Customer Reviews

The Underground Asheville Guidebook

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Underground Asheville Guide Book" goes beyond typical guides to travelogue-adventure. Presenting the town of Asheville, North Carolina, as more a lifestyle than a destination -- part southern fun, part counter-culture, part la vie boheme -- readers are drawn into a truly unique slice of Americana. Gail Forsyth-Kerr's stunning pics and the overall neo-deco design (props to Charles Rennie MacIntosh) make this book a feast for the eyes as well as the senses. Author Tom Kerr's prose snips, snaps, and does a double-river dance with anecdotes, southernisms, and general vivacity. A must for anyone interested in travelling to Asheville, the South, or just getting a unique slice of American pie.

The Underground Asheville Guide Book is the ultimate in guide books. Author Tom Kerr and photographer Gail Forsyth-Kerr have combined their extraordinary talents to create a book that is not only satisfying visually, but will have you laughing out loud as well. Filled with valuable info such as how to pack for the area: "be prepared for wind and precipation, especially at higher elevations. And expect sudden gusts of self expression...." this book tells you where Elvis stayed when he visited the Land of the Sky, where to get a great massage, how to find mystical Cherokee sights on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and how to evaluate the quality of mountain moon shine. There are sections on night life, the music scene, hiking, self-guided historical tours, lodging, shopping, etc., all adorned with sayings by "The Old Timer" which are like candy sprinkles on top three scoops of your favorite ice cream. Adding to the uniqueness of this book are sections on American Indian and African American histories. Whether you plan to join the ranks of Bob Dylan and visit Asheville, want to live in Asheville, used to live in Asheville, or just want to fantastize about one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this is the book for you. You owe this gift to your senses of adventure and humor.

As a travel agent, I have little time to explore the answers to all my clients' questions. This volume is crammed with detail to make my job much easier. There is something for everyone---kids, adults, dieters, romantics, you name it! This book will save agents hours of tedious research and make your customers very happy with your recommendations. A must-have reference.

This book is a must have for anyone living in Asheville,moving to or just visiting Asheville.I moved just outside of Asheville a couple of years ago and this book has been a great guide to find things to see and do around the Greater Asheville area,this book has alot of places to go and see that usally you only find out about by living here for years or word of mouth so this book is a great information guide for showing your out of town guest around the city and the near by mounatins.Tom's Great humor adds a friendly feeling to it and you feel like your talking to a friend and it keeps you reading right though until
the end!Also Gail's great photos are great to look at but I wish there were more of them and I would like to see a Part Two to this book and maybe some more of Gail Forsyth-Kerr's great photos of Asheville added to it.So order this book you will not be sorry until you get to the end and still want to hear more about this great mountain City!Thanks Tom + Gail!!
Ken Benjamin
APPLE CREEK FARM
SPRING CREEK,NC

This entertaining book includes not only the well-known attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Biltmore, but out-of-the-way, off the beaten path excursions into Native American culture, African American history, and such sites as an ancient mysterious petroglyph, a city park where everything that grows is edible and visitors are encouraged to pick and eat, and a natural hot springs spa rated high for romantic potential. This kind of inside info makes this book essential even for those of us who are well-read about the Asheville region. Great looking graphics and cool interviews with locals.

I picked it up to find the name of a hotel in the area and ended up reading it cover to cover because the book is so well written and beautiful. The most unique and original and informative guidebook I've ever seen. They should all be written and organized this way.

I usually buy guidebooks to use as a quick reference when planning a trip. But I sat down and read this book cover to cover and then ordered two to give away as presents. The style is upbeat, the information is vast, the insights are those of a world-traveled local insider, and the look and feel of the book is superb. I especially liked the hiking and nature walks sections, and the humorous tongue-in-cheek editorial style. Beautiful book that all my artist friends love to leaf through. The people who did the book obviously love and respect their hometown and the natural surroundings of the region's mountains.

This fun book was very helpful and worth holding on to after the jaunt to Asheville. I'd recommend it. A riot to read.

A native now living far away, I recommend this volume for its pure reading pleasure. The story-telling is wonderful. Even if you are not going to Asheville, get this book for a nostalgic trip to a hip new place and memory-filled old stomping ground. Southerners will delight in the stories from the contributors (there must have been a thousand of them!)and the incredible detail. Photos are a real plus.

This is a really cool book. For sure the coolest travel book I ever saw. I am using it right now and having a great experience of Asheville North Carolina and surrounding areas.