5 comments about Frommer's Hawaii 2010 (Frommer's Color Complete Guides).

1. This is a good guide to Hawaii. It covers the islands well, and provides a lot of insight for planning your trip. The full-color pages really make a big difference, compared to other guides. It seems like they really took advantage of the full-color pages, as they include a photograph (or more) on nearly every page. With the photographs, it makes it a lot easier to be excited to go visit the place. The format of the book is well laid out, and it is readable and helpful. It has inspired me to take a trip to Hawaii.
   
   The book has suggested itineraries and really helps to show you how to plan a really great vacation. I like how it is organized and how it shows you what is worthwhile doing while on vacation. It also points out where to get the best deals, good activites for kids, insider tips, and "special moments" experiences that will make memories, and calls out things that are not worth your time or money.
   
   All in all, this book is a great resource for planning and taking your trip to Hawaii.



2. For a book that covers all of the Hawaiian islands, this one does a great job at over 700 pages. As a creature of habit, I tend to visit Maui and only Maui year after year. After reading this book, I am excited to try a different island as this book gives me an decent overview of each one of them. The great thing about Frommers is that it's updated so often that you can justify purchasing the newest issue. The color pages are a definite plus.



3. Most folks have traveled to the popular Hawaiian Islands. What this travel guidebook offers are many well known sights, attractions, activities, fun destinations AS WELL as the lesser known nuances and points of interest.
   
   Sensible recommendations may be helpful for most folks in planning their vacation to the islands, e.g., when to go, what to pack, Hawaii calendar of events, accomodations, specialized travel resources, etc. Especially helpful are the detailed maps showing specific locations, e.g., monuments, museums, restaurants, markets, national parks, etc. Most relevant travel/tourism information can be found in this book. For most travelers, a routine/pre-planned travel package would be more convenient. This travel book does provide more independent and daring adventurers with general guidelines and suggestions to plan their own itineraries and activities.
   
   Overall: Useful travel handbook on the beautiful Hawaiian Islands but not a substitute for experienced tour guides. No one wants to look like a newbie tourist lost in the islands frantically flipping through this book. Plan well or let others cater to your tourism requirements.



4. If your planning a trip to any of the islands of Hawaii, this guide is an invaluable resource. Points of interest, accommodations, activities for a memorable trip are covered in great detail. Your Hawaii experience will be greatly enhanced and explained so that you can map out the places you want to see, and the things you want to do. This is a must have book! My husband and I are happy to have this great resource to plan out our trip to Hawaii.



5. Whenever we travel we find that Frommer's guides are helpful. This year we're planning our first trip to Hawaii and we ordered this along with the Lonely Planet Hawaii book. After looking through both there are issues with each, but combined the duo works well together.
   
   Pros: Beautiful, vivid photos. Great reviews of places.
   Cons: Still lacking in extensive budget-friendly options, this is where we turn to the lonely planet guide, which is better suited for budget travelers.

5 comments about The Geography Bee Complete Preparation Handbook: 1,001 Questions & Answers to Help You Win Again and Again!.

1. I certainly can't give all the credit to this book, but my son was the first runner-up at our state bee! Definitely gives a good idea of the kinds of questions you're going to face, especially in the tough later rounds.



2. This is a great resource for anyone who wants to study for the NG GeoBee, but also a fantastic resource for geography questions for the classroom, or even for table quizzes.



3. This book (The geography bee), Afganistan to Zimbabwe are best books for geography bee.
   PLUS use trivia practice at [...]
   
   Rudi



4. Although this book is for 4th grade plus, it was a great guide to prepare our 3rd grader for her first regional geography bee.



5. My son enjoyed answering the 1001 questions in The Geography Bee Complete Preparation Handbook. The author explained how the Geography Bee works, and he included study tips and reference information. The questions were grouped into different categories with different levels of difficulty to make it easier to study. Even though this book was published several years ago, it is still relevant, easy to use, and helpful. Highly recommended for studying for The Geography Bee or for students who enjoy geography facts and learning about the world.

5 comments about Streetwise Washington DC Metro Map - Laminated Washington DC Metrorail Map - Folding pocket & wallet size metro map for travel.

1. This is a great, basic guide of the D.C. Mall and Metro. Super bargain for the price. Really helps you get your bearing in the nation's capitol.



2. If you are going to DC to see the sights on the mall and ride the Metro, this is $2 VERY well spent. Very handy, very compact.
   If you want a driving map, get the larger DC area version: Streetwise Washington, DC, Laminated City Center Street Map



3. This map is great for a sight-seeing trip to DC. It shows all the buildings on the mall, plus some other government buildings you may want to go to (like the bureau of printing and engraving). The shapes and sometimes names of most building are shown on each block not on the mall. Our hotel was shown on the map, so it was easy to orient ourselves.
   
   There aren't many maps that show the metro lines/stops with streets superimposed. We were able to pinpoint where we were on the map and figure out if we should walk or take the metro and which metro stop was the closest to us.
   
   The only problem that I had was that the print was pretty small; I wasn't carrying around my reading glasses so I had to occasionally show the map to my son to read something to me.



4. Fits in my wallet like a dream and folds out to show you the wonderful maze of the DC metro. It is laminated and really easy to use. Durable, portable, and overall, a really good buy. However - quick tip - I do use the Streetwise Washington, DC, Laminated City Center Street Map I bought a lot more. It has the same metro map integrated into it - so you do not need a separate one. So unless you are a lover of little pieces of very useful paper (maps etc) in places you always know you can access (wallet rather than handbag, cos you just might switch bags and forget it in the other one), then it may be a better buy to get the bigger map and save on this one. PS If you are a dude and want it to fit in your back pocket or wallet instead of walking around like a tourist with it stuck in the inside of your jacket - take this one - the other one will be too big.



5. The purchase was a gift, however, being from there I thought the brochures/books/maps were an excellent choice for even someone who has lived there. I especially liked the 25 walks and the restaurant guide. The receiver was very pleased and excited about getting to know more about D.C. and very much enjoyed the gift..

5 comments about Frommer's Alaska 2010 (Frommer's Color Complete Guides).

1. I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, this is definitely one of the BEST travel books (if not the best) I have ever read! This 628 page book is packed with all kinds of interesting and often times not well known information about Alaska. It is a great book to read even if you are not planning a trip to Alaska anytime soon, as it is an eye opener. The author, Charles Wohlforth is a lifelong Alaskan and an award winning writer. Mr. Wohlforth offers insightful information, it's beautifully written, sometimes I felt, even poetic at how he describes the beauty of Alaska.
   
   This book offers an enormous amount of travel information to help the traveler plan the right trip for him or her. There are suggested itiniraries for the solo traveler, while it also has a large section on cruises. The book also helps you choose the right excursion for you (it helps since there ar so many to choose from). This book divides the state into different sections, each with a map of the area and worthwhile information to help you plan your trip. There's also a map of Alaska that you can pull out. This is a must for anyone planning a trip to Alaska (or maybe just day dreaming about it). Whether you are taking a cruise, or an organized land tour with a group or are planning to travel on your own, your trip will be much more productive and enriching with this book as your guide. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!



2. This is our first Frommer's guide and I am completely impressed with the quality of it and the amount of detail/information they pack into it. Too often the guides/books we get are black and white and cheap quality. This one doesn't skimp at all. There are full color, beautiful pictures throughout the book and a full color map on quality paper in the back. Lots of little maps throughout the book too. The layout of the book is very user-friendly and easy to follow. Open the book it lists the state by section so you can easily explore which area you are interested in. It gives a list of maps and has a best of section that is really cool that tells you the best views, websites, hotels, bear viewing, fishing, etc. I would have liked camping and kayaking in this section, but they are listed in the index.
   Even if someone isn't planning a trip and just wants to learn about Alaska, this is really an excellent source of knowledge on the state, especially in the Alaska in depth section.
   The chapters are: The Best of Alaska, Alaska in depth, Planning your trip to Alaska (When to go, calendar of events, costs, what type of trip to take, health and safety etc.), Suggested Alaska Itineraries, Cruising Alaska's Coast, Southeast Alaska, Achorage and Environs, The Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound, The Denali National Park Region, The Alaskan Interior, The Bush, Fast Facts: Alaska.



3. If you can't find your way around Alaska or figure out what you want to do on your visit, this book will answer all your questions. Like Alaska, this book is big. There are twenty-three detailed maps, mainly of towns, water routes and dozens and dozens of beautiful photographs to piqué your interest. Twelve large chapters cover what is the `best' of Alaska, the demographics of Alaska, how to plan your trip, suggested itineraries, cruising the coast, exploring southeast Alaska (a much different climate), the Anchorage area, Kenai Peninsula/Prince William Sound, the Denali Park Region, the Interior, the `Bush' and "Fast Facts" which will guide you to areas not covered in this book in detail.
   
   Frommer's is always intensive with its information, but this version really takes the cake. Every part of this state has sections on `how to get around (ferry, air, train, car, kayak, etc.), descriptions of the highways (by the mile), where to stay (cabins, camping, motels, hotels) and what the costs are with detailed descriptions, so there are no surprises. Dining is covered the same way with detailed information on food, price and ambience.
   
   The best part about this guide is that it truly takes into account that if someone is going to Alaska, they are going to be prepared. There is a big emphasis on history, the parks and the natural environment, all the while giving great information on the `must see' places and the `roughing it' to the `luxury' places to eat and stay. Getting around and places to see and do are big items here as they should be. Alaska is a huge place and there are more reasonable ways to travel than by car. I particularly found "Fast Facts" helpful, as it gives you telephone numbers of the most important places (banks, hotels, visitor's museums/parks, local history, etc).
   
   Included in the back is a `nice' 12" X 12" colored map showing the National Parks and Reserves, along with the major routes and cities/towns all at 1"=100 miles. A blow up of Denali National Park at 1"=15 miles, a City of Juneau map at 1"= 200 meters and a blow-up of Anchorage at 1"=1 kilometer. You are sure to have a blast!



4. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R5CN9YH1Y98IA In this review, I go over different sections of the book and great additions Frommer made to Alaska's 2010 guide. As always, Frommer has come up with another hit!



5. I have always wanted to go to Alaska, and I recently decided to stop wanting and start planning the trip. This book is an incredible resource for planning an Alaskan vacation.
   
   One of the first things I noticed is that the author lives in Alaska. He really knows the state and had an insider's perspective on it.
   
   The color photos are beautiful, and the book is well-designed. It is easy to read. The fold-out map is helpful for getting an overview of Alaska's geography.
   
   Most importantly, the book is a comprehensive guide to anything and everything Alaska. There are detailed descriptions of each region, along with attractions, tours, lodging and much more. Getting around in Alaska can be more challenging than in many other places, and the author details the available options.
   
   I can't wait to see Alaska, and with this guide to prepare me, I know my trip will be the best it can be.

5 comments about American Map United States Road Atlas 2010 Large Scale (American Map Road Atlas).

1. i wanted something differant than rand mcnally for a new road atlas and i needed large print for ease of use, because i'm a old fart and cant always find my readers when i really need them. great layout, great features , clear and precise maps. very nice. if you like a real road atlas this is a must. thanks



2. Nice large maps with text that is sized for easy reading. It's nice to have a GPS but I always like to have a paper map available to get an idea of where I am suppose to be going. Every once in a great while the GPS makes an error and I've had to look on a map to make sure I'm going the right direction.
   
   The spiral binding makes handling easier. The only downside is that book is not light and in a small vehicle may be hard to store out of the way. However, the ease of use outweighs the downsides.



3. I'm so glad there is an atlas available using a large scale. The print is so much easier to read that I should of bought this along time ago. My husband can drive as I navigate the map to our destination. I am also glad I bought the copy with the spiral binding. I now don't have to worry about the pages becoming loose or torn. It is definitely worth having for all you travelers. You won't be disappointed.



4. I purchased this atlas for a round trip across America (VA-CA-VA). It is very helpful. Several times our GPS went wrong but thank the atlas for the catch! It labelled a lot of the scenic drive and that makes our trip wonderful.



5. We are looking forward to using the map on our next road trip. The Road Atlas is a very large book and there is realy no place in the car to store it in.

5 comments about Streetwise Washington DC Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Washington, DC.

1. Nice Map! I think it will work fine for our Washington DC vacation. It folds nicely, has all of DC on one side, and a blow-up on the other side, showing DC and much of the surrounding area including the Dulles Airport as well as the Metro lines. Perfect for us.



2. We visited DC this summer for 3 days and had never been. We stayed in Arlington and took the metro in each day. Our trip focused mainly on the downtown mall. By the 2nd day, this was the only map I continued to take with me. While we only used two parts of this map...the page with just the mall and the metro map, the fact that it was laminated made it invaluable and was all we needed to find our way around and find the metro stops.



3. Bought this map based on others' reviews. This was indispensible! Great map showing streets clearly, landmarks and attractions, and metro stops. BE SURE TO GET THE LAMINATED MAP. This held up really well going into pockets and bags over and over in warm temps. Extremely glad I bought this beforehand!



4. Great map! Very easy to carry around - doesn't get torn, bent or messed up in any way. These are great maps to use when visiting places such as DC, Philadelphia, etc. Good price - I highly recommend!



5. As I am very familiar with Streetwise Maps, I got what I expected in quick time.

5 comments about He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back: The True Story of the Year the King, Jaws, Earnhardt, and the Rest of NASCAR's Feudin', Fightin' Good Ol' Boys Put Stock Car Racing on the Map.

1. "He Crashed Me..." is a surprisingly interesting glimpse inside an American cultural phenomenon. Never having been a NASCAR fan I started this book with trepidation expecting to catch the gist of the story and then set it aside--such is the way when given books by sports fanatics to help understand their passion. However, the author's writing keeps a fast paced clip both lively and informative---getting at all the `inside baseball' information, the races, the feuds, the crashes, the fans... without allowing the technical sports jargon and statistics to take over.
   
   I found it to be a clever and insightful look at the characters and culture that have shaped NASCAR and its emergence from a southern sport to a national pastime. Regardless of whether you're a dyed in the wool NASCAR fan this is an entertaining narrative about a part of American culture written in a clever and accessible style for those of us on the outside of this sport looking in.



2. Any NASCAR fans out there? If so, you be excited about a new book just released from Hachette Books. He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back, by Mark Bechtel, is the true story of the year the King, Jaws, Earnhardt, and the rest of NASCAR's feudin', fightin' Good Ol' Boys put Stock Car Racing on the map. The year is 1979 (the year I was born), and stock car racing is virtually unknown. Being mostly a southern phenomenon, many Americans had never heard of Richard Petty and Darryl Waltrip, and especially not the young Dale Earnhardt. But in the spring of 1979, races were televised and the fights, the crashes, and the fast driving became an American addiction. I received a copy of this book for review.
   
   Mark Bechtel used research and interviews with the drivers themselves to write this informative history of the birth of modern day NASCAR. For me, this book was really interesting. A southerner myself, not only did all this occur the year I was born, but reading stories of races that took place right here in Richmond, Virgina, was pretty cool. Jeremy and I love racing, and while we don't follow the drivers or watch every race, we do enjoy a good race once in awhile. A friend of ours used to race and we would got to watch him every week for years. The adrenaline and anticipation can't be replicated elsewhere. The noise, the engines, the speed, it all comes together to make a heart pumping event. He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back is packed full of action!
   
   Sometimes serious, other times suspenseful, and definitely full of humor, this book was a fun and interesting read. NASCAR wasn't always what it is today. There were those that paved the way for the younger drivers.



3. NASCAR has always fascinated me. I would love to have the confidence to get out there and race. The thrill of the drive would be such an adrenaline rush. He Crashed Me is a thrilling read about NASCAR drivers. These people risk their lives in these races, all for the joy of the sport. There are fights, enemies and crazy fans. The true stories was one of my favorite things about this book. If you like NASCAR and drama, this is the book for you.



4. Bechtel has written what a I view is one of the top books ever written about NASCAR. A lot of terrible ones have been published, and only a few are not only good - but also stand the test of time. This book is definitely a must read today - and I believe it'll hold up in the long run. Bechtel does a great job telling stories that haven't been told before or haven't been in heavy circulation. I've followed NASCAR and the Pettys since the mid 1970s. And this book is full of all kinds of trivia nuggets about them I never knew. He also does a nice job of weaving in American society, economy, and politics of the late 70s/early 80s era into the book - and paints a picture of how they affected NASCAR. I only noticed one known factual error in the book. He says Cale Yarborough's Olds in the 1979 Daytona 500 was sponsored by Holly Farms Chicken (pg 116). Of course, its commonly known the #11 was sponsored by Busch beer in 1979-80. Beyond that though, the stories were fresh, well told, and well documented. Bechtel also does a great job distancing himself and the reader from inferring too much from interviews with drivers, owners, and promoters. Frequently, he interviewed more than one source for a story. Not surprisingly, he got multiple versions of a story from everyone who supposedly had a first-hand encounter with the story. All in all, a great read.



5. NASCAR doesn't have the literary pedigree of sports like baseball and boxing, and anyone who reads He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back will have a very hard time understanding why. The essence of any great sports book--any nonfiction book, for that matter--is personality; hence Andre Agassi's memoir sells a bazillion copies, while The Roger Federer Story (what, you missed it when it came out in 2007?) barely makes a ripple. This book drips with personality: To say guys like Petty, Waltrip, Earnhardt, France, Suitcase Jake and the dozens of other endearing figures drifting through the garage in the '70s were characters doesn't do them justice. Bechtel recreates that world with humor and precision. Respect too, which is no small thing; it would have been easy to write a book full of caricatures, but He Crashed Me is anything but. It's one thing to collect war stories from the track, something all these guys have a million of and clearly love to tell. It's another to make the reader taste the fumes and smell the cigarette smoke wafting out of David Pearson's car. Bechtel pulls it off.
   
   There's plenty in here to keep diehard NASCAR followers glued to the page; race by race, chapter by chapter, the '79 seasons unfolds like a serialized novel. Fans of modern stock car racing may barely recognize the world depicted in He Crashed Me. The fighting; the seat-of-the-pants race prep; the bear wrestling and on-a-lark skydiving (you are The Man, Cale Yarborough)... it all seems so foreign to a sport that for the most part now is scrubbed clean and corporate. But the cars were fast, the wrecks were scary and plentiful, and the paint tradin' was backed by genuine emotion. It's easy to see why the millions of people snowed in across the country during the '79 Daytona 500 liked what they saw on CBS. It's easy to see why, as Bechtel argues, NASCAR Nation was essentially born that day.
   
   But you don't have to be a citizen of the Nation to appreciate this book. The writing, backed by very solid research and reporting, is superb. And Bechtel offers some interesting and insightful 1970s cultural commentary, explaining why the US of A was ready to embrace stock car racing, even if all those people wearing cowboy hats and giggling at Smokey and the Bandit didn't know it at the time. NASCAR diehard or racing novice, you'll love He Crashed Me. It's one of the funniest and best-written sports books in memory.

5 comments about Rand McNally 2010 the Road Atlas: United States / Canada / Mexico (Rand Mcnally Road Atlas: United States, Canada, Mexico).

1. Each year, I buy one of these atlases. First, I want to have a Rand McNally Atlas in my car as a ready reference source. Second, I want to stay as current as I can, since roadways change over time. Third, the new features (online and GPS) add a solid component to the whole package. Fourth, I want my son to have an up-to-date atlas when he takes one of his long trips (I get the hand me down atlases, so I do update each year as I inherit his old atlases!).
   
   This atlas has maps of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. I like the feature in which maps show especially scenic routes. This atlas has a "Best of the Road" feature, indicating routes that are scenic but that also feature good places to eat and so on. Through the web site, one can determine what roads are under construction.
   
   But the thing I most enjoy about such atlases is the firing of one's imagination. Even when I was a kid, I would trace cross-country trips, to encompass places I really wanted to see. It was an adjunct to my geography classes! And I still enjoy looking at states (or provinces) and imagining how I might get from one place to another, while maximizing the cool places that I could visit in the process.
   
   In short, this is a terrific product, to my mind, and I am happy to make the acquaintance of the 2010 addition to the series--before it goes into my son's hands!



2. I found this atlas to be very well done with good detail and great graphics. It is a very good value



3. forget the Tom Tom!!! how many times is that worthless thing wrong...
   this Atlas is a must and I never leave home without it!!
   it's great and dependable!!



4. Rand McNally Road Atlases are a product with consistent quality and I have been relying on Rand McNally to guide me from place to place for more than twenty years. This road atlas has always come through for me, providing complete and clear maps indicating the different highways, cities large and small, and various points of interest to be found as you travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
   
   Rand McNally includes maps for each of the U.S. states. Some of the more heavily populated states have multiple pages, due to their large number of roads, cities, etc. But even with the less populous states, Rand McNally's Road Atlas includes loads of information. The guide shows much more than roads- it also indicates counties, parks, historic sites, etc., along with other useful information to make travel more efficient. Mileage charts, a quick state summary that indicates the state's nickname, land area, population, largest city, a "Best of the Road" red ribbon to indicate roadways that offer great scenery, dining, and shopping, and small, close- up maps of the state's major cities and national parks are among the extras that you get with this road atlas.
   
   What I like best about Rand McNally's road atlas is its use of contrasting colors and words to indicate the different places on the map. Considering all of the information contained on these maps, one would assume that they are cluttered to the point where they would be unreadable. But this isn't the case at all and the reason is because of Rand McNally's use of contrast. Each item, whether it's an interstate highway, national park, county name, or something else, is labeled in its own unique way so that it becomes distinguished from everything else on the page. For example, the county names are printed in orange and the county lines are indicated with a dashed orange line. If you focus on these, you will distinctly notice them and have no trouble finding the. Now, take you focus off the counties and focus instead on the roads. It is almost as if the county lines and county names are no longer there. This method of contrasting works beautifully. It allows thousands of pieces of data to be presented on the same page without everything blending together.
   
   I use my Rand McNally Road Atlas for many purposes. Besides looking for different travel routes, one fun thing to do with the family is to pull out the road atlas and look for a new place to visit. It is often surprising to find points of interest right in your local area- places like a nearby National Wildlife Refuge, state historic site, or other point of interest that receives little or no publicity. There is no worry about getting lost. The maps contain so many pieces of information- from number of highway lanes, to rest areas, to mileage distances between cities- that you need not worry in any way.
   
   I have used other road atlases and found them acceptable, but I always come back to Rand McNally in the end. The overload of travel information and the excellent contrast make Rand McNally the best in its class.



5. This map book is the best for overseas travellers. Every trip that we have had to the states we buy a current map book and it is always a Rand McNally. We are from Western Australia.

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.'.

5 comments about When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes.

1. Cody Lundin's 98.6 degrees takes every other survival book I've ever read and blows it right out of the water. The concepts are so simple, yet amazingly important. His writing style is very accessible too. This is the first survival book I've ever read that's actually fun to read! The book has a good flow, has awesome art and photography, and is quite humorous while still telling you exactly what you need to know. Highly recommended.



2. The only reason I gave it a 1 is because I couldn't give it a zero. Poorly written with basic information your average 13 year old knows. Do not waist time buying this book. I've read over 50 books of this type and this is by far the worst.



3. While nothing is definitive these days and nothing really can prepare you for what you may go through in a crisis, at least you will have a head start. If you are looking for a list of what you need or an excuse to stockpile ammo in the next two years this is not the book for you. I think the first chapters are essential for realizing that the most important thing you can remember from this book is to keep a positive attitude and that going it alone might be hell on your nerves and body. The way the information was presented at times to me seemed a little preachy or even self righteous but it was clear and entertaining to follow. I have become more interested in some specific topics this book covers. You may find yourself missing information but I think the point of this book was to jump start your quest to find the rest and be self reliant. It is not a tell all on how to survive the Apocalypse, to which I am relieved. Even in the first few chapters the vibe is geared toward understanding, community and self reliance, if everyone portrayed such traits there may be no need for the title. But every segment covers some neat info that might save your ass should something happen.



4. Lots of repetition but does have a nice list of things to have in a disaster and which disaster to plan what products for.



5. I give this book a rating between 3 - 4 stars based on content. I give it a 2 star based on organization and ease of reading. In my opinion, the information "keywords" aren't arranged in an easy-to-find format especially if you are really in a "When All Hell Breaks Loose" situation.
   
   The book "When All Hell Breaks Loose: Staff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes; is informative from the standpoint that any new information to you, is new information. Conversely, any old information to you, is old information. General wisdom then is that this book like many other "survival books" cannot contain everything you would like to know about survival. It is likey some of the information will be old stuff that seem like fillers, and worse; information with too little detail or just a cursory note seems just glazed over statements.
   
   This book has both fillers and glaze over stuff that isn't very helpful. On the other hand some stuff are never-heard-of-before so makes very interesting reading.
   
   Since I particularly seek out novel and improvished survival techniques using common, easily obtained materials from urban life or if it were in the rough, materials from nature. Learning how to open a can of tuna by grinding it into a brick wall using a hand-pressed circular motion is fabulous, or reassuring that your simple two-burner Coleman propane stove can really be a great substitute when you don't have a electric stove. Burying your dead relative or lover can be applied to your pet dog too, and methods of making # 2 without toilet paper are in my bin of interesting stuff to know.
   
   Overall, you're not in Hell you probably will enjoy this book to curl up with on a dark, and stormy night. However if you're in the moment of HELL breaking loose, this wouldn't be the ideal quick-reference book. Don't misunderstand, I think this book is good reference to have in your library. It's just not arranged for quick-reference. Probably the idea is to read and learn all you can while times are good so by the time the real HELL breaks loose, all the information is in your mind instead of in the book tucked inside your backpack. Since we can't have it all, I consider the overall content vs. lack of ease of reading attributes of this book in deciding.
   And your level of exposure and knowledge to survival techniques.