Lonely Planet guides are the best out there, by far, at least for people who travel with a budget and only a pack on their backs, stay at hostels, and like to really experience a new location without being so touristy (Fodor's guides, for example, are the opposite of Lonely Planet's and are written for the upscale traveler). The California/Nevada guide is no exception, but it's just too outdated (published in 1996), and I wouldn't recommend buying it and instead would recommend waiting until the come out with a new one, whenever that will be. That's the only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars. They did just put out a new San Francisco one though ...

This is the first lonely planet book I've bought, but I'm very attached to it. It had lots of great listing from things to do to places to stay. I particularly linked to range of places to stay. It's organized into moderately priced to cheap options so you can pick what's right foryou... I used the 2000 edition.

Every Lonely Planet guide gives lots of tips for what to see, places to eat, and the "must-see" things when you travel. This guide explains the history of California and Nevada very well, and always has good suggestions of interesting places to visit. I am a native Californian, but I don't travel anywhere in the state without this guide.

In 1870 a heartbroken Megan McQuarry returns to her hometown of Primrose Creek, Nevada after two years of trying to become an actress with nothing to show for her efforts. Unlike her happily married sister and two cousins, Megan has no land to go back to after selling it. Ironically, the first person she meets is Webb Stratton, who owns her former land.

Somehow, deep in his gut, Webb knows Megan needs a friend and a bit of help. He offers both and she accepts them. She becomes his housekeeper. As she learns what values matter in life, Megan and Webb fall in love. However, before they can consider a lasting relationship, he must revisit his past and rectify his mistakes.

MEGAN, the final novel in Linda Lael Miller's Primrose Creek series, is a warm tale of redemption that emphasizes the author's belief in what really matters in life. The story line is fun due to observing Webb and Megan struggle with their pasts, their love, and their future as both learn the core values of people. The three previous novels (see BRIDGET, CHRISTY, and SKYE) are tender western romances, but MEGAN's story is the most sensitive and compassionate of the quartet. Ms. Miller provides her audience with a beautifully touching Americana romance.

Harriet Klausner

"Megan," the fourth book about the McQuarry women. Megan McQuarry, the last of the bunch, redheaded and courageous. Upon her return to Primrose Creek, Megan is determined to make a go of it. Although, penniless, she still has grit. Megan meets Webb Stratton at the stage depot. Webb now owns Megan's share of the land. However, as time goes on, Webb not only owns the land, but Webb is also owner of Megan's heart. Little by little, Webb gets a portion of Megan's heart, but in return, Megan also steals Webb's heart.

"Megan" is not only Megan's and Webb's story, but it lets the reader know the secrets of the McQuarry girls. It is Ms. Miller's conclusion to the McQuarry saga and a very informative conclusion. I loved the way "Megan" was a revelation of the McQuarrys. Good work, Ms. Miller.

I loved this book. Being a frequent traveler I normally read during take off, work on my laptop till the battery runs out, and read until landing. I grabbed this book in the airport and read it until I was finished. I absolutely loved the relationships between the characters. Being a Binchy, Plain, and Pilcher fan I think I've found a new author. I felt like I was there, exactly what a good book should do!

The pace of change in urban Nevada is faster than any author can keep up with. My 2nd edition from 1991 is hopelessly out of date as far as casinos are concerned (Vegas has an additional 200,000 residents and about 6 new casinos now) but the areas outside the cities don't change much. Anecdotes about Nevada's neverending cast of characters spice up the pages, which is more than can be said for the state's consistently bland road food that bores the weary traveller in search of a decent bite to eat. Includes a lot of information by using tables and lists avoiding the travel-writers' trap of waxing lyrical about every roadhouse and juke joint.

This book reveals the true character of the greatest state in the Lower 48. With Deke Castleman's wit and the solid updating skills of Nancy Keller and others, it's surely the most complete treatment of a rapidly overpopulating but still magical state. There's a lot more to Nevada than casinos, and from Jackpot to Laughlin, this book will take you to the real Nevada, and a taste of the disappearing American West.

This is easily the best guidebook I have ever had the joy of using. This book is fun to read. You can have fun reading it and not even go to any of the places. He is spot on on his story telling, making many places in the state that seem merely dry and dusty come alive with history and meaning. He will tell you why small towns like Austin exist. Towns that would by the looks of them have almost no purposeful existence. Most importantly, this book will change your perspective of this state. It is not jsut a gambling state. It is a place of immense beauty and fascinating geography. You may not want to live there, but this Moon Guide will make you want to visit there many many times. Five plus stars.

This is a good book for beginners. I called it my bible when I started running dogs....it answers all those questions you feel stupid to ask a "professional musher" The book includes history of sleddogs, diagrams, photos and even how to build your own dog houses/boxes, make your own gear,& pattern for booties. It's a must for you library.

This was a great book! It gave you ways to train your dog how to pull and when I hooked my dog up to a sled for the first time, she felt very confident in her position. I feel that it is due to the book's helpfulness, and ability to go in great detail when needed. I totally recommend this book to anyone who wants to start dog sledding or who wants to learn abit more about the sport. It is great for all ages. :-)

This book gives you years of experience in dog sledding and carting. Written in a very easy to read "discussion" format, it covers dog selection, obedience, racing training techniques, etiquette, and even sled/cart building. With this single reference, there is enough common sense know how to become a contender in the sport!

Details the flora and landscape of the hike; degree of difficulty of hike in a straight forward, useful manner. I have used the book for several day hikes in the Lake Tahoe and Bay Area and the book has helped make the hikes enjoyable and fun. Heed the degree of difficulty listing, they are accurate.

BUY IT and ENJOY!!!!!!!!

I had a short time to spend in the backcountry and needed some succinct guidance for choosing the best trail for my time and experience levels. The 100 Hikes guide filled the bill - got me from Reno to the Sand Ridge Trail. The trail guide and map was way ahead of the material I picked up at the Forest Service Ranger station and I had a great two nights on trails that were just right for the equipment I had with me. Well written, guide from guys who've obviously been there on the ground. I'd even buy the book someday if the library copy is checked out next time I'm heading for northern California. Dick Williams 10-30-97

Plenty of action and suspense, definitely written for boys, although girls will especially like the constant tension between Nathan and his friend, "not your girlfriend" Leah. This two-volume series has six stories of Nathan in the wild west of the mid 1800's. As a Christian mom, I love that Nathan is constantly firing off prayers during the many sticky situations he finds himself in. I read this to my two boys (5 and 13) right after the Lloyd Alexander "Taran" series, and both boys really enjoyed both series. In the ever-increasing struggle of finding exciting yet "safe" books to read with your kids, I was thrilled to find this series.

My sons all enjoyed Nathan and his friends and adventures. The youngest boy especially got interested in reading because of Nathan and his dog and his travels west alone looking for his parents. I would recommend these books to any family. Great for girls too!

This is a guide to 21 road trips in California and 4 in Nevada. I've now taken a number of the backroads described in this book. There are some excellent suggestions for getting away from the interstates and finding the true character of these two states. The Martin's have a folksy style that I enjoyed. They didn't include much info about the scenery in between but mainly rundowns of the main cities along the way and places to eat and sleep. They really keep to the basics here. For example the section on "The Silver Trail" from Las Vegas to Virginia city is only 14 pages for a trip covering 443 miles. This book is a good starting point to get ideas for road excursions, but if you're going to spend any length of time on one of these trips I'd recommend getting further material before setting out.

I never thought a book could have so much information about how to get around to different places. The authors know what they are talking. They have researched all information that is in the book and now I can travel and see that I have been missing. Thank you for a great book.

Lots of great old pictures. It covers all of Nevada so it is not very detailed on specific sites.

Lots of great pictures. Gave it 4 stars because information of ghost towns is not very detailed.

This is it. The Gold Standard. After 28 years, nothing else out there comes close, not even his own Illustrated Atlas of same.

I enjoy all of the Winnett books because they are accurate, fun to read and reliable. This book has little chapters on over 100 trips in the Sierra range, and the descriptions of each trek are a total delight. So often these hiking books neglect to tell you how to reach the trailhead and oftentimes they don't provide detailed instructions. Winnett never makes this mistake. You will not need a separate map to locate any of the trailheads, his maps and written instructions are first-rate. Equally interesting is that this book doesn't merely give elevation gains, difficulty ratings and desriptions of the trail conditions. These are vital to know, but Winnett also includes little bits of information of what kinds of wild flowers you will encounter, birds, wildlife and other little nuggets neglected in other guides.

The book is supposed to be only for overnight backpacking trips, but there are many trails here that can be used for day hikes. These trips will be in the 10-16 mile range and any strong hiker can easily do these hikes in one day. If you do choose to go the multi-day backpacking route, Winnett describes water sources, camping sites and addresses whether bears or marmots might be a problem for you. Most importantly, he tells you where to find water and whether the water source is reliable throughout the whole year.

I can't recommend this guide highly enough. Even if you're an armchair hiker, you'll derive many hours of vicarious joy from this guide.

The only thing I would add to the previous review is that Sierra South does not have that big a selection of overnighters. Of the ones they do have, many are 9-ish miles in length (round trip) and I don't like to drive that far to do a couple hours of hiking. It is still a great book, though. Sierra North has more in the way of overnighters.

Well researched and extremely well written, it is a wealth of accurate information for planning either partial day hikes or multiday backpacks. The single most reached for resource I use for the lower Sierra's trails. The description of the trail, fauna and flora to be expected enroute and access to trailheads are valuable and allows even the armchair hiker a good virtual experience. A companion guide to be used with this book would be a good topo map similar to perhaps those produced by Tom Harrison Maps.

A great read! McLaughlin captures his reader immediately and holds on throughout each story. I especially enjoy the way he writes about the strength of the women in the old west. He has an obvious respect for their trials and accomplishments. Refreshing! I lent my copy to a coworker who took it on her family vacation to read aloud during long rides in the car. She said the entire family enjoyed it (husband and 2 kids - aged 10 and 15) and they're looking forward to reading Volume II on their next trip.

A collection of true tales of the people who made the Sierra Mountains of California so interesting in the last 200 years. McLaughlin has chosen his tales well and shows great skill in crafting them so they are fun to read and informative to boot.

We bought both books after hearing Mark McLaughlin lecture at an Elderhostel in Lake Tahoe. They are short, factual stories brimming with historical information presented in extremely interesting manner. They are as fascinating to read as he is in his lectures and we highly recommend them.