Book Review - Subpar Planet by Amber Share

This is a fun, entertaining book that features some of the most famous landmarks and tourist destinations around the world and what a one-star reviewer said about them.

The author describes each location in great detail with some insight, oftentimes questioning what the reviewer might have experienced. One example: Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada which someone said was "Not Really the Best Place". Amber then discusses the appeal of the park and what a typical tourist might actually experience such as the blue and green lakes filled by glaciel melt, wildflowers in the Sunshine Meadows, and more. Another example: Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The reviewer said "Not as Spectacular as I Had Thought". Ouch. Amber gives the background of this masterpiece with the Emperor Shah Jahan who commissioned it in the 17th century for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died after having 14 children.

The chapters are broken out by continent or region - Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Each chapter has a colorful map of locations.

On pages 40 and 41 are a great "Which Waterfall is 'Best'" discussion comparing some of the most famous waterfalls in the world.

Pages 114 and 115 illustrate "The Big Five", the animals most people want to see when they head to Africa for a safari.

There's a funny chapter called "How to Have an Absolutely Terrible Time Traveling" at the end. This chapter offers some useful advice on not overloading your trip or your expectations.

This is not an actual travel guide but reading through the author's descriptive research, it's hard not to add many of these sites to your bucket list of places to visit. Definitely look for it in your local library for a quick, easy read.

Title: Subpar Planet: The World's Most Celebrated Landmarks and Their Most Disappointed Visitors
Author: Amber Share
ISBN: 978-0593473177
Pages: 254

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Book Review - Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures from the World's Leading Travel Authority

When planning a vacation, if you lean towards activities that are more physical or challenging such as running marathons or rock climbing in the desert, this is the book for you.

For me and my family, I focused on activities that young children could enjoy which wasn't many. Here are the chapters that could fall into the family-friendly category or could be re-worked a bit to become family-friendly: Going to Extremes (a few choices such as the Dead Sea, Greenland, Vatican City), Best Four-Legged Adventures (Reindeer Sledding, Dog Mushing (check on age range requirements), Wagon Train Adventure), Boy's (and Girl's) Own Adventures, Get Your Thrills Indoors (Chakazoolu Indoor Theme Park or Indoor Skiing and Snowboarding), Intrepid Treasure-Hunting Trips (Gold Panning in British Columbia, Canada), Best Undiscovered US Parks, and a chapter dedicated to Family-Friendly Adventures (options like beaches in Bali, Indonesia or Ranching in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Are you a strong swimmer and enjoy water activities, check out these chapters: Best Spots to Catch a Big Wave, Wildest Swims in the World, Epic Sea-Kayak Paddles, Sail or Bust, Get on Board, Truly Wild Waterways, Best Rafting Rivers, Sweetest Snorkel Spots, and more.

Enjoy rock climbing, these might appearl to you: Mountain Quests, Most Spectacular Rock Climbs, Rock Stars: World's Best Bouldering, Best Beginners' Climbs, and more.

Prefer running or extreme hiking? How about Gotta Be In It to Win It: Best Races, Downhill Dashes, Mind-Blowing Marathons, Best Treks with Killer Views, Best ultra Runs, World's Highest Treks, Longest Treks, and more.

Like animals plus adventure (no petting zoos in here), try these: Scariest Animal Encounters, Most Excellent Equine Escapades, Best Birding in Highlands and Islands, Essential African Adventures, and more.

This book was published in 2013 so double-check all the locations to be sure they are still open to tourists and the information is correct.

For a family of young children or for really lazy people who prefer relaxing, this wasn't a very useful guide but there were a few suggestions. If you enjoy daring activities, you'll get plenty of inspiration.

Title: Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures from the World's Leading Travel Authority
Author: Lonely Planet Authors
ISBN: 978-1743217191
Pages: 352

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Book Review - The Geek Atlas: 128 Places Where Science and Technology Come Alive by John Graham-Cumming

For those who are curious about inventions or gaining a better understanding on scientific concepts, you will enjoy the suggested locations in this hefty book.

The book is divided out into countries in alphabetical order. Under the United States, the chapter is further divided out into states. The last chapter, "Miscellaneous" has two discussion items of interest - Magicicada Brood X (a cicada bug periodically emerging along the Eastern United States coast) and the Magnetic North Pole.

Some highlights: Parkes Radio Telescope in Parkes, Australia.

Mendel Museum of Genetics in Brno, Czech Republic

Institut Pasteur in Paris, France

The Escher Museum in The Hague, Netherlands

Greenwich in London, England

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine

Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita, Arizona, US

National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland, US

Keep in mind that this book was published in 2009, so double-check operating hours and fees before heading out.

Overall, this is good book to add must-see locations to your itinerary or to get an overall lesson on scientific notions. Try to find it at your local library.

Title: The Geek Atlas: 128 Places Where Science and Technology Come Alive
Author: John Graham-Cumming
ISBN: 978-0596523206
Pages: 542

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Book Review - Moon Paris Walks: See the City Like a Local

If you're planning a trip to Paris, France, this is a really useful book to take with you. It's small enough to fit into your backpack or sling bag (or you can rip out the pages you need and take them with you).

The book contains 6 suggested walking itineraries. Each itinerary comes with an introduction to the walk, an overview of the neighborhoods, a "short on time" section that emphasizes the main sights to see, a full-color map with points of interest labeled (which are also color-coded), and the walk description (with the labels included). Followed by more details sections for "sights and attractions", "food and drink", "shopping" and "more to explore" which also correspond to the color-coded labels.

The introduction of the book includes lots of useful information - good to know practical info, museums, French food culture, useful shopping tips, public holidays, transportation and biking, Top 10 sights and museums, Top 10 restaurants, Top 10 On Sundays, and Top 10 Nightlife.

Walk 1 = Batignolles and Montmartre

Walk 2 = Quartier des Martyrs, Grands Boulevards, Louvre, and Madeleine

Walk 3 = Les Halles and Le Marais

Walk 4 = Les Iles, Latin Quarter, and Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Walk 5 = Eiffel Tower, Invalides and Champs-Elysees

Walk 6 = Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin and Menilmontant

The very last chapter offers more things to do "With More Time".

In summary, this is a keeper to take with you on your French trip.

Title: Moon Paris Walks: See the City Like a Local
Author: Moon Travel Guides
ISBN: 979-8886470222
Pages: 152

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Book Review - Road Trip Survival Guide by Samantha Brown

If you're planning any type of road trip, you'll want to read through this book. Even if you're not going on a road trip, there is plenty of information and inspiration to get out of this book.

The first chapter focuses on planning your trip - researching your destination, making your trip more green (environmentally friendly), and some inspirational trips.

Chapter two has lots of good advice for packing and vehicle organizing plus packing lists.

The next chapter offers suggestions on snacks to make and bring with you (and thereby saving money and time).

I found the "Safety" chapter useful for any trip with tips on vehicle safety and road conditions, night driving, and other safety resources.

Chapter five has some great itinerary suggestions for road trips in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico.

Overall, this is a great book. Try to find it in your local library.

Title: The Road Trip Survival Guide: Tips and Tricks for Planning Routes, Packing Up, and Preparing for Any Unexpected Encounter Along the Way
Author: Samantha Brown
ISBN: 978-1982177072
Pages: 204

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Book Review - Fodor's Travel - Mexico City

If you're planning a trip to Mexico City or even a stopover, get this guide. It is full of useful information and full-color maps.

Chapter One highlights Mexico City starting with "20 Ultimate Experiences" with colorful photographs. I like the "What to Eat and Drink in Mexico City" guide (especially for someone from Texas who is used to Tex-Mex) and the "What to Buy in Mexico City" guide. There's "Best Museums" and "Under the Radar" guides as well. And for history buffs, there's "A Brief History of Mexico City".

Chapter Two contains the vital information - "Know Before You Go", "Getting Here and Around", "Essentials" and even a pullout "Helpful Phrases in Spanish" guide.

The next eleven chapters are the various neighborhoods (barios) such as Alameda Central, Benito Juarez, Roma, Condesa, Coyoacan, Sn Angel, and more. Each chapter has a snapshot guide and a full-color map with highlighted bullets along with sights, restaurants, and hotels with ratings and detailed information.

"Side Trips from Mexico City" is a great chapter with suggestions on quick trips to places with ruins or beaches. There's a useful planning section.

The last sections include Maps and Indexes. The very last page includes a handy Metro map.

Overall, a great guide to Mexico City. This book was published in 2024 but still verify all the information before travelling.

Title: Fodor's Mexico City
Author: Fodor's Travel Author
ISBN: 978-1640976993
Pages: 368

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Book Review - Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors by David Sobel

If you've never heard of David Sobel, do a quick google search. He has extensive information and has written many books on enjoying nature and the outdoors with including children.

This is a not a travel guide but rather a blend of memoir of David Sobel's family's adventures as they expored nature through different experiences and a guide on how you can enjoy nature with your own family. You might be inspired by the many stories to try new experiences as well.

This book is divided into parts based on a child's developmental phase along with a location that metaphorical aligns with that age. Part one focuses on Early Childhood (which he suggests covers ages two to seven) in the Meadow. Part two deals with Middle Childhood (ages seven through thirteen) in the Forest. Part three goes into Adolescence (ages thirteen up to eighteen) on the Rocky Ridge. Part four jumps up to Early Adulthood (ages over eighteen) in the Orchard.

I found the little snippets throughout the reading where there's a date and David's children's ages so we get context on what they are experiencing.

Chapter Nine disrupts the dreamlike narrative with discussion on the divorce that David experiences (a bit unexpectedly). The desire to continue taking his two children on natural adventures is touching.

Overall, this is a nice read and you may find some suggestions on experiencing your own natural adventures. Try to find a copy at your local library.

Title: Wild Play: Parenting Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Author: David Sobel
ISBN: 978-0996267694
Pages: 256

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Book Review - Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting by Garret Romaine

My family and I have visited many amusement parks and historical sites. At a large majority of them, there is usually a gemstone mining area or trough. You pay for a bag of dirt mixed with precious stones and then you wash the dirt in the water trough. It's a rather messy process so if you have younger children be sure to bring change of clothes.

We've done these many times over the years and you always get a nice pile of rocks to take home. Here's one of the better bags that we purchased which clearly listed what had been contained inside it.

Digging for special rocks and fossils is really fun for adults and children and always feels rewarding when you find something unique. That led me to pick up this book and it's a real keeper. The author, Garret Romaine, has extensive experience and expertise on this topic.

So what is rockhounding? It's the activity of searching for rocks (or gems or fossils) to collect. Almost everyone has probably seen a cool-looking rock in the dirt or in a stream and picked it up to examine it. That is rockhounding. Now, prospecting, takes it a step further and searches for treasures that can be valuable or profitable. The book's introduction lists the different types of rock hunters.

The book starts with a basic guide to geology and different types of rocks, gems and fossils. The listing of rock types is valuable as the author includes the best locations to find the specific rock type. For example, halite stones (common rock salt) can be found in Utah's Great Salt Lake area.

Look for the section titled "Gator Girl's Best Advise Ever" in Chapter One which gives suggestions on how to get started, finding support or like-minded people to help you, where to go, and some really sound advice on protective gear.

Chapter Two discusses "Where to Find It" with lots of resources, websites, applications, maps, and more. This book was published in 2024 so most of the information is still relevant but always double-check before heading out.

Chapter Three highlights preparations and tools for venturing out including vehicle prep and maintenance, emergency gear, and setting expectations.

The next chapter goes deeper into the actual physical labor of hunting in different environments - beaches, creeks, deserts, and more. I really appreciated the warnings about trying to search around old mines. The chapter ends with some really interesting meteorite hunting which I hadn't considered before but now I'm adding it to my list.

Chapter Five has suggestions on what to do with the treasures you have found like tumbling (remember those old-fashioned tumble machines we all wanted as kids?) and preservation techniques.

Overall, this is a great resource especially if you are a beginner and need some basic information to get started.

Title: Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting Handbook
Author: Garret Romaine
ISBN: 978-1493078493
Pages: 264

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Book Review - Muleshoe and More: The Remarkable Stories Behind the Naming of Texas Towns by Bill Bradfield and Clare Bradfield

If you've ever driven through Texas, you no doubt passed through towns with the most unusual names. That must have inspired this guide which details the naming of Texas towns.

Interestingly, the study of place names is called toponymy. And the person who studies them is called a toponymic expert.

This directory is listed out alphabetically, A through Z, followed by two indexes - one of counties and one of names.

Place names came from all sorts of origins - religion (like the Bible), mythology, foreign languages, family names, geography, botany, names of places in foreign locations, and more.

Each place listed also contains general location, county, population (at the time of this publishing, 1999) and for many, a pronunciation key.

This is a fun read. Try to find it at your local library or used bookstore. Since it was published so long ago, some of the information might be outdated or incorrect now.

Title: Muleshoe and More: The Remarkable Stories Behind the Naming of Texas Towns
Author: Bill Bradfield and Clare Bradfield
ISBN: 978-0884158653
Pages: 218

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Book Review - The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

Peacock had a travel documentary series back in 2023 based on Eric Weiner's book. It followed actor Rainn Wilson as he visited places mentioned in the book like Bulgaria, Iceland, and more. You can probably find clips of it on YouTube.

So if you liked the series, you will probably like this book too. Eric Weiner has a witty personality and his dry humor shines throughout this book.

Eric was a foreign correspondent for NPR (National Pubic Radio) and traveled extensively and made keen observations. "The truth is that unhappy people, living in profoundly unhappy places made for good stories....They can also be a real bummer." So, for this book, Eric decides to seek out happy places. I love this quote - "The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness." That's one of those quotes we need to frame.

So Chapter One starts in The Netherlands followed by Switzerland in Chapter Two. After some long analysis, the author decides the people are content but not necessarily overly happy.

Chapter Three takes us to a country very few have ever heard of (including myself) - Bhutan - located on the edge of the Himalayas. Eric arrived in Bhutan at the time of "the big festival" or "tsechu". Every visitor, apparently, is assigned a guide which you must pay via a tour company. Interestingly, "Bhutan is the only country in the world with a dress code for men."

Chapter Four covers Qatar and the capital Doha. It's a very wealthy country so the analysis deals with whether money can buy happiness.

The next chapter, Eric goes to Iceland. The opening of the chapter is hilarious with discussion on the lack of sun and that the stores are closed on Sundays. Yet, he concedes, Iceland ranks as one of the happiest places in the world. There is analysis of how people that live in cold places rely on each other - cooperation. "Everyone must work together to ensure a good harvest or a hearty haul of cod. Or everyone dies. Together."

Chapter Six heads to Moldova, another country most people have never heard of. It's a small Eastern European country known for wine, especially red wine. It neighbors Romania and is a former Soviet republic. Interestingly, Eric points out how there are people who don't speak Moldovian language but only Russian and there isn't really any Moldovian culture. Despite the wine, the country is rather poor. So now there's an analysis that since this country is so poor and the people are pretty content, then money cannot buy happiness.

Chapter Seven focuses on Thailand. Ironically, in one passage, Eric drinks whiskey that was made in Bhutan. In the pursuit of happiness, there's a mention of a Thai tofu dish called "Double Happiness".

Chapter Eight goes to Great Britain then Chapter Nine goes to India. Both chapters provide eye-opening analysis that will twist any preconceived beliefs.

The last chapter is about America. Which, in my opinion, is a pretty happy place. :-)

Overall, a fun read and could give you some inspiration to visit one of these places, but not a travel guide. Better to look for it at your local library or used bookstore.

Title: The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World
Author: Eric Weiner
ISBN: 978-0446511070
Pages: 353

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Book Review - Black Hills Family Fun Guide by Kindra Gordon

If you're planning a family trip to South Dakota's Black Hills area, you should get a hold of this book and look through all the great suggestions.

The book is divided by chapters focused on activities: "Famous Faces to Visit", "Buffalo, Bears and Reptiles", "Dinosaurs Galore", "See It Made - Or Mined", "Meaningful Museums", "Outdoors to Explore", "Water Parks, Go-Carts and Other Good Times", "Histories and Oddities", and "Puttin' on a Show".

At the end of the book is an Index by City if you're trying to plot out a road trip and have specific cities in mind along the way. The author has included the city's website so you can do a further search on what to do or eat in town.

I like that each chapter has a map with very simple marks for points of interest. If you're tech-savvy, you could add the points to your own Google Map or other virtual map.

Each location mentioned also includes operating dates, admission, parking fees, address, phone number and website.

Some businesses have a nice little "Neat to Know" callout, such as the National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone, South Dakota - the "Neat to Know" mentions President Calvin Coolidge's visit at Custer Park's State Game Lodge and Resort in 1927.

At the end of the chapters, there is a "For More" section which will direct you to similar experiences in other chapters.

Since this 2nd edition was published in 2017, be sure to confirm operating hours and fees before you visit.

Overall, this is a nice guide. I found lots of interesting places to visit on my next trip. Try to find this book at your local library or through interloan services.

Title: Black Hills Family Fun Guide: Explore South Dakota's Badlands, Devils Tower and Black Hills
Author: Kindra Gordon
ISBN: 978-1591937357
Pages: 136

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Book Review - The World's Best National Parks in 500 Walks by Mary Caperton Morton

This is a massive book broken out by Continent (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, and Australasia).

The author breaks out each section by trails. Each trail is listed with its corresponding National Park, location, and a description. Many of the trails also contain distance, start, difficulty, and seasonal information. A few include a map.

Some of the parks contain more than one hiking trail such as Denali National Park and Preserve. The author highlights several hiking trails - "Savage Alpine Trail" (which is a moderately difficult one), "Horseshoe Lake Trail" (easy), "Mount Healy Overlook Trail".

The photographs in this book are gorgeous. I enjoyed flipping through and bookmarking ones that sounded manageable enough for my family. But, I just used this book as a starting point. Then I went to the National Park's website and got all the information I needed from there.

It would have been nice if this author had a directory for trails by difficulty. That would help someone quickly narrow down which trails they should focus on, such as my family needing easy trails.

Overall, it's a nice book to view inspirational photographs and add to your planning board. If you enjoy hikes, you can find similar inspirational books about hiking trails published by Thunder Bay Press.

Title: The World's Best National Parks in 500 Walks
Author: Mary Caperton Morton
ISBN: 978-1645176282
Pages: 400

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Book Review - Lonely Planet - The Best Place To Be Today by Sarah Baxter

If you are looking for inspiration for your travel plans - I highly recommend this book. You will find an event or location to visit on each day of the year for a total of 365 suggestions.

Some of the activities highlighted for a specific date actually take place over a range of dates, such as "Admire red-crowned cranes" in Hokkaido, Japan for January 20th can be enjoyed from January through February.

Or an event might take place over a weekend such as January 29th's "Hay Festival" in Colombia which starts the last weekend of January. In 2026 it fell on January 29th. Next year it will take place January 28th.

Events that must be celebrated on a single day include St. Valentine, Italy's "Valentine's Day" on Feburary 14th of every year. It's actually a celebration of Saint Valentine who is enshrined in the Basilica di San Valentino.

There are a few activities which I would lean toward "unrealistic" such as June 2nd's "Climb the 100 Mountains" in Japan unless you are really enjoy scaling mountains. The 100 refer to the 100 Famous mountain peaks in the country including Mt. Fuji.

Another less likely activity includes July 6th's "Swim the English Channel" ranging from June through September. Not only do they challenge you to swim the English Channel but without a wetsuit (the water is about 59 degrees Fahrenheit).

This book is a keeper and makes a great conversational piece on any coffee table.

Title: The Best Place to be Today: 365 Things to do and the Perfect Day to do Them
Author: Sarah Baxter
ISBN: 978-1743601655
Pages: 272

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Book Review - Go Lightly : How To Travel Without Hurting The Planet by Nina Karnikowski

When I first ordered this book, I thought it was about packing light. Well, there was a chapter called "Pack Lightly" which was useful.

This book is about traveling while minimizing your impact on the planet. Even if you don't strictly follow sustainable travel practices, this book points out some really easy things we can all do without any big effort or cost.

What I really liked about this book were the "Conscious Travel Hero" interviews with experts. Many of them offer tips on lightly travelling and their favorite locations. Reading from actual people is enjoyable.

We all know that flying is toxic for the environment, but check the "Fly smarter" section of the "Move Lightly" chapter which offers a few practical tips. Have time to explore or are going to train-friendly countries, travel via a train and live the Swedish concept of "train bragging" or "tagskryt". Further in the chapter are useful tips on travelling by train including staying safe.

Some other chapters include "Eat Lightly", "Stay Lightly", and "Wild Lightly" (about wildlife).

I liked the "Shop Carefully" page because I also like to search out actual local crafts (and not items just purchased online from China).

The very end of the book features a nice Packing List with things we don't normally consider but should.

Overall, it's a good read. Try to find it at your local library or through inter-library loan.

Title: Go Lightly: How To Travel Without Hurting The Planet
Author: Nina Karnikowski
ISBN: 978-1399613569
Pages: 139

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Book Review - Disney World at 50: The Stories of How Walt's Kingdom Became Magic in Orlando by Orlando Sentinel

If you're a Disney fan, you definitely will want to get this book. It details the history of how Disney World in Florida came to being with historical photographs as told from the perspective of the Orlando Sentinel news outlet.

Chapter names include "The Big Mystery in Florida" (or the worst-kept secret in entertainment history), "Building the Magic Kingdom", "Meet the People of the Theme Park", "Disney World: Today and Tomorrow".

The photographs throughout this book will feel really nostalgic. Grand Prix Raceway? Submarine Voyage? Polynesian Luau?

For me, as a Disney fan, I really enjoyed reading through this book. It will have a permanent place on my coffee table for guests right next to my Figment popcorn bucket and my Orange Bird sipper cup.

If you're not a collector, try to find a copy in your local library or through inter-loan from your library.

Title: Disney World at 50: The Stories of How Walt's Kingdom Became Magic in Orlando
Author: Orlando Sentinel
ISBN: 978-1629379821
Pages: 176

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Book Review - The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe by Julian Parish

If you have any plans to ever drive in Europe, I highly recommend reading this book. It's a small guide - easy to tuck into your backpack or purse.

The book starts with a "The first time" chapter for those who have never driven in a foreign country. Page 11 contains a really nifty checklist of what to bring with you (such as an evidence of driving record).

Skip over to page 14 or the "What to Take" chapter which contains more useful information on what you need to legally drive in Europe. Some of them should be provided by the car owner or the rental company but make sure you know how to obtain it in an emergency or police situation.

Be sure to read through the "Insurance and Breakdown Cover" chapter to understand the basic coverages and whether you might want to get extra coverage.

"Crossing the Chanel" chapter, a really short chapter, provides a useful overview for those who need to utilize crossings (such as the Western Channel between France and Spain or the Channel between France and the UK.

The next chapter explains the process of fueling your vehicle (if it requires petrol or diesel). There are QR codes which take you to websites that explain in more detail the different types of energy.

"The other side of the road" is a good explanation of driving on the left side of the road (like in the UK and Ireland).

The tiny chapter "Traffice offences in Europe" gives a quick "beward" type message on being aware of avoiding traffic tickets.

This is followed by three very short chapters - "Disabled travellers", "Travelling with children" and "Travelling with pets"

A more useful chapter is "Driving in cities". There are some good tips here. For better planning, I'd do a quick search in youtube or the web for specific cities you plan to visit to see any gotchas or must-knows.

There is a nice section on winter driving. Earlier in the book there was a brief mention on weather and road conditions.

If anything, be sure to read the "What to do: accidents and car crime" so that you are prepared and ready in an emergency situation as well as the following chapter, "What to do: breakdowns". Being prepared is smart.

The rest of the book is divided into regions then further divided into specific countries. Look for the locations you plan to visit. Each location contains roads, rules, tolls, speed limits, and other useful information.

In summary, try to find this book in your local library to get a good overview on preparing for your trip. Keep in mind, even though this is labeled as a New Edition, it was published in 2016. So be sure to verify all the information ahead of your trip.

Title: The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe
Author: Julian Parish
ISBN: 978-1787113039
Pages: 144

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Book Review - Action Park by Andy Mulvihill

As an amusement park buff, I completely flipped out when I found this book about the history of the infamous Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey, written by the park's former owner, Gene Mulvihill.

Action Park was not only the most innovative amusement parks and a lot of rides were ahead of their time (like a bungee jump) but due to lack of strict guidelines was considered one of the most dangerous. Despite years of injuries and drownings, it was a group of trespassers that caused the park's ultimate downfall with a lawsuit in the millions and lenders defaulting.

There were mentions of other amusement parks throughout including Disney and Six Flags which made for a good history of amusement parks in the United States.

Action Park, known as "Vernon Valley" then "Vernon Valley Summer Park" had a humble start as part of a ski hill in 1976. The first ride installed was an alpine slide build on the hill. A lot of the rides built were somehow directed off the hill. In 1978 they built a go-kart track with overpowered karts that encouraged destructive bumper-car type behavior. Offering alcohol in the park also led to a lot of craziness. Toward the end, Gene brought over a German beer maker and established a biergarten in addition to Oktoberfest (which was held a few days before Gene passed away in 2012).

Also two water slides were added in 1978 and in 1979 the park was officially named "Action Park". Eventually there were three main areas of the park - Waterworld, Motorworld and Alpine Center. Gene built some cabins but never installed proper sewage or water facilities.

Reading some of the stories around the Tidal Wave Pool which faced two deaths really made me wonder how more people didn't drown as the pool could hold almost a thousand people, was as deep as 15 feet, held cloudy almost no-visibility water, and random entry points. Luckily they hired really good lifeguards.

After Action Park filed bankruptcy and closed in 1997, it was purchased by Praedium Recovery Fund then sold the next year to Intrawest who renamed it "Mountain Creek Waterpark". All the previous rides were either removed or modified to be less risky. Unfortunately, mismanagement and decreasing attendance numbers forced the comapny to sell at a loss. In 2014, Gene Mulvihill and investor friends re-purchased the park. For a brief period they renamed it "Action Park" but given the reputation and the town's resentment toward it, they named it back to "Mountain Creek Waterpark".

It's really interesting to read Andy Mulvihill's experiences as he grew up (and his family) in the park and had first-hand accounts of its evolution. Definitely a must-read.

Important note - this book contains adult language and themes.

Title: Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and the Untold Story of America's Most Dangerous Amusement Park
Author: Andy Mulvihill
ISBN: 978-0525506294
Pages: 352

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Book Review - Culture Shock Vietnam by Ben Engelbach

I wish I had read this book before my trip to Vietnam because it would have helped prepare me a little bit more and given context to some of my experiences. I appreciate the honest and concise writing of the American-born author who lives and works in Hanoi. Even though this book is aimed more at long-term visitors, there's plenty of good information for short-termers as well.

Chapter one, "First Impressions", was amusing but since I had gone first to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City it didn't quite match my own first impressions.

The next chapter, "Overview of Land and History" will give you a good idea of how variable the country is (there are beaches, mountains, big cities, etc) in addition to some history lessons.

Chapter three, "People" is really good. It includes sections on values (respecting elders, saving face, family first, etc) and religion (Vietnamese people celebrate their ancestors and are pretty tolerant of other religions).

Chapter four discusses Socializing and Fitting In. This chapter is aimed more at people who are staying longer in Vietnam than a basic tourist or if you're planning to visit a family member or friend it will be helpful.

Chapter five, "Settling into the Country" has a lot of useful information for shopping, public transportation, staying safe, health and hospitals, and more. From my own experiences, I agreed with most of the information presented. I never had to worry about schools or taxes but those are discussed as well.

Chapter six is probably the best one in the book as it focuses on Food. And yes, Vietnamese people really do eat pho noodle soup for breakfast (and pretty much any time of the day or night). After a few breakfasts you will get used to it (there aren't very many bacon-and-eggs type meals available). There's also information on drinks (coffee, beer), entertaining, fast food and more.

You can find a list of celebrated holidays and events in chapter seven, "Enjoying the Culture and Travel" as well as recreation and sports (football or soccer).

The "Languages" chapter, or chapter nine, gives a quick overview of the language. Keep in mind, however, that there are two dialects in Vietnam - the northern and the southern. This will make communicating more complicated. There is a great little sidebar detailing how to address others. Jump to the Glossary for some useful words.

The eighth chapter concerns with working in the country which is complicated on visitory visas. If you're interested in volunteer work, look at the last section of the chapter.

Chapter 10 offers "Fast Facts" followed by some useful Do's and Don'ts and a Glossary.

Overall, this a great introduction to Vietnam from an American's point of view. Not really a keeper so try to locate a copy through your local library.

Title: Culture Shock! Vietnam
Author: Ben Engelbach
ISBN: 978-9814771672
Pages: 248

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Book Review - Dream It Do It by Marty Sklar

I don't normally read autobiographies but this book called to me because it was written by Marty Sklar, a legendary Disney Imagineer whose career spanned fifty years and who participated in all the Disney parks across the world.

What makes this book a great recommendation on my travel-oriented blog is the fact that you will learn the history behind many of the popular rides or even rides that no longer exist in addition to the building of the parks. Marty's book is extremely detailed littered with quotes and recollections throughout his career.

Next time you visit Disneyland in California, look at the second floor window of City Hall to see it dedicated to Marty: "Main Street College of Arts and Sciences, Martin a. Sklar, Dean, Inspiring the Dreamers and Doers of Tomorrow". It was dedicated on July 17, 2009 on his retirement day and the 54th anniversary of Disneyland.

The 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York, Disney introduced the Carousel of Progress (which was moved to Disneyland in 1970 and then to Magic Kingdom in 1975 and is currently still running but is supposed to be getting an upgrade) in addition to audio-animatronics. The PeopleMover was also introduced at the fair and later was featured at Disneyland then Magic Kingdom. (And it was installed at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in 1981).

In 1857, Anaheim was a colony of German farmers. "Heim" in German means "Home". Ana is derived from Santa Ana River. Walt Disney hired Buzz Price to scout a perfect location for Disneyland and he ultimately decided Anaheim was ideal due to location and climate. At that time, Walt paid $4500 per acre for an initial 160 acres (he later expanded to 456 acres).

Marty describes the work to open Disneyland on July 17, 1955 and the issues they faced (like non-working water fountains). In 1959, several major additions were made to Disneyland: The Submarine Voyage (which they claimed at the time was the eighth largest submarine fleet in the world), The Matterhorn Bobsleds (the first roller coaster in the world to use tubular track and a special eletronic dispatch system to enable more than one vehicle on the track simulataneously), and the first daily operating Monorail System in the Western Hemisphere.

Disney purchased 27,400 acres of swampland in Orlando, Florida at $200 per acre. They designed Cinderella's Castle to be much taller than Disneyland's 77-foot Sleeping Beauty Castle so it can be seen a mile away at the TTC (Transporation and Ticketing Center)(and also at the nearby resorts). Cinderella's Castle stretches up to 189 feet. If the castle had been 200 feet it would have been required to have a red light on top to warn aircraft. Walt Disney World' Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971. Adult admission on opening day was $3.50 (now it ranges from $179 to $229 depending on busy dates). At the end of its first year, attendance had grown to 10.7 million making it the most visited theme park in the world (it still is today at about 17.8 million visitors in 2025).

The book also discusses many of the leaders that have been through Disney and some controversies. It's a really interesting read for Disney fans and anyone planning a trip to one of the Disney parks to get a little bit of background.



Title: Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney's Magic Kingdoms
Author: Marty Sklar
ISBN: 978-1423174066
Pages: 384

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Book Review - Moon Guide to Toronto and Ontario by Carolyn B. Heller

If you read my previous post you'll know I'm trying to visit the Six Flags owned amusement parks in Canada. Canada Wonderland is about forty minutes drive north of Toronto in Vaughan, Ontario. So I picked up this book to visit some other places nearby while I was in town and to check out local foods.

The first chapter, Discover Toronto and Ontario, offers several quick highlights - Top 10 Experiences, The Best of Ontario, Food and Wine Getaways, Toronto Art and Culture, Georgian Bay Road Trip, Top Recreation, Romance at the Niagra Falls, Northern Exposure, and the Underground Railroad.

The next seven chapters focus on specific areas complete with colorful maps, restaurant and accommodation suggestions, sports and recreation, shopping, entertainment and events, and sights. Chapters include Toronto, The Niagara Region, Lake Erie to Lake Huron, Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Cottage Country/Algonquin/and the Northeast, Georgian Bay, and Lake Superior.

The tenth chapter features the Background of Ontario - the landscape, the plants and animals, the history, the government and economy, the people and culture, and the arts.

The Essentials chapter offers the important information - transporation, visas, recreation, accommodations, food and drink, travel tips, health and safety, and information.

One of the last chapters in the book, the Resources chapter, contains interesting books and internet sites if you want to deeper dive into Ontario.

There are several really great sidebars throughout the book. If you plan to visit Niagara Falls, check out the suggested two-day itinerary (or if you only have one day, just focus on day one). Sprinkled throughout the book are some interesting sites related to the First Nations including the Six Nations Museum and the Petrogylphs Provincial Park. If you like chocolate as much as me, check out the Stratford Chocolate Trail where you can sample six special treats.

Title: Moon Toronto and Ontario: With Niagara Falls, Ottawa and Georgian Bay
Author: Carolyn B. Heller
ISBN: 978-1640492387
Pages: 488

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