Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "Acadia", sorted by average review score:

Acadia Revealed: The Complete Guide
Published in Paperback by Papyrus Travel Guides (01 July, 2000)
Average review score: 

Let Jay be your guideJay Kaiser has done a wonderful job writting a comprehensive, interesting and helpful travel guide to Acadia. The book has information for any sort of trip: Whether you're interested in adventure (camping and rugged hikes) or relaxation (staying at an inn and finding great restaurants), this book will take you where you want to go. Lots of lovely pictures, helpful maps and lively comentary. I'm so glad to have had this book with me throughout my recent trip to Acadia to make it clear what sights I couldn't miss. I can't wait to return because there is so much left to discover!
Comprehensive insider's guideFor the type of person who needs to know the intimate details surrounding your destination, this book is a must. It touches on history, geography, geology of the region in a concise, logical manner, while offering an encompassing view of the activities, layout, and surrounding area. Pictures and detailed maps are scattered throughout the book providing a sense of place and are a trip planner's dream. PLUS, Mr. Kaiser includes an overview of the Maine lobster including eating instructions. Talk about covering all your bases! All in all, a very informative, detailed covering of Acadia and its surrounding area with an insider's take to avoiding crowds and hitting little known spots.
Thank you Mr. Kaiser!!!This book is a must have for those who have experienced the beauty or have the desire to experience the beauty and offerings of Acadia National Park. Mr. Kaiser has finally produced the guide to do Acadia justice. You'll learn all the side trips, cool lunch spots, etc. to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon hike with a buddy, and you'll also have the memory of your journey when you get home through Jay's pictures!

The Park Loop Road: A Guide to Acadia National Park's Scenic Byway
Published in Paperback by Down Home Pubns (May, 1999)
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Excellent Photography and very informative.All of the books written by Robert Thayer convey the true beauty of Acadia National Park. Robert is an outstanding photographer/ author and is an inspiration for my own work. I have seen many slides of Roberts work and I am always impressed. I give this book my highest recommendation for any person interested in learning about Acadia, nature, wildlife, and especially photography. He also has 3 other books available on Amazon.com of an equal caliber.
ReviewAfter throughly reading this book through 3 times I have come to the conclusion it is a wonderful book full of useful information. The pictures alone are beautifuly taken giving reason enough to purchase this book. Also Mr Thayer is an excellent chemistry teacher and I hope after reviewing this comment he will raise our grades
Acadia's Story Through Words and Outstanding PhotographyAn excellent overall introduction to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. Good overview of geology and natural and cultural history. Provides up-to-date information on roads and hiking trails. A wonderful guide or souvenir of the Acadian experience.

Acadia
Published in Paperback by Ballantine Books (May, 1996)
Average review score: 

My Acadian RootsI am a genealogist who has traced her Acadian Roots back for more then 300 years. This work of historical fiction is remarkably close to the facts. I have stumbled upon many of the names of the characters used in the book in my own research. The book is very well written. It is full of excitement and drama. It is as if the Author himself was there in the midst of the early Acadian's struggle to carve out a place for themselves in this new land of Acadie, in Eastern Canada. Thank you, Alfred Silver for doing such a fine job telling the Acadian's,(forefathers of the Cajuns), story.
AcadiaI need a copy of this book. I understand it is not in print. If anyone has a copy or knows where to find a copy of Acadia written by Alfred Silver, please contact me at rocketvision@hotmail.com. Thankyou.
So involving, very authentic! Alfred Silver fantastic!What else can I say. Alfred Silver wrote "Acadia" like he was there. He placed the characters perfectly, and flaulessly.

Acadia: Visions and Verse
Published in Hardcover by Down East Books (June, 1999)
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Waves of PraisePoetry has gone out of fashion in our obsession with things that take no work and require no thought. Recently my wife and I hosted a dinner in Washington at which Jack spoke. He read from and commented on his poems. For an old broadcast journalist to attempt something like this before an audience of other, mostly cynical journalists was very brave, indeed. But Jack brought it off in a way that had people listening respectfully and then responding enthusiastically. Many promised to immediately purchase their own copies. Whatever relationship you may or may not have with Maine, "Acadia" will do something for your heart that few other contemporary books can do. I highly recommend it as a gift, or for your own consumption and enjoyment. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
A treasure of vision and verseI became aware of this book by seeing Jack Perkins interviewed on Maine Public Television about it. It was a wonderful interview and he read some of his poems and explained how the book came to be. It has always been a secret hope of mine that I might bump into Jack some place in Maine, but it has not happened yet. The next best thing is to own his book, and then he can talk to you and share his vision of this unique area of our lovely state. His talent is not limited to his high profile experiences in television journalisim for NBC. He is an accomplished photographer and poet and he has a wonderful heart.

Best Easy Day Hikes Acadia National Park
Published in Paperback by Falcon Publishing Company (June, 2001)
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Hiking with kids in AcadiaI found this book to be very helpful in planning my vacation in Acadia. I have 2 boys aged 5 and 13 and needed hikes that were doable for the youngest one. He turned out to be the best hiker of us all! This book gave me a good sense of what the trails would be like. We only did easy and moderate and one strenuous one (South Bubble Trail). You will need to buy a more detailed map (like from the AMC) but the trails are well marked. I liked the section on the authors' favorite hikes. We did most of our hikes from their recommends. Don't miss the Wonderland and Great Head trails if you go! Happy hiking.
Great guide to the parkThis is an invaluable guidebook for hikers at Acadia National Park. Our family -- including children ages 12, 9 and 3 -- visited Acadia for four days this summer and used this book to select a variety of trails. The authors describe the grade, distance, degree of difficulty and sights of nearly 150 miles of trails. Following their advice, we went along the Wonderland Trail to an enormous tidal pool, and chose the most appropriate route for our group up 1,200-foot Penobscot Mountain; there are many trails to the top of the mountain, and the book helped us choose the right one for our skill and fitness level. The older two children and one parent also climbed the cliffs of the Beehive; it's rightly described as a strenuous trail, but if you're not afraid of heights, the view of the coast is spectacular and the taste of wild blueberries at the top makes it special. (This hike is listed as one of the authors' favorites.) We found the book extremely useful. The book would also be useful for more experienced hikers; the authors have been on all of the park's trails, in all kinds of conditions. And the book fits neatly in a backpack, for handy reference in case you need to check the maps while hiking. Highly recommended.

Out Of The Deep : Mysteries In Our National Parks #10
Published in Hardcover by National Geographic (September, 2002)
Average review score: 

An exciting mystery novel for young adultsCollaboratively written by Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson, Out Of The Deep is an exciting mystery novel for young adults which is set in the beautiful Acadia National Park. A baby whale among other marine mammals has beached upon the park shores, and it's up to the intrepid Landon kids to figure out why. Out Of The Deep is a genuinely captivating story that blends adventure with respect for nature and wildlife. Also very highly recommended is another Gloria Skurzynski and Alane Ferguson title in the eleven volume "Mysteries In Our National Parks" series from National Geographic Society, Running Scared (0792282329).
The best in ther series so far!Jack and Ashley Landon love to travel with their mother, a wildlife veterinarian, who is often called to solve animal mysteries, and their father, who hopes to have a career as a photographer. This time they are on their way to Acadia National Park in Maine to investigate why the marine animals are beaching. But Jack and Ashley have a problem. Bindy Callister, the 14- year-old temporary foster child who has just come to live with the Landon family. Bindy is a liar, or at least Jack thinks so. She claims to know the reason for the animal behavior, and the kids find her near a beached baby whale. Bindy slips away during the rescue operation, determined to prove she know why this is happening, and Jack and Ashley get themselves in deeper than they planned for.The mystery is fascinating reading and an educational experience all rolled into one. I think it's the best one yet in this series for upper elementary or older readers. The mother/daughter author team never fail to teach about science, geography, and human behavior.

Acadia National Park: Wildlife Watcher's Guide
Published in Paperback by NorthWord Press (May, 1995)
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a good overall view of the wildlife you will findThis book has lots of photos and basic facts about the Acadia areas wildlife. The book also gives readers locations and best viewing times info to help both tourist and area resident find the animals they want to see. The perfect quick fact field guide.

Acadia Parish, Louisiana Vols. 1 and 2: A History to 1900 and 1920
Published in Hardcover by University of Southwestern Louisiana, Center (February, 1998)
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Excellent snapshot of the "Cajuns" of Acadia ParishI highly recommend this two-volume set as a first step towarding delving into the history of this southern Louisiana area. Mary Alice Fontenot has done an excellent job of researching and documenting many events and personalities in Acadia Parish, and appears to have thoroughly documented her resources. Reading through this set of books has sparked my interest in learning more about Acadia Parish, as I believe was Ms. Fontenot's intent. Her closing remark in the foreword of Volume II states, "It is hoped that these topics will be more fully developed within the near future, and that one of Acadia's most valuable historical resources -- the recollection of its senior citizens -- will be more widely recognized and utilized." I sincerely hope Ms. Fontenot has continued to research Acadia Parish history and will publish additional volumes to this set in the near future.

Acadia: The Soul of a National Park
Published in Paperback by North Atlantic Books (April, 2003)
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Virtual winter walks for real summ strollsAll winter our hearts are on Mt. Desert Island, 750 I-95 miles north of us. All winter, with Steve Perrin's book, we take virtual hikes on "our" island. Come summer (well, in July anyway) when our hearts and bodies are actually in Acadia we can stroll those trails we now know are compatible with my two aging knees and Margaret's greatly dimished vision. Steve's words are more valuable than he knows: we teach people to be "audio describers" for folks who are visually impaired or blind so their ears can be their eyes in theaters, museums, and yes, for television. Steve's writing is truly audio description. This summer if we meet him again on the Shore Path we'll tell him in person. Until then, thanks, Steve.

Discovering Old Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park: An Unconventional History and Guide
Published in Paperback by Down East Books (August, 1996)
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A Great Compilation of many writings of early Bar HarboritesI've never been one to enjoy reading historical writings very much, but I loved this book. Ruth searched and found many great writings, along with photos to go with them, that tell the stories of early settlers, the "cottagers" and the year round residents of Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor/Acadia is my favorite spot in New England and we will return their again this summer. I will have a better appreciation of the life these people lived in the late 1800s and will better appreciate how fortunate we are to have Acadia as protected natural lands.