Customer Reviews

Edge of Time: Traveling in Armenia and Karabagh

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I used this book when I went to Armenia in August. It's a very good book to read before you go because there is a lot of background information in addition to all the usual hotel and restaurant listings and etc. The pictures were really good so I saved the book after my trip. I would say the best part was on Karabagh. This is the only book I have ever found that has any good travel information on Karabagh. I carried it around everywhere and I would definitely recommend it to buy.

I already own the First Edition of this book which was published in 2001, but I bought the Second Edition which just came out so that I can have the latest version for my next trip. The biggest changes I noticed are that the Second Edition added a phrases section and a full index. There are also more pages in the new version, with some extra details on the tourist spots. I can see that the listings are updated, too, with information about new hotels and even a new airline. My biggest criticism of the new edition is that most of the photographs are the same as from the first edition. Also, a fold-out map would have been nice. Otherwise, I would say that the Second Edition for 2002 did a good job of building on the First and I am glad I bought it.

This is a delightful little book. I just couldn't put it down when I first got it! My husband and I had been quite anxious about making our first trip to Armenia and Karabagh this year, and the advice in the book really eased our minds by letting us know what to expect when we got there. Just KNOWING what to expect was such a help especially for someplace so far-off like Armenia. The advice about getting around and just getting by on a daily basis was very practical. And it's an easy read. As pertains history and facts about ancient churches and so-forth, it only skimmed the surface but we didn't really expect a scholarly treatise about religious history and architecture, so we weren't disappointed. Still, a bit more "trivia" would have been welcome. We were thrilled to see so such thorough coverage of Karabagh, but would have liked to have seen more information about Echmiadzin (the "Vatican of Armenia"!) and Gyumri. I suggest reading parts of the history book "Looking Toward Ararat," (by Suny) and another one called "Rediscovering Armenia" (authored by Kiesling), which was sort of an encyclopedia of historical monuments and quite detailed (although a bit of a mish-mash and difficult to read). We also had the Lonely Planet book which we thought was just dreadful.

I've been to Armenia 3 times in the past 4 years and have read every single guide that I could find. I agree with several of the reviewers that it is still the best travel guide on the market and the photos are superb. I only gave it 4 stars though because i think it could be "beefed up" in certain areas. I hope the publisher comes out with a 3rd edition some day to update Armenia's constant changes and perhaps provide a little more detail on specific regions and historic sites. however, i don't think it should become an atlas or a compendium- it is afterall a "travel guide."

Exceptional- this travel guide produced by a small, independent publisher blows away the big guys. It includes the most up to date information of all the guides I reviewed for this region and the photographs are gorgeous!
It also has the best coverage anywhere on Karabagh which includes history, maps, and detailed info. on places to stay and things to do. Bravo!

I'm afraid its a sad reflection on the dearth of good literature about contemporary Armenia that this book is probably the best English-language guidebook for the country (the Lonely Planet guide being only useful for, say, propping up a wobbly leg on a coffee table). I'm surprised the other reviewers think it's so great - unless of course (a) they're related to the authors - and I suspect many of them probably hail from a certain part of California !) or (b) they don't expect much from their books. Sure, it's got great pictures (but for this readers should buy the authors' excellent Out of Stone book). But the info on Armenia is dreadfully thin, with little or no background info on most of the wonderful historical monuments and churches that dot Armenia. Fascinating and beautiful monasteries, chapels etc get casual one-line mentions: nothing about the immense history these monuments have, and the great stories that surround more or less every ancient building in Armenia. There's hardly any maps, and infuriatingly there's no index to the book! Having just spent eight days driving around Armenia (albeit with an excellent local guide) I have to say that the volume is too insubtantial to qualify as a proper guidebook. Armenia is such an amazing, beautiful and historic place it deserves a detailed, well researched and professional guide in its own right (and not just an annex to the Brandt Georgia one). I hope someone soon will step up and produce this kind of book. I give it three stars just for the photos.

This is a very detailed travel guide and is filled with beautiful photographs. I think it is a must for anyone traveling to Armenia.

The first edition was very good- this one is even better. Two thumbs up!

Easily the best, most up-to-date book on Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. If you are headed that way, this book is a MUST!

I agree with the reader from India; I also purchased the book hoping to get additional information about hotels, the monasteries, detailed maps etc. The book (first edition) contained information I was already familiar with and could easily obtain on the internet. In fact I managed to read through it in about 1-2 hours. The book may be acceptable for those who have no idea or information on Armenia. However those who know a little about Armenia and want detailed information and advice, should purchase another book.