Product Description
Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a clear, concise guide to the best day hikes in these two adjacent national parks. These 61 day hikes will introduce you to the world's largest trees and some of the most impressive canyons, rock formations and panoramic overlooks found anywhere. Hikes range from easy to challenging, accommodating every level of experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great for day hike planning but needs to be updated
I just got back from a week in Sequoia/Kings Canyon.

I'm a fan of FalconGuides. The problem with FalconGuides is that they try to be everything to everyone. They include many more hikes, but several of them are "shuttle hikes," which require traveling with non-hikers or using multiple cars. If you're a fan of the shuttle hike, stay with Falcon. Then again, I doubt we will ever see the publication of a trail guide devoted to shuttle hikes. "Great Shuttle Hikes of the Rocky Mountains"? Don't look for it on Amazon!

Anyway, author Stone sticks to hikes that can be done by day hikers. No 45-mile, 9-day pack trips. Again, if that's what you're hoping for, Falcon is your guide. But if you're looking for a nice walk in the wilderness, Stone's got that covered. And there are a number of 6-mile or longer hikes. I hiked to Mist Falls (9 miles round trip).

That said, this volume is in serious need of an update. The General Sherman Tree area has been completely redesigned and now requires a significant walk. The Congress Trail is also farther from easy access than it once was. And the Kings Canyon entrance station has been moved away from a "dangerous tree" into the Big Stump parking lot. So for now, there's no parking for the Big Stump, Hitchcock Meadows, Viola Falls trails. Stone might also consider a description of the trail to Crystal Caves.

This is the book I took on the trail. (The FalconGuide was used, but it stayed at the lodge.)

For beginners only, but still good
Many people who routinely hike in Yosemite inexplicably ignore her lesser known sister park to the South: majestic Sequoia. I have hiked in both parks for 15 years and Sequoia is an outstanding National Park, particularly for serious hikers seeking a challenge. Yosemite's Half Dome remains one of the most beautiful and "must do" hikes in California, but Alta Peak in Sequoia is comparable and its beauty is sheer majesty. You can get greater elevations in Sequoia and the alpine terrain, especially in the early summer, will remind you of Switzerland.

This Guidebook is exceptionally useful and small enough to carry with you in your pack as you hike. The maps are detailed, as are the driving directions to each trailhead. The descriptions of each hike are concise, yet sufficiently detailed to give you the feel of each hike before you attempt it. There is little superfluous information, which is a frequent complaint of other hiking books.

If you have never visited or hiked in Sequoia, you're in for the unexpected treat of a lifetime. The park is incomparably lovely and the hiking is among the best in the Western states. This guidebook will help you discover the wonders of this underrated National Park.One caveat: this book only deals with short hikes, suitable for people with a family. Don't expect anything over 5-6 miles. ... Read more

Product Description
An anniversary is a reason to celebrate, and when on September 21st 2006, Belize commemorated its first 25 years as a new nation, Belizeans indeed rejoiced. In this collection, the first of two volumes, distinguished economists, conservationists, lawyers, sociologists, and other scholars all longtime observers of Belize and its people take stock. In most cases they present, for the first time ever, essays that focus on Belize, a country that is at once deceptively uncomplicated yet surprisingly complex.The essays, which reflect on what brought Belize to this point, are eminently readable, but provocative and challenging. The authors' in-dept analysis and evaluation of data, policies, laws, and practices from the economic, environmental, societal, and cultural sectors are just the beginning. Policy-makers, decision-makers, stake holders, and concerned citizens are beckoned to use the essays to assess and evaluate the authors' findings, appraise the current status of the country, and examine its proposals, initiatives, challenges, and promises, mindful of what has transpired and what the country and its people will face in the next quarter century. The essays are a bid for independence - independent thinking, analysis, and evaluation.All who know and study Belize will value this fourth contribution to The Belize Collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good for beginners
This is a well-organized and nicely written hiking guide and would be great for beginning hikers. However, if you're experienced and want some strenuous, long treks, this is definitely not the best guide for you. I was looking for some serious high mileage hikes in the mountains, but all of the trips described here are not hikes at all, they are walks. Incredibly, the author includes many little city strolls on pavement, and several one mile jaunts on the beach. Now I love Santa Barbara as much as anyone, and strolling on State Street and the beaches is fantastic. But that is simply not hiking and I was very disappointed to see these included in what is marketed as a hiking book.

If you're a beginning hiker or have children, or just aren't up to 20 mile hikes, this is a nifty little book, and perfectly adequate for your needs. But if you want a serious workout, you'd best look for another guide. There's nothing longer than a 7 mile "hike" with minimal elevation gain. I'm not knocking the book for novices, but if you're not a beginner, this is not recommended.

A good assortment of SB hikes
There are several books out there about SB hikes, and this is one of the better for all around ones available in the county. the drawback is that some of them are not really "hikes" persee, but rather "walks".For instance there are several walks that are about a mile long, on flat terrain, near the city. These are OK to explore, but by no means worthy of an afternoon's hike.However it does have some new takes on some of the old classic hikes such as Seven Falls, Rattlesnake Trail, etc.It is very detailed on how to get to the trails, and how to make the proper turns on the trial.It even throws in some historical or natural facts that are interesting.All in all, a good guide, and very well rounded, but not neccesarily for the regular SB hiker.If you are new or a visitor, it is perfect.

Great Hiking Book
As a long time resident of SB, I found this book to be both educational and entertaining.Most of the hikes in this book are hikes I've been on before, but with reading this book, they became new and exciting.Inaddition, several of these hikes I had never heardbefore, and found thoseto be very enjoyable.I would recommend this book to anyone who hasn'tbeen in SB before, as well as to anyone who has. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Many better than this are available
This book contains only a tiny subset of what's available in Sedona, and only the most passive hikers will find any value whatsoever in it.

"Sedona Guide: Day Hiking and Sightseeing Arizona's Red Rock Country" by Steve Krause and Teresa Henkle is vastly superior to this book (and, ironically, less expensive).

Don't buy this book if....
you are planning on going on hikes longer than an hour or two. In fact the title should be "Hour hikes in Sedona, Arizona". My wife and I recently visited Sedona with the intent of hiking for a couple days with some short hikes and some all day opportunities. Sadly this book lists only the short hikes and incredibally fails to even mention that many of the great short walks can be extended through other adjoining trails (not mentioned). Most of the information (maps, description of trails etc..) contained in the book, and much more, can be easily obtained through the Sedona visitor center for free!

Day Hikes In Sedona
I wanted to learn more about back country hiking in Sedona.Once I read this book, I knew what I needed to know quickly.This book is very helpful in reviewing many hikes in the area, with maps as well as distance andestimated time of hike.Very good reading and the best hikes are reviewed. I would highly recommend this book for anyone visiting this area. ... Read more

Product Description
Day Hikes in Yosemite National Park is a concise guide to 55 incredible hikes in this unmatched jewel among national parks. Highlights include alpine lakes and rivers, world-class waterfalls, glaciated domes and rock sculptures, groves of giant sequoias, and trails along towering granite cliffs that overlook the Yosemite Valley. A range of difficulty, length, and scenery accommodate all levels of hiking experience. (5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 128 pages, maps) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Yosemite Day Hikes by Stream Side
Robert Stone writes hiking guides with a strong bias towards the typical day hiker.This is fine and his books easily fit the schedules of most national park tourists.While Ms. Scott is correct in noting that some of the longer classics in the park, notably Half Dome and Clouds Rest, are not included in this book, many nice hikes are.These include Lembert Dome, May Lake, and the very strenuous climb to the lip of Yosemite Falls.Hike distances range from 1/2 mile to 10 miles. Approximately 1/3 of the hikes described are between 2 and 3 miles. What separates this guide from the many other day hiking guides available to Yosemite is that Stone has a strong preference for stream side hikes.Walks along Upper Yosemite Creek and to Foresta Falls are simply not found in other guides of this sort.

I've done about half the hikes described by Stone and they are all winners.That said, I cannot give this book five stars.In the first instance, while the maps are well drawn, I prefer north to always be at the top of the page and Stone's maps in this volume are presented in a variety of different settings.I also found that on occasion, the routes he describes are actually longer than the mileage he provides.For example, he begins the hike to the top of Yosemite Falls from the Lodge, not camp 4, but this adds about a mile to the trip.Still, this is a nice book with lots of pleasant diversions from the typical drive through the park.If you are looking for pleasant day hikes, this is a decent volume.

Excellent book for the day hiker
While I can agree with SOME of the comments in the reviews above, this book does contain some fairly good hikes.

The hike up Yosemite falls, while not THAT long (8 miles or so) is a fairly good hike, you gain 2700 feet in elevation, and it's at least what I would consider pretty much an all day hike.

The book contains fairly good maps and directions for each hike, I was a bit disappointed with some of the hikes (having lower Yosemite falls listed as a hike is a bit of a joke) but overall this book has been well worth the money.

Only for beginners
This is a fine guide if you have never hiked before in a National Park, or if you merely dabble occasionally in the sport. The maps are excellent, as are the trail descriptions, elevation gains and driving directions to the trail heads. Most of these hikes can easily be completed by even the most unfit hiker, children, or eldery people.

However, this is *not* the guide to purchase if you are a serious hiker. I was bemused to see that this book doesn't even contain the quintessential Yosemite hike, Half Dome. Nor does it contain the second-best hike in the park, the Four-and-a-half-mile-trail. In fact, none of the hikes profiled in this Guide are lengthier than a few miles and none would be considered even semi-strenuous. Heed this advice if you're a serious hiker and consult a different guide. But if you're just a casual weekend athlete, or have children in tow, this is a well-written and adequate book for your needs.

A short and informative guide for beginners
If a short hike is what you're looking for, this is the right book for you! The hikes are short and accessible. You find all the information you need; the maps are good enough, the pictures exquisite... In short, a goodbook mainly for beginners. For more challenging hikes or longer backpackingtrips, look somewhere else... ... Read more

Product Description
Are there any desperate areas in life? If so, help has arrived in the form of this playful and conversational self-help guide from Dr. Robert B. Stone Ph.D. who's assisted by nine wise, but little-known, men and women, who over the past one-thousand years left behind a valuable legacy for a joyful, desperation-free life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Live Without Limits--Fun and Easy
The book contains many simple exercises that clear the mind, relax the body and help create a more beautiful life.

It also has ideas that inspire peaceful thoughts:
"Why good is contagious", "There are no limits to the power of your mind" etc. And it's not religious, it's spiritual.

Excellent guidance from a master
Robert Stone was one of the Silva Method's top trainers for decades. He was very talented at guided visualizations, and this book is packed with some of his best work. I have had this book for years and re-read it often. If you are interested in psychic and spiritual development exercises, this book will help you on your way.

Excellent book-read it and believe.
Thoroughly readable with clear exercises to put you on your own path as a co-creater. Only one detracting comment:-not everyone lives in the US. Well-I had to say that.

best book on creation I have come across
It made me feel elevated to new heights whenI started browsing through the book.Methods and meditations to elevate one self to the level of Co-creator are very well written.This book encouraged me to look at the worldin adifferent perspective.Chapter on prosperity along with meditations are verygood. A must book for all the people who want to be creators and make theplaneta beautiful place to live. ... Read more

Product Description
DAY HIKES IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK is a concise guide to 54 of the best day hikes in this magnificent park.The hikes include thundering waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, high mountain lakes, cascading rivers, meadows and panoramic views.These day hikes will take you to incredible scenery and natural features found nowhere else on earth. The hikes are easy to moderately strenuous, accommodating every level of hiking experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Little Disappointing
This is useful book but it could have been a lot better.It includes a good selection of short hikes and the maps are adequate but given the size of the book it could have included a lot more detail.The trail descriptions are brief and dry and don't tell you much about the areas you will be going through or what you are likly to see.Contrast this with Day Hiking Yellowstone by Tom Carter which includes much more interesting detail about plants, animals, geology and history in a much smaller book.Still, Stone's book is well worth getting because it includes a few hikes I haven't seen elsewhere.Example:A trail with a good chance of seeing Moose in the wild within easy walking distance of the motels of West Yellowstone. ... Read more

Product Description
There Was Light captures different voices. A uniform experience at Berkeley, of course, does not exist. A common theme, however runs through the essays: It is the value of the University community - the pursuit of knowledge that binds us together. This notion of free inquiry and disciplined inquiry is the core value of a community that we call a university. And, as Hannah Arendt said so eloquently, community happens when we love the world enough to take responsibility for it by preparing the next generation to inherit it through education. -- except from book's forward ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Skimpy but Useful Beach Guide: Get a Used Copy
This is an un-ambitious guide book, but I found it useful on a return trip to this delightful island. Note to the editors: Why not print the driving directions accompanying Robert Stone's descriptions in a small font. Driving directions often take-up more space than the place descriptions. After all, St.Martin/St.Maarten is just thirty-seven square miles. Getting from one place to another is almost intuitive. One main road circles the island and the destination points are almost all on the perimeter. The map of the island on pages 8 and 9 is excellent and easy to refer to while caught in traffic slowdowns in the French city of Marigot or while waiting for the bridge to lower at Simpson Bay. PS: You didn't tell us about the traffic, the narrow roads, the goats, the quick turns on steep hills, and the uneven road quality. Note to the author: Your descriptions are skimpy. Why not give us a little more information, for example, about the flora and fauna. At Orient Beach I was surprised to find some beautiful cactus in bloom. And how about those different birds poking about the salt ponds and the frigate birds lazily circling high above. Your photographs are fine and relevant. You give us a list of taxi fares, but this information dates quickly. Most visitors using your book will rent cars. Maybe a list of annual celebrations such as the Heineken Regatta at Simpson Bay or Carnival in Marigot would be of greater value.

Run Away
Just to clarify - if you are cruise ship type or a resort compound type, this book is for you! For the rest of us that can find our way around a phone booth, forget this book.

Don't Bother
Well, no wonder this book was panned by others. Have been to St Martin before, by the way. A mere 48 pages, canned information that probably is in every version of this series. Yes, it directs one to some places, but no suprises, information probably available at any hotel or by asking a local. Like so many travel guides, it glamorises everything. Phillipsburg is a large tourist trap/cruise ship town - tee shirt/jewelry sort of place. Yet this book calls it quaint - give me a break! Run from this book or resell it as soon as possible.

Not worth the price
It took me about 20 minutes to read this book. It provides only the most basic information, of little value to the first-time visitor who would also like background and/or history of the area. It's no-nonsense-to-the-extreme style is boring, and paints a very dull picture of St. Martin. The only reason it deserves even one star is for the colorful photographs.

Day trips on St.Martin
I bought three books when planning my trip to St.Martin."Ulysses due south","St.Martin/St.Barts Alive" and this one.The first two are excellent sources of information."Day trips"offers only brief descriptions and directions,which is ok I guess,but you'll still need one of the other books(I preferred Ulysses)for a broader overview.I'll be going back,but"Day trips on St.Martin"won't be going with me. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses acne, its formation, misconceptions and truth about its causes, and ways of treating it. ... Read more

Product Description
Day Hikes Around Bozeman, Montana is a clear, concise guide to 57 great hikes in and around this picturesque mountain community. From rolling meadows to craggy peaks, these day hikes include incredible scenery found along the area's mountain ranges and valleys. Highlights include deep canyons, plunging waterfalls, historic sites, panoramic overlooks and the soothing sounds of tumbling water. Hikes accommodate every level of experience. ... Read more

Product Description
DAY HIKES IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PAR K AND JACKSON HOLE is a concise guide to 42 of the best day hikes in and around the majestic Teton Mountains of Wyoming.These trails will take you to several waterfalls, canyons, panoramic overlooks, alpine lakes, the Snake River, two hot springs for soaking, and a hike atop the Jackson Hole Ski Resort.The hikes are easy to moderately strenuous, accommodating every level of hiking experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not worth it
As a seasoned hiker, I purchased this book looking for a few great day hikes. There are only 9 hikes in this book and none of them really qualify as hikes, more like long walks with no gain in elevation. I paid $10 and really felt like I wasted $10.

Dilettante hikers-this is your book!
This book is fine for beginner climbers who want to hike the easiest and best known trails in the area.

Stone gives a brief (maybe too brief) description of over 40 hikes and good directions on how to get to eachtrailhead.

For those of you looking for longer, less well known, andmore challenging hikes, I would recommend Hiking Grand Teton National Parkby Bill Schneider. This book lists more hikes (easy, moderate, and hard)and gives more complete descriptions on what to expect on each hike. ... Read more