The wildlife photographs of Laurie Campbell

Book Description

Hike the spine of the Great Wall, examine artifacts from the old Silk Road, pedal around town like a local, rise early and haggle at Beijing markets, sip tea in a garden of orchids, wrap up a slice of succulent Peking duck, or float through a limestone valley —Fodor's China, 4th Edition offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout this country to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best —"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."

-New compact trim size make these guides even more portable
-Two-color interior design makes it easier to find the information you need
-Fodor's Choice Ratings flag must-see sights and hidden treasures
-Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets
-Plus multi-day itineraries to help you build the right trip for you and/or your family

-----------------------------------
With Fodor’s you get much more than a guidebook–we make it easy for you to customize your dream vacation.

Visit www.fodors.com to find up-to-date travel bargains, mini-guides to worldwide destinations, information on local festivals, dazzling drives, maps, vacation planning tips and much more!

And, for more insider secrets, visit “Travel Talk” and “Rants and Raves” online at www.fodors.com/forums to get advice from other travelers like you.

Customer Reviews:

Good in theory, not in practice.......2006-04-20

Before going to China earlier this month I bought this guidebook based on the single review it had and the reputation that Fodor's has as a good guidebook publisher. However, I was disappointed. This is why:

The good points of the book are:
- It has good overviews of China as a whole and interesting descriptions of each area (good for planning the trip),
- The recommended sights are well selected, and
- There are sample walks which may be good for the traveler at a loss at what to do.

The main problems with this book are:
- No Chinese script within the chapters or on the maps (there is a small section in the back with script for major sightseeing spots). This lack of Chinese could become a nightmare if you tried to show a taxi driver your hotel.
- The way Fodor's prints its maps is strange to say the least. For the bigger cities it prints a separate map for sights, eating, and sleeping, which can be unnerving when you are trying to find restaurants in the same area as your hotel. For the mid-sized cities it only has a map for the sights. Neither post offices nor banks are listed on the maps.
- No photos or pics whatsoever.
- Does not give detailed information for traveling to other locations.

Though I did use it in the planning stages of the trip, once I was on the road I left it in my bag and used my friend's Lonely Planet and Rough Guide instead.

April 20th, 2006
I've decided to add more to this review. In my last one I was a little harsh and I don't want to give the impression that the Fodor's is all bad. On the contrary, it has detailed descriptions of sights and helpful suggestions about what to do and where to go.

However, Fodor's needs to revamp the book. They need to realize that China is not like Germany or Spain, where everyone reads the same writing script. If you get lost in a city in China and you try to use this book, unless you meet someone who speaks English or you yourself speak Chinese, you are in deep water.

Fodor's needs to provide Chinese writing for all the hotels, restaurants, and major sights that it mentions, preferably on the maps as well. It also needs to provide more detailed maps. It would be helpful if Fodor's provided more specifics for travel (like approximate prices). Some photos would also be nice.

If Fodor's improves the book in this wy, it will truly accomplish the goal it has of "cover[ing] the best properties, sights, and activities."

Fodor's 2005 China Guide.......2005-09-01

The new Fodor's China guide issued in 2005 has more detail and more useful information than either the Lonely Planet or National Geographic guidebooks. I have found it to be very accurate relative to places I've been in China during my five visits over the past four years. I highly recommend it for anyone who plans to travel in China.

Fodor's Exploring China, 4th Edition (Exploring Guides)

Average customer rating:

Beautiful, but not too practical
An cursory look at China
Fodor's guide to china

Fodor's Exploring China, 4th Edition (Exploring Guides)
Fodor's
Manufacturer: Fodor's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0676901611
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Book Description

Fodor's Exploring Guides are the most up-to-date, full-color guidebooks available. Covering destinations around the world, these guides are loaded with photos; essays on culture and history, architecture and art; itineraries, walks and excursions; descriptions of sights; and practical information. Fodor's Exploring China gives you great tips on dining and lodging for all budgets as well as tips on basics such as getting there and getting around and when to go and what to pack.

"Authoritatively written and superbly presented...Worthy reading before, during, or after a trip." -- Philadelphia Inquirer

"Absolutely gorgeous. Fun, colorful, and sophisticated." -- Chicago Tribune

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful, but not too practical.......2004-11-05

This book is full of coloful pictures and interesting information - it was very helpful in planning our trip to China, and figuring out what we wanted to go see. I particularly liked the brief historical and cultural introduction at the beginning, and all of the side notes mixed in with the destinations. And you can't beat the pictures! I also liked how every tourist destination had a short history of the item right there with the current details.

The only reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 is because we ended up not taking it with us on our trip, due to the lack of truly practical information. It lists some hotels and restaurants, but not in an easily accessible manner, and no Chinese characters are included. It completely omits boring but neccessary details like which bus to take or where the internet cafes and post offices are.

As a beautiful, factual and fun-to-read guide, we're keeping it on our bookshelf, but don't depend on it for the finer practical details!

An cursory look at China.......2002-08-28

The text and pix of China were ordinary tourist stock photos. The back cover claims to include much tourist information, such as restaurants. There was less than 1 page of listings in the whole book!

This book says Fodor's, but the book is actually produced by another organization which is probably why the book is substandard. I read this book at the public library.

Fodor's guide to china.......2000-08-29

this book gave you a real taste of china. the facts about places were up to date and the suggestions were very hepfull. My family's facation to China was defifnitly better becasuse of this book.

Fodor's Citypack Beijing's 25 Best, 4th Edition (25 Best)

Average customer rating:

Misleading title - can Fodor count?!?!?

Fodor's Citypack Beijing's 25 Best, 4th Edition (25 Best)
Fodor's
Manufacturer: Fodor's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1400015782
Release Date: 2005-07-05

Book Description

25 Best Bets in Beijing - Plus a Full Color, Pull-Out Map And the Best of the Rest

Best palaces and halls • Best museums and galleries • Best ceramics, jades, silks • Best Beijing duck

Everything you need to explore Beijing.

· Top lodging and dining picks for every budget
· Sights to remember: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Gate and Square
· The Temple of Confucius, the Ming Tombs, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and other sacred places
· Pan-Asian eateries, dim sum restaurants, noodle shops, and tea houses
· Kid-friendly attractions, from the panda house at the zoo to the killer whale show at the aquarium
· Side trips to Peking Man Site, Fragrant Hills Park, and the Marco Polo Bridge

Customer Reviews:

Misleading title - can Fodor count?!?!?.......2005-11-03

I was highly disappointed by this book. Several of the 'Best 25' were all actually buildings within the Forbidden City. The book should be more appropriately titled 'Beijing's 20 Best'. It also did not warn people that different tours to the Great Wall are differentiated by either the most visited section which is almost completely restored and crowded versus another section that is less traveled and for the more die-hard culturalists. The map was also too large to read easily while in a taxi or traveling on foot. This book added almost no value to my trip.

Fodor's Citypack Hong Kong's 25 Best, 4th Edition (25 Best)

Average customer rating:

Not up Fodors Usual Quality

Fodor's Citypack Hong Kong's 25 Best, 4th Edition (25 Best)
Fodor's
Manufacturer: Fodor's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hong Kong | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1400015219
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Book Description

25 Best Bets in Hong Kong - Plus a Full Color, Pull-Out Map And the Best of the Rest including:

Best temples and sacred places • Best museums and galleries • Best open-air markets • Best places to buy a suit • Best dim sum restaurants • Best mainland excursions

Everything you need to explore this dynamic city in the South China Sea

· Top lodging and dining picks for every budget
· Sacred spaces, from the elderly Pak Tai to the magnificent Ten Thousand Buddhas
· Bustling markets selling birds, flowers, and aromatic cuisine
· Traditional Cantonese dim sum and the best of local Pan-Asian fare
· Modern buildings that employ the principles of feng shui
· Side trips to Lamma Island, Macau, and the People's Republic of China

Customer Reviews:

Not up Fodors Usual Quality.......2006-11-04

I bought this book because I was only going to be in Hong Kong for a couple of days. I found the map included with book to be too large and difficult to handle on the streets of Hong Kong. I ended up buying another smaller fold out map in a bookstore in Hong Kong. The book itself was good for the basics. It did list the nearby tram stations to the attractions which was very helpful.

Book Description

This Rally Course book has been created in hopes that exhibitors, instructors, and judges will find it to be an education in teaching, designing, and judging Rally. Section One is aimed toward instructors. Section Two is about designing Rally courses and includes useable AKC Rally courses with Exhibitor sheets. Hopefully this book will stimulate your creative course-designing juices to go beyond the courses I've included. It should also help current judges save some time in designing courses.

The Rally signs in this book are the currently (2004) accepted AKC Non-Regular Obedience Class signs.

Customer Reviews:

Good for Instructors.......2007-10-12

This book is great. It has a course syllabus for instructors who want to teach rally. It also gives sample Rally courses so you can set up to practice. I am a beginner in Rally and classes are not offered near me. So this book helps me teach myself. It does NOT tell you how to teach the certain commands, but does describe the signs in detail.

Rally courses.......2007-09-20

For someone who is interested in rally obedience this book is a must have.
The courses are set up and the instructions are printed with their numbers so they are easily found.

Very Good But A Little Tacky.......2007-07-07

This gives you lots and lots of courses that you can set up and practice on. The first few are just have right turns, the next few after that just have left turns, and from then on they all seem to have both. There are lots and lots of different courses for each level (Novice (N), Advanced (A), and Excellent (X)). They are all different and I think if you can do all the courses in this book at the level you will be competing (e.g. if you're going to be doing Novice then do all the novice ones) at then you are ready to go out and do the real thing.

This is not really a training book. For info on training, if you are JUST interested in making your dog obedient enough for Rally then just get Click Your Way to Rally Obedience by Pamela S. Dennison. If you plan to go on to regular obedience after this get Clicker Training for Obedience by Morgan Spector too and read them both at the same time. This way you can train percision from the start instead of having to go back after your dog's Rally career is over and fix things.

The graphics used to "prettify" the book (not the graphics used in the maps of courses for you to make) are pixelated which happens when an image is too small and you have to blow it up into a larger size. It makes it look somewhat tacky and less professional.

Great Guide.......2007-04-10

This is a wonderful reference. Good details about the signs and what you and your dog need to do for each one. I'd highly recommend this book as a companion source to taking a rally class.

For Anyone involved in rally obedience.......2007-02-20

This book is by the originator of rally obedience in the United States. It's a must-have book for competitors and trainers. The courses laid out in the book will be of great use to trainers. I am showing in APDT obedience so the book is less useful to me than for those involved in AKC trials.

Book Description

The magic of childhood is imaginatively captured in these peel-and-apply silhouetted images of children selected from archives of graphics arts dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, in just a few seconds, and for just a few pennies, you can add one of these charming illustrations—a child reading a book, plucking a flower, playing a drum and more—to your layout or communication to instantly evoke the world of the young. 36 stickers on four plates.

Book Description

This book is a supplement to a complete training manual. It focuses on how to set up effective drills and why you should use them.

Here is the most comprehensive collection of drills ever compiled into book form—techniques that formerly have been spread primarily by word of mouth. Throughout Spencer keeps in mind the limitations under which most amateurs train. Each drill is diagramed, with a careful explanation of the purpose, prerequisites, necessary equipment, and pitfalls to avoid. The exercises herein are limited to field work and oriented to amateurs training their own dogs for hunting or hunt tests. Only you can turn them into drills—by running your dog through them repetitively!

Customer Reviews:

The best.......2004-05-31

This book and it's companion (Blind drills) are my favorite retriever training books for the intermediate to advanced retriever. The books include endless drills to improve your dog's performance. With all these different drills, each training session can be unique and such keeps the trainer and the dog from getting bored.

Further, I have read nearly every retriever training book out there, and I think that Mr. Spencer's writing style is bar none the best.

Customer Reviews:

Roses need sunshine.......2004-01-15

A rose needs lots of sun and looks really sad trying to grow under a tree. Put the right plant in the right spot - take this book plant shopping and enjoy growing plants that thrive in the right location. Most often garden planning starts with a site that needs something and the authors simplify this process with lists of plant suggestions that fit the site conditions.

mixed feelings.......2003-06-01

In one sense, this book is great. If you want a list of plants that fit one certain criteria, just look for that list. The book is fairly easy to use in this sense, and that's why I gave it three stars; it seems like the authors spent a lot of time thinking about how to organize this book so you could find the list you were after.

The problem is that no one picks a plant based upon one single criteria. One could page back and forth to see which lists contain which plants, but that seems rather more complicated than simply reading the complete descriptions in your copy of Sunset's Western Garden Book.

Of course, you need to narrow your focus before diving into the Sunset book. And there is the dilemma. This book answers that dilemma, sort of. It offers a first step, a way to begin the process of elimination. But you'll drop this book immediately upon narrowing your focus. If, say, you're looking at the 13 trees in the "trees with fragrant blossoms" list and then proceed to the Sunset book to read complete descriptions of each tree you'll discover that one of the trees in the "fragrant blossoms" list (Southern Magnolia) is difficult or impossible to grow things underneath. You could also find this out by looking up "trees that are impossible to grow things underneath" in the Book of Lists, but you wouldn't know to do this without having already looked in the Sunset book. Confused yet?

Basically, this book offers one way to narrow the focus a little before you begin investigating specific plants. That's worth something, I guess. However, if you are expecting that you will be able to use this book to determine the right plant for a situation, it won't work for that.

A must for the serious gardener........1999-04-26

Consult this book before you start your projects. As a master gardener it has been invaluable answering questions from the public. What species of tree can I plant in a wet land? What shrub can handle dark shade? Over 200 lists answering this type of question. Geared for the Puget Sound.

Here's what to plant in each area of your NW Garden.......1998-08-01

This book will make you an instant plant guru! Anyone who's ever needed a plant to fill a particualr spot in their garden and wished for a reliable source will love The Pacific Northwest Gardener's Book of Lists. The authors have divided the plant kingdom up by its major forms - i.e., trees, shrubs, annuals, etc - with a couple sections devoted to special groups such as roses and rhododendrons. Each section is comprised of plant lists for various conditions - for shade, dry shade, hot sun, evergreen foliage, all-year interest, etc. Both common and botanical names are listed in most cases, making this book appealing to both new and experienced plantspeople. And it's well-indexed for easy cross-referencing. Each section is also peppered with sidebars from various experts from the local horticultural community. Their comments usually expand on the topic of the nearest list and provide a fresh, first-hand perspective. The only thing this book doesn't provide is pictures an! d plant descriptions. When I sit down to down to do research with The Book of Lists, I typically grab my Encyclopedia of Garden Plants to provide more information. Add a cup of coffee and a window looking out on my yard and I'm content for hours!

Book Description

I Am Not Afraid To Dream is the story of how one African American man followed his dream and overcame obstacles to become a successful professional. Among the obstacles Joe Lester faced and overcame were poverty and a difficult family background that included his grandfather's murder of his grandmother.

It is an honest, realistic story. It's filled with humor, expressions of vibrant, manly faith in God, motivation, and inspiration for you to take action so you can enjoy a successful life too.

I Am Not Afraid to Dream have a powerful, inspiring message for anyone who struggles against difficult odds to make a dream happen. African-Americans will resonate with the sound of this message, but the book also offers insight from which people of all races can learn. Anyone who reads the book will experience stereotypes and prejudicies being shattered and will be motivated toward greater achievement.

Customer Reviews:

An uplifting, moving account........2000-05-04

I Am Not Afraid to Dream provides an autobiography of a black man who triumphed over obstacles ranging from poverty to a difficult family background, including his grandmother's murder of his grandfather. This surveys the author's growing religious faith in the process of explaining the processes by which he gained inner strength and self-acceptance. An uplifting, moving account.

A BOOK WITH A COURAGEOUS BACKBONE........1999-08-23

I FELT A SENSE OF BLESSEDNESS, YET A SENSE OF DISTRESS. THE AUTHOR IS MY BROTHER. TO READ ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND YOURSELF OPEN MANY CLOSED DOORS. MANY TEARS AND MANY SMILES COVERED MY FACE. THIS BOOK WAS WHAT MY FAMILY NEEDED TO ADDRESS OUR BELIEF THAT THERE IS A TIME AND A SEASON FOR EVERYTHING. FOR ME ," I AM NOT AFRIED TO DREAM", IS SEASONABLE AND TIMELY. IT TAKES A QUALITY OF MIND TO WRITE ABOUT A FAMILY THAT YOU ARE AN ACTIVE PART OF DAILY. I WOULD SAY THAT AUTHOR IS COURAGEOUS.

As refreshing as a cold glass of tea on a hot summer's day!.......1999-07-26

This book made me laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time. I couldn't put it down until I finished reading it, and even then, I didn't want to!

Dr. Lester's depiction of his early childhood is one of the many "bests" of this book. In fact, I would have purchased the book if it had contained only the story of his early life in a small town in south Georgia. It reminded me so much of my own childhood!

But there is so much more! The rest of the book brings the author from that idyllic-sounding childhood, on through a tough adolescence and young adulthood, and finishes with the telling of just how he achieved his ultimate dream. And how his dream continues to this very day.

He peppers the book with well-placed humor, gracefully adding a whimsical touch to even some of the more heartbreaking situations in the book.

Woven throughout the entire book is the author's awesomely-detailed appreciation of his Creator, a refreshing difference from most of today's autobiographical fare. Rather than TELLING the reader about his faith, he SHOWS it - the mark of a truly spiritual person, in my opinion! No matter what the reader's religious preference, there is a lot to identify with here.

He tells his story with humility, freely admitting his mistakes. His description of the prisons where he worked was chilling, and is one of the best depictions I've ever read of what it is like "in there." After all, Dr. Lester WAS "in there," even if only as a member of the professional staff. Who could better tell what it is really like?

The chapter about his sister Gwyn also touched my heart, because I believe it is an excellent example of how a good family pulls together when one of the family needs them to.

Yet another thing I enjoyed about this book is that the author is not afraid to address cultural and racial issues head on. It certainly taught this old white lady a few things! Most importantly, it taught me that no matter how different we may SEEM to be, we are more alike than we may know. :-)

Who should buy and read this book? Anyone who wants inspiration and motivation. Anyone who wants to "think outside the box," and anyone with an unfinished dream or two of their own. THIS is the book that will inspire you to pursue that goal, and to never give up!

While reading the book, I realized just how good a tool it could be for youth. I have two teen sons, and I have encouraged them both to read this book. In fact, I'd really encourage librarians to make this book available to young people. I firmly believe that the author is the type of person that I'd like my OWN two boys to become!

I encourage anyone who is looking for a good summer's read to choose this book. You won't be disappointed!

Amazing...both bone-chilling and heartwarming....rare find.......1999-07-13

Wow!!!...sad at times, funny at times, truthful and sobering all the time...life. The author becomes transparent and acknowledges both the source and sustainer of life, moreover the one that makes it all possible. Author makes it abundantly clear that everything that has been done through him has been done both in-spite of himself and due to faith and perserverance. Definitely refreshing to see someone in today's society to give credit to where credit is due and not become self-absorbed. Eagerly anticipate more good work from this first time author.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books