Customer Reviews

Get Lost!: The Cool Guide to Amsterdam (Cool Guides)

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you're interested in the smoking side of visiting Amsterdam, this is the best book I have seen. While this is certainly not the only guide you should read before your trip, it is a damn good one. It's advice on the best coffee shops was mostly right on the mark, and the best deals and highest quality were had at his recommended shops. In summary... if you're a toker, pick up this joker! :-)

I just got back last month from a fantastic trip to Amsterdam. Joe Pauker's book, "The Cool Guide to Amsterdam", was the key to my trip. Before I left, my family and friends gave me several guides to the city. I took them all with me, but I ended up using only Get Lost! Not only was the information the most interesting and up to date, but I found it hillarious reading as well. I've travelled all around the world, used the various other "alternative" guidebooks and I have never found a book that covered so many cool and funky places in a city. Admitedly, Amsterdam is a city filled with beautiful architecture, great music, excellent coffee shops and unique squat restaurants, but Pauker's "Cool Guide to Amsterdam" showed me where they all were.

I wrote a previous review after I received Get Lost! Amsterdam but before I made my trip. At the time, I liked the book but felt it was overpriced. I just returned from 10 days in Amsterdam, and I'd like to change my review. This book was great!! Assuming, of course, that you're going to Amsterdam for Smart Shops, and a great scene. If you're not interested in drugs or the cheapest places to stay, this book isn't for you. The information was very useful; I repeatedly referred to the lodging, drug and general info sections. My only criticism is there could be more listings for restaurants - but then, this probably isn't the only guide you're going to bring with you. A very useful guide for anyone looking for a great trip . . .

I spent 4 days in Amsterdam and found this little book to be great, BUT I wish that I would have had a more "mainstream" guidebook as well. This is meant to be a supplement, focusing on cheap eats, "coffee shops," smart shops, sex, etc. The map in it [stinks]!! But the information that IS there is good, accurate information. But it won't tell you how to use the tram system, or where every restaurant is, or more basic information such as the history of the city. Again, for what it is, it's great. For what it's not, it's not.

Amsterdam.

Woah, what can one say? If you find yourself in the fortunate position of being able to venture to this city packed with everything the senses could desire, then TAKE THIS BOOK WITH YOU!
This book has everything that a HIP visitor needs to know. If you're some starchy, close-minded schmuck who is only going to Amsterdam for the museums, tulips and the quaint cafes along the canal, then you won't like this book's attitude. Pauker takes a no-nonsense approach to guiding you through the city. No kid-gloves here.

If you think you're an uptight person, then maybe you should get this book to help you loosen up...when you get to Amsterdam, skip the tulips and go to the Blue Bird Cafe. You'll see life in a completely renewed light.

Good luck and happy travelling.

I am writing this Review from Amsterdam at 12:30am on a Wednesday night...#-)

I would like to say that this is really a great book, w/essential info for anyone who wants to have fun while in Amsterdam.

Although I orginally got it for info on the smoking scene, I've ended up using a variety of sections extensively. The biggest example of this is the hotel section - I had figured I would rely on my travel agent to get us a good room, but when we got here, we realized we were staying a 20-minute cab ride away from the action, so whipped out Get Lost!, and in about a half hour had booked a room at one of the hotels he recommends - IT WAS GREAT!

Where else can you walk through the door of your hotel, and be welcomed "to our home" by the sweet old landlady, and get invited into her room and given coffee, an explanation of "where everything is, and of course a joint, before she ever makes mention of the bill...

His advice about restaurants, and the best smoke shops is also dead on - survey says, BUY IT!

I bought this book and several others before my first trip to Amsterdam and the Netherlands. I just returned and have to say that this book was amazing, much more so than any of the others. It pointed me to places off the beaten path, to touristy things (but minus the old folks looming around), and gave great recommendations. I experienced *all* of Amsterdam and then consulted the book to see what was said about these things. My thoughts were perfectly conveyed in this book. I highly suggest this book!! I especially liked the writes forthright opinions and humor. A great guide book with great humor. Five Stars!!! This book is going back with me for my return trip in a couple weeks.

This book is great.! I highly recomend it to anyone who is visiting Amsterdam for the first time. It is very imformative, and explains transportation, money exchange, do's and dont's for travelers and had a complete list and locations of the coolest sites and places to go in Amsterdam. It has info on attractions but focuses more on the "High society" if you catch my drift ! This book is a must buy, i found my hotel and other things to do in this book.

I am on holiday in Amsterdam as I write. GET LOST has been a valuable resource for information. I saved some money at Albert Heins' Grocery by following the advice to purchase a Bonus Card. The woman at the counter was surprised that a tourist knew about it, and I have had one person unable to accept that I do not live here when I showed the card to her. Out of the way places are a speciality of this handbook. I was led to the shop Homegrown Fantasy's. It was not easy to find, and I know I would not have done so on my own. The bartender is named "Red", and she was very helpful to me as she explained the menu. It has scant mention of hotels, restaurants, museums and other tourist-heavy centres. It does provide a useful adjunct to a more traditional guidebook, though. If you are interested in a Dutch person's view of what to do in Amsterdam, this book will interest you.

We're in Amsterdam right now at an internet cafe recommended in this guide and we love this book! Every place that the author has recommended has been right on. The book is well-written (and funny as hell), the information is accurate, and it's easy to use. We give it five stars. And now, back to our vacation.