Customer Reviews

Moon Charleston and Savannah (Moon Handbooks)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent guide to Savannah, where I visited for 3 days. (I can't judge the Charleston part, since I was there for less than a day, but I assume it was equally good.) This guide has good information on the sights, restaurants, etc. plus it gives a good feeling for the culture and atmosphere of Savannah. It is easy to use. It provided information that I wouldn't have known otherwise -- about the free bus that goes around the historic district.

I loved Savannah and this guidebook helped me to enjoy it.

Travel is about 2 things...seeing the sights and having memorable experiences. The first is easy, the second is THE REASON to buy this book. Jim Morekis' local knowledge makes this book a huge assett to finding yourself in those wonderful situations that you can't wait to tell to friends once you're back home. All travel books should be like this!

I've lived in Savannah for ten years, and I have learned so much from this book. The entries are witty, informative, and fun to read. The history sections make the past come alive. The author is the editor of the local alternative entertainment magazine, Connect Savannah, so you really get a insiders look at Savannah, but his Charleston section really comes alive as well.

This is a good guide to this part of the country. The author writes well and makes the entire book a joy to read. It's no ordinary directory of places to sleep and eat. There are plenty of cultural and historical contexts to make for enjoyable and informative reading.

I do have a few gripes, however, and I'm as familiar with this area as the back of my hand, so I may be biased. First, some fact checking. On page 19, the caption under the shot of Drayton Hall says, "Drayton Hall is the nation's oldest surviving plantation home." Two problems here. First, the statement is just plain wrong. There are many, many plantations (in South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina) that are older than Drayton Hall. How about Mulberry (SC), or Bacon's Castle (VA)? Second, when referring to a structure that is unoccupied (like Drayton Hall, or any other domestic structure largely turned museum), it's called a "house," not a "home." Yes, yes, nit-picking, I know, but annoying for architecture snobs out there who will cringe every time they scan across this minor (though numerous) lexical detail.

The author just gets overconsumed with the "oldest" superlative, and applies it in error. Another example concerns Randolph Hall at the College of Charleston, which the author describes as the "the oldest functioning college classroom building in the country..." This statement is simply false. The Wren Building at the College of William and Mary is over 100 years OLDER than Randolph Hall.

The coverage is most complete in Savannah, and the author is really in his element here. It's the best chapter in the book. The section on Charleston is a bit thin, but Charleston is so rich with sights and sounds that it's difficult to distill that material into something small enough for a guide like this. As it is, I like the author's choices of sites.

As far as listings, this book is right up to date. You won't be led astray by erroneous references or "out of business" signs. He's included the most well-known and reputable establishments, so they'll be alive and well when you arrive.

Overall, I'd say this is about as good a guide as you can expect for this region, squeezed into about 400 pages.

Fabulous! Lots to read about and suggestions for things to do. Just what I need!

Great tour book. Very descriptive of local areas, food, artsy areas, celebrations and the folks of the low country. Gives helpful tidbits on gay/lesbian friendly areas, time of year to avoid, restaurants that are known for being all name and no service, etc. Sizewise it is a little big to carry around in your purse or pocket, but well worth having when planning a trip. Websites provided for attractions. It also includes areas off the beaten path of the two cities that are known for wildlife viewing and a truely traditional slow southern lifestyle.

My husband and I were planning a trip to Savannah and Charleston so this was a no brainer. I liked reading the background information and history in the book. We also had a more traditional guide book which we didn't use as much as this one. With this book and access to Yelp for restaurants, that was all we needed for a great time.

This book had excellent detail for history and things to do in Savannah and Charleston. The first 20 pages give you a list of the top things to do in each location-- and outline a few day trips for you. The first 20 pages are the only ones in color; after that just black and white. The book also has some good detail about other Low Country places/interests--Bluffton, but not a lot for Hilton Head. The best information you'll find on Hilton Head is just going to be online on Trip Advisor or from the local city commerce/travel websites.

There is no doubt about it- we would have missed so much in Savannah if I had not taken the time to buy this book and highlight the key points in this book. Our trip was so memorable because of the great info we obtained in this guide book. There is so much very valuable info here that it is well worth every minute you spend reading and preparing for your trip. It will be far more special because of something youlearn from this book. Maybe info about a quite little beach,place to eat or a beautiful cemetary. Do your self a favor and buy the Moon Handbooks before you travel and get ready to enjoy your trip.

i have charleston travel books and savannah books and then there is this moon one. it is BOTH in one plus other islands including hilton head and beaufort. this is the only book you really need. since i read travel books like other people read novels, i have several for this area and this one is my favorite. also good are 1.moon's charleston and the low country and 2.moon's savannah and the low country and 3. great destination: the charleston, savannah, and coastal island book by cecily mc millan.(this is my 2nd favorite) these 2 cities have VERY good visitors guide books you can order for free on the net at their visitors' sites, too.