Syria & Lebanon, 2nd [Paperback]

Michael Haag (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cadogan Guide Syria & Lebanon | Publication Date: January 1, 2000

This guide provides the most comprehensive coverage of Bronze Age sites, Roman ruins, crusader castles, and the jewels of Islamic architecture in Syria.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Syria is the Middle East's best-kept secret, a country of antiquity offering Bronze Age sites, Roman ruins, Crusader castles and jewels of Islamic architecture. This second edition, written and updated by Michael Haag, award-winning author of Cadogan's guide to Egypt and an authority on the Middle East, also covers the historical marvels and the re-emergence of modern Lebanon. This guide contains intelligent, entertaining insights into history, art, architecture and culture, discerning information on where to stay and eat, and what to see as well as practical advice on getting around, bargaining in souks and excursions. (5 3/4 x 8, 384 pages, maps, illustrations)

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Cadogan Guides; 2nd edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860119255
• ISBN-13: 978-1860119255
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,260,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Syria
  • #89 in Books > Travel > Middle East > Lebanon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book brought my journey to life, January 6, 2000

By 

sally hardcastle (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Syria & Lebanon, 2nd (Paperback)

I had never been to Syria or Lebanon before, but when I flicked through Michael Haag's guide at the bookshop my appetite was immediately whetted. The question was whether these countries were really as good as they were made out to be -- and whether the book really worked 'on the ground'. I was not disappointed. Syria especially was marvellous, so full of staggering things to see, beautiful landscapes, charming people. And Michael Haag in his descriptions, his facts, his marvellous writing style, the wide-ranging authority of his knowledge, brought everything to life for me and made this a journey of a lifetime. By the way I used the second edition, published in December 1999.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informed, eye-opening, witty, beautifully written, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Syria & Lebanon, 2nd (Paperback)

This is an excellent guide in every practical sense, but it is also something very much more, for it entirely draws you into Syria and Lebanon, it paints them before your eyes and immerses you in their atmosphere, so that like reading a good novel you feel you are actually there. I cannot praise too highly the artistry with which Mr Haag has composed this book, and I thank him for having provided me -- in the person of his guide -- with his knowledgable and most enjoyable company throughout my visit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great detail about Syria, but less about Lebanon, April 6, 2001

By 

scducharme (Concord, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Syria & Lebanon, 2nd (Paperback)

I like this guide for its detail about Syria, but the information about Lebanon is sketchy in comparison. If you plan to visit both countries I recommend getting a separate Lebanon guide in addition to this one. I also agree with another reviewer who said that this guide is less practical than others, such as the Lonely Planet or Rough Guides. Still, it's very well-written and pleasurable to read while you are viewing the sites.