Kauai Underground Guide: 19th Edition And Free Hawaiian Music CD Paperback – December 14, 2010

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Thirty years ago, when the first edition of this book was written, Kauai was a different place, and perhaps there was something "underground" about this guide. Now, as other reviewers have pointed out, Kauai Underground is mainly a superficial restaurant guide. Even there, it falls short. Restaurants do not remain static over time. Instead of updating its restaurant reviews with new information, this guide simply copy edits the prose. Here is one rather humorous example:15th edition (1998): "Wranglers' dining room retains the outlines of its historic building, where you expect to see Matt Dillon stroll in at any moment."18th edition (2007): "Wrangler's dining room retains the outlines of its historic building, where you expect to see Butch Cassidy amble in and take a chair."In addition to being outdated, the guide contains only standard, generic information. It is very poorly organized and indexed. The writing is littered with superlatives (everything is "wonderful" and "lovely") and exclamation points. Maps are skimpy and hard to follow.Basic information and maps are available in the free advertising circulars handed out at the airport and car rental agencies. I recommend you spend your money on a weightier guidebook that favors data over fluff. Examples include  Frommer's Kauai (Frommer's Complete) , The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed , and  Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf .Happy traveling!POSTSCRIPT: On February 25, 2010, I suddenly got a string of six negative votes on this review. This happens all too often on Amazon, when a neutral and balanced reviewer (see my other reviews for the range) writes an honest but negative review of a book. You can see that the same thing happened to everyone who wrote a less-than-stellar review of this book. (Hmmm.) Campaigns like this cause top reviewers to hesitate before writing negative reviews, thus weakening Amazon's usefulness as a place for consumers to get unbiased information before deciding on a purchase. (Negative reviews drag down a reviewer's ranking.) In my opinion, "NO" votes should not be used just because you disagree, but rather to indicate that a review was deficient in some way (poorly written, biased, etc.). If you found the above review useful, please offset this negative campaign by voting "YES" -- review was helpful -- on this review and whenever you encounter negative but helpful reviews in your virtual travels in Amazon Land. Thank you for your support.POST-POSTSCRIPT: THIS REVIEW PERTAINS TO THE 17TH EDITION. A COMMENTER (BELOW) WRITES THAT THE 19TH EDITION IS BETTER. I HAVEN'T SEEN IT, SO CANNOT ATTEST TO THAT, BUT JUST KNOW THAT THIS REVIEW IS FOR AN OLDER EDITION.

I've been fortunate enough to have traveled to Kauai many times over the last decade. From the very first time, whatever is the current edition of this book has been with me. I have a sentimental and grateful attachment to "Kauai Underground Guide" as it's added so much to each trip.When I hear that a family member or acquaintance is visitng Kauai for the first time, I order this book as a gift, knowing that it will add immensely to the enjoyment and discovery of their first journey to the "Garden Isle."Yes, there are other Kauai guidebooks--more every year, it seems. There is even one that's supposedly the "Bible." But THIS is by far my favorite..and I've tried them all. Why? Lenore's sincere love of the island is so evident! She's not out to write anything sarcastic or negative, instead focusing on the many wonderful beaches, restaurants, shops, sites , and ideas for a full days' activities that she and her family enjoy, explaining in detail what makes them special. I love her ideas for how to spend special days in different parts of the island.For any visitor, and especially for families, I daresay there's no better or more personal book. She and her family and freinds have been visiting Kauai for decades, and she writes from that point of view: as a Mom, friend, tourist, and part-time island inhabitant. Thus, she gives tips that so-called resident "experts" may miss, since they are not necessarily seeing things from a visitor's viewpoint.Please note, if you are looking for numerous hotel reviews, this is not the standard guidebook with ratings of every hotel or condo. The book highlights some special accommodations, but if you're looking for a review of every accomodation on the island, it's not here. Instead, you'll get a great description of what to look for as you research the best accomodation to make YOUR stay special.I also love that the Keali'i Reichel CD is included. You'll love it, as it gets you in the mood for your upcoming trip, or reminds you fo the great one you just had. And how many authors do you know who contribute part of their profits to give back to the local children in place that has given them so much joy?"Mahalo" to the author, from one of those Kauai visitors with whom you've shared your insight!

Lots of great tips

Great Thanks