Lehmer's book is downright exhaustive in the coverage of the fateful Feb. 3 1959 plane crash that killed Holly, Valens, and Richardson.

I appreciated the detail and content of this book a lot. Being from Iowa, I have been interested in the Winter Dance party, and accounts of the crash for a very long time. (In fact, I just visited the Surf Ballroom and Mason City Airport while returning from a recent weekend vacation.)

Lehmer's book is very well-balanced, with chapters devoted to each of the three headliners. And it also has detailed plane crash info as well as analysis of the official CAB report.

In my opinion, easily the best book on "The Day The Music Died".

Author Larry Lehmer has provided readers with a very detailed story of the events that led up to the deaths of early rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. Richardson, and pilot Roger Peterson. Individual chapters are provided on each individual and a thorough description of the various cities the rock stars visited during the Winter Dance Party in the Upper Midwest beginning in January of 1959. Due to inadequate bus transportation with little or no heat, the three singers decided to charter an airplane from Clear Lake, Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota, for their next performance in Moorhead, Minnesota, to arrive early and get some needed rest. The crash of the airplane was due to poor flying conditions and the inadequate skills of the pilot in flying by instruments. The author explores other theories such as a fight on the plane or, incredibly, Buddy Holly shooting the pilot. Author Lehmer also provides a great deal of information on the airplane that was used and what has become of the arenas the singers used for their performances in each of the visited cities. Numerous photos of the singers during this Winter Dance Tour and of the crash site are also provided. Some readers may feel they are being told more than they want to know about this subject, but the author has done an incredible job in covering this story of this incident and what rock and roll was like during the late 1950's.

This is a very excellent book about the Last Tour of the Three Stars and the plane crash that Don McLean dubbed "the day the music died" (and it did). I would give this book 8 to 10 stars if I could. I remember reading about the event in the evening paper on the day it happened (Feb. 3, 1959, near Mason City, Iowa). When one has read as much about the history of rock and roll as I have, one realizes that the most influential person in the history of the genre was Buddy Holly, and his death is the central event of the music's story. The losses of Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper (J. P. Richardson) were also very devastating to rock and roll.

One feels great sympathy and pity for pilot Roger Peterson, whose unwise decisions and lack of skill were major contributing factors (along with the weather) in causing the crash.

this is the first book i ever purchased about ghost hunting exclusively in texas. i was impressed with the detail that the author included in her book. every bit of information that you need in order to conduct ghost hunting trips in Texas is included here. i have purchased a couple of books after this one that dealt with texas ghosts but they fall short of Haunted Texas Vacations.

This is a fun-to-read, informative book full of interesting ghost stories. It can be used for informative, historical reading or for pure enjoyment.

After reading "Haunted Texas Vacations," my husband and I set out on our own ghost hunts in San Antonio, Spring and Jefferson and, I'm happy to report, we were privileged to experience first-hand a couple of unexplained phenomena mentioned in Ms. Farwell's writings because we knew exactly where to look.

Please give us more, Ms. Farwell!

This was my first really good book on haunted places. Anyone who is interested in local (Texas) ghost stories just has to read this one. I am planning my vacation around some of these towns and I am very excited.

This book is so well written that it held my interest for hours and gave me quite a chill more than a couple of times. The way the author put Texas in sections made it even easier to find a particular area I was looking for. Although I was looking for San Antonio, I found there are all kinds of interesting places in between and beyond. I intend to eventually visit them all.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in our haunted history or just a great ghost story.

Just back from nine-day trip from Chicago to Southern California on Route 66. This set of maps was our main guide to The Mother Road. Artwork seems crude, but when you get out there and start driving you'll find that it's generally sufficient, and when you get in trouble (translation: Lost, it happens to all of us sometimes!) the written description is enough to get you back on track!

"It's Here" was the comment from 2 young guys touring Route 66 that bought the maps at Lucille's. Lucille said they sat in her drive way and looked up several places they wanted to see and were thrilled that everything was on them. So.. It's Here perfectly describes "Here It Is", a project thoroughly and accurately covered.

Last year me and a friend rode Route 66 on our Vespa scooters. There is no way we could have followed the old road without it. The directions are easy to follow, and the drawings are nice to look at. The only thing I would change is to add directions for some of the lesser known alignments listed, such as the nine foot wide sections in Oklahoma. I guess that would take up too much room though. A group of my friends and I are doing 66 on scooters again this year. I have told each person particiating to get a copy of this map set. You should too, if you plan to drive or ride Route 66.

I recently visited a friend/colleague in New Brunswick and we took some excursions to whatever the "nuclear waste" state was supposed to offer. Actually, they had grass and trees and gorgeous parks that we visited over a long weekend. This book was in the front seat and I learned as much about this wonderful part of America from reading along the way as actually seeing it!

This book is fantastic. I recently began working for a company in New Jersey, and decided to discover more about the Garden State. This is definitely the best guide book of its kind. Far superior to the others I purchased!
Buy it today. You'll love it.

The write-ups cover such a wide spectrum and the observations are right on the money that I think this is still the best guidebook on the Garden State. and those over-the border places like the Crayola Factory and Sesame Place in Pennsylvania were great when my nieces visited. Includes cruises like The Spirit of New Jersey and outlets like Westbury Commons and Flemington.I always keep a copy in the car.

This is a terrific "off the beaten path" type tour guide. These tours take you to areas that other tourists just pass through on their way to the Eifel Tower and Louvre. With this book you experience the real Paris, not the tourist's Paris.

At the beginning of each tour (allow one per day), find a bench in one of the many small parks and read the introduction to the tour. While you take in the sights, smells and sounds of the area, you'll learn a bit of history to set the stage for the tour. The walks are slow and intend for you to really look at your surroundings as you read about the history, architecture and people. I wish there were guides like this for every city!

I've taken this book to Paris three times. Our local library discarded the book and I was so upset. It's wonderful to use in Paris or to remember my trips. I was so excited to find in newly published. I have already got one, which I passed on to a friend going to Paris, now I'm ordering another.

The Pariswalks audiotape is an immensely entertaining and educational way to wander through Paris neighborhoods. You can, for a change, SEE what the guidebooks are talking about WITHOUT having your nose in the book the whole time. The narration is humorous as well as informative. Because this Pariswalks audiotape is so good,I have given theLondonwalks audiotape on faith for Christmas to someone about to head for London. I will never travel to Europe again without first checking to learn whether an audiotape is available for my destination city.

The little known Oxford Archaeological Guides series provides information that you cannot find elsewhere. This guide was written by Amanda Claridge in 1998 and gives information about many of the archaeological sites of Rome. Sites are described in great detail with an emphasis on how the site might have looked in ancient times and changes occurring over centuries. Famous artifacts that were once part of these sites are described and their present locations are mentioned. You learn where in the baths of Caracalla the famous Farnese Hercules and Farnese Bull were located and you learn how they came to be in the archaeological museum at Naples. There are little known sites like the tomb of the Scipios as well as places as familiar as the Piazza Navona and the Colloseum. Obscure but fascinating information is given: the great brick reinforcing wedge on the southeast side of the Colloseum was built in 1807: I have not seen this information anywhere else. The oval Piazza Navona is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian of 86 AD; the stores that line its periphery are built on top of the ancient seating. This book would not be suitable as the only guidebook to take with you on a trip, the information provided is far too specialized. I'd recommend taking along the Michelin Green guide or the Knopf guide for Rome as well. Some minor drawbacks: the drawings and maps are not as detailed as they could be and the few photographs that are provided are black and white and of poor quality. These complaints are not critical flaws; the book would still be invaluable even if it didn't contain a single illustration.

This book delivers what the cover promises. It's a thorough guide to what the city of Rome still has of the physical remains of the original inhabitants, of the Etruscans, of the Roman Republic, and of the Roman Empire. If you're going to Rome and you care about those things, take the time to read this book before you go. If you read it after you come back, you'll just have to plan another visit. If you're not going to Rome, but care about Roman history, then Ms. Claridge will give you some concrete (and marble) facts to add to the titillating stories of the emperor's peccadilloes that you've heard from Hollywood and that fuddy-duddy Classics professor.

I saw this book randomly in a bookstore before I had ever been to Rome, and decided to buy it. The diagrams and maps inside were interesting even to scan, and the description of the sites and their history gave me a better sense of what I wanted to see on my trip. When in Rome, I carried this book everywhere. In addition to the standard highlights -- detailed descriptions of each item on the Forum, the Upper Via Sacra, the Palatine, etc. -- this book had coverage of the archeological sites that seem to be on random street corners throughout Rome. If I came across something that looked interesting, I could look it up on the maps, then find the text. Often, there would be a helpful diagram of the original site layout that allowed me to make sense of what stones were standing (and often there aren't many). The book also lists gems of archeological sites that I never would have planned to see had I not read parts of it before my trip. That said, this book has more detail than the casual tourist needs or wants. Much more. But if you want to spend several days delving around ancient Rome, then this book deserves your attention.

This book can be read on so many levels that it's hard to know where to start. First off, it's a great story. Secondly, for those into metaphor, it's a feast for the senses. The descriptions, characterizations, and surprises in plot are excellent and while I was skeptical about the length, the time just flew by. The most fascinating aspect of the book is the fact that the laugh-out-loud funny scenes in the first half are explained to us the second half--what is really behind the humor. It has been said that all humor comes out of pain, and if anyone is looking for a confirmation of this fact, look no further than this book. Along with ATONEMENT and EMPIRE FALLS this is one of my favorites.

Jackson Tippett McCrae's The Bark Of The Dogwood: A Tour Of Southern Homes And Gardens is a thoroughly engaging novel about Strekfus Beltzenschmidt, a Southern man living in New York City, and carrying a hazy past filled with fractured memories. Strekfus' quest to find the intellectual and emotional truth about himself and his personal history is a highly recommended and compelling tale of the recesses of the human psyche and cultural roots.

This book actually changed my life. I look at everyone around me differently now and I'm much more aware of my actions and how they affect others. While it wasn't meant to be a "self-help" book, it did just that. Not only did I get a great story, well-written fiction, and a lot of laughs, but I actually came away from the reading experience changed. This is going on the Christmas list as a gift to give.

"Having read Sonny Gratzer's General Issue Blues, I was stunned to know he could read my mind. When I read Gratzer's words, I felt as if I had written them. I certainly thought them. I am not a writer. I am, however, a Combat Veteran of Viet Nam and I can feel what Gratzer has written about Viet Nam and he is on target. He should write more about his experiences because he strikes a chord. Fire for effect, Sonny!"

For years upon years, my bedroom in the basement on King Street (which he custom built with his hands, sweat, and broken body), was directly underneath my dad's "Vietnam writing room" (which I secretly called his office or den). This private place was, and will always be, home to his greatest weaponry; Mr. George Michael Gratzer's mind, memories and an ancient electric IBM. I wondered, while trying to sleep, when the pounding on the keys would finally end. Now I pray that sound won't go away. Gratefully, it'll be impossible to finish reading this wonderfully written work of art. I believed I knew my dad; after carrying his first published book around with me for a few years, I know I do! You, as well, will also be one of the privedged few to better understand the reality of Vietnam "lived" by one of this country's most honorable of men. His poetry captures you and puts you into the shoes of a man movies are made of, books are written about, and characters are dreamed of. As a little boy I would cautiously ask my dad to tell me what Vietnam was like...what the truth was. Sometimes he reluctantly spelled it out for me, which is what he's done here. During my Marine Corps career, a day didn't pass that I didn't think of my dad. Would I ever be under the command of a man who could lead the way he can? Although I knew some incredible studs, they couldn't hold a candle to "Bandit 6!" He IS the best of the best of THE best of men.

Nobody's perfect, but this book is. I know - I grew up with it every day, and now I carry this little piece of history with me everywhere. Everyone has something, if not a lot, to gain from any of his books (he's working on more and has been for the last few decades). We should be so lucky when they publish. Can't wait. He's written some darned impressive country music lyric's also! Where's Shania when you need her? As the gallant old man would put it...with silent breath whispering and eye's sparkling eerily, "Keep 'yer eyes peeled...they could be anywhere." But you can find it right here at amazon.com. Congratulations, DAD! I salute you.

Sonny Gratzer's undeniably powerful poems are reminders that every person is shaped and haunted by something. From his vivid images of the Vietnam War and its after effects on his life, an almost unbearable lonliness emerges. Written from an inner territory of emotional and physical turbulence, his collection of love and war poems depicts a body and soul torn, stitched, torn and mended again while forever visible scars remain.

This book is a entrancing and resilient entry to any beer lovers library. Each brewery description lingers gracefully in your mind like belgian lace.Even at midbook, although more poignant, like a loyal friend, this tome does not fail to disappoint.

This book is tremendous, and every state in our union should have one!

I knew there was a microbrew revolution occuring in this country, and especially in my state of Pennsylvania, but I wasn't aware of how quickly it occurred. As much as I enjoy brewpubs, I wasn't even aware of how many were so close by until I bought this book. Now I can find about 10 or so about a half hour drive from me.

This book gives a brief history of all of the breweries and brewpubs in Pennsylvania, and includes hours of operation, styles brewed, tour information, and most importantly--maps!

The only problem with this book is that so many brewpubs are appearing that the book will probably be outdated in a few years. No matter--I'll buy the updated editions. Overall I was very impressed with the book and plan on visiting many of the newer brewpubs in the area to make sure they thrive and are successful enough to encourage others to start their own business.

This is, without a doubt, "THE" book for any true beer lover living in or, planning on travelling to, Pennsylvania. Even if you're not a beer lover (if such a creature actually exists), the comprehensive lists of other attractions, side trips, lodgings, pubs, restaurants, etc. make it an invaluable travel guide to the state. I'd say the brewers of Pennsylvania, as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Tourism, owe Mr. Lew Bryson a huge vote of thanks.

Extremely Detailed, to detailed for me. It had a lot of reading and did not get down to the point on where, what and when. If your looking for lots of detail and history of everything about the park this book is for you. If your like me and time is limited you may want to look for a different book. But if you got all the time in the world or you want to know it all this is the book for you.

...just returned from driving trip to yellowstone/tetons/jackson hole....having bought 5 different guide books from Amazon.com to insure a trip that covered everything and missed nothing... I feel it is important to let potential driving travelers to yellowstone know how valuable this book is. Of all the books I purchased, this is the only book I used as we traveled the park by car. I used it daily as we went from one location to the next. I kept saying to myself as we toured the park using this book, that I wanted to thank the author and let the public know how valuable this book was. In fact. I saw this book for sale in the national park visitor centers. Get yours before you arrive to ensure a knowlegeable trip. Thanks, susan,

Butler's way of writing reminds me of my grandmother and our trip to Yellowstone. While reading her travel guide, I revisited the cold-sweat panic of sitting in the front seat of a car driven by my grandmother.