Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through a Country's Hidden Past - Giles Tremlett

Advantages: Great photos, a must for travel or photography fans
Disadvantages: Some poor maps

...I first saw this book in a book shop where I had flicked through it, but first got a proper look at it when a friend bought it as a gift for a mutual friend. Then I knew I had to have it. I described it to another friend as featuring “Every country in the world, and some others”. She was, understandably, rather confused by my statement about what these other countries actually were! Whilst the book is a travel book (rather than a reference book or atlas) and does indeed feature every (known) country in the world it has added soem other s under the guise of artistic license. For example, various Caribbean islands and groups which are actually dependencies of other countries are featured. Hong Kong and Macau have both been returned to China, but get their own entries, as does Taiwan. Neither the UK (nor Great Britain) gets... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: a good read before a trip
Disadvantages: to bulky to take on holiday

...I like this series of travel guides. Very easy to follow and it tells you what you want to know in a very concise manner. Presentation is excellent and it is divided in to handy sections. Very clear maps of main cities showing the sites which tourists like to visit. Also it goes into the history and cultures of each region of the country. Yes the book covers the greater part of the Iberian Peninsula.The book covers the main tourist attractions.The book is quite bulky to take with you but it is a very good book to read before you go when you just want to plan your trip.The books goes into places to eat where the locals go which are usually inexpensive but good. When I went to spain i read the before beforehand and made notes from various sections. The cost of the book is quite expensive so it is best to ask for it at the library... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Extensive, beautiful photography, interesting text
Disadvantages: Expensive, no scale on maps

...As a number of my reviews will likely testify, I'm something of a lover of travel books, from amusing anecdote-filled travelogues to fact-heavy guidebooks. However, no matter how many of these my rather modest account allows me to buy, there are always so many more ~ books chronicling all manner of destinations and journeys, written by countless authors. The range is so extensive, I'll never have the time or money to read them all. Here, then, enters The Travel Book, which is, as it states on its cover, 'A journey through every country in the world'. Outside of the atlas, this has to be one of the most exhaustive accounts of the many countries of the world around, although with such a range comes certain limitations. Though put together by Lonely Planet, this is not a collection of in-depth guides, rather a flying tour around... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful