The Yellowstone Handbook: An Insider's Guide to the Park: A Related by Ranger Norm [Paperback]

Susan Frank (Author), Phil Frank (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

If you plan a trip to see firsthand the glories of Yellowstone National Park, Pomegranate's Yellowstone Handbook may be an essential addition to your suitcase, backpack, or car's glove compartment. The second in Susan and Phil Frank's ultimately usable "insider's guides" to America's parks, the book is organized in a question-and-answer format that answers such commonly-posed queries as: ""Help! We only have one day to visit--what should we see and do?", "We really want to see wildlife--any suggestions?", "Can you recommend a nice, easy day hike" (or, for the more adventurous: What are some great butt-kicking hikes?). Livened by the entertaining work of cartoonist Phil Frank, a "quick reference" section at the book's conclusion gives park rules, historical background, a list of licensed tour operators, campers' checklists, an area telephone directory, and more.

Paperbound book, 240 pages, original cartoon on almost every page, size: 5 5/8 x 8 5/8".

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Pomegranate (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764909347
• ISBN-13: 978-0764909344
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,727,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific and NECESSARY guide for super fun in the park!!, June 24, 1999

By 

Karin Long ([e-mail]) (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yellowstone Handbook: An Insider's Guide to the Park: A Related by Ranger Norm (Paperback)

Just returned from a week in the park and our vacation was "MADE" through the use of this book!! We saved time, money, and frustration along with obtaining background, history, and insight in order to make it memorable for our child. (The format is similiar to the "Unofficial" Disney guide). I would have been lost without it!! The information is concise, up to date, and FUN to read (very easy format)! The list of phone numbers for the park was invaluable. I only wish I had the book prior to arrival and my planning would have been much easier. Highly, highly recommend this book!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There are better choices, July 31, 2003

By 

"dms421" (Macungie, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yellowstone Handbook: An Insider's Guide to the Park: A Related by Ranger Norm (Paperback)

We just returned from a three-week cross-country trip, with a four day stop in Yellowstone. This book was o.k. to read before the trip to familiarize yourself with the park, but was useless as a reference guide once we were there. We basically gave up on it and used our Frommers Guide to the Western National Parks. The index is incomplete, the maps are cartoonish and difficult to read, and some of the explanations in the question-answer format with"ranger Norm" made me feel as if they were questioning my intelligence. My husband and I both couldn't believe they showcase this book prominently in the Yellowstone visitor's Centers!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Limited guidance and not very readable, April 11, 2004

By 

M. Moran (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Yellowstone Handbook: An Insider's Guide to the Park: A Related by Ranger Norm (Paperback)

I was very disappointed in this book, especially since all the reviews were highly favorable when I ordered it. The only redeeming value of this book was that adding it to my order had put me over the order total required to qualify for a $5 discount. I would have sent it back but the refund would not have been worth the bother.

The book is primarily in question and answer format. Most of the answers range in length between one paragraph and a couple of pages. This isn't too bad when using the book for reference but it does not make for great readability.

My biggest complaint is that the book claims to be "an insider's guide" but it provides limited guidance. For example, there are ten pages of outfitters listed. But for the most part the only guidance to them is the category the outfitter is listed under. There is no information on what the differences among the outfitters are as far as what they offer or the quality of their services. A couple of outfitters are mentioned in a general description of guide services, but again there are no reasons given for why you would want to select one of them.

Another example of this lack of guidance is the description of the lodging available in the park. The descriptions are very limited and would not be enough to make an informed decision on where to stay.

I later purchased "Yellowstone - Grand Teton Handbook" by Don Pitcher (Moon Handbooks). I found this book to be much more helpful. Instead of giving a long list of outfitters, Pitcher provides descriptions and opinions about some of the outfitters. He also provides a much better description of what the different lodging options are like. These two examples are representative of the general difference between these books. As an added bonus, "Yellowstone - Grand Teton Handbook" also provides much more information about the Grand Tetons and other areas around Yellowstone.