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Rating: 
Summary: An good book and an unlikely controversey
Review: A couple of my friends have this book, and I was thinking about buying it for myself. I was surpised to see such an odd review saying that this book encourages hikes on private land. I took a look through my friend's book and there is no mention of going on private land. I've been to Platte Clove (the area in question, I believe) and there are more than one way into the area. It is among the most spectacular places in the Catskills and for the author to ignore it would be a disservice to anyone interested in the Catskills. I'm not sure what kind of chip the person who wrote that review has on his shoulder, but it obvious that he/she is making up at least part of the review. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Catskills.
Rating:
Summary: A great guide to the Catskills
Review: As a novice hiker and my first time visiting the Catskills, this book provided me with essential information about hiking through the beautiful Catskill Mountains. It is provides clear and concise trail maps to any destination imaginable and also has breath taking pictures of various points of interest. The author truly captures the natural beauty of the area with his words and photographs. I would recommend this book to any hiker or anyone with an interest for the Catskills.
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Summary: Fun-loving hiker
Review: Great trail guide! Easy to read maps, great natural history of the area and absolutely energy-filled fun! Growing up with the Catskills in my back yard, I figured this book wouldn't be able to tell me something I did't already know. Boy, was I wrong. The author gives great detail of each of the hikes in the book. Like the best places to park and even the best places to stop and take some breath taking photos. Also, the book gives some of the geology and natural history of the mountains. I thought I knew a lot, but I defintely learned a great deal more through this extensive trail guide. Now, I never go hiking without it!
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Summary: The best Catskill Guide I've found
Review: I picked up this book to replace some of the outdated Catskill Guides I already have. This book is much more than I expected. It is well-organized and a pleasure to read. The routes are always interesting and the author provides much more information about the Catskills' environment. I also like the fact that hikes range from really easy to quite difficult. A few of the places that Henry picks are real gems that I didn't even know about. The pictures are good too. The book is a great size for taking on the trail.
Rating:
Summary: It's like a guided tour
Review: I really liked this book. As a hiker I enjoyed getting to know the Catskills better as I walked a few of the trails. The book does a great job of explaining not just what is along the trail, but why it is there -- something you don't find in many hiking guides. In addition, this book is fun to read. I've read most of the book without going on the trails, and find it almost as good as being there myself. The book motivates me to get out there and go to these places. I'd recommend this book to anyone who hikes in the Catskills or even just lives near them or visits them.
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Summary: Some careless comments and destinations
Review: I stand fast on my convictions that this book encourages trespass on the private lands of lower Platte Clove by suggestion rather than by directive: the author describes the area and the illegal ingress, but he qualifies the chapter by saying that this hike is "not recommended". The book received the same commentary by a reviewer from the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference publication, the TrailWalker, so I'm not alone in this observation. TThis is the second time this review has been removed by Amazon at the request of the publisher, Black Dome. Must be nice to be able to insist on only good reviews! What's up with that, Amazon?
Rating: 
Summary: No directions from Highway exits
Review: Seems to have all the info except "how to reach the trail staring from HW exit". I was expecting direction starting from nearest highway exit and was not able find. I live in Long Island, and not familiar with Catskill area so direction is very important for me. I do not like to waste time searching for trailheads.
In spite of this -ve things, I gave 2 starts because it has lot of historic data.
Rating:
Summary: No directions from Highway exits
Review: Seems to have all the info except "how to reach the trail staring from HW exit". I was expecting direction starting from nearest highway exit and was not able find. I live in Long Island, and not familiar with Catskill area so direction is very important for me. I do not like to waste time searching for trailheads.
In spite of this -ve things, I gave 2 starts because it has lot of historic data.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and Informative
Review: This book is a lot different (and better) than most guides. I bought this one and liked so much I bought the other Catskill Trails book also. There is a lot of history and ecology here and I learned more about the mountains than from any of my other guidebooks. The pictures are nice and the trail selections among the best the Catskills have to offer. At times, you really do feel like you are hiking with a ranger!
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