Moon Handbooks: Dominican Republic (1st Ed.) [Paperback]

Gaylord Dold (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dominican Republic Handbook, 1st ed | Publication Date: December 1997

Because of its pristine beaches, lovely moun tains, excellent weather and warm people, the Dominican Repu blic is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the whole Caribbean. Dold presents a comprehensive guide to the area. '

Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Pub (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566910900
• ISBN-13: 978-1566910903
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,062,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a superb guidebook., November 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Moon Handbooks: Dominican Republic (1st Ed.) (Paperback)

I feel compelled to comment on this book, especially in light of the highly critical, and, I believe, unfair remarks by an earlier reviewer. Let me preface this review by saying that I do not know the author, nor do I have any connection with Moon Travel Handbooks. I too, spent months on a motorcycle travelling throughout the Dominican Republic, first during a year and a half as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and later as a writer-photographer (which resulted in my own photo-essay book about the DR). Still later I lived and worked in the country for another two and a half years, during which time I again travelled by car extensively thorughout the country. While a Peace Corps Volunteer, I even climbed Pico Duarte with a group of friends. Yes, the book does have some errors. Pico Duarte has probably rarely, if ever, been "snow-capped" (but it often has frost). And given the rampant inflation that has beset the country over the past 30 years, it would hardly be surprising if the prices the author quotes are sometimes wide of the mark. (To my knowledge, he never claims to have stayed in all the hotels and pensiones he mentions; and it would be surprising if the managers remembered everyone who stopped by to take a look at their establishments.) And former President Joaquin Balaguer was born in Navarrete, on the linea noroeste, not Samana. I also think the book is a little dogmatic in taking the anti-Balaguerista line; but this is a matter of personal opinion. What I think is beyond personal opinion is the fact that this book contains a huge amount of factual information about the Domincan Republic which is astonishing in its detail and insight. Over the past few months I have often had it on my bedside table, and will frequently simply open it at random and read about the country where I lived for nearly five years. Each time I read a segment, I am reminded of things about the country I saw and experienced while I lived there, often without knowing or understanding historical, geological, or sociological aspects which Mr. Dold's book presents on every page. In this reader's opinion, this book is a tour de force--a guidebook far beyond "where to eat, where to stay, and where are the best beaches." Indeed, I think this book is such a remarkable and thorough depiction of the Dominican Republic that I have recommended that it be provided to all incoming Peace Corps Volunteers. It would be an invaluable addition to any traveller's luggage.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing with many inaccuracies, April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Moon Handbooks: Dominican Republic (1st Ed.) (Paperback)

I'm sorry to say that after a month-long travel through the Dominican Republic, I have to agree with the previous negative reviewer, in that the book is full of inaccuracies and it seems obvious that the author didn't travel to many of the places he writes about. Also, the book seems to derive an awful lot of its material from another book on the Dominican Republic called Adventure Guide. Also, the author seemed overly scared of remote areas, especially around Haiti. It's more a book for older folk who are into golf courses and cigars, not for someone who wants to experience the country and really wander around and meet people. I usually do like the Moon series, though. Don't let this book dissuade you from the usually very competent Moon books.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gracias, Gaylord Dold!, October 17, 2001

By 

Chloe (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Handbooks: Dominican Republic 2 Ed (Paperback)

Thank you for a great guidebook. I have traveled to the Dominican Republic a few times and am now planning another trip for next year, so I just bought the new version of this book. When I was in the Dominican before, this was the best guide I used--it's more than just basic information plugged into a guidebook format. It's kind of like reading a novel. I really liked his essay on "The Essence of the Dominican Republic" before the introduction--it gives you a real sense of what you will experience when you get there. Gaylord Dold obviously knows a great deal about the Dominican--he spends a lot of time on things like history and people, which is good if you have never been there and are interested in getting familiar with the culture instead of just traveling around. And he's really thorough with the practical stuff too and there are tons of choices of places to eat and sleep. I always use this book when deciding where to stay on my trips and have found the hotel info to be dependable. That said, I've used other books from the Moon series (Costa Rica, Ecuador) and I really like them. They're all really big on background info but also they give you a good variety of choices--not just backpacker stuff or places that are too expensive.