Customer Reviews

Acadia: The Complete Guide: Mt. Desert Island & Acadia National Park

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The pictures and descriptions were excellent. My husband and I made a trip to Acadia last September, and I wish I had this guide while we were there. I sent copies to my mother and mother-in-law, and though they are unable to make the trip, they really enjoyed reading about the history of Bar Harbor and the descriptions of the park. The pictures depicted the beautiful scenary in the park, and anyone lucky enough to visit the area should take this book with them as a reference.

Terrific book! We visited Acadia for the first time this year. The author's descriptions are excellent, but most important his recommendations (on restaurants, things to do, which hikes to make, etc) are excellent. He gives clues on where to go for those seeking to avoid the crowds, and he also describes the 'must-do' tourist things on Acadia. Of the various guides we brought with us on our Maine trip, this was hands down the most useful.

Especially for the first time visitors, this book is great. Lots of usefull tips and suggestions on a variety of topics. From scenic views to great food and easy routes around, this book has it all.

Thanks and enjoy!

I have many travel guides to beautiful places around the United States, but this book is the best I have seen. The photos are stunning, and there is just the right amount of information for a first time traveler to the area. I am really happy that I chose this as my guide to Acadia.

In general my wife and I found this book quite useful during our recent trip to Acadia national park and Bar Harbor. I liked the way the author described each stop along the park loop road, and the photos were helpful in choosing stops. The one fault was that the author didn't emphasize how seasonal the area is. If you go "off season" you are likely to find shops closed and tours unavailable.
We went in the first week of May. There were still quite a few stores and eateries closed. The boat tours for the most part start in mid June. I think one boat tour company started tours the day we left (May 10) So just keep this in mind as you use this otherwise useful book. Oh, and also make sure you budget enough for food. I was glad the author mentioned price ranges!

My husband and I visited Acadia National Park with four others for a week in the summer of 2010. It's always hard to plan a trip with a large group. But we read the book beforehand, bookmarked things that sounded interesting, and made advance reservations for a few things so that all six of us would be sure to get a spot. His recommendations for things to do and see, places to eat, etc, were excellent, and all the phone numbers were correct, a big plus! He has recommendations for everyone from hard core hiking enthusiasts to nature nuts to beach bums. I especially liked the fact that he included specific recommendations for things to do on many parts of the island, not just Bar Harbor. We stayed in Southwest Harbor and enjoyed his many recommendations for things to do less than a ten-minute drive away. His section in the middle of the book about island history and wildlife also made for very interesting reading. This trip to Acadia was the best vacation I've had in a long, long time, thanks in large part to how helpful this guidebook was.

I really enjoyed this travel book. We're heading to Acadia National Park this summer and I feel like I'm well equipped to make good use of our time. I particularly liked James' style ... young, smart, no BS. I'm taking him up on some of his off-the-beaten-path recommendations. I feel like I've gotten the inside scoop from a local down at the corner diner. Keep up the good work Jim. I'll look for your book when we get around to heading out west.

Great for pictures, history, and good recommendations to plan our family trip. It's a keeper. It is on our shelf of travel books to refer back to when we plan our next trip. We also bought the Moon Handbook for Acadia National Park - BW pictures, smaller, with better details on hikes and activites than this one. But also Acadia: the Complete Guide is too nice of a book to bend the spine, mark up, let get wet on the trails... I found they complement each other.

This book is an awesome resource for the geology, ecology, and history of Acadia National Park and Mt. Desert Island as well as tons of activities to do within the park. The research and information the author provided is useful and very detailed. I would suggest however, that if you are planning to do a lot hiking to purchase a more detailed hiking guide, one of which is recommended in his book. Although he mentions a few moderate-strenuous hikes, a hiking specific book would be useful for that purpose. However I loved learning about the history and geological processes which formed the island and the national park. The picture are gorgeous and descriptions wonderful. Many hidden treasures are revealed!! Our vacation wouldn't have been complete without this handy guide! I would absolutely recommend!

I met James and bought his book at a Los Angeles book fair. I plan on going to Acadia National Park in a little over a year. Once I started reading his book I couldn't put it down! Not only does he cover all of the "to do" items, but also gives an in depth history and background on everything from lobster anatomy to James Swan (see Swan's Island).

I was planning a one week trip to Acadia, and planned on staying in Bar Harbor. But after reading James' book I think we'll make it a 10 day trip and perhaps move around the island a little to spend some time in one or more of the quaint fishing villages (the "real" Maine).

If you're planning any kind of trip to Southeast Maine or to Acadia National Park, whether just to relax and get away or to explore the island, you absolutely must read this book! It gives you a great appreciation for all things Maine has to offer.