cover image 1000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die

1000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die

Patricia Schultz. Workman Publishing, $19.95 (1183pp) ISBN 978-0-7611-3691-0

Of the plethora of adjectives suitable for the tone of this witty reference book, the most relevant is proud; from the outset, Schultz declares her own personal connection to the places visited, titling the introduction, ""Rediscovering My Own Backyard."" Divided by region-starting off in New England, the Mid-Atlantic states, the Southeast and the rest of the U.S., then continues into eastern and western Canada-Schultz's follow-up to the bestselling 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (a global survey) presents grandiose portraits of the two countries' most popular and patriotic spots. Schultz includes plenty of directions for travel, food and lodging, including costs, though this is no budget guide (see the $75 dinner under the Brooklyn Bridge). Still, what Schultz lacks in cost-efficiency she makes up for in scope; quite literally, there's something here for everyone: baseball fields, national parks and campgrounds, major malls, expansive historical estates and more. A fine gift, it should also spark spirited party conversation-who's been where, what to visit next, and which personal favorites didn't make the cut.