The Rough Guide to Syria [Paperback]

Joan Smith (Author), Tim Pepper (Author), Andrew Beattie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2001 | Series: Rough Guide Travel Guides

The Rough Guide to Syria is the essential guide to this compact but culturally rich Middle Eastern country. Features include: Thorough accounts of all the monuments, from the ancient remains at Palmyra and Ugarit to stately mosques and hilltop crusader castles. Practical advice on shopping in the souks of Damascus and Aleppo and exploring the desert plains. Informed guidance on how to travel independently, and where to eat and sleep, in every price range. Detailed background on the country's history, culture, architecture and politics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Beattie specialises in and teaches Middle Eastern geopolitics. Tim Pepper has co-written books on Hungary and the Czech and Slovak Republics as well as travelling the world extensively.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides; 2 edition (July 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1858287189
• ISBN-13: 978-1858287188
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,951,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Syria

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Criticism of this Book as Culturally Insensitive is Off-Base, April 1, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Syria: The Rough Guide (Rough Guides) (Paperback)

I feel compelled to correct the unsubstantiated & unreasonable claim in another review that the authors of this guide have in any way disparaged the Syrian people or their culture. This is a quite useful book in almost all respects (chock full of maps, even for many out-of-the-way destinations). Typical of this guide's attitude: "Remember that most Syrians are unfailingly honest and courteous, and you shouldn't let a cautious outlook spoil your trip, or be tempted to read anything sinister into the genuine offers of hospitality you receive." The Rough Guide to Syria has been put together with a lot of care, and while it may not be the ne plus ultra, it is reliable, informative, and particularly strong in giving significant coverage to places throughout Syria.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best book on Syria, June 4, 2008

By 

Mother Jones "Mom" (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rough Guide to Syria (Paperback)

This is the best book on Syria that I have (I've three others). It is so thorough that my tour guide wanted to purchase it from me at the end of our trip (a month long one). I'm sending him his own. There is "political" information in it that our guide was not aware of (e.g. the massacre at Hama). The writing style, often "tongue in cheek" made the text interesting to read. But, for me, its strength is its commentary on contemporary Syrian life, politics, culture. etc.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book with lots of information, April 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Syria: The Rough Guide (Rough Guides) (Paperback)

Excellent guide. It starts with a section about health, visa, currency, local transport, etc. The actual guide is a 'walkthrough', like: "When you exit the mosque, you will see on your left..." It contains maps of major cities, covering restaurants and hotels too (with price indication!) Detailled maps for places of interest. Background info on persons, political issues and history.