazingly unreadable. It's not that it's BAD, it's just that there are MUCH better options available.
   
   I would highly recommend the New Yorker's NYC map series.



3. The map does give you everything you would need of a map of Manhattan. But I was disappointed that the bus route map is shown as a smaller condensed map, but not the subway system, which I feel is much more useful.



4. I really like these maps. I have for LA and Chicago, and even tho' those are several years old, I still use them for getting around basic streets, etc. on current visits. They're good for marking w/grease pencils when you want to know where something is, and how to get there (then wipe clean when done). This Manhattan version joins our collection, and was purchased for a trip, tho' we really didn't use it that much since I was familiar with where we needed to go/be. Most of Manhattan is easy to get around, and a perfect walking city. This map shows subways, but I wouldn't rely on it for that, seems a little confusing. The Metro maps are much better for tube. This is great for streets and neighborhoods.



5. I ordered the Streetwise Manhattan Map after my daughter, who lives there and uses public transport, pounced on the first one I bought. (Her pocket map wasn't laminated and it had finally disintegrated.) She loves the new map. To compensate, she gave me the marvelous 'Inside the Apple: A Streetwise History of New York City.'
   Inside the Apple: A Streetwise History of New York City
   But reading 'Inside the Apple,' I wanted my map back in order to locate all the fascinating spots it mentions within the larger context. I'm enjoying the two hugely together, and will be primed for my next visit, ready to use busses and subways and winkle out all the treasures described 'Inside the Apple.'.