Editorial Review

Completely revised and updated for 2009-2011 edition with full color sketch charts, these guides have been indispensable companions for sailors and visitors to these islands since 1982. Includes a FREE 17 x 27 inch color planning chart covering the Virgin Islands from St. Thomas to Anegada. Information covers:Anchoring and mooring information and fees; Customs, immigration and National Parks regulations; Particulars on marina facilities and the amenities they offer; Water sports - where to go and where to rent equipment; Shore-side facilities, restaurants, beach bars, shops, provisions, Internet connections; Alphabetical - by island - Directory of goods and services. Everything you will need to help make your vacation an enjoyable and memorable experience in a concise easy-to-use format. ... Read more

Reviews

Getting ready for BVI, November 14, 2009
" Cruising Guide to the Vergin Islands" is a wonderful wish book if you are getting ready to go to the Islands for a charter vacation. It is loaded with information on routes, anchorages, what to do ashore, what to eat at the many out of the way places located on the coves and harbors scattered around the Vergin Islands. It's divided between the Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands to keep things simple. It even gives some insight on how real estate can be had if you want to Live the dream..Even a chart so you can plot your routes around the Islands. Good reading even if you never make the trip.

Excellent cruising guide, May 10, 2009
This is the third cruising guide that I have purchased for the VI over the years, this one lives up to my high expectations for content and relevance.

Back to basics, April 9, 2009
This is the fourth time I buy "Cruising Guide to the BVI", the first one was back in 1995. It continues to be the basic guide to sail in the area and the work Nancy and Simon Scott are doing to its constant updating and upgrading makes this guide an essential tool for anyone who loves to spend some time afloat in that sailing paradise. Congratulations to the authors. I'll hope to be there to buy the next edition!!

Darn good, but a lot of ads..., October 28, 2010
This book certainly covers the basics and is handy to be sure. The spiral binding and compact size make it easy to mark up and dog ear on those cold winter nights when you are planning your trip, and throw it in the suitcase when you finally get to go. One downside is that there are a lot of ads for a book that is not all that inexpensive. I guess I am used to ads subsidizing magazines, but for some reason it irks me just a teensy bit in a book. You may also want to check out the Russell and Benzel "Exploring the Virgin Islands". This is nice as it can be helpful to read a slightly different perspective - though it has the same pros and cons as the Scott book.

Sailor's delight!, April 13, 2010
This is an excellent guide for bareboaters or anyone touring the Virgin Islands by boat. Most travel guides are written from the terrestial travler point of view, this one from the nautical. Be certain to buy Virgin Anchorages, the companion booklet showing beautiful color photos of major (and some minor) bay along with anchoring notes not found on the offical nautical charts. The included nautical chart is a great addition to the offical charts as the shallow areas are clearly shaded in red,unlike the offical charts. This is an excellent tool for planning your caribbean bareboat cruise!

Great information, March 18, 2010
The guide covers all the information you need for a wonderful sailing experience. We've mapped out our ideal float plan but also have identified alternative anchorage for each night just in case things don't go as planned. The guide details many provisioning locations and other necessities throughout the area so you can supplement as needed. ... Read more

Editorial Review

A brilliant look at colonialism and its effects in Antigua--by the author of Annie John

"If you go to Antigua as a tourist, this is what you will see. If you come by aeroplane, you will land at the V. C. Bird International Airport. Vere Cornwall (V. C.) Bird is the Prime Minister of Antigua. You may be the sort of tourist who would wonder why a Prime Minister would want an airport named after him--why not a school, why not a hospital, why not some great public monument. You are a tourist and you have not yet seen . . ."

So begins Jamaica Kincaid's expansive essay, which shows us what we have not yet seen of the ten-by-twelve-mile island in the British West Indies where she grew up.

Lyrical, sardonic, and forthright by turns, in a Swiftian mode, A Small Place cannot help but amplify our vision of one small place and all that it signifies.
... Read more

Reviews

A Caribbean jeremiad, April 9, 2003
"A Small Place," by Jamaica Kincaid, is a nonfiction prose piece about the Caribbean island of Antigua. The author bio at the beginning of the book notes that the author was born on Antigua. A lean 81 pages, this is nonetheless a powerful text.

Kincaid discusses British colonialism, the corruption of the Antiguan government, racism, and greed. It seems to me a key question raised by the book is whether post-colonial Antigua is worse than colonial Antigua. The book is very much haunted by the spectre of New World slavery.

This book is a dark, angry jeremiad. I think it works better when seen as an extended prose poem rather than as an essay. As the latter, it could be criticized as full of invalid generalizations and undocumented claims. But as a poetic/prophetic text, it is chillingly effective.

Ultimately, Kincaid's vision of the human condition is extremely negative But her haunting, almost hypnotic prose really held me. I recommend the book to anyone planning a trip to a poor country for their own pleasure.

An island paradise, February 5, 2005
Antigua, an awe-inspiring vacation spot for Europeans and North Americans, takes on a different aura when discussed by native Jamaica Kincaid. Ms. Kincaid describes how the Antiguans feel about the tourists who visit: ugly people. Ugly because they invaded, then brought slaves to work for them so they could become rich while ignoring the needs of those who made them wealthy. Ugly because of what they've done to the island and the people who live there. Jamaica talks about the corrupt government and the hand that North Americans, British, Syrians and Lebanese play in that corruption. She describes how England paved the roads the Queen of England would travel when she visited, but left everything else in poor condition. Ms. Kincaid also mentions the drug dealers that the government ignores and those who build ugly condos for the wealthy and rent business space to the government who should be building their own space.

In a very few pages, Jamaica Kincaid says what a lot of former slaves would like to say but are perhaps too politically correct to utter. She does the job for us. Ms. Kincaid does not mince her words when it comes to what the British Empire did to the people of Antigua and the world for that matter. Frequently, I found myself wanting to stand up and cheer as I read her words of disgust and anger. While Ms. Kincaid is specifically speaking of Antigua, her words describe the slave trade and the destruction and poverty left in the wake of it no matter what country. It is well worth reading - more than once.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ� Reviewers

Editorial Review

At an astonishingly young age, Edwidge Danticat has become one of our most celebrated new novelists, a writer who evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti--and the enduring strength of Haiti's women--with a vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people's suffering and courage.

At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished village of Croix-des-Rosets to New York, to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti--to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence, in a novel that bears witness to the traditions, suffering, and wisdom of an entire people. ... Read more

Reviews

Haunting look into another culture, May 4, 2001
Wow. A pause while I catch my breath...

Edwidge Danticat has written an exceptional and beautifully crafted novel about a young Haitian girl and the family of women that surround her. A somber, spiritual story told with a feverish tenacity that will bewitch you and leave you aching for more from this talented and gifted writer.

After twelve years of being raised in Haiti by her aunt Atie, young Sophie Caco has been summoned by her mother to join her in New York. Sophie is terrified and does not want to go, especially since she does not remember her mother, who left Haiti when Sophie was just a baby. What follows is a painful rendering of horrifying secrets and Haitian tradition that deeply affects Sophie and the way she lives her life. Finally, frantic for justification and healing, Sophie turns to her homeland for the answers and refuge she so desperately needs.

The flow of the writing is smooth and lyrical, like music that rolls off the tongue. There is just enough description to make vivid pictures, but not too much to overwhelm. I do find it lacking in the development of the relationship between Sophie and her mother, although not enough to interrupt the beauty and quality of the story. Readers will be awed at the strong determination of the Caco women and the unbreakable bonds that hold them together. A very poetic and powerful novel that mixes a family, their culture, and a country in the midst of political upheaval. Breath, Eyes, Memory is extraordinary.

The Haitian Experience, February 2, 2000
Breath, Eyes, Memory, Edwidge Danticat's first novel, is a stirring story of Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora. Sophie, the main character, has much in common with her native country: confusion about her parentage, difficulty adjusting to different people's rights of sovereignty over her, violence in her past, duty in her present, and hope in her future. As one reviewer below has said, the characters are dysfunctional. That's kind of the whole point: in a nation such as Haiti (set just before the fall of Baby Doc), where terrorism and poverty reigned, it's impossible for the majority of people to be fully "okay" psychologically and/or physically. Leaving for what one hopes will be a better life in the United States in many cases only adds to the sense of dispossession felt by immigrating Haitians. Read this book not to find the psychological connection between rape and sexual dysfunction, but instead to find the balance of fear facing the people of Haiti, both at home and abroad. Pay attention near the end and catch a "cameo" by Aristide while he was still just a rebel priest. Note: If you have read Danticat's The Farming of Bones, you will find this novel to be much more mainstream in its narrative structure. This may be a better first book to read by Danticat, as The Farming of Bones is less straightforward.

An insightful story., March 10, 2002
I enjoyed this book and the depth to which the author delves in order to allow us to have a glimpse into the life of a Haitian woman. Sophie is at the heart of this novel and we see her growing up with her aunt, in Haiti, while her mother lives in the U.S. Suddenly, Sophie is called for, by her mother, and she must go to a country that is foreign to her and live with a woman she doesn't know. Sophie then learns the truth about her birth and the trauma that her mother has endured for years while at the same time learning to become a woman in her own right.

The only flaw I can find in this book is that more character development was needed. I wanted to learn more about the aunt that raised her and the relationship between Sophie and her mother was never fully examined.

The writing however was beautiful and I enjoyed that aspect of it immensely. Danticat makes each of us realize that family can give us much strength but we need to make the change within ourself in order to become a stronger person. Sometimes a cycle within a family needs to be broken. Thankfully Sophie realizes this power and seizes it.

Definitely a novel worth the read.

Promising start leads to disappointment., May 10, 2001
I truly enjoyed the first third of this book. Edwidge Danticat is a talented writer whose lyrical prose effectively transports the reader into the rhythms Haitian life. The imagery is powerful and can be profoundly moving. Unfortunately, I found that this promising start was irrevocably marred by the overblown ending. Issues that Danticat addresses in the last half of the book include rape, sexual abuse, bulimia, abortion and breast cancer. Any one or even two of these issues would have given the story the dramatic punch the author was looking for. Two very marginal characters - one with genital mutilation and one with a history of incest - read like they were added to the story just to cover all the bases of female degredation. There are so many ingredients in this stew of suffering that the reader is unable feel completely sympathetic to the victim of any one. My predominant response to this book was disappointment that it didn't live up to its promising beginning.

you lost me, October 1, 2000
This is less a novel than a string of episodes from a young Haitian woman's life and I enjoyed the first two sections, but was really disappointed as the writer lost control of her text in the later stages. The story starts in Haiti where twelve year old Sophie has been raised by her aunt, Tante Atie, while her mother supports the family with a job in New York. But now her mother wants Sophie to come and join her. There's a beautifully detailed portrait of country life in Haiti here and the separation of Sophie and Atie is genuinely heart rending.

The next section details the tentative first steps of Sophie and her mother as they feel out the parameters of a mother-daughter relationship. This is complicated by the fact that Sophie was the product of her mother being raped as a teenager by a Tonton Macout.

This transition from Haiti to New York is fine and would be a solid basis for a novel, but Danticat now starts skipping forward in large chunks of time. Suddenly, Sophie is 18 and enamored of an older neighbor who is a musician. Her scandalized mother begins to probe her nightly to establish that she has maintained her virginity. Tempers explode and we skip ahead again. Sophie has married the musician and had a child, but she's estranged from her mother, has developed sexual phobias and has fled to Haiti with her child. From here the novel descends into all the worst topicality of the 90's and we see how it made Oprah's Book Club. We're immersed in bulimia, sexual dysfunction, female genital mutilation, therapy, suicide, etc.

Ultimately, after a strong and promising beginning, I have to say that the author lost me. I appreciated the opportunity to be exposed to a side of Haitian life that we rarely see, but then we're buried in a blizzard of psychoblither. I expect to see better from this author in the future.

GRADE: C-

Breath, Eyes, Memory: Gasping, Blind, and Forgetable, April 27, 1999
While the imagery of Haiti and its topography are very vivid and stimulating, Edwidge Danticat's Breath, Eyes, Memory was not one of the best picks for Oprah's Book Club and was certainly not a best pick for me. This book left me feeling as if Danticat lost control of the story in the middle of the book. Her exploration of the trauma that "testing" for female purity and chastity was nowhere near as powerful as I believe she meant it to be. As an African American woman raised in the 70s and 80s, I cannot imagine how traumatic a situation like that could have been, but Danticat doesn't give you anything to go on either. It is shallow in its attempt to unearth the real scarring and suffering that accompanies this type of personal violation. As far as the relationships between the women in the story go, for them to be kin, I found their lack of connection disturbing. With the exception of the severed ties between Sophie and her mother, the lack of connection between Tante Atie and the grandmother is almost too much to be believed. I understand that the lack of trust in one's word regarding chastity and virtue contributes to the chasm, but the utter disregard for their familial ties is too overdone (loyalty to one's kin out of duty). As I stated in my title, Breath, Eyes, Memory is truly "Gasping, Blind, and Forgetable".

Haitian horror story, July 19, 2008
"Breath, Eyes, Memory" is the story of a young Haitian girl, Sophie, whose mother travels to New York when her daughter is very young, leaving Sophie in the care of her Tante Atie. Eventually Sophie's mother sends for her child, and the girl must travel to the United States to start a new life. I thought this book would focus on the struggles of a Haitian girl adjusting to American society, but Sophie's real demons lay with her family's tragic history, which unfolds bit by bit as the years go by. Sophie ultimately breaks away from her mother but is unable to escape from the horrors of her past. She eventually returns to her home country in search of answers and redemption.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The subject matter is difficult to read, but this book depicts a lifestyle that was a reality for so many Haitian women. Although Sophie and her female relatives endure many tragedies throughout the course of this story, "Breath, Eyes, Memory" also celebrates strong family ties and the power that comes with being a woman. This is truly an amazing book.

Promising start that does not deliver, July 24, 2002
While the first part of this novel appeared to hold great promise, I admit to being disappointed overall. Although I know I was supposed to feel great empathy for the main characters, I never got there. Much of the character development was woefully lacking, and the vast jumps in time (practically just pages between the childhood and adulthood of Sophie for example), did not make getting to know these people any easier. This novel needed to be considerably longer, with much more detail as to the motivations for the characters actions. The ending felt hurried to me; a plethora of social ills dumped again into a few short pages. All this said, I believe the author does possess talent and as I understand this is her first novel perhaps that skill will emerge more clearly as she matures as a writer.

exhaling, seeing, reminiscing, February 15, 2002
Great read overall -- a nicely written and well delivered story that keeps the reader in the life of the main character. I wanted to toss this off as another mushy, formulaic, written-just-to-make-the-Oprah list kind of book, but this piece was good writing, good art, and good emotion. The author made the unthinkable almost justifable, made us understand the crazy, and provided hope along the way. I don't have any daughters or sisters, but being a brotha who LOVES himself some sistahs (real love not that in the moment love...which has its own place) I found this increased my appreciation for the many paths that a woman has to consider, travel down, and veer from.

This is a great one to read after Paule Marshal's "Brown Girl, Brownstones".

disappointing, October 10, 2000
This is less a novel than a string of episodes from a young Haitian woman's life and I enjoyed the first two sections, but was really disappointed as the writer lost control of her text in the later stages. The story starts in Haiti where twelve year old Sophie has been raised by her aunt, Tante Atie, while her mother supports the family with a job in New York. But now her mother wants Sophie to come and join her. There's a beautifully detailed portrait of country life in Haiti here and the separation of Sophie and Atie is genuinely heart rending.

The next section details the tentative first steps of Sophie and her mother as they feel out the parameters of a mother-daughter relationship. This is complicated by the fact that Sophie was the product of her mother being raped as a teenager by a Tonton Macout.

This transition from Haiti to New York is fine and would be a solid basis for a novel, but Danticat now starts skipping forward in large chunks of time. Suddenly, Sophie is 18 and enamored of an older neighbor who is a musician. Her scandalized mother begins to probe her nightly to establish that she has maintained her virginity. Tempers explode and we skip ahead again. Sophie has married the musician and had a child, but she's estranged from her mother, has developed sexual phobias and has fled to Haiti with her child. From here the novel descends into all the worst topicality of the 90's and we see how it made Oprah's Book Club. We're immersed in bulimia, sexual dysfunction, female genital mutilation, therapy, suicide, etc.

Ultimately, after a strong and promising beginning, I have to say that the author lost me. I appreciated the opportunity to be exposed to a side of Haitian life that we rarely see, but then we're buried in a blizzard of psychoblither. I expect to see better from this author in the future.

GRADE: C- ... Read more

Editorial Review

One of the greatest engineering feats ever, the Panama Canal is becoming one of the world's most popular cruise itineraries. Ports of call span the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, but the highlight of the cruise is the eight-hour transit of the Canal in which six massive locks raise and lower the ship 85 feet. Read about the monumental construction of the Canal as well as the history, culture, flora and fauna of this tropical region. Detail provided on popular ports, from Florida to California. Over 400 maps and photos most in color. Includes giant color fold out map of Panama Canal ... Read more

Reviews

An excellent guide for Panama Canal Visitors, October 21, 2003
Anne Vipond continues her series of excellent books with this guide to cruising the Panama Canal. Really, anyone visiting Panama would find this book useful, but people on cruise ships will find it invaluable. Anne does an excellent job of relating the history and geography of the Panama Canal. She also delves into the details of the actual ports, including the new cruise port in Colon. This is the best guide to the shore excursions from Colon and on Gatun Lake. If you're traveling the Panama Canal, this book will bring you much better understanding of this unique destination. Anyone who will be debarking for the day in Panama will find that the book will save them much time and money. Highly Recommended!!!

One Fine Book for a Panama Canal Cruise, August 10, 2006
I recently purchased "Panama Canal by Cruise Ship" by Anne Vipond. It is superb! I am a recently-retired submariner from the U.S. Navy and was stationed at one time in the Canal Zone. I have transited the Canal twice on Navy ships and again recently as a part of a Panama Canal study program aboard the Isla Morada. I am a serious historian of the Panama Canal from before the Panama Railroad to the present. I have accumulated much information in the form of books and over 350 old postcards of the Panama Canal Zone. But I have never seen such a "meaty" yet concise history of Panama and the Canal as Ms Vipond offers. The
information presented by Ms Vipond is unusually factual and well-researched.

Panama Canal by Cruise Ship, August 2, 2005
This is a very compact, comprehensive book not only on the Panama Canal but also the Caribbean Islands and Mexico.

The book has a section on the history of the Panama Canal. This book has wonderful maps of each island and port of call. It's very well organized and is a great travel companion to take with you when travelling.

This is a must-have book for any person who loves to cruise!

Great Guide for upcoming partial transit of canal, May 28, 2007
This will be packed and going on my upcoming cruise. It has not only the historical, cultural, political perspectives on the canal, but has all the Central America, Mexico, South America ports where you stop during the cruise. Wonderful maps, pictures, and discussions about the surrounding areas.
I am enjoying studying it each night in prepartion for our cruise.
Well write and easy to pack. This author did a tremendous job with this guide. I would definitely buy other guides from Ms. Vipond.
Linda Canada

Very interesting, better than the tour guide, August 28, 2007
Our Holland America transit of the Panama Canal in May '07 included a veteran tour guide talking on the ships announcement systems. His description was very poor and the facts were just wrong. I knew that because I had read this book.

I recommend you buy and read this book before making your transit.

The best cruise book that I have ever purchased., February 5, 2009
This was the best and most complete cruise book that I have ever purchased. It talks in detail about the history, birds, animals and destinations for Panama cruises.

Excellent Read for Cruising Panama Canal, January 30, 2009
Book is well written and is an excellent read for anyone cruising the Panama Canal. Includes a very nice removable map with ports in Florida and California.

A must for anyone going on a Panama Canal cruise!, March 11, 2008
I bought this book prior to a Panama Canal cruise not just for the cruise information but also because of the extensive amount of history covering the Panama Canal, including how it was built and the political involvement in making it happen. The details and background on the canal are outstanding.

What I didn't expect to find was not only information about the ports of call in Panama, but information about every possible port of call on a Panama Canal cruise. Whether you sail from Florida to California or any other path, your ports are covered in this book. Know what to purchase in Costa Rica, know where to sightsee in Cozumel, and know where the locals will be waving at your ship as you pass through the canal. A must have guide for every canal cruise, and a great guide for the Caribbean and Mexico as well.

Panama Canal cruise, November 9, 2006
We enjoyed the book that helped us understand whst had happened in order for the canal to be completed. It is always handy to preview where you are going.

Misleading Title, March 21, 2006
With the title of Panama Canal By Cruise Ship I expected the book to primarily be about the Panama Canal and what you would see from the ship as well as features of the various cruise lines servicing the Canal. What I found was that the majority of the book described ports of call that your particular ship may or may not visit. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Full-color guide • Make your trip to the Caribbean unforgettable
Customize your trip with simple planning tools • Top experiences & attractions • Practical advice for getting around • Easy-to-read color regional maps
• Discerning Fodor’s Choice picks for hotels, restaurants, sights, and more • “Word of Mouth” tips from fellow Fodor’s travelers • Illustrated features on Golf, Diving, and Pirates • Best beaches, open-air adventure, and dining options
 
Opinions from destination experts • Fodor’s Caribbean-based writers reveal their favorite local haunts • Revised annually to provide the latest information ... Read more

Reviews

Great Travel Book, October 31, 2010
You can't go wrong with Fodors reviews. Makes it so much easier to choose a hotel that fits your criteria. I would definitely recommend ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

One of the best travel and cooking books I've ever read!, April 14, 2010

Sugar n' Spice and Everything Nice, April 14, 2010

Delightful, chillaxing read about life and eating in the Carribean, April 20, 2010

A Real Treat of a Book, June 14, 2010

How Ahnn gets a Sweet Hand, May 4, 2010

Yummy!, April 15, 2010

Wonderful read to lime away an afternoon., April 3, 2010

BRING ON DE RUM, July 11, 2010
I LOVED 'AN EMBARRASSMENT OF MANGOES' !!! 'THE SPICE NECKLACE' IS JUST AS DELICIOUS A READ. IF YOU LIKE TRAVEL BOOKS/ESSAYS AND LOVE TO COOK, ESPECIALLY CARRIBEAN STYLE, THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY FOR YOU ! A FRIEND IS CURRENTLY MAKING UP A BATCH OF THE PEPPER RUM AND THE GREEN SEASONING FOR US ALL TO TRY.

ANNE : WHEN IS YOUR NEXT BOOK COMING OUT ? WE CAN'T WAIT !!

Living in the Caribbean for real. Highly recommended., April 11, 2010

Editorial Review

Reef Fish3rd Edition,Reef Creature 2nd Edition and Reef Coral 2nd Edition Identification books packaged in a beautifully printed Shelf Case. ... Read more

Reviews

Absolutely the best set available, April 21, 2002
If there is one set of reef identification books to own then this one is it. A set of three of the best books available, it contains Reef Fish Identification, Reef Creature Identification and Reef Coral Identification. Throughout the Florida, Caribbean and Bahamas areas there are no better books available. Each fish, creature, coral, grass or algae has it's own full color picture along with a line drawing that points out the defining characteristics of that particular species. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water, it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book.

Each entry has complete information on the fish, creature or coral from size, depth, range and habitat to the level of concern that a diver should have for their safety around it. If you snorkel, dive or just have an interest in identification of the various things that you find on a reef then this set will give you everything you need to identify anything you find. Highly recommended.

Incredibly complete; a diver's encyclopedia., June 10, 1999
We met the trilogy in Little Cayman this year. We could identify everything we saw: coral, fish and creatures. It was our #1 priority for our next dive trip.

Does exactly what it says on the tin!, October 28, 2003
I'm sorry that Vincent in Singapore didn't find these books useful, but they don't pretend to be books for those wanting to keep fish in small tanks - they are terrific field identification guides (as per the titles), with excellent photos and details of colour variations, locations, etc. Beautifully presented, and very comprehensive. Brilliant!

Excellent for amature, student, diver and Instructor, July 31, 1997
While diving and snorkeling, in Jamaica, for a Marine Biology class, this set of books helped me work out the identification of many critters we were looking for and at. Because of the colour prints, descriptions and layout of the books, I was able to find the most difficult of species we were trying to learn about in a very short period of time. I recommend this set to aument the Eugene H. Kaplan's (Peterson Field Guides) books on " Coral Reefs" and the "Southeastern and Caribbean Seashores."

If only the title had stated the locale..., September 16, 2005
Without doubt the book set is helpful for identification of marine creatures, fishes, and corals. However, it would definitely be helpful if the book set title includes the locale for the set. I bought the book thinking that it encompasses the reefs of the world. Alas, how wrong I was as it was only meant for the Carribean and Bahamas, while I leave on the other side of the whole in Indo-Pacific. No use returning as return shipping cost more than half of purchase price.
If only the title had included the locale for the set. Yes, some of the reviews had it, but only read it albeit belatedly.
Does the publisher have a Reef Set for Indo-Pacific?

The Reef Set, February 21, 2002
We have used the Reef Identification series for years and this new update is a great addition -- many more fish are identified. The writeups about each fish are very detailed and explain behaviours and various color shadings well. The photos are excellent, and we have always been impressed by the amount of work and care that have gone into the series. This is the first time we have had the Reef Coral book and are as pleased with it as with the quality of the other two books.

The Bible of Caribbean Underwater Identification, March 8, 1999
The definitive bible of underwater fish, creature, and coral identification in the Caribbean. A staple in all Carib resorts, and liveaboard dive boats. A MUST for Carib divers.

Best in Class, October 8, 2005
As Scuba Diving Instructor and a underwater photographer hobbyist, I have come to rely on Paul Humann's books as the very best reference book on fish identification available. The photographs are stunning and provide excellent views of the described species. It simply does not get any better than this for quick, easy and accurate reference materials. As an aside, there are other editions available that are regionalized for most parts of the world - and they all deserve an unqualified recommendation.

The Reef Set...simply Outstanding!, July 19, 2005
My wife and I live on the island of St. Croix. We dive every weekend, and have 147 dives since Nov. 1. We spend a lot of time under the surface of the water. I work full time, she is employed part-time...neither in the Dive industry. There is not a single dive which we come up from that we don't refer to one or more of Humann's reference books. They could not be better, graphically. And we find his descriptions and behaviorial characterizations to be right on! Just last week on a night dive, we were convinced that a shark which approached us could not be a Nurse Shark due to its gray-whiteish coloration. That particular shark had been identified (incorrectly) as always being a brownish, dark color by another identificaiton guide. When we arrived home, pulled out Humann's Reef Fish and read, sure enough it is often grayish and a light color in addition to the brown/brackish coloration on occasion. So, there was not any reason to make that mess in my dive suit, had I studied Humann's identification, I would have realized that HUGE critter was just being curious, not looking at us as the MAIN COURSE! WE LOVE THESE BOOKS! Every dive shop here uses them religiously.

Essential for anyone who dives the Caribbean, December 15, 2006
It would be hard to find a more complete reference set for the underwater life of the Western Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. You get great photos and descriptions of fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, molluscs, coral and information on the frequency of ocurrence so you know what to expect before you enter the water.

I've found the area information to be dead-on. For example: grouper are overfished in many places and they are a very rare sight in most conventional dive sites in the Mexican Caribbean while yellowtail are all over the Great Maya Reef- absolutely my experience in several dives there. I didn't expect to see as many photos of juvenile fish, but there are many included in this guide which is very welcome because often the juvenile will bear different markings than adults.

The authors include common behavior traits of sealife which I know to be true as well: Permit and Barracuda may follow you around, but Parrotfish will shy away. When I let a first-time diver read this about the Barracuda before hitting the water, she wasn't as freaked out when it actually happened to her.

There is one drawback to having this set on your bookshelf...every time you pick it up, you end up booking another dive trip. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Beautiful Slice of Reality, February 23, 2010
The photographs are amazing.

How wonderful that the earlier ones have been saved and are now replicated here so they can be enjoyed by us and indeed by future generations. The photos capture an age and a history gone forever.

Yes, time marches on and the pictures of the present realities are at times depressing. But is it pleasant to have visual memories of one's memories. Those who don't have the earlier memories can learn from this book of times gone by.

The book would be a great present for grandparents and yes, for grandchildren as well. Understand and preserve the past!!

Amazing Look at the Past, January 24, 2010
As a Puerto Rican, it was quite a treat to see historical landmarks the way they were and then compared to their present state. I loved the photos and the journey they have inspired! Now I plan weekends to see and compare some of the sites in the books that are not in my hometown. A must for those who love history, architecture and Puerto Rico. This book is also good if you are taking a history of Puerto Rico class as it will make history more real and will help in visualizing the social-political context of the events you'll be studying.

Amazing!, September 15, 2009
The book came in awesome condition. I really like all the pictures and the information about PR (my Caribbean paradise). Its a good way to see how everything was and how it is now. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Under the Tuscan Sun meets the wide-open sea . . . An Embarrassment of Mangoes is a delicious chronicle of leaving the type-A lifestyle behind -- and discovering the seductive secrets of life in the Caribbean.

Who hasn’t fantasized about chucking the job, saying goodbye to the rat race, and escaping to some exotic destination in search of sun, sand, and a different way of life? Canadians Ann Vanderhoof and her husband, Steve did just that.

In the mid 1990s, they were driven, forty-something professionals who were desperate for a break from their deadline-dominated, career-defined lives. So they quit their jobs, rented out their house, moved onto a 42-foot sailboat called Receta (“recipe,” in Spanish), and set sail for the Caribbean on a two-year voyage of culinary and cultural discovery.

In lavish detail that will have you packing your swimsuit and dashing for the airport, Vanderhoof describes the sun-drenched landscapes, enchanting characters and mouthwatering tastes that season their new lifestyle. Come along for the ride and be seduced by Caribbean rhythms as she and Steve sip rum with their island neighbors, hike lush rain forests, pull their supper out of the sea, and adapt to life on “island time.”

Exchanging business clothes for bare feet, they drop anchor in 16 countries -- 47 individual islands -- where they explore secluded beaches and shop lively local markets. Along the way, Ann records the delectable dishes they encounter -- from cracked conch in the Bahamas to curried lobster in Grenada, from Dominican papaya salsa to classic West Indian rum punch -- and incorporates these enticing recipes into the text so that readers can participate in the adventure.

Almost as good as making the journey itself, An Embarrassment of Mangoes is an intimate account that conjures all the irresistible beauty and bounty from the Bahamas to Trinidad -- and just may compel you to make a rash decision that will land you in paradise.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews

good winter reading, January 13, 2004
It's a good read for these winter days, a nice, long, leisurely tour of the Caribbean islands over a couple of years, taken by sailboat. The food and drink recipes at the end of most chapters make it easy to travel along with the crew of the Receta-Ann and her husband Steve-by preparing for yourself the same cuisine they enjoyed. And, it's heartwarming to see them get along for the entire two years-there's no crisis, no threats of divorce, just a happy couple taking a long break and learning to see some of the nicer things in life.

great reading adventure if you're on cruiseboat deck, April 21, 2005
`embarassment of mangoes' is much less a sailing book than a `wife's view' of a two-year vacation through the carribean. like plenty of sailing couples, ann vanderhoof does not really have the bug, and instead follows gamely along with partner on a toronto-carribean loop. she was the founder of `cottages', a modern magazine incarnation of the `house and garden' ilk, and the book is reads like a 200 page version of one of those chatty recipe article from `cruising world' or `coastal living': `we pulled into unknown Bay x after a horrid/delightful/tumultuous passage, and the next morning while drinking/walking/looking for parts, we fortuitously ran into authentic local fisherman/housewife/fellow sailing couple/non-profit organizer, who fed us amazing/delicious/tasty local x, and here is the recipe.' the peril of a dragging anchor is in this book is equal parts damage to the boat and the threat of upsetting the dinner guests; ms. vanderhoof's sense of adventure is heightened by the profound psychological growth of giving up her toronto hairdresser for two years. and on and on. for a girly-girl sailing adventure, there is precious little about their relationship, hubbie steve instead plays a background role as a sort of invisible lovable oaf. Ann is certainly a capable writer and the book flows along on an even if somewhat predictable and superficial keel, like a seamless dinner conversation with someone intent on subtly pushing their vacuous politically correct message points: we were authentic - we developed real friendships with the locals! we do care about the environment - we felt bad about tossing that old fishing net garbage back into the sea! it did seem like a shame to develop the old man's veggie patch into a resort! we did meet all the icons of the carribean: herb the weatherman & the minister of rum. we gave alms to the poor islanders! we went back to visit! we were sad when it was over, really! So if you're a serious armchair sailor, this book may not be so compelling, the author's progress over two years from ICW to `not being scared of an overnight passage' is child's play. For very light vacation reading of the carribean, or if you're a domestic, tag-along spouse, perhaps sitting on a cruiseboat wondering what life on a sailboat is like, `EoM' may be just the ticket. It is certainly pleasant, light reading -- and the recipes at the end of each chapter do look fantastic.

Infused with warmth, color, and flavor. A winner!, February 21, 2004
What a great book! Ann Vanderhoof gives a rich portrayal of the Caribbean that most of us never see, but surely want to.

An Embarrassment of Mangoes is infused with warmth, color, and flavor. As if the vivid descriptions of local markets (you can smell the fruit), ancient rum distilleries, and exploration via the local buses aren't enough, the variety of characters she meets bring the islands to life.

Best, Vanderhoof and her husband are easy to identify with. They took their midlife break on a sailboat. She relates challenges and experiences with a humor that non-sailors will enjoy, and a level of detail that I'm sure sailors will appreciate. But her trip is no near-death escapade. These are real people on an achievable adventure, doing something all of us could do. Vanderhoof steers us off the beaten path to sample real life, deftly capturing the local food, music, language and, most of all, the Caribbean spirit.

"Ann of a Thousand Deadlines" (as she calls her former self) never admits bravery, but her will to leave a good job and the comfort of everyday life for two years shows real courage. The book and its premise are compelling. The recipes at the end of each chapter are a bonus (my wife has already baked the Spicy Island Gingerbread).

I want to go. Now that I have read An Embarrassment of Mangoes, I feel I have gone.

As the review on the book cover says, "what travel writing is all about." Give this one an unarguable five stars.

Thank you Ann Vanderhoof!, February 22, 2004
Thank you Ann Vanderhoof for taking me out of my winter slump with
"An Embarrassment of Mangoes". Ann and her partner Steve made a life decision to kiss their clock-driven lives in Toronto good-bye so they sailed south for two years on their 42 foot boat, Receta. The good news for us is that "An Embarrassment of Mangoes" makes it possible for us to share in their journey: the sun, the food, the humor, the food, the water, the food, the good times, the food (complete with recipes). The scary parts happen when the weather steps in. "An Embarrassment of Mangoes" exudes the warmth of the Caribbean. We meet extraordinary people: the Minister of Rum, Dingis and her family and Mr. Butters in his garden of Eden. All of this is why you'll cry your eyes out at the end of the book as Ann and Steve head back north, leaving behind their new friends and a part of their hearts. And a part of mine.

I am off to Grenada!!!!, July 7, 2004
I don't write a lot of reviews, but thought this book deserved more attention. Since reading it, after American Airlines thought enough of it to include excerpts in their magazine, I was intrigued by the stories of the islands, the people, the culture, the food and sailing the Caribbean (good weather and bad). First off, I love to travel to off-the-beaten path countries and I love to cook (and eat!) different cuisines. This book is perfect if you have these interests. It doesn't hurt that the author is a travel writer, but this is much more than a travelogue or cookbook. I don't like fiction so much, thus this is perfect non-fiction. Ann could not have possibly made up more interesting stories about the people and conducting life on the islands and the boat. I now have a yearning to visit Grenada, Trinidad and some of the other colorful islands. The author must have been concerned she was going to make Grenada more popular, but it probably was well on its way before her book. Good luck Ann! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Your storytelling and descriptive style paints a warm picture of wonderful people and places.

Introducing what so many nauctical stories leave out., April 7, 2004
First, this is not Mr. Junger's, "Perfect Storm" the epic of battling one of the worst storms in history or even similar to the "Dove" in which Robin L Graham sails singlehanded around the world. This is simply a book recounting the events of a couple who have done what many of us dream about...leaving the fast paced world behind for awhile and adapting to the world they enter.

I appreciate that it was Ann that wrote it as she shows her fears of overnight passages and weather reports. She not only talks about great food but gives so many receipes that it will take us all awhile to try them.

Overall, I appreciate this book mostly because Ann and her husband Steve didn't try to change those they came in contact with to what they were used to but rather adapted or more likely adopted the lifestyle of those around them. So many times when people travel to get away they bring everything with them they are trying to rid themselves of. Ann and Steve tried the local food, socialized with the local people and were ultimately courteous and thoughtful.

Thank you!

Warms those cold nights!, February 10, 2004
Having just returned from the Caribbean, this book was like a return visit. Sitting up here in upstate New York, where snow is measured in feet rather than inches, I savoured every page of this book. Ms. Vanderhood has an uncanny ability to make you feel like you are there among those wonderful island people. She really brought them and all of quirky differences between islands to life. Sometimes I actually felt I was right there on the sailboat with them and could feel the waves rocking us back and forth. For anyone who loves the Caribbean, or for that matter, anyone whose ever wanted to chuck it all and sail away --this book is for you!

Travel done right...and some fabulous recipes too, September 21, 2005
I definitely enjoyed Vanderhoof's narrative voice. And what a delightful surprise to find recipes scattered throughout. I must say that reading this book made me very hungry (even if it's not making me want to sail around the world...I'm all for world travel, but I'm not very comfortable on sailboats)

This was such a wonderful adventure. Vanderhoof's writing is pleasant, evocative, unexpected, comforting...it was just the right feel for this story. And, seriously, these people did this trip up right. Woot!! Let's here it for having REAL vacation experiences and meeting real people...not hiding in a steralized resort in some disneyfied island. It was great getting to take this trip (without having to take this trip). I've photocopied almost every recipe from the book (Except the conch recipes...I don't feel familiar enough with this seafood in order to attempt cooking it). I made the chicken with fresh cheese and avacado last night and it was DIVINE. Yum. We're making the Coo-coo polenta dish tonight and plan to try the Bahamian Mac & Cheese next week. Also, the rum punch recipe will make an appearance at saturday's party.

Not only is this a great read, but it's full of great food too.

An Edible Sail........., June 6, 2005
This is a book in which I got so caught up, I had to make an effort to not pick it up to read when I was supposed to be doing something else. Another bonus, in my opinion, is that there are recipes at the end of each chapter.

With a title like "An Embarrassment of Mangoes", the book, by Ann
Vanderhoof was enough to catch my attention since mangoes are my most favorite fruit of all. Even though the story was not particularly about mangoes, but about the sailing adventures of a couple of forty-something publishing professionals from Toronto who had decided to temporarily leave their deadline-dominated lives and follow a plan spanning several years and sail off into the sunset for a couple of years.

Their adventures in a sailing boat they called "Receta" which is Spanish for recipe, took them all the way down to the Lower Antilles. The recipes throughout are the result of Ann's love of cooking and her natural curiosity about the sometimes strange and exotic foods she encountered on the way.

Though this particular book is more of a travel journal rather than fiction, there are many other authors who combine novels and recipes......a delightful combination and one that is irresistible to me.

You'll want to savor every page of this enchanting book!, January 24, 2004
For the stressed out and winter-weary comes this transporting memoir that will appeal directly to escapist fantasies about leaving the work world behind and taking up residence in the nearest tropical locale. In AN EMBARRASSMENT OF MANGOES, the author and her husband do just that, and this enchanting, sun-drenched book intimately chronicles their life-changing two-year odyssey around the Caribbean aboard their sailboat Receta.

Prior to the trip, Ann and Steve Vanderhoof were driven, forty-something professionals whose lives were dominated by demanding careers and a seemingly endless string of deadlines. This, coupled with their increasing weariness of harsh Toronto winters, made them long for a different way of life --- one that was far removed from overstuffed day timers and driveways that needed shoveling. Their escape fantasy began to form into a full-fledged action plan of penny pinching and preparation that eventually enabled them to live out their dream.

After setting sail, the cruising life quickly seduces them as they discover the pleasures of living one day at a time and basking in simple delights such as fiery sunsets, freshly caught seafood and ice cold Presidente beers. But life onboard the boat isn't always smooth sailing as new challenges quickly take the place of old workaday worries: Tropical storms, perilous ocean crossings, the frequent threat of hurricanes and the daily struggle of living in tiny quarters with another human being for months on end are just a few of the trip's hazards. Nonetheless, the trade-off in exchange for a whole new way of life proves to be more than worth it.

During their two-year voyage of discovery, the Vanderhoofs cover 7,000 nautical miles and explore forty-seven Caribbean islands, stretching from the Bahamas to as far south as Grenada. More than just tourists, they immerse themselves in the hypnotic rhythms of Caribbean life and culture, befriending the locals and soaking up the distinct music, flavors and essence of each port of call.

Vanderhoof's particular passion for cooking infuses the text with a cacophony of delicious tastes and smells from the savory island dishes that she and her husband encounter, many of which she recreates in the ship's tiny galley using a variety of indigenous local ingredients discovered along the way. Peppered throughout the book are the results of her culinary explorations in the form of authentic, mouth-watering recipes for local specialties such as Bahamian cracked conch and West Indian rum punch. In addition to the gastronomic pleasures offered up, the profusion of sights, sounds and colors that leap from the page provide a veritable feast for the senses as well.

Indeed, the book's biggest strength lies in Vanderhoof's extraordinary powers of description and her ability to make us feel as though we, too, are there. Under the spell of her ripe, evocative prose we can easily call to mind the heady perfume of mangoes in a marketplace, the sweet taste of fresh coconut milk on a hot day, and the dazzling colors of a Caribbean sunset streaked against a turquoise horizon. Interwoven with the sensuous depictions of lush scenery are the author's richly textured portraits of the colorful island inhabitants and fascinating snippets of local lore. Each of the islands has a distinct and varied personality, which Vanderhoof captures with beautiful lucidity.

She uses this same keen blend of awareness and insight to chronicle the transformations that she and her husband undergo during the journey. As they overcome challenges, gain new skills and face their fears, their nervousness gives way to confidence and they grow in ways that they never could have imagined back home. In fully giving themselves over to a new way of life, their voyage becomes as much one of personal discovery as one of cultural and culinary adventure. This winning combination is what makes this island-by-island, meal-by-meal guide to the Caribbean so delicious to savor.

--- Reviewed by Joni Rendon ... Read more

Editorial Review

The world's most popular cruise destination comes alive in this beautiful guide to Caribbean cruising. Completely revised, this new edition contains current information on best beaches, dive sites and golf courses as well as port and island attractions. Hundreds of photos and maps, all in color. Includes giant pull-out color map. ... Read more

Reviews

A guide that every Caribbean cruise traveler should carry, August 17, 2000
If you're looking for a comprehensive and informative guide to Caribbean ports, you won't go wrong with this guide. You can save money by avoiding the cost of ship-sponsored shore excursions, and you'll be more informed when you reach your destination. Anne Vipond provides a good outline of information for each port, including ideas for unique or interesting activities for that location. There is plenty of information about availability of taxis, public transportation, and ways of getting to specific places. There is also a map of most port locations that will allow you to develop your own walking or taxi tour. The "Best Beaches" section for each port identifies your best bets for sun and sand. This guide book is well-organized, very readable, and small enough to carry with you in a purse, belt pack, or back pack (not small enough for most pockets, however). Highly Recommended!

Cruise Book with lots of practical information, April 7, 2006
This is an excellent guide book for both the first time cruiser and the seasoned traveller. My travel agent gave this book as a gift to those of us cruising as a group to the Eastern Caribbean this past spring. Athough I have sailed on many cruise ships and feel I know many of the differences between the lines and ships, those in our group who were new to cruising found the glossary section very useful and filled with practical tips to make their cruise more enjoyable and less confusing (ie) tipping policy,dining options, onboard activities.

We liked the pull out map and had this hanging in our staterooms so that we could plot our course each day. The smaller maps of the ports of call were very useful, and often had more detail than the maps from the shore excursion desk onboard. So often on a cruise I feel the tour department is promoting their shops and excursions ... but having this book provided an unbiased synopsis of what there was to see in each port and where to go.

The section on Caribbean history and the history of each island helps in understanding the people and the culture. When one 'drops into a port' for just a few hours or a day, it is not always easy to get the entire flavour of the people. By knowing a bit of the history, my onshore experience was
certainly enhanced.

Worth Buying, July 10, 2006
This book provided very good information about where the ships dock, as well as activities on the islands, modes and costs of transportation, and feedback about beaches, shopping and water activities. The maps and information that showed the distances from the ship to the activities/localities were just what I was looking for to plan my days on the islands. In addition, the book was very helpful in the selection of shore excursions that I could do on my own and through the ship (e.g., it helped to narrow down the best spots for snorkeling and golf, etc.). I would recommend it to anyone traveling via cruise ship to the Caribbean.

well thoughtout guidebook, December 28, 2007
We just returned from a 10 day southern Caribbean cruise and found this book invaluable. The maps were great! Details on shore excursions and port attractions allowed us to focus on aspects we were interested in and also gave us the confidence to do walkabouts. Great book, highly recommended.

Colorful cruise book, January 26, 2008
This is a physically heavy but informationally lightweight guide for crusing in the Caribbean. It is good but not great. We found it only slightly useful, preferring the Insight Guide Caribbean Cruises for more content and especially the "Cruising the Eastern Caribbean" more suitable to our nature oriented tastes. The latter book covers only EASTERN islands.

Not Your Typical Travel Book, April 16, 2009
I like this book, its almost set up like an encyclopedia for cruising the caribbean. A bit of history on the region, alot of color pictures, and quite a bit of attractions on what to see when you get off the boat. Its put together really well and made of awesome thick paper to last forever. DONT let this be the only book you buy about the caribbean, you need another one to tell you where to eat which this one doesnt. This book is a good companion book to the Lonely Planet Caribbean Island book. If you like eye candy at work thinking about your trip you wont be upset with this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Full-color guide • Make your trip to Puerto Rico unforgettable with 40 maps, illustrated features, and 172 color photos.
Customize your trip with simple planning tools • Top experiences & attractions • Lodging comparison charts • Easy-to-read color regional maps
Explore San Juan, El Yunque, Vieques and beyond • Discerning Fodor’s Choice picks for hotels, restaurants, sights, and more • “Word of Mouth” tips from fellow Fodor’s travelers • Illustrated features on Bioluminescent Bays, Salsa, and Surfing • Best open-air adventures, beachcombing and arts activities
Opinions from destination experts • Fodor’s Puerto Rico-based writers reveal their favorite local haunts • Frequently updated to provide the latest information ... Read more

Editorial Review

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in the U.S. & British Virgin Islands!

•Updated annually, Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islands provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islands features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in the U.S. & British Virgin Islands.

•Experience the U.S. & British Virgin Islands like a local! Fodor’s U.S. & British Virgin Islands includes choices for every traveler, from scuba diving, kayaking, and horseback riding to the best beaches ideal for relaxing and family fun, and much more!

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers. ... Read more

Reviews

Well worth the money, November 27, 2008
I am usually not a huge Fodor's fan, but I do recommend this reference as a good general resource for under $12.00, especially for BVI first-timers. It includes the USVI, so if you're planning to be on St. John or St. Thomas, this will be helpful for that, as well. In 240 pages, it provides all the basics, as well as some helpful maps.

Not as in depth as one would hope, February 15, 2010

Very pretty book but lacks local flavor, January 31, 2010

Very good travel guide..., January 19, 2010

Lovely format, January 19, 2010

Better to choose one VI destination and get specific guide., August 26, 2010
I hoped this would be useful as I prepared to travel to St. John in the US Virgin Islands. Because I hoped to take a boat trip through the British Virgin Islands, I wanted to know more about them as well. I did not feel that I really got much useful information from this book, since it covers so many sites that each one gets only a cursory review. I wish I had just gotten a guide to St. John.

Very helpful and timely information on the Virgin Islands., January 21, 2010

Great little guide to have, January 21, 2010

A good overview, January 21, 2010

Good reporting to plan your travels, January 19, 2010

Editorial Review

Discover the Caribbean Islands

Discover your inner daredevil on an awesome cayoning trip in Dominica
View the Virgins from above then hit the beach after a worth-the-sweat trek in St John
Sip rum by day and dance beachside by night in Jamaica
Survey classic cars and huge cigars, and learn the secrets of salsa in Cuba

In This Guide

Thirteen authors, 560 traveler tips, endless expanses of white sands and blue seas
Dedicated Diving & Snorkeling chapter to suit both beginners and enthusiasts
Interviews with a Haitian rock star, a Puerto Rican coffee expert and a Barbadian surf pro
Content updated daily - visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler insights
... Read more

Reviews

Perfect for trip planning, November 26, 2005
At 800+ pages, this is too heavy to lug around, but it's perfect for planning a trip and deciding where to visit. After you've planned your itinerary, I suggest buying a more specialized LP (Lonely Planet) guide to take with you - a small price to pay for a successful vacation.

Cuba gets the longest chapter (a whopping 59pp), followed by the Dominican Republic (48pp), Trinidad & Tobago (47pp), Bahamas (43pp), and Jamaica (42pp). However, the book's warnings about Jamaican crime will cause most travellers to rethink their itinerary. Haiti receives a token 18 pages due to the turmoil there. At the other end of the spectrum, the shortest chapters are on Saba and St. Eustatius (10pp each).

I enjoy the LP writing style, and I like their emphasis on practical tidbits. For example, don't fly directly from Aruba to the U.S. because you'll be in line for two hours at the Aruba airport due to understaffing by U.S. customs officers (yes, U.S.) who handle pre-clearance procedures. This is the kind of nuts-and-bolts information for which LP is famous, and enables visitors to avoid vacation hell.

Pet peeves: The chapters covering the 26 jurisdictions seem to be in random order - why not alphabetical? LP has always been famous for their maps, but lately their maps have been using one shade of gray for water and a slightly different shade of gray for land, which is tough on the eyes.

As usual, July 3, 2007
As usual, the Lonely Planet book delivers tons of information for travelers of all incomes. Especially helpful are tips on where to go to avoid cruise ship crowds. However, I had to skip the chapter on Cuba, because of the US travel ban. And the chapters on Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic should probably only be used to decide whether or not you want to go to those places. If so, you should probably buy the Lonely Planet books dedicated exclusively to them.

Packing List: 1) Passport 2) Credit Cards 3) LONELY PLANET, March 10, 2003
Whew-w-w. This is a great entry in a great series of travel books. Thick (thick!) with useful information. The consistent format, the amount of information, the compact physical size of this book make it a must carry reference guide for the Caribbean traveler!

Great BIG Book, April 14, 2009
Love this book, huge book with everything in it i was looking for. Bought this book because we are taking an eastern caribbean cruise in January 2010 and i wanted a heads up on the islands we are going to visit. It's written and put together soo well i couldnt help reading about all the islands. Really cant wait to go now, VERY HAPPY i ordered this book.

Had Everything... Except what I Wanted, February 13, 2009
My mistake. I first looked up what I wanted on the Lonely Planet site. Yes, I could have purchaced a chapter for a couple bucks, but no. I wanted to get the whole book, just in case. So I came to Amazon, and the chapter on the Corn Islands is actually nowhere to be found. Oh well. Turns out my trip to Little Corn is postponed anyway.
Other than that little snafu, I always like Lonely Planet guides, and will pick up a new edition for Maui this Fall. ... Read more

Editorial Review

• Frommer's Portable Guides are for the short-term traveler who insists on value and doesn't want to pack a full-size guidebook. Frommer's Portable St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla & St. Barts includes complete information and detailed maps for all the islands in one easy-to-carry guide.
• Our author provides exact prices, directions, opening hours, as well as candid reviews of hotels and restaurants.
• You'll also get expert advice on where to find everything from the best beaches and dive sites to the hottest casinos and shops.

Reviews

Informative and compact, August 28, 2009
The book was very helpful on our recent trip to St. Maarten/St. Martin. Reviews were given of resorts, beaches, restaurants, and excursions. Helpful hints were given regarding transportation, currency, electrical use, and customs. I always take a Frommer's book wherever I go outside of the U.S. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Featuring hundreds of vintage photographs, postcards, brochures, and other materials evocative of time and place, Havana Before Castro: When Cuba Was a Tropical Playground documents how the city of Havana evolved from Prohibition haven and rich man's playground to a heady blend of glittering nightclubs, outrageous cabarets, all-night bars, and backstreet brothels. Here, captured in one amazing book, is the drama, passion, intrigue, and opulence of a legendary city during its heyday-before the Castro dictatorship re-imagined the country and Americans were banned from travel to this tropical paradise.
An architectural historian by profession, Peter Moruzzi is an acknowledged expert on mid-century Modern architecture and design. He is the founder of the Palm Springs Modern Committee, an internationally recognized historic preservation organization, and the writer/director of Desert Holiday, a documentary film chronicling the history of Palm Springs as seen through vintage postcards. He resides in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles and in Palm Springs.
(20080515) ... Read more

Reviews

Nostalgia at its best!, July 31, 2008
My wife and I escaped Cuba during the early sixties. Almost certain that we might be returning within a month or two (50 years ago) we did not bring along photographs, memories, or keepsakes of any kind.
"Havana Before Castro" is the best collection of memorabilia ever to touch my hands.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You've made my day!


Andrew J. Rodriguez
Award-winning author: "Adios, Havana," a Memoir

Great illustrations; Surprisingly good read, November 24, 2008
With a profusion of exquisite illustrations, "Havana Before Castro" is also a suprisingly well-balanced, perceptively written historical work. While one good picture is certainly worth a thousand words,this book goes beyond the typical illustrated book genre to recapture also in text a Havana which vividly lives in the memory of those of us lucky enough to have experienced it first hand and, now, in the memory of those who read this book.

Havana Before Castro, October 7, 2008
Very informative with wonderful before and after photos, I am Cuban and remember some of the places in the photos. Would highly recommend it to my friends.

Any library strong in Cuban history and culture must have this, August 10, 2009
Color and vintage black and white photos abound in HAVANA BEFORE CASTRO: WHEN CUBA WAS A TROPICAL PLAYGROUND. It re-creates an era when the city was a popular destination for Americans between World War I and Castro's revolution, packing over 500 color and black and white images into a 'then and now' recreation contrasting past and present. Any library strong in Cuban history and culture must have this.

wonderful book, February 13, 2009
This is a wonderful book that describes Havana in the same way that my parents have always told me they remember. I lived in Cuba until the age of thirteen and in many parts of Havana i could see remains of what once was a grandiose city. This city is now converted into a total ruin. With regards to the writer "formoso" , he believes all the comunist propaganda written by the so called revolution. I imagine he believes that today's cuba is a paradise where everybody lives better.......how come all cubans want to leave that paradise?.........

great gift, September 7, 2008
great, easy read yet interesting history of Havana. Wonderful photos and fun highlights of the who's who of that era. The author did a good job of combining the two to make for a brilliant fun read

I couldn't put it down, May 10, 2010
I read it from cover to cover, every bit of text, and I loved it. I was stunned to learn about mid-century modernism trapped in the timewarp of Cuba. So many examples jump to mind and Moruzzi illustrates them all with an incredible collection of photographs and ephemera. I highly recommend this book to those who think they know all there is to know about America's post-war influence on architecture and design. For me, the book was a surprising learning experience.

FABULOUSLY researched and written!, February 26, 2010
The author's passion truly shines through in this book. And he doesn't cover just one or two aspects of Havana before Castro, but every facet that I think he could possibly fit in!

I simply love this book. Though I have to admit that I look through it and wonder to myself, "Where did American glamor go?" We used to be all about the little black dress and 3-piece suits, and now I can't get professionals that want to wear slacks to the office...

Oh well, FANTASTIC book! I'm donating a copy to my Lodge's cigar bar!

KUDOS to you, Mr. Moruzzi!!

Havana before Castro, January 27, 2010
As someone who was born in Cuba in early 1940s and lived under Castro until 1964 I'm thoroughly enjoying this book - learning things I either had forgotten or never knew - it's bringing back very fond memories of the Cuba I grew up in.

Beautiful book, January 27, 2010
Thank you for a wonderful trip down memory lane. Greatly enjoyed the many, many photos, some of places I was too young to have visited as a child, before I left Cuba. ... Read more

Editorial Review

While most think of Cuba as a mythical island of rum, rumba, and revolution, period photographs reveal a more complex place. I Was Cuba is an original look at Cuban history as seen through the Ramiro Fernandez Collection arguably the world's leading archive of Cuban photos and ephemera. I Was Cuba showcases rare, vernacular images from the nineteenth century through the revolutionary period, exploring the everyday and the eccentric. With texts from famed Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas (Before Night Falls), this captivating volume is an intimate view into a bygone era of glamour, political upheaval, and astounding visual culture. ... Read more

Reviews

The greatest Cuban photo book ever, October 18, 2007
Wow, now THIS is a masterpiece. Well chosen material juxtaposed in creative and sometimes very funny ways, and a singular look at a well-known subject. The collection that these photos came from must be truly magnificent. I already bought ten copies for my Cuba-obsessed friends, and I'm just getting started. Both the collector and book designer get the highest marks possible!

I was Cuba: Treasures from the Ramiro Fern�ndez Collection, November 2, 2008
An excellent and exquisite gathering of outstanding pictures of my native country with no politcal emphasis, just plain art at its best. The collection as placed on the book gives the viewers a fantastic "review" of the various epochs in Cuba. Outstanding!!

I WAS CUBA, December 31, 2007
I had originally bought the book for me, but when I opened the book and saw all the beautiful pictures of what Cuba once was, I knew I had to give this book to my parents. When my mother unwrapped the book on Christmas Day and started to look at the pictures with my dad, tears came from both their eyes. My mother hugged me and could not stop thanking me for the gift. Those of Cuban Heritage, please buy his book, for "YOU ARE CUBA" and you won't regret it.

Superb photos -- a lost Cuba brought to life!, October 23, 2007
This tidy little volume is worth much more than it costs. The nicely embossed cover has a "quality" feel, and the pictures deliver a unique experience.

I bought this as a birthday gift for the father of my fiancee -- he's visited Cuba on a business basis (he's in an industry that IS allowed to do limited biz with the island's current regime). Anyway, he was delighted.

This brilliantly chosen photo collection illuminates a Cuba that no longer exists. The thing to remember is, the "lost" Cuba is not dead, just slumbering beneath the surface of the modern Communist state. The Cuban past caught in these pix explains a lot of the present reality; it may be VERY relevant to the near future, when Castro is gone and Cuba's mixed history and modern experience recombine. Highly recommended. P.S. - I also bought, and he also loved, Es Cuba Es Cuba: Life and Love on an Illegal Island, a nicely written love-and-hate story of contradictions in contemporary Cuban life.

Great Photo Book, April 2, 2009
As a Photographer and a Cuban I will recommend this book to anyone interested in the pre Castro visual history of Cuba. The collection of photos is magnificent.

Pictures from Cubas past, March 13, 2009
I purchased this book for a neighbor who escaped Castro's Cuba.
It is a wonderful collection of pictures taken pre-Castro and for
my neighbor a remembrance of an island he misses to this day.

Fantastic!, June 27, 2008
Fantastic collectionn of photos that take you to another place in another time. Beautifully sequenced and with great essays. I hope Mr. Fernandez has more books in him. Give this a sixth star. And a seventh.

BEAUTIFUL AND AUTHENTIC, April 5, 2008
This book has the most amazing collection of authetic pictures from cuba I have EVER seen! I met Ramiro (the man who collected the photos) at Florida State University and he explained to me how he collected all these photos from Cuba. It really is a fantastic book and the price is UNBEATABLE!

"I Was Cuba...." REAL TREASURES, March 13, 2008
I Was Cuba: Treasures from the Ramiro Fernandez Collection

This book contains an amazing collection of old photographs that essentially cover the entire island. It is a real TREASURE. The selection of images is excellent; subjects are representative of 'times gone by'. I have gifted the book to individuals who lived in Cuba and are familiar with many of the places included in the collections of photos. The response has been extremely positive.

The author deserves credit for such a good selection of subjects, relatively good images -considering the time that has passed. Younger persons have also enjoyed a 'virtual visit' to a country that is out of bounds for most people.

Amazing!, November 1, 2007
This has to be the most comprehensive collection of Cuban photos in the world. So beautifully layed out and designed. This is truly a great treasure. The passion for the subject leaps off the page. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Aruba!

•Fodor’s In Focus Aruba features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Aruba.

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers. ... Read more

Reviews

Now we're excited to go!, January 9, 2010
I bought this as a stocking stuffer for my wife as we are going to Aruba in a couple of months. Its a nice, concise overview of the island and it gave us alot of great ideas on what we will want to do. It has alot of pictures to give you the concept of some areas and the advice seems fairly balanced. The size will make it easy to bring this along with us.

review, March 6, 2010
Went on vacation to Aruba.
Had to book to review and was a nice asset to the internet review we had completed.
It was also portable while there unlike the internet at times.
Like Fodor's works - would recommend. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The essential terms you need to communicate with the nation’s 8-plus million Haitian Creole speakers

If you are travelling to Haiti to help with the relief effort or to aid in its rebuilding, Haitian Creole Phrasebook is your must-have resource.In addition to featuring content specifically related to relief and rebuilding, this book also covers the basic topics such as introducing yourself, asking for directions, giving instructions, or asking for information. A separate section is devoted to key words and phrases related to relief efforts from communicating with medical personnel to construction and engineering terminology

Features:

• A mini-dictionary includes essential vocabulary for quick reference
• An 30-minute audio download that features key words and phrases
• Vital vocabulary and phrases relevant to relief and rebuilding processes

McGraw-Hill will donate a percentage of sales to the Haitian rebuilding effort.

Topics include: Basic Vocabulary, Basics of Haitian Creole, Greetings and Wishes, Expressing Preferences and Opinions, Numbers, Time, and Weather, Family, People, and Description, Communication, Living and Working in Haiti, Transportation and Directions, Money and Shopping, Accommodations, Food and Drink, Specialized Vocabulary,Earthquake, Construction Rebuilding, Relief Effort, Medical Vocabulary, Security, Resources

Reviews

Haitian Creole Phrasebook, October 8, 2010
I have worked in Haiti with Missions International of America since 2007. This has been a great help to all of our team and, at the suggestion of our group leaders who suggested this book to me, become recommended reading for our team members and prospective team members. Thank you. Mesi anpil.

New definitive text, October 17, 2010
This book, featuring vocabulary and expressions necessary in the wake of the 2010 earthquake as well as a wealth of cultural knowledge, will be the new definitive guide for foreigners traveling to Haiti. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Discover the essence of Barbados & St. Lucia
 
Fodor’s choice ratings you can trust.  Exceptional restaurants, hotels, and sights selected to help you make the best choices.
           
Simple pleasures. Embrace the local scene in Barbados as you check out the Oistins Fish Fry, sip some local rum by the beach, or shop for colorful Earthworks Pottery.
           
Boundless activities. Find choices for every traveler in St. Lucia, snorkeling from the beach to climbing one of St. Lucia’s famous Pitons to hiking in the rain forest.
 
 
Local Experts Fodor’s worldwide team of 700 writers reveal their favorite haunts to enrich your travel experience.
 
Freshest Facts You won’t find a more up-to-date guide to the region. Our writers seek out hot spots while verifying that current listings still meet our high standards.
 
Travelers Like You Get candid advice from fellow travelers at Fodors.com, and read their “Word of Mouth” tips throughout this book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In Simply Sailing I share the story of how we sold our house, cars, and everything that wouldn't fit on a 34-foot sailboat, resigned from our jobs, and with three young sons, set off on a life of adventure. What we discovered will delight, entertain, and inspire readers to chase their own dreams, to find a solution to the problems that are holding them back, and to finally live.

Simply Sailing shows by example how easily one can eliminate stress, become more independent, spend more time with your children, and avoid the traps of commercialism. By simplifying our lives and taking an eco-friendly approach, we wander and explore for longer, rather than rushing to stop at the places on our list before the money runs out. Cruisers will learn how to change a trip into a lifestyle, raise their children in a safer environment, and instill values not based on the mighty dollar, while seeing parts of the world most middle Americans will never experience.

Simply Sailing offers lighthearted tales of the adventures and woes experienced by a sailing family. It includes tips for avoiding common pitfalls, simplifying your boat and life, and making a small boat a comfortable home. The stories and advice inspire would-be sailors to leave sooner, travel farther, and enjoy life more fully. ... Read more

Reviews

A Stunning Eye Opener!, September 20, 2010
This is a story of a life style that I had never even begun to think was possible. It's exactly what it present's itself as, a tale about a simple way of life, yet still so absolutely bizarre and unimaginable until you read about it for yourself. A must have for anyone who has ever day dreamed of simply running away from everything and starting over, simply. I only wish there was a description of the story so that everyone would be as intrigued about this as I was. I'm going to share this tale with everyone I can, and I recommend you find the time to read it as well! ... Read more