Lonely Planet Alaska (5th ed) [Paperback]

Jim Dufresne (Author)

Book Description

Series: 5th ed | Publication Date: May 1997

This book provides a guide to the mountains, lakes and glaciers of the "final frontier". Despite Alaska's reputation for high prices it is still possible to see as much as you want on a reasonable budget, and this guide aims to show the traveller how to do this. Now in its fifth edition, the book includes climate charts, information on outdoor activities, and a highlights section to help travellers decide where to go to suit their interests.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lonely Planet is at its guidebook best when it's covering isolated regions where those little details of shelter, food, and transportation are of more than passing concern. Just the section on Denali National Park alone makes Jim DuFresne's guide worthwhile, illuminating the complex new rules governing access to that sensational wildlife reserve, plus giving information on dogsled demonstrations, hiking, rafting, backpacking, and so on. The sections on climate, geography, and ecology are very well done, as are the chapters on the Alaskan people and society. The transportation chapters are vital and comprehensive, and the rest of the guide follows suit, covering all of Alaska (no little task) with reliable acumen, information, and savvy. --Stephanie Gold

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 5th edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864424140
• ISBN-13: 978-0864424143
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,861,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great among greats, July 11, 2000

By 

mehndiartist "mehndiartist" (Wilmington, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Alaska (5th ed) (Paperback)

Simply worded - an excellent book. If you have never read a lonely planet book, now is the time to start; using the fifth Alaska edition on our tour up north last year was the best decision my family ever made. Because of Jim Dufresne, we saw whales at Beluga Point outside of Anchorage, in addition to finding great deals on touring. If you are cruising up to Alaska (we did the same), definitely pick up a copy of this book, and use it well. It will offer you all sorts of money-saving tips and ways to escape the trap of being a cruise-ship tourist as opposed to being able to identify more with the bearded, rugged mountaineers who frequent most of the state :-)

Lonely planet guides as such have tons of valuable information -- city tours, scenic driving instructions, and restaurant recommendations. Have faith in whoever has written your guide; he or she will serve you well.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstandingly helpful..., January 10, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Alaska (5th ed) (Paperback)

Lonely Planet guides are the best, and this is no exception. If you are planning a trip to Alaska that has nothing to do with the typical watered down, spoonfed stuff that the tour guides serve up to the geriatric set as "the Real Alaska", then you must get this book. I have used it for two trips up north; I was working in salmon canning plants and on fishing boats to pay my way around, and with this book, I had the most wonderful adventures I've ever had. Bottom Line: If you are going, get this book.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son got a free drink, June 24, 2000

By 

D. P. Birkett (Suffern, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lonely Planet Alaska (5th ed) (Paperback)

He and his wife went to Alaska in May. They said this and the other Lonely Planet book (Backpacking in Alaska) were the most useful of several Alaska books and were the ones they took with them. They were hiking and kayaking - it might be different on cruise. When they went into a bar mentioned on page 139 they showed the owner the book. She didn't know her bar was in it and was very pleased and gave them their drinks for free. I can't guarantee that will work every time. Five bars are mentioned so you might have to shop around.