We bought the book and used is exclusively to prepare and conduct bicycle trips in the Hudson valley. The trip length and route layout suites the occasional to average trained cyclist. The routes are using mostly side roads which makes the trips safe and pleasant. The indication of the mileage for each step make sure than no turn or remarkable viewpoint is missed. The abstract that precedes the detailed description of each tour is a good help to pick a route for the day. We highly recommend the book to anyone who has a interest in cycling in the Hudson Valley. Hopefully there will be more cyclists in the future as this area is great to be explored and enjoyed from the bicycle.

I have read (and used) Ms. Zatz's book. I especially enjoyed the 'Old Mine Road' and "Lebanon State Forest' tours. I would caution that any cyclist use a supplmental map, with more detail, and study it thoroughly before starting the tours. I have found that the maps printed in the book lack enough detail to be helpful. Without a more detailed map it is quite easy to make an error in navigation.

I did find that her mileage counts seem very accurate, at least they matched my bike computer.

The Finger Lakes region is a wonderful area to explore by bicycle! Blue, deep lakes; green, cool forests; and red, brick towns like Cornell, contribute to the anticipation of turning a corner, or cresting a hill. For first time visitors, Sally Walter's and Mark Roth's book is like having a local take you on the ride, pointing out a waterfall, a place to stop for lunch, or which hill is a killer and worth the climb. It's like seeing the area for the first time, the colors, smells, impressions, with a tour guide in your back pocket. The book gives clear directions and mileages. Good advice on route choices. And this updated version has the local eateries and bikeshops categorized. It easy to string several of the suggested rides together for a longer tour. Or, pick one with a bail out for the less mileage inclined. While we did not do all the rides in the book, the one's we did do were just as described. Use the book if you are planning a trip to the Finger Lakes, even if you don't take your bike.

I used this book (an older edition) on my first trip to New York City and I found it very succinct and helpful. If you don't want lengthy descriptions and lots of historical background, this the book for you. It gets to the point about some of the "must sees" and "shouldn't miss", as well as warning you about some cultural differences. The Essential series is also great because it's thin and lightweight, yet some color pictures so that you can recognize some of the sites you're searching the skyline for.

It's been said that New York is a city of countless stories, and this book manages to cover a couple thousand of the more interesting ones. This is the "story" of New York City and not your typical history book. The tale is told through neat trivia and short anecdotes that are sure to come up in conversations beginning with "Hey, did you know that..." And, the wonderful black and white photographs and illustrations really make the people, streets and events come alive. It is clear throughout that the author truly has a passion for his subject. If you've got all the other big books of New York City history, get this one for all the interesting stories you'll really remember.

Incredibly handy for those times when you decide on Saturday that you want to do "something different" this weekend, but have not a clue what are your options. Divided into activities appropriate for each season, the book suggests a wide range of trips around the area, from historic exploring to art appreciation to communing with nature. I had an old version of this book that I lent out and lost, and I loved it so much I'm buying another copy!

I've never been to NY. But I'd like to. So I thought I had found something special. And I was right. For someone from a far country like me this book can be interesting. It contains about 50 black & white photos by various authors (e.g. Todd Webb, Sid Kaplan, Mary Ellen Mark) along with short commentaries. The photos concentrate more on sociological occurrences and events of city's history than on its architecture. One could only wish bigger format of the book and more photos in it.

If you can't get up to the "Dacks" or Vermont to go backcountry skiing, you might be intrested in this book. It is a short guide that points you in the direction of the skiable trails of the Catskill mountains.

I first saw this book at a BB we were staying in in Fleishmans and later found the book for sale at a store in the Catskill corners complex. Over the last 15 years I have been keeping notes in my trail guide of the Catskills with possible ski runs. This book has confirmend some and led me to others.

Not enough emphasis on down mountain skiing to suite me but still a useful guide.

a well balanced book of pictorials displaying times square in new york through the years. a nice coffe table book

This is a great guide for finding GREAT stuff. It contains some standard information about sample sales, Opera tickets and hair salons. What sets this book apart is the information about finding and furnishing an apartment. The fabric and furniture suggestions are the best I've found in any shopping guide, plus these places do indeed exist AND so do the prices.