Customer Reviews

Footprint Libya Handbook

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Libya is a wonderful country yet to be discoveted, which only opened up to foreign tourism in year 2000 amidst a deep economic crisis caused by internal factors as well as a foreign embargo. Finally, Libya is accessible for foreign travelers - and, not less importantly, reasonably safe. Yet, given the relative lack of infrastructure, and as the volume of tourism is still low, travelers are unlikely to really experience Libya unless they are in a group, which may not always be pleasant. In order to truly get to know this wonderful nation, the independent traveler needs some help. And indeed, in this wonderful guidebook is contained plenty of useful, if not invaluable, advice, on what to see in Libya, how to move around, and how to have a great time altogether. The author has clearly put an incredible amount of time and great effort into researching all and any information that can be useful to the traveler, and has done a great job overall. To my knowledge, this is the best travel guide to Libya, and I would strongly recommend to pack it in your luggage before setting off. Yet, one aspect on which this guidebook is rather weak (compared for example to Lonely Planet guides), is on Libyan people and society. This means that the guidebook is a little better suited for those wishing to visit historical sites etc, rather than those wishing to get into Lybian politics, society, culture, and Lybian life in general. Yet, it is still a useful tool in that respect too.

It is basically black & white plus in color three pages with 4 photos on each, one "big" country map on 2 pages, and one small on one page. There are over 50 small schematics. A half of them are quite general maps, and among the rest are quite detailed plans and site plans of antiquities. There are a few meaningless drawings with painted halftones of mainly buildings.
The book is clearly organized, well written and done typographically. The content seems to match that of the best including the depth and extend of information. A lack of similar guides from Baedeker, DK Eyewitness or Knopf Guides makes it quite attractive.

The guide is almost entirely black & white except color three pages with 4 photos on each, one "big" country map on 2 pages, one small on one page, and 1 page with a desert sand photo. It includes over 50 schematics ranging from long maps occupying bottom halfs of two pages to tiny ones sized 1.5 x 1.5 inch. 33 of them are rudimentary maps, site plans, and antiquity plans. The rest are very rudimentary drawings with painted halftones of mainly buildings. In other words, its artwork is poor.
The guide is written well and has excellent layout and typography determining its superior clarly and ease of browsing. The information is deap, extensive, practical, and useful including historical background. It is well published and bound. The softcover is sturdy and resilient. There are no similar guides from the industry leaders: Baedeker, DK Eyewitness or Knopf Guides.