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

Kathleen M. Brandes (Author)

Book Description

Series: Moon Handbooks | Publication Date: June 1998

The Maine Handbook is an essential resource for anyone planning to visit the state. It includes a range of illustrations, maps and fascinating background informatio n on the state''s history and culture. '

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Heading Down East to go blueberry picking, antiques shopping, or beachcombing? From the best lobster co-ops in the New Harbor and Boothbay areas to the Rachel Carson Salt Pond, from top snowboarding spots to gorgeous camping sites on Moosehead Lake, this book has the whole Pine Tree State covered. Author Kathleen M. Brandes knows the best places for just about everything, and she doesn't keep secrets. As a longtime Mainer and a contributing editor to Down East magazine for more than 20 years, she's a trustworthy tour guide and imparts historical facts throughout the 650-page book, helping to make a trip to Vacationland informative as well as darn fun. The book is full of photographs and dozens of clear area maps, as well as lists of festivals and special events. It's organized by county, so whether you're going snowmobiling in Presque Isle or bargain hunting in Freeport, you'll have all the information you need in one glorious book. Brandes also includes a "wicked useful" Yankee glossary and pronunciation guide so you can sound like a native! --Erica Jorgensen

Product Details

• Paperback: 652 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Pub (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566910943
• ISBN-13: 978-1566910941
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,711,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Requisite Resource For Tourists & Locals Alike!, May 30, 2002

By 

M. Alden "mainemike" (Maine, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

First of all, I have to mention that I live in Maine. And I can tell you from experience that the beauty of Kathleen Brandes' book lies in the sheer span of coverage, which is considerable, matched with a propensity for detail, which is astounding! Even the "Native" Mainers will find much to enjoy in this book. This is a rich, dense, and completely user-friendly volume, folks!
I'll give you an example. I'm a photographer based in the Bangor area. I bought this book for my personal library which aids me in seeking out photographic areas of interest. Last week I traveled to Lubec, Maine - and I used this handbook for lodging and dining info. I located the Eastland Motel in Lubec based on this handbook, and met the proprietor - Lee Aragon - who cheerfully provided suggestions for exploration in the Lubec-Eastport-Campobello region. I mentioned to Lee that I had read about her in The Maine Handbook...and that she was correctly described by Kathleen Brandes as a "Lubec booster". Lee was tickled pink by this, and by extension, I was able to get some nice local insights that I would never have known about otherwise.
Paging through this Maine Handbook, you get the feeling that Kathleen Brandes is a scholar of "All Things Maine", and she is enjoying every minute of it. And who can blame her? Maine truly is.....well.....the way life should be.
Buy the book, come to Maine....and if you already live here, buy the book anyway! It has become something of a "state bible" for me. Can't image traveling without it.
And there is something in this book for everyone. Kathleen has you covered, whether you are single, married with children, an armchair traveler or someone who simply wishes to know more about the Pine Tree State. Longtime locals and prospective tourists alike would do well to mine this gem of a book. I have two dog-eared copies....one for home, and one for my car - enough said.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritive Guide for Touring Maine, July 18, 2003

By 

"ducksquat" - See all my reviews

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

I've spent time at the book stores recently researching books for my upcoming trip to Maine. My wife and I plan to spend 4 nights and 5 days there and wanted plenty to see and do where we wouldn't necessarily meet thousands of other travelers since I'm not too much into the whole crowd experience. Brandes' book is so well researched that you can't go wrong with it!

While other typical books that are similar, such as Fodors and Frommers, have quite a bit of information in its own right, I think that this particular Moon Handbook is better equipped to give better detail of interest whether site seeing, dining, entertainment, lodging, etc.

I recently completed a Web site for a bed and breakfast located in Machiasport (down east) and had to do quite a bit of research on the area to enhance their site. My research was conducted primarily via the internet over the course of a few days. I'm glad to say that after I received my book and compared information, everything I could find on the Web in and around Machiasport was already included in sufficient detail in this book! I would have saved myself a few days of searching.

If you want to tour Maine or already live there but need to places to explore, the second edition Moon Handbook on Maine is the way to go.

When I vote with 4 stars, that means the product was excellent. When I vote with 5 stars, it goes beyond excellence in my view and is considered best in class. This book is "THE" authoritive book on touring Maine. Excellent purchase!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Go to Maine Without It!, March 18, 1999

By A Customer

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

"Maine Handbook" is the most comprehensive guide to the state of Maine I've come across. In addition to all the usual tourist information, this book includes wonderful little off-the-beaten-path finds, and even has information on where the nearest laundromats and drug stores are, and where you can get film developed! I used this book on a trip to Deer Isle/Stonington last summer, and was very glad to have it!