My kids find the Fandex format easy to use, and the information on them accessible. We have several, and they're fun for all of us to use together.

I like the fact that each state has a map, as well as pertinent info: Admitted to the Union; if and when Seceded from the Union; if and when Readmitted to the Union; Nickname; Motto; Capital; Bird; and Flower. There are also several paragraphs of pertinent information about each state, with some history and a description of the character and things, which make it unique.

The only quibble I have about these decks is that sometimes when they're completely fanned out, the edges of the illustrations get caught up in each other, making it hard to close them properly. But other than that, they're cute, informative, and a nice format for kids.

This was the perfect start-of-school present for my 5th grader. her teacher loved it too and everyone wanted to borrow it. The state reports were a snap.

These Fandex Quick Reference cards are grat to use for students. they can help you write a report, an essay, and they provide lots of interesting facts. They also have cats, dogs, explorers, myths, wildflowers, civil war, and more cards about different subjects.

If theme parks just ain't your thing, here's an interesting book for the Orlando-bound traveler. Brotemarkle's uncovered hundreds of fascinating sites that most Florida visitors never even consider on their way to Space Mountain. Art festivals, unique architecture, and a fabulous historical legacy abound in central Florida; see them and support them before they're all paved over.

Mr. Brotemarkle is an expert in what the arts have to offer in the tourist capital of the south. His knowledge of all kinds of sites is amazing from opera, to historic sites to museums. He does this with a breezy style that makes of good reading and is a must if you live here and have visitors all the time. I got sick of the big parks years ago, so now I take my friends places like Leu Gardens, and museusm.

Ben Brotmarkle has covered the local art/culture scene for Central Florida for the last 7 years on WMFE radio, so he has a good grasp of the material. This is a great book for locals who want ideas on other places to go besides the big theme parks, and for visitors to know the depth of the local scene. A good buy for anyone who lives here or plans on visiting....

From Dryden to Pyote, and even down to Cuidad Acuna, Eric O'Keefe has covered "God's Country" as only a person who has spent a major portion of their life in the region can.

O'Keefe moved from Houston to Alpine, Texas during his formative high school years, and the detailed descriptions of this beautiful part of the Lone Star State reflect that intimate knowledge of the small towns, and hole-in-the-wall cafes that give West Texas it's special character.

O'keefe has since abandoned West Texas for the more chic atmosphere of Santa Fe, but don't hold that against him. He still knows where to buy beer in Sheffield.

If you are planning a visit, this is the guide you "Must Have".

If and when you get the chance to escape to the wilds of West Texas, be sure to take Eric along. If things don't work out, take his book. It's almost as informative as he is. Better yet, you can put him down (which is something I can't do).

I didn't think there was anyplace in Texas worth stopping at until I visited the Big Bend. How this guy ever knew about John Madden's favorite restaurant in West Texas is one of the many things I liked about this book and give it a top recommendation. More on Mexico border towns would appeal to me (but that's not Texas, is it).

Having lived in the Caprock area of Texas for a few years I never knew what history and hidden geography were just beyond the flat, flat plain across the highway! After reading this book I must return to the Caprock to discover these things on my own! There is much beyond the state parks that Texans should claim as a part of their heritage and strive to better understand. Get this book and see if you don't agree!

it might not be fair to comment, but i haven't read this book. nevertheless i was flying to san francisco from miami the other day and as the pilot mentioned that we just passed over texico, nm i noticed one of the most arresting sights i have ever seen from a plane.

seemingly endless plains, farmed into a quilted patchwork of green squares and circles, abruptly dissolved into a brownish red fractal universe.

at 34.946 north 103.438 west is one of the most striking features. you can check it out online at the terraserver or on any map program. of course they could never do justice to what it really looks like. i've been obsessing over this area for a few days now, although i hope it'll pass before i crank out bucks for yet another book i don't really need.

I paid over-due fines on this book twice at the Austin library...I wouldn't return it until I was finished. It was worth it though. Flores writes in simple terms and speaks from the heart. This book educated me while causing me to reflect on my life...Imprinted DNA from old relatives...I've believed this for years.

Tourism generates over $41 billion annually for the Florida economy, which is more than twice the entire GNP for Cuba. That is why there is a fierce fight for the Florida travel guide market. Fodor's Florida Travel Guide is one of the three guides that I reviewed during my two week driving vacation through Florida, and it came in first! (Fodor's #2 and Mobil Travel Guide #3 [see my other reviews]).

The refreshing writing style of the reviews were as practical as they were sometimes sardonic, i.e. "This resort couldn't be any more remote, not to mention a long way from any water or beaches". Then on the other side of the bay the writing was, well cozy, i.e. "A charming lobby with a rock fireplace and a saltwater aquarium sets the tone of this utterly inviting resort". When you compare this with the utilitarian reviews of Fodor's and the downright drab reviews of Mobil, you will find yourself enjoying the candidness of the book and thus, trusting the commentaries.

The accommodations and dining recommendations are reliable and on the money. This guide lists the best restaurants that Florida has to offer. A lodging and restaurant index would be a definite plus for this guide. As it stands now, if you have a restaurant you want to look up, you have to go through all the listings in the city you are in until you stumble across the name you seek or miss seeing it completely.

On the critical side, this guide omitted a significant portion of Florida. There is no mention of Gainesville, nor Ocala, nor Ocala National Park. Very disappointing. With these omissions this guide really is not a "State" guide; Florida is not just Miami and Orlando... "hello, publishers".

The rating system is labored and difficult to understand. The explanation of the "new star rating system" is buried in the book and not indexed. It was by quirk that I found it. Strange.

The Internet web site addresses provided for hotels could be more comprehensive considering that this is a 2003 guide. In today's world of "connectivity" you can visit the hotel sites and see the accommodations and rates prior to making reservations. And, website/email addresses are restricted to the lodging listings even though many of the restaurants now have their own websites with photos and menus and email to makes reservations.

However there are two significant areas in this guide that could use improvement: maps and hotels/restaurants.

Regarding the maps: the maps in the guide are lackluster. More and better maps would greatly help the user.

What put this guide on top of the competing guides, is the clear and enjoyable writing style of the review. The introductions of the regional areas are the best of the guides I reviewed. You will do well if you have to chose just one Florida guide and you select Frommer's.

I just want to give kudos to this book, because it was really, really wonderful on my most recent trip to Florida. I've used other guides in the past (Lonely Planet, etc.), but they seem to be more suited for very exotic locales instead of Florida. For that, Frommer's is the best. They have incredibly accurate information (prices, hours, directions, etc.) and give honest reviews for hotels, restaurants, and attractions that I really appreciate, like "this is the definition of a tourist trap," etc. I was surprised and pleased with this guide, and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone else who's going down there.

Having Recently purchased Walt Disney World and Orlando For Dummies 2003, I have to compliment the writers all the way because the information given was so acurate that it matched my expectations completely with no stone left uncovered.
It's not often that someone can visit a country and just having read a simple book prior to leaving gain so much knowledge that i was able to plan my trip down to the last minute with the vital information that gets put down to "lost time " in most cases.
I was amazed at the accuracy of subjects covered with things ranging from Park admission prices to Restaurant's and those that we did visit during our trip matched the descripton to a full.
So credit where it's due to Jim & Cynthia Tunstall,for a job well done for the Book that i can no longer be without...A Big Thank-you to you both for something so Informative !!

This is the second for Dummies book on travel I have purchased. I did not find it as helpful as the first book (on Hawaii), but it has some great basic information to start your research on if this is your first time to Las Vegas. The rest of my research was on the internet- mostly looking at pictures to get a feel of what I would like to see in person. You can narrow down quite a bit of your searching by reading this easy to read first half of this book, which is devoted to accomodations and attractions. It quickly gives you a summary of all you need to know.

The book was particularly helpful in summarizing what all the casinos on the strip offer to do besides gamble- shows, museums, etc. and there are a lot to sort through, and several are free! My family accused me of being to Las Vegas before because I had such a clear idea of where to go and what to see attraction-wise in what seems a chaotic city of entertainment, something this book is invaluable for.

Also helpful were tips on which casinos were connected to what if you want to beat the heat or not walk as far. This book needs to get updated though in that respect. The other half of the book gives tips and instructions on gambling for those going to do less looking and more gambling.

This is the second for Dummies book on travel I have purchased. I did not find it as helpful as the first book (on Hawaii), but it has some great basic information to start your research on if this is your first time to Las Vegas. The rest of my research was on the internet- mostly looking at pictures to get a feel of what I would like to see in person. You can narrow down quite a bit of your searching by reading this easy to read first half of this book, which is devoted to accomodations and attractions. It quickly gives you a summary of all you need to know.

The book was particurlarly helpful in summarizing what all the casinos on the strip offer to do besides gamble- shows, museums, etc. and there are a lot to sort through, and several are free! My family accused me of being to Las Vegas before because I had such a clear idea of where to go and what to see attraction-wise in what seems a chaotic city of entertainment, something this book is invaluable for.

Also helpful were tips on which casinos were connected to what if you want to beat the heat or not walk as far. This book needs to get updated though in that respect. The other half of the book gives tips and instructions on gambling for those going to do less looking and more gambling.

I've never been to Las Wages, but will be going in July and this book should be very helpful. I cant wait to use the tips in the book. I was very impressed with the wealth of information and the easy and accessable format.

Foolish Fernando dreamed of growing a prize-winning giant pumpkin, but didn't know it takes hard work and simple gardening wisdom. Children will laugh at Fernando's foolishness as he tries to imitate the methods of Old Juana. It will stimulate the gardener in most of us. And children may even want to learn how to grow pumkins! This charming book has wonderfully colored illustrations and even a good recipe for pumpkin soup.

As a children's librarian, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm sure children will be entralled by the story's humor and suspense and also by the illustrations vivid hues, which transport readers to a village in San Miguel. This book will be especially coveted in the fall when teachers and families enjoy pumpkin-themed books, but it is rollicking tale, worthy of reading all year long.

Caryn Yacowitz has produced a winner. Pumpkin Fiesta is the charming tale of Old Juana, whose devotion to her pumpkin crop has gained her acclaim in her province. Young children learn from the funny exploits of Foolish Fernando, Old Juana's bumbling imitator, that empty gesture is not what has meaning and that true success is reached by acting with passion and energy. While paying appropriate homage to the original storyteller, Ms. Yacowitz gives the story her own terrific spin, elegantly juxtaposing English and Spanish. My three year-old was instantly enthralled by this book, and has learned, laughed and been enriched many times over.

Book is great if you like to visit old houses and fancy restruants Having lived in Alabama all my life I was disapointed with the book.There is more to Alabama then this.

I found this book to be exceptional. In addition to providing enticing ideas for weekend getaways in my state, it is historically interesting. It covers the entire state and includes ideas for everyone ... campers, romantics, history lovers, shoppers, etc. Although not the type book one normally reads for entertainment, I found I had trouble putting it down long enough to sleep. It brought back fond memories of places I've visited, made me mad that I'd missed things I didn't realize were in visited areas, and elicited a strong desire to TRAVEL more throughout my beautiful and historical state! A WONDERFUL BOOK!

This is a great book to have about visiting a wonderful state.

If your children are doing school reports on specific states, this book could make the difference between a ho-hum report and a top notch report. The school librarian should have this book.

I highly recommend it.

This is very good book about the City of Boston, as it was developed in stages. The Book explains the development and expansion of the city in time and according to location. It is very vivid and especially if you have been a pedestrian offen on the streets of Boston, It starts to make sense and starts to give joy. As I read the book I started to appreciate more and more the efforts of BRA and Back Bay Society.unfortunately before they acted quite a number of beautiful structures has gone.Book has very extensive history from 1700 to 1970's and than it is summary or may be it is a living history for you. There are numerous pictures but the number of pictures is not as much as those you may find in other types of books, like Boston in Pictures, etc. After all it is a narrative book but there is sufficient amount of pictures to help you visulize. I wish a more comprehensive book were to be produces to show in same pages all the developments, similar to "Boston, Than and Now" but with more older pictures and more story as this book has. Read this book and sit across the Charles on Cambridge Side than you start to see Trimont, Mill Dam, Neck. It is great book.

This book is ideal for anyone looking for a general account of Boston history. It acquants one with many of the important stages in the development of the city; covering the period from the colonial to approximately 1970. The information regarding the colonial period is excellent, as is the book itself. It is not specific, but provides an introduction to many great way points for further study.

This book is a fascinating account of how Boston grew and developed. It stays on the point, is concise, and really improves the understanding of this city. A must read for a Bostonian.

It is very interesting this service.

great book nice and easy readin

I've a Cybercafe located in the heart of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at Rua Siqueira Campos, 43/901, open from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. If possible, I'd like to insert my Cybercafe in your guide: CopaCybercafe. We also have tour guide services available in several languages.