Pittsburgh Then and Now is one of the best pictoral historical books around. Everybody knows about the history of steel in Pittsburgh but few know about its local history. This book is one that tells both stories. The pictures shown range from the steel mills of the Pittsburgh area, to the different steps of the city. Each picture of the past is contrasted with a picture of the present.

During each scene there is a brief explaination about the history of the change, although each picture could easily be explained in more detail. Even though these explainations may not be in great depth they help you to decide what area of history you may want to research, such as the steel mills, the north side, or the bridges.

This book is one that I would recommend to anyone who would like to see the history of Pittsburgh. Each picture gives you a feeling of what many long time residents of Pittsburgh viewed during its change.

24 great and creative weekend trips from the Delaware Valley are described in detail. Yes, there's the usual down the shore, up to the Poconos, but also a number of places I've never heard of of, much less visited, and now look forward to heading for this summer or fall. This is not a detailed "travel guide" like a Mobil guide - generally only 2 or 3 places to stay are listed. A suggested itinerary is provided for each destination, and not a lot of suggestions for alternates are provided if you don't like to do whatever's suggested. But in general, a fun and very helpful book - I can certainly do my own destination research if desired. Recommended!

River of Mountains is more than a travel journal. It is also an historical and anecdotal work about the Mighty Hudson River. The author recounts his journey from the headwaters high in the rugged Adirondacks (Lake Tear of the Clouds), down 315 miles of whitewater, dammed water, polluted water, and brackish water to New York City and the Atlantic Ocean. He meets many interesting river people along the way, and relates much historical information about river. A must for anyone with any interest at all about the Hudson River

The books says it is available in 2-3 days. As a matter of fact, I am waiting for it now since almost two weeks and it is not shipped yet. So in case you need it before you go on vacation, don't buy it! Otherwise, I like it.

If you are looking for one day trips, this is the book for you. Good descriptions and directions but in general those are the trips you would do if you asked around. The routes described in the book are not long, calm and easy. Great for begginers and also a nice pace change for hardcore kayakers. It's a good book to have, for the quick one day getaways. But still no cigar for a multiple day kayaker.

This book covers a lot of territory. I wish it included Virginia too. Its got lots of shops identified and makes it easier to figure out where "hot spots" could be so that you're not driving without purpose. A good guide to take with you if you plan a trip either for the purpose of antiquing or with antiquing as just part of the trip.

Talks nicely about architecture and scultures around the city and downtown. Takes you on a series of walking tours that include some of my favorite eclectic things in the city. Has a cosmopolitan perspective. I learned a lot reading Fifield.

I recognize the possibility that I enjoyed this book more than will others because I too am a crusty WASP, a book lover, and a baseball fan,
and, perhaps most importantly, as Jonathan Yardley says of himself, "I am a son of the Mid-Atlantic". But I suspect most readers will enjoy
the ride as Mr. Yardley takes us along on his journey, which wends from Yardley, PA where he searches for signs of some lingering family
connection, throughout the region that also includes Delaware, Washington, DC, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and
Maryland, where the book ends with his plaintive meditations on the soon to be departed Memorial Stadium, longtime home of his beloved
Baltimore Orioles.

It is the unfortunate nature of this disparate agglomeration of states that even at the end of the book they still seem totally random, rather than
resembling anything like a cohesive section of the country. But even if they don't cohere, they each seem interesting in their own way as
presented here.

GRADE : B+

We used this map to get around Manhattan during our first-ever trip there in July, 2003. It's small enough to be convenient, big enough to show the important stuff, and, best of all, laminated so it takes the wear and tear of repeated use! I will definitely hold on to this map and take it with me the next time I visit NYC!

150 color photos are excellent. This coffee table book was assisted by a grant from Eastman Kodak, which translates into very high-quality photos of the interior and exterior of the U. S. Supreme Court, complemented by 50 pages of text. I've purchased a number of these over the years for my clients, who are lawyers. They've enjoyed the books and kept them prominently displayed in their offices or homes.