Customer Reviews

Footprint Laos Handbook (3rd Edition)

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

 

 

It is refreshing that a travel book plunges you into the details of getting you around and through country before providing the background information that may be on interest to the reader while en route. The authors have provided detailed maps of the major cities (four for Vientienne of different focus of detail), a suggested walking tour of Louang Prabang (along with illustrations of the types of house design to find there) and the names and addresses of many guest houses - especially important for Louang Prabang as the more modestly priced places tend to fill up quickly. The authors present a knowledgeable level of detail which makes the reader think that they have actually been to the places they describe. I have compared their maps of some of the smaller northern cities (such as Muang Sing) to those prepared by locals and there appears to be no major discrepancies. They are not totally comprehensive - they give no mention to the boat route to Louang Namtha from Huay Xai and short shrift to the boat route to Xieng Khok from Huay Xai - which is disappointing as Huay Xai is one of the major entry points to Laos. The map at the end is not particularly detailed and is missing some small but interesting towns. The strengths of this book far outweigh these minor flaws and I look forward to the next edition.

This book may or may not be the best guidebook of Laos. I did find it much less useful for navigating Laos than the Let's Go: Thailand book was for Thailand.

The biggest problem with the book is its organization within the major cities. Often, you'll read through the section on your city, then, later, remember something you wanted to do or see - only to be unable to find it, ultimately finding it tucked away in some other odd section of the book. It often has the feel of being written off-the-top of someone's head, without a lot of subsequent reorganization or editing.

Also, the provided historical information is often limited or outright false in a fairly significant way. For example, in reviewing the history of the Hmong in Laos, the book mentions that reports of the communists using chemical weapons against the pro-US Hmong (after the US pulled out of SE Asia at the end of the Vietnam War) has been proven to be false, that the "yellow rain" was actually from overpassing swarms of bees. While this explanation has been forwarded by the Laotian government, it is a laughable explanation that has been refuted by any sort of serious inquiry. The Hmong certainly were systematically repressed (and killed) at the end of the Vietnam War by the new communist government. This book makes it sound like this did not happen and that it was all a big misunderstanding. Granted, perhaps one should watch what they walk into Laos with. However, it would have been better to say nothing than to spread such misinformation.

Excellent guide that seems well researched and geared for the middle income tourist (very rare in guidebooks). Comprehesive and up to date prices and listings were evident throughout. Only shortcoming was a decidedly leftist bent in the book's extensive history and cultural sections that is overly sycophantic and apologetic to the the illegal Vietnamese invasion and its subsequent occupation/exploitation of the nation from the 1950s to 1980s. Also overt propaganda excusing the oppressive Prathet Lao attrocities is evident in its sprinkling throughout the book. As this is a trend in LP and Rough Guides as well, I suppose I cannot blame this young author too for falling into the "Khao san Road journalist" trap. But overall, outside of the naiive political bent, the book is very handy and almost as good as the Moon Handbooks used to be when they were written for the area.

Its the best book out there on Laos. The information seems to be correct and comprehensive. It is easy to follow and extremly helpful. I like that it always says good things about every hotel and restaurant. I doesnt critizise or generalize which is good!
You pretty much now where you want to go, how to get there and enjoying it with the help of this book!
I stayed in Laos for 2 months and this book made my stay there a whole lot easier! In the end of my stay I had very little money and the "catalogizied" sections of "cheap places to stay or eat" really helped me to work out my economy. There is also sections for medium or pricy places too.
This book has it all!
Buy this book, you will be happy you did!!!