Books : Search

Average Rating:

.Japan (Country Guide)

by: Chris Rowthorn

October 01, 2007
I've used Lonely Planet Guides for my many trips abroad but the Japan Travel Guide is by far the most confusing and contains very few maps, directions, and information. I spent the majority of my time asking locals how to get to a location because the Lonely Planet guide did not provide a map or even directions for that matter. In Japan you need a map and a good one at that. You will spend the majority of your time walking the city and taking trains and you need to have a grasp of the area. This book did not provide any of that and it made me question Lonely Planet's quality and substance.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Japan (Country Guide)

Used Price: $19.13

Average Rating:

.Philippines (Country Guide)

by: Chris Rowthorn, Greg Bloom, Michael Grosberg, Ryan Ver Berkmoes

June 01, 2006
I read this book cover to cover anticipating my trip so far it has given me a good geographical and planning ideas I can not say how it would turn out once Iam there.It appears though the authors are mostly europeans and canadians intent on giving their point of view rather than an american point of view.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Philippines (Country Guide)

Used Price: $13.79

Average Rating:

.Lonely Planet Borneo (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Regional Guide)

by: Chris Rowthorn, Muhammad Cohen

June 15, 2008
Borneo is the third biggest island in the world. Diverse in flora and fauna, inhabited by indigenous peoples who have inhabited the island for over 40,000 years as well as by more recent migrants there is something in Borneo for everyone.

This compact book contains information about the history of Borneo, its geography and its cultural traditions. But wait: Borneo is not a homogeneous whole. It consists of the Indonesian State of Kalimantan, the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak and the tiny oil-rich sultanate of Brunei. Borneo is resource-rich but is losing its rich primary tropical rainforest as logging operations expand. This has its own set of environmental impacts.

So, you'd like to travel to Borneo and perhaps to climb ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Lonely Planet Borneo (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Regional Guide)

Used Price: $15.27

Average Rating:

.Hiking in Japan (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)

by: Mason Florence, Craig McLachlan, Chris Rowthorn, Richard Ryall, Anthony Weersin

February 01, 2001
I have to comment on this book because it's not reliable anymore.

I enjoyed the array of hikes that the editors chose, but it looks like they just translated some out of date Japanese books. Some of the trails in this book have been long closed and you will find yourself confused at night in the mountains if you attempt them. For example, the suggested descent from Aka-dake hasn't been maintained since an earthquake at least five years ago.

On the other hand, the book covers a fantastic variety of paths and makes it easy to find what you want. If you want to try a hike in this book, make certain you get current info on the state of the path as well as lodging along the way. This means call yourself, and ask specific questions.
... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Hiking in Japan (Lonely Planet Walking Guides)

Used Price: $26.83

Average Rating:

.Kyoto (City Guide)

by: Chris Rowthorn

July 01, 2008
I was frustrated using this book (the 2008 edition). The descriptions didn't always convey what I thought they should have (is an okonomiyaki restaurant "plebeian" when it is covered with prayer cards with pervy drawings on the walls, and a geisha mannequin at each table?), the maps were confusing (I swear one temple is put in two different places on two maps), and the walking tours were a little frustrating. One starts off at a chain hotel, which is "near" a pedestrian underpass. I walked out of the subway station, immediately saw the pedestrian underpass but figured that couldn't be the one in question, so I walked up the hill to the product placement hotel instead. Of course, I should have just used the one across from the underpass.

That said, I couldn't ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Kyoto (City Guide)

Used Price: $11.47

Average Rating:

.Lonely Planet South-East Asia on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet South-East Asia, 11th ed)

by: Chris Rowthorn, Sara Benson, Joe Bindloss, Joe Cummings, Mason Florence, Russell Kerr, James Lyon, Steven Martin, Christine Niven, Nick Ray, Peter Turner

2001-10
I was frustrated using this book (the 2008 edition). The descriptions didn't always convey what I thought they should have (is an okonomiyaki restaurant "plebeian" when it is covered with prayer cards with pervy drawings on the walls, and a geisha mannequin at each table?), the maps were confusing (I swear one temple is put in two different places on two maps), and the walking tours were a little frustrating. One starts off at a chain hotel, which is "near" a pedestrian underpass. I walked out of the subway station, immediately saw the pedestrian underpass but figured that couldn't be the one in question, so I walked up the hill to the product placement hotel instead. Of course, I should have just used the one across from the underpass.

That said, I couldn't ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Lonely Planet South-East Asia on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet South-East Asia, 11th ed)

Used Price: $7.96

Average Rating:

.Lonely Planet Read This First: Asia & India (Read This First Series)

by: Pete Cruttenden, Chris Rowthorn

1999-10
In the past 2 years I have been on the road for over 1 year. Most recently returning from a 7 month trip which included Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, India, Nepal, UAE, and Qatar among others.

I used this guide as a general planning tool. Such as correlating the maps with the weather charts provided. As well as utilizing the helpful regional travel tips and anecdotes provided. One of them I read while in India gave me a good laugh and perspective when I needed it most! Every region has its own idiosyncracies - once mastered or "internalized," travel only gets easier - it is nice to have alot of them described in one place.

While certainly not a detailed guide (No specific lodging, food, or city maps) it provided me just the right level of information ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Lonely Planet Read This First: Asia & India (Read This First Series)

Used Price: $1.98

Average Rating:

.Lonely Planet East Coast Australia

by: Verity Campbell, Peter Cruttenden, Kate Daly, Chris Rowthorn

2002-10
My husband and I took a 18 day trip from Sydney to Cairnes, and used this book for almost all of our motels/B&B's, etc. We were looking to budget less than $100/night for rooms, and all the recommendations in this book were spot-on. The maps of towns are okay, but you'll want a full-size map to get around with and figure distances, too.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Lonely Planet East Coast Australia

Used Price: $2.73

Average Rating:

.Lonely Planet Japan

by: Chris Rowthorn, Andrew Bender, John Ashburne, Sara Benson, David Atkinson, Craig McLachlan

2003-10
I have lots of guidebooks - and lots of Lonely Planets, for that matter. But despite the fact that they say they are for "independent travellers", I keep finding ridiculous reviews on restaurants and hotels, to the point where I've stopped using them.

The History, Snapshot, and similar sections are great, but if you have a brain of your own - use it. Forget their restaurant and hotel recommendations, as I'm not even sure they visit the places. Sometimes they have history or comments on places that is worthwhile to read, though. All tourbooks may have these drawbacks, to be fair.

Finally, I think I'm going to stop buying Lonely Planet's, though. First, they always act like driving is so scary everywhere, when it's actually quite easy to anyone with a brain. They also ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Lonely Planet Japan

Used Price: $1.72

Average Rating:

.Lonely Planet Victoria

from: Lonely Planet Publications

2002-09
I have lots of guidebooks - and lots of Lonely Planets, for that matter. But despite the fact that they say they are for "independent travellers", I keep finding ridiculous reviews on restaurants and hotels, to the point where I've stopped using them.

The History, Snapshot, and similar sections are great, but if you have a brain of your own - use it. Forget their restaurant and hotel recommendations, as I'm not even sure they visit the places. Sometimes they have history or comments on places that is worthwhile to read, though. All tourbooks may have these drawbacks, to be fair.

Finally, I think I'm going to stop buying Lonely Planet's, though. First, they always act like driving is so scary everywhere, when it's actually quite easy to anyone with a brain. They also ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Lonely Planet Victoria

Used Price: $3.03