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Tunnels, Towers and Temples: London's 100 Strangest Places

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: David Long

April 19, 2007
Sequels aren't meant to be as good as the original, are they, but having enjoyed David Long's SPECTACULAR VERNACULAR last year I had to have this one, and I'm not disappointed. Far from it. In fact for anyone bored with all those London books which just go over the same old ground again (Tower of London, yawn) these two books have been a revelation to me. Packed full of places and buildings most of us don't even notice, and with every one photographed and explored by an author with a real talent for the subject, they're original, funny, and above all fascinating in terms of the detail, the history and the personalities they describe and which together make London what it is today.

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Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Bill Bryson

April 02, 1998
Despite having enjoyed several of Bryson's other books, I couldn't really get into this one which was about his travels in Europe, roughly following in his own footsteps from 20 years earlier. It was well-written and quite witty but it took me most of the book to realise why I didn't hugely enjoy it. I think I didn't enjoy the book because he didn't enjoy the trip. He spent a lot of time moaning and this affected the tone of the book. I just wished he'd either find something to enjoy, or just pack up and go home.

He started off well, with a good amount of detail and good cheer and described the locations and people skillfully, but as it went on, you could feel him getting listless and this came through in his writing. I'd look up ... Read More:

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America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip In Search of Non-Corporate USA

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Dave Gorman

April 03, 2008
Dave Gorman writes an entertaining, intriguing travelogue about his trip from "sea to shining sea". Although some of it does have a familiar feel, the quirky observations and careful construction (with a good deal of jumping back and forth between key moments) help maintain the narrative. He's impressively non-judgemental and doesn't hammer his central (and, arguably, somewhat shaky) concept of avoiding chain motels and gas stations too hard. And for anyone who says "I could have written that" - hey, go and try doing the trip, and writing about it. It's harder than you'd think.

Pro: enjoyable, non-taxing read. Con: few revelations.

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New York City (Lonely Planet City Guide)

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Ginger Otis, Beth Greenfield, Regis St. Louis, Robert Reid

September 01, 2008
found it much more useful then the time out NYC guidebook. Went to a couple of suggested bars which were fun. the pull out map is particularly useful.
However, NYC is a city you want to get lost in so don't get the guidebook out too often!

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The Rough Guide to New Zealand (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Tony Mudd, Paul Whitfield, Laura Harper

September 01, 2008
I recently spent some time touring around New Zealand and this guide was my constant companion(as well as my wife).For your money you get an extemely comprehensive guide to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.From the lush green farmland of the north island to the barren desolate stretches of the south island "Gods own country" has it all.

Each area is dealt with in separate chapters and each chapter begins with the "highlights" of the area,so if the highlights dont appeal keep driving! You will find the history of the more interesting places contained in this guide ,not a full on history lesson mind you but just enough to impress the wife with until she picks up the guide for herself ,then the game is well and truly up!The maps are ... Read More:

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1000 Places to See Before You Die

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Patricia Schultz

September 29, 2003

200+ pages on the USA, 2 pages on Sri Lanka. Lots of expensive 5 star hotels, resorts and expensive paradises that are fine if you're an ageing, moneyed American but do not even begin to scratch the surface of the country you are in.

If you are rolling in dollars and travel first class from Four Seasons to Four Seasons, buy this book. Otherwise there are a hundred other books out there that are better to inspire you.

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1000 Things to Do in London (Time Out 1000 Things to Do in London)

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
from: Time Out Group Ltd

May 03, 2007
I have lived in London a few years now, and I love being able to find the really interesting and off the wall things to do in this fab city. I bought this book for a friend, and then spent the next 2 days buried in it myself, and I started to write down ideas to take back to me. After 5 pages of my notes on the book, I decided it would be far simpler to get myself a copy!
it lists everything from places to eat, to museums you'cve probably never heard of, together with lots of free activities and it isn't expecially aimed at tourists which is refreshing. A really different take on London and I'm a big fan.

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The Call of the Weird: Travels in American Subcultures

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Louis Theroux

July 07, 2006
There are some great features to Amazon: competitive prices, the chance to browse for a vast selection of books at any hour of the day, generally good service. Here is a bad thing: judging a book by its cover (or the reputation of the author). I bought this because I have enjoyed some of Theroux's TV programmes and it sounded a bit different.

Theroux's plan is to revisit subjects he had met during the making of a TV series on weird Americans and see how they have changed in the intervening few years. The problem is that it doesn't quite work and I think Theroux realises that quite quickly. The writing is engaging and honest but it's partly a story of tracking the people down and partly a story about what they said when he found them. Neither story is terribly ... Read More:

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Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships (Berlitz Cruise Guides) (Berlitz Cruise Guides)

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: Douglas Ward

September 24, 2008
There are some great features to Amazon: competitive prices, the chance to browse for a vast selection of books at any hour of the day, generally good service. Here is a bad thing: judging a book by its cover (or the reputation of the author). I bought this because I have enjoyed some of Theroux's TV programmes and it sounded a bit different.

Theroux's plan is to revisit subjects he had met during the making of a TV series on weird Americans and see how they have changed in the intervening few years. The problem is that it doesn't quite work and I think Theroux realises that quite quickly. The writing is engaging and honest but it's partly a story of tracking the people down and partly a story about what they said when he found them. Neither story is terribly ... Read More:

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Usborne Sticker Atlas of the World (Usborne Sticker Atlases)

Childrens Toy Shop > Travel > General
by: S.R. Turnbull, Fiona Patchett

September 24, 2004
My son really enjoyed this book. It captured his imagination and we have had lots of interesting chats about different countries and cultures around the world. Excellent for participation and goes really well with associated books on flags and geography.

Andrew McCulloch and Douglas (5)