Moon Handbooks Big Island of Hawaii: Including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Rating:
Summary: Depressing book
Review: I bought this book thinking that it would give me a good idea of what to do and where to go. After reading this book, I almost don't want to go to the big island! It's not only is hard to use, but almost every section I read told about how you couldn't get to some place it was talking about or that the place was to dangerous because of tide or locals. I suggest looking for another guide.

Rating:
Summary: Heavy
Review: I like a guidebook with lots of pictures and detailed maps and this one lacks both. Knowing exactly where I am when I'm driving is probably my number one necessity. For armchair traveling and tourists with time to read this 400 page book provides interesting background.

Rating:
Summary: Great guidebook
Review: I used J.D.'s guidebook to all of Hawaii last trip in '92 and I'm glad that he's written one specifically for the big island. I've bought this one in preparation for this year's trip to the big island. If you want to know more than which of the big resorts are the best then this guidebook is great!

Rating:
Summary: Heavy
Review: This book was a gift to me. I would never have purchased such a stodgy looking guide if I saw it in the bookstore. I actually got the larger Hawaii Handbook covering all of the Hawaiian islands. This book is the Big Island section of that book and includes comprehensive general Hawaiian island information as well. If someone is planning a multiple island trip they should go for the bigger book. Even if you are not going to Hawaii but want to know about Hawaii get this one. I devoured this book during the long flight to Hawaii and must say it was by far the very best travel guide that I have ever read and used to any destination. (And I have read them all.) It is so comprehensive and the writing is so well done that reading all of the information was almost like reading a page turner novel for me. I could not get enough. Once we were in Hawaii we found this guide totally indispensible. We traveled with a few other nice guides but, with all of their color photograpy and fancy maps, eventually this one was the only one we felt was worthwhile. (You can get all the maps you will ever need once you get there.) After touring extensively I read it with even more interest on the long flight home. We plan to return to tour just the Big Island and this is the one we will bring. It is not glitzy it is the real thing. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: For those who really want to know Hawaii
Review: This book was a gift to me. I would never have purchased such a stodgy looking guide if I saw it in the bookstore. I actually got the larger Hawaii Handbook covering all of the Hawaiian islands. This book is the Big Island section of that book and includes comprehensive general Hawaiian island information as well. If someone is planning a multiple island trip they should go for the bigger book. Even if you are not going to Hawaii but want to know about Hawaii get this one. I devoured this book during the long flight to Hawaii and must say it was by far the very best travel guide that I have ever read and used to any destination. (And I have read them all.) It is so comprehensive and the writing is so well done that reading all of the information was almost like reading a page turner novel for me. I could not get enough. Once we were in Hawaii we found this guide totally indispensible. We traveled with a few other nice guides but, with all of their color photograpy and fancy maps, eventually this one was the only one we felt was worthwhile. (You can get all the maps you will ever need once you get there.) After touring extensively I read it with even more interest on the long flight home. We plan to return to tour just the Big Island and this is the one we will bring. It is not glitzy it is the real thing. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: A cool back-door view of island culture
Review: What I like about this one is its emphasis on local specialties and culture. This is a hallmark of Moon's guides in particular, and this one is no exception. The only thing missing is color photos. Buy it!