GA Books

If this book had more pictures in it, I would have given it 5 stars. However, overall it is a very through book. We used it to create our new "The Best Florida Beaches / Waves Virtual Vacations" DVD here on Amazon. So, if you want to really see and hear what these beaches feel like, check out our DVD after reading this book.

Florida has a huge variety of beaches overall from the Keys to the panhandle and back down the Atlantic to Miami. You will see the beaches change radically in color (white, sand, orange, grey) and texture (clay, shell, and sand). Having shot the best beaches from the Caribbean, California, Hawaii, I'd say Florida has some of the best and unusual orange / yellow sunsets, I've ever seen and despite being very flat, has some very diverse and spectacular beaches. Enjoy!

The authors rate the beaches using a scale from 1 through 5. A beach rating of 1 indicates an "abysmal [beach]; keep driving;" a five indicates an "extraordinary [beach]; beach heaven."The criteria for the ratings aren't clearly spelled out, but become apparent upon reading the reviews.Areas with with plentiful beach access points, free parking, uncluttered views, amenities (such as showers, bathrooms, volleyball nets, etc.) are likely to rate highly on these authors' scale. The information here is well-researched and plentiful. The authors do make the point to bring up which beaches are good for those who want different types of beach experiences: surfers, families with young children, college crowds during Spring Break, adults looking for a quiet beach vacation, etc.Naturally, there are comments about sand and wave conditions and other notable conditions at the beach in question. An example: a note about the rocks which hide under the surf in Satellite Beach which can cause one to lose their footing, and for which there is no posted warning. Now that is useful information for the beach-lover who enjoys the surf, and as far as I know, is unavailable elsewhere.There's plenty of other good information here: where to stay, eat, drink, shop, rent bicycles and skates and other exercise gear, and attempts to provide an overall feel for the beach town (i.e. upscale, trashy-but-fun, snobby, havens for Brits on holidays, and more.)The book is unabashadly skewed by the authors' perspective that beach access should be plentiful and free for all residents and vistors of the state, who don't have the financial wherewithal to afford a beachside retreat or lodgings. There's even a sidebar about riparian rights. Fascinating stuff. But I digress.Do expect to read harsh words about those beach towns which provide little in the way of public beach access, such as Longboat Key. Overall, highy recommended, whether you plan to visit or already reside here. I'm a lifelong Floridian and found this to be an entertaining and informative guide for my last beach vacation.A quibble: this edition is the most recent available, but the information on hotels and some restaurants is dated. Use this book in concert with another planning guide for an extended stay (recent versions of Fodors, Frommers, etc.) I plan to buy the 3rd edition when it's published.

Fort Mose: Colonial America's Black Fortress of Freedom
Excellent book about a little known African American fort near
St. Augustine, Florida. School age children, among others,
need to know about the legacy of African Americans in
early Florida history,and indeed, US history. This book is a
great contribution to that end.

I loved this book. It gave you an excellent look into Fort Mose and it's people; especially the African citizens (free or not) of the famous fort. It goes through the forts construction, to its abandonments and rediscovery. Yes, I did wish the book was more fleshy, but as a historian I know it is difficult to get the amount of information on personal lives and individuals and I commend the editors of this book. I sincerily hope there will be a follow up of this book, as it is an important addition to not only North American History and Florida (& Spanish Florida) history; but for Black History. I found this book by mistake, and enjoyed it a great deal!

This is a very informative little book on the French culture of south Louisiana. Having a great grandmother from New Orleans who was part white European Creole, I found all of this fascinating. The word Creole seems to means so many things, and the national media uses it to describe any light skinned African American from Louisiana, which is perplexing, really drives my grandmother nuts, she is very proud of her European ancestry through her mother, but my grandmother is, uh, not black, and does not wish to be..lol, what can I say, she's of a certain generation, God love her, and she is correct to say she of European Creole ancestry, but as this books informs us, there are many different types of Creoles, but she was just not raised to see it that way, but I have slipped this book into her reading list, but I have a feeling she'll send it home with her maid and never say a word about it. Anyway, good read, well researched.

Author of more than thirty books and director of the Center for Louisiana Studies in Lafayette, Brasseaux is one of the principal sources of key information not only for Louisiana genealogists but for students of Louisiana history generally. This succinct volume, consisting of four lectures delivered at McNeese State University and LSU in 1999 and 2000, is a distillation of several decades of research into the ethnic roots of the state, focusing on the remaining French-speakers among us and how they got that way. Acadians and Creoles represent only two of more than a dozen immigrant groups in Louisiana that spoke French, and all of them interacted with Spanish-speaking settlers (including Canary Islanders), African slaves and freemen, and later Anglo arrivals from the British colonies to the north and east. Because, contrary to the received stereotypes, French Louisiana is far from monolithic; it will surprise many to discover that the largest surviving group of French-speaking Louisianians now is the Houma Indian tribe, residing mostly in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. There is also a very good bibliographical essay on sources for the study of Francophone Louisiana.

I like in Florida and I bought this book to help me find the cool spots to take my friends when they visit. The "super cheap eats" and "cheap sleeps" sections have wonderful recommendations for delicious food and more than comfortable accommadations. There are also "worth a splurge" sections so you know if you want to spend a lot you'll get your money's worth, not some overpriced stuck up establishment with bad service. The guide gives you the inside scoop on hiddle local favorite hangouts and eateries and where to find the most authentic ethnic food at the cheapest price. Each location described even has a section where the book details "Fun Things to do for free (or almost) in " I use this book constantly and LOVE it 100%!

Don't be fooled into thinking this is a really budget book. It's definitely not. In fact, the $70 is really $140 per day PER COUPLE, since they're assuming you're travelling with somebody else. If you're looking for BARGAIN BASEMENT prices, go with another book. However, if you're looking for reasonable though still up-to-par (a huge step above rock-bottom) accommodations and dining, this is a great book to use in Florida. The chapters written by Lesley Abravanel are particularly well-written and fun. The ones by Bill Goodwin are really great on budget options and suggestions, but are lacking personality. The third authors are for Disney. Overall, I'd recommend this book.

This is an excellent resource for gardening in the Low Country of South Carolina and the nearby Savannah/southeast Georgia area. Not a picture book, just cold, hard facts that are useful! I recommend it as a "Welcome" to the newcombers of the area.

Moving to the south I was confronted with many different problems. This book not only helps to solve them but prevent them. The monthly tips are the best, so you can keep up with any projects or plan ahead. From correct pruning proceedures to sooty mold treatment that even a beginner can do. Also identifying all the different pests and the result of their infestations. Great little guide without alot of unnecessary information. Complete guide from bushes to trees to vines, growing seasons and mature sizes.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (2/07)

"Gardenwalks in the Southeast: Beautiful Gardens from Washington, D.C., to the Gulf Coast" by Marina Harrison and Lucy D. Rosenfeld is a wonderfully descriptive guide to the best gardens in a fairly large area, namely the Southeast of USA. The authors begin with an interesting and quite lyrical preface, which is followed with a section on how to use the book and an essay about garden styles. Those opening sections will provide a lot of valuable information, particularly to those readers who might not be so familiar with all of the different garden styles and their history.

The following sections are divided by state and they encompass Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C. .

Each of the sections opens with a map of the state with clearly marked locations of all the gardens described within. This is a valuable tool for someone who might want to plan a vacation around visiting several gardens, since it offers an easy overview of the locations in each of the states. Each section also contains the "Choosing an Outing in..." piece, where gardens are grouped by different themes; such as Topiary Gardens, Unusual Themes, Child-Pleasing Gardens, Art in the Garden, Aquatic Gardens, Garden Rooms, Romantic Gardens and many more. Since some of the states have a real abundance of gardens, those themes might help you narrow your selections down to those that truly interest you most.

Each of the individual gardens is described in at least a paragraph or two, while some of the more notable ones might merit as much as a couple of pages. The information includes the exact address, telephone number and a webpage address in case the garden has one. The descriptions end with information about entrance fees, if any; opening times and directions to the garden.

While I found the illustrations, which were created by Ted Enik and Carole Drong, extremely charming and delightful, I still wish for some colorful photos of the described locations. They would certainly add to the already great appeal of this nifty guide, "Gardenwalks in the Southeast," which I would wholeheartedly recommend to nature lovers, gardeners, walkers and anybody else who enjoys beauty in its many forms.

This travel guide covers the southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North & South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C. Each state features listings for major botanical gardens, historic homes with gardens, arboretums, and nature centers. The profiles include a general description and facts about admission fees, directions, hours of operation, addresses and websites. No photographs but attractive line drawings are included. The book also includes introductory essays on various garden styles, such as formal, informal, Colonial, Walled, Conservatory, Topiary, Asian, and rock and water gardens.

Very interesting book. I enjoyed it immensely.
I was reared in that area and knew some of the people mentioned in the book. Now reside on the other coast.
It was like a trip home.

To those who love American History will love the realistic and descriptive view of the Dismal Swamp. It is rich with events of African Americans as well, the connections the early settlers had with the Spanish, Native Indians, French, Dutch and Britsh. It describes the Dismal Swamp so well, I visualised being there myself and sharing the feelings of those worked, struggled and lived and died in the Swamp.

It is the story of a man who shared his love for the Swamp and the history behind it. I have made plans to visit there this Spring.

Take some time over coffee or tea and start enjoying your journey to the Dismal Swamp from the begining of George Washington personal interest in the Swamp to the 20th Century.

For anyone who has any roots to the Southwest region of Virginia, you will be pleasantly surprised. I found one of my husband's ancestors qouted in the book.

Holga Reyes

I picked this book up from my local bookstore, expecting more of a reference book than a story book, and it far surpassed my expectations. While still full of interesting facts such as how the chaws are organized and what they teach, it also has short stories about many of the characters readers of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole will have become familiar with through the series.

I had hoped to start a Guardians of Ga'Hoole roleplaying game, and this will be perfect in helping me introduce my gaming friends to the Hoolian world.

If you like companion books, this is the book for you. As short as it is for an older reader, it is a book I could read again and again.

I bought the set for my grandson. He loves these books. This is the one that got the most excited comment because it is the guide book.

Our family likes to keep journals whenever we go to Disney, but this is the first journal we've found that lives up to the magic. It's filled with all kinds of things to fill out, including where we went, what we saw, what we had to eat, etc. We really liked the sections that asked what our favorite moments of the day were, we found that when we looked back on the day to think of our favorite moments that we were able to relive the magic all over again! The fact that there is so much to fill out is great, that way you won't forget a thing. Highly recommended!!

All catered toward a trip to Disney, with spots for what you did, what you ate, what characters you saw, etc. Expected it to be a little more colorful, though.

This book is no longer on the list of scarce books on the history of Gwinnett Co GA. Now, reprinted, all the information on the founding of Gwinnett Co GAs early churches, is available once again. And, if you are lucky to have had an ancestor who was a minister, you may find a biography, with information previously unknown to you. One hundred copies sold in first 45 days.

J. C. Flanigan did an excellent job when he compiled this book on the churches of Gwinnett County in 1911. He included every church that was in the county at the time. However, the county has changed much since the time this book was written and the number of churches in the county are inumerable. This book needs to be majorly updated in a second edition by another author. I have also, however, caught a few mistakes concerning dates on certain churches that and pastors. This book is still very good and contains some very interesting sketches on the churches. It even includes some pictures of churches and ministers and prominent laymen. It is intersting to see how the First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville or Snellville looked a hundred years ago and see how they have changed SO much today.
One major complaint I do have about this book is that it claims to be a history of every church in Gwinnett County as well as biographies of several ministers. This book does not contain histories of any of the African-American churches of the county or any of the black ministers. This may lead some to believe that there there were no black churches in Gwinnett County prior to 1911, which of course is not the case. This aspect of the book makes it a product of its time and sheds some light on the attitude prevalent in the early twentieth century.