147 Fun Things to Do in San Antonio is a great source of information on things to do while in the Alamo City for both visitors and locals. While the author has also included many fun things to see and do in areas outside San Antonio (Bandera and New Braunfels) some of the recommendations in the book are just plain horrible (Kiddie Park, Hard Rock Cafe, etc.) Additionally, the restaurant information, while fairly good, is somewhat dated, specially considering the fact that the San Antonio restaurant scene is in a perpetual state of change and growth. Perhaps the author should have limited the options to 100, instead of pushing it to 147. I gave the book three stars because I do think that prospective readers will find many off-the-beaten-path activities that are fun to both adults and kids.

On a recent trip to San Antonio, I brought this book along with another guide. Unfortunately, I found that I relied on the other book quite a bit more because "147 Fun Things to Do in San Antonio" wasn't quite up to date and didn't contain enough information to stand alone as a guide. Also, the maps were not detailed enough to find things. Frankly, it did not contain any info that was not in the more complete guide and therefore was not of much use. I'm guessing that if you were already familiar with San Antonio, this slim volume might be fine as a reminder of what attractions are available, but don't try to use it as your primary guide if you are a visitor.

This is the worst book I have ever read. The only enlightenment it brings is in its title. Its irrelevant illustrations, very large type, and slabs of UPPER-CASE text give the impression of a confused and average high school term-paper that has been specifically written for people who move their lips when they read. The book is a complete waste of money; and I found myself constantly checking the title page to reassure myself that it had not been "vanity published" by a some very rich business tycoon. The comments of David Litterick in his review of "The Mark of the Scots: Their Astonishing Contributions to History, Science, Democracy, Literature, and the Arts" are also strongly applicable to this appalling work -- and David Litterick has expressed himself far better than I could (and I would suggest you read his review). It would seem that Galvin, with his constant stress on the importance of American "big business", has tried to write a 21st century version of Hubbard's "A Message to Garcia".

The Scottish Enlightenment was a period when some of the greatest scholars from almost every field were concentrated in one area that allowed a free flow of thought and information between them. Basically they were concentrated in the university communities of Glasgow and Edinburgh between 1720 and 1780. This free thinking influence spread to the colonies where people such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton were schooled by Scottish teachers. A Scottish teacher, Francis Allison, taught three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The Scottish teachers realized that all nations of the time were founded or maintained by force. They suggested that a nation founded on commerce could be equally as powerful and influencial as those founded by force. This set the stage for the development of the philosophical underpinnings of the United States. All that was really needed now was a spark to set off the natural chain of events. During the time just prior to 1776 there was a multitude of writings from Scottish authors that proposed and defended the notion that oppressed people have a right to assert their independence. Between the strong writings calling for oppressed people to assert their independence and the belief that a country could be established based on commerce the scene was set for the establishment of the United States.

The author provides substantial and convincing background information on exactly how all of this worked together the help create the Unites States. Details on what the Enlightenment was, how it came about and exactly how it influenced the actions of our forefathers and all there for the reader to learn and consider. An excellent treatise on the often overlooked contributions of the Scottish people to the formation of the United States, I found it a very informative book.

This book was first published in 1928. Since that time our understanding of ancient Mesoamerica has changed dramatically. This is a verbatim reprint of the original book, with a new introduction that sets Spinden and the book into historical context. If one is interested in the development of ideas about Mesoamerica in the early 20th century, this is a useful book. If one wants to find out about those civilizations, however, this is NOT the book to read. Many of Spinden's ideas were proven wrong in the 1930s; by 2000, the number of errors in the book is enormous. There has been much fieldwork, decipherment, and other research on these cultures in recent decades. Look for one of the many recent books about the Aztecs, Mayas, and other Mesoamerican civilizations. Dover should continue reprinting codices (the Codex Borgia and Codex Nuttall are great reprints!), and stay away from outdated textbooks.

Ancient Civilizations of Mexico and Central America is written by a curator expert on the topic and provides a concise, excellent history of the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. Any interested in early anthropology works will relish this fine survey of pre-Columbian life, essential to a beginning study of the region and its history.

Totally disappointed. there is not a single illustration.

Having lived a great part of my life in South Central Texas, I was very happy to stumble upon Birds & Other Wildlife of South Central Texas by Edward A Kutac.
Kutac used extensive research and has drawn from many sources.
Although it might not be everyone's idea of excitement, it is inclusive and goes the extra mile.

This is definately NOT the type of Fodor's guidebook I was expecting. Do not get this book if your expecting a Fodor's Gold Guide. I guess I'll donate the book to the local elementary school. There seems to be a paucity of guidebooks about Dallas. Maybe I should watch reruns of the show

This is the kind of book you should read if you're interested in learning more about Texas than just where to eat and sleep. It's beautifully illustrated with great photos and very good maps, including ones that detail the larger cities. It contains glimpses into the culture and history of the state, the information that help you understand what you'll be seeing once you're there. The front cover contains a quote by the highly esteemed travel writer, Jan Morris, who says of the Compass American Guides: "The most literate and elegant series of guides ever written about North America." I agree. It's worth reading even if you don't intend to visit Texas.

Fodor's excels as a business person's guide. The Capitols and the key cities in these three states get the lion’s share of ink (GA: Atlanta, Savannah, NC: Charlotte, The Triad Area, The Triangle Area, SC: Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia). IF you are going to be in JUST these cities, this would be a VERY GOOD guide to have. The rest of the areas in each state get a quick ‘once over’.

Fodor’s dining and lodging recommendations are very good and are the best each city has to offer. You won’t be disappointed by any of these listings. However, they tend to be for affluent travelers and, though the South excels in great bed and breakfasts, none are listed. The nightlife and the arts recommendations are very good. Sports and shopping sections are also reliable and comprehensive. Also, very helpful, Fodor has various “Great Itineraries” for each state broken down into 3 days, 7 days and 10 days.

What is obviously lacking are a lodging index and a restaurant index. Thus, if you have a recommended restaurant you want to look up, you have to go through all the restaurant pages 'til you stumble across the name you seek or miss seeing it completely. Another significant short coming, especially considering the 2001 title of this guide, is the lack of website addresses or email addresses for any of the listed hotels. This penalizes you if you want to check out the hotel rooms, interior and/or exterior photos and then ask questions about special rates via email.

I am a firm believer that any guide book worth its salt has to guide you with both words and support those words with quality maps. This guide has excellent dining and lodging maps but just for Atlanta and Charleston! What a shame to short change the other cities. Also the guide encourages ‘walking tours’ but gives no ‘walking maps’, you have to use the city map to figure it out. The pull-out color three state map is a great addition. And, the few regional or city maps that are included are very helpful, and the maps clearly show you sites to visit, but with maps, more is better, and this guide begs for MORE specific area maps.

Finally, and this is true of all Fodor’s guides, is the insertion of irritating and unwanted hard page advertisement for banks and calling cards. The purchase price ... is more than enough for Fodor's to make a profit, but it chooses to afflict its readers with protruding advertising to increase its profits. NOT!

For those traveling to the cities noted above, this guide would be very good and highly recommended, BUT for those who want to tour these states at large there are better State guides (see my reviews of Georgia Handbook: Moon Travel or Hidden Georgia: Ulysses Press). Recommended 3 1/2 stars

Fodor's excels as a business person's guide. The Capitols and the key cities in these three States get the lion’s share of ink (GA: Atlanta, Savannah, NC: Charlotte, The Triad Area, The Triangle Area, SC: Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia). IF you are going to be in JUST these cities, this would be a VERY GOOD guide to have. The rest of the areas in each state get a quick ‘once over’.

Fodor’s dining and lodging recommendations are very good and are the best each city has to offer. You won’t be disappointed by any of these listings. However, they tend to be for affluent travelers and, though the South excels in great bed and breakfasts, none are listed. The nightlife and the arts recommendations are very good. Sports and shopping sections are also reliable and comprehensive. Also, very helpful, Fodor has various “Great Itineraries” for each state broken down into 3 days, 7 days and 10 days.

What is obviously lacking are a lodging index and a restaurant index. Thus, if you have a recommended restaurant you want to look up, you have to go through all the restaurant pages 'til you stumble across the name you seek or miss seeing it completely. Another significant short coming, especially considering the 2001 title of this guide, is the lack of website addresses or email addresses for any of the listed hotels. This penalizes you if you want to check out the hotel rooms, interior and/or exterior photos and then ask questions about special rates via email.

I am a firm believer that any guide book worth its salt has to guide you with both words and support those words with quality maps. This guide has excellent dining and lodging maps but just for Atlanta and Charleston! What a shame to short change the other cities. Also the guide encourages ‘walking tours’ but gives no ‘walking maps’, you have to use the city map to figure it out. The pull-out color three state map is a great addition. And, the few regional or city maps that are included are very helpful, and the maps clearly show you sites to visit, but with maps, more is better, and this guide begs for MORE specific area maps.

Finally, and this is true of all Fodor’s guides, is the insertion of irritating and unwanted hard page advertisement for banks and calling cards. The purchase price of ... is more than enough for Fodor's to make a profit, but it chooses to afflict its readers with protruding advertising to increase its profits. NOT!

For those traveling to the cities noted above, this guide would be very good and highly recommended, BUT for those who want to tour these states at large there are better State guides (see my reviews of Georgia Handbook: Moon Travel or Hidden Georgia: Ulysses Press). Recommended 3 1/2 stars.

If your looking for information on a upcoming trip look at the date this book was writen 1994, I sent it back. The information is outdated.

On my three visits to New Orleans, I used Honey Naylor's book as my guide. From B&B's and hotels, to restaurants, to the best places to hear music, her suggestions were never misleading. Thanks to this book, we met wonderful people, ate the most delicious food and saw sites in the city that may have othewise gone unnoticed.

Other than the little mention of Colter in the Lewis and Clark Expedition journals, there is no verifiable material for this biography. His life is a mystery and remains so, inspite of considerable effort by Burton Harris. If you are interested in the life of J Colter, sorry, its just not known and this book is a waste of time.

Yellowstone...Colter's Hell...geysers...Indians.... I found this book a total pleasure to read. Couldn't put it down! Although it is true that Colter's life was somewhat obscure by a lack of more historical documentation, Harris does an exemplary piece of work with what there is to work with. Citing such references as William Clark, Thomas James, Brackenridge, Bradbury and others, Harris does make a justifiable attempt to back up his story. Required reading for those into this time period of the early American West when mountain men roamed the wide open spaces, high mountain valleys and peaks. It must have been a tough, but very rewarding way of life...if you survived the perils and hardships of that day.

Joseph's book is interesting, but only as a piece of fantasy. His jumps in logic are enormous and difficult to believe as a serious work of science. Certainly, there are more intelligent and reasonable explanations for pyramids in Rock Lake, that could be answered by scientific investigation. Linking civilizations of the New World with the Canary Islands and Egypt are yet another attempt to trivialize the important and complex communities that have existed in North America for centuries. This book definately has entertainment value, but that is all it has to offer and should not be taken for more.

Ancient Civilizations are a mystery almost as deep as the mystery of what tomorrow will bring, and almost as deep as Rock Lake. In this narrative the Author takes you scuba diving in search of ruins in the heart of America. From pyramid builders to Ancient Mariners hoarding copper, this book answers many questions but leaves the reader dangling by the thin thread that ties us to an unknown past.

Funny and helpful, but it did recommend a hotel we stayed at that really [STUNK]! This hotel was so bad that a tour group of 30 that had just arrived via bus, was getting back on the bus an hour later. Get a Frommer's or Access New Orleans guide instead!

I borrowed and read six New Orleans travel guides from the library before our trip. This one was far and away the best. It's always good to read from more than one source before traveling, but if I were to pick just one for New Orleans, this would be it.