Customer Reviews

The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I had no idea the editors of the Lonely Planet guides would have such an extensive library of National Geographic-quality photographs. After all, like other travelers, I am used to the miniscule text and overabundant data of their inevitably tattered handbooks. But this oversized coffee table book is nothing you can carry with you too easily, nor would you want to as this is not a comprehensive reference source for global travel. It's merely a staggering feast for the eyes.

The stunning images in this wonderful book provide a potent reminder of what a diverse place the world is, as it covers each of the 230 countries existing today in visually enticing two-page entries. The text for each country is minimal but creative within the following standard sections:
--"Best Time to Visit" - Not only time of year but in some cases, when in history was the best time to be there.
--"Essential Experiences" - A bulleted list of the top five to eight things to do in that country.
--"Getting Under the Skin" - What to read, listen, watch, eat and drink in each country...what happened to "smell"?
--"In a Word" - The one word or expression in the country's native tongue that epitomizes its spirit.
--"Trademarks" - What you immediately think of when someone brings up the name of the country.
--"Surprises" - ...which really amounts to some interesting trivia and arguable observations, e.g., under the entry for the United States - "New Yorkers love to help strangers."

Your enjoyment of this comprehensive approach will depend on what your degree of wanderlust is. Since mine is quite high, I love poring through the book to get a visual sense of each country's identity. Unless you are a geography addict, you will be surprised that many of these countries even exist. It's also intriguing to see the entries for current hotspots like Iraq and North Korea where their political turmoil is mentioned but contrasted with some unexpectedly vivid photos. Note the surcharge for delivery above as this is indeed a big book, over eight pounds. Say, isn't that the weight of the human head according to the little boy in "Jerry Maguire"? I wonder if that's a coincidence.

The adventurous folks at Lonely Planet have given us this nearly perfect book of photos and travel possibilities from around the world. Every nation on Earth, and a few non-nations like Antarctica or Puerto Rico, gets equal coverage in two-page spreads, regardless of size, influence, or fame. Now since this is a British book, the recommendations for each country can be a little curious, especially what the Lonely Planet editors think is representative of the United States (which you'll find curious if you're American). In general, just watch out for some poorly considered travel recommendations for out-of-the-way countries that are basically stereotypes, and merely sound cool but which the Lonely Planet folks couldn't have possibly done in person. Examples include "beach-hopping from one gorgeous sun-soaked spot to another" in Albania, or "taking a boat ride down the Euphrates River" in Iraq. Also watch for under-written stereotypical moments that list poverty and sex as calling cards of Cuba, fish as a trademark of Finland, national pride as characteristic of Moldova, or Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra movie as a real cinematic representation of Egypt. You have to give Lonely Planet credit for at least trying in the writing department though, and there are usually true treasures in their recommendations for each nation's literature, music, foods, and drinks. But in the end, the true value of this gigantic book lies in the tremendous photography, with consistently eye-catching shots of natural beauty, architecture, and especially real people from every spot on Earth. This is how armchair traveling is done. [~doomsdayer520~]

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, ... and continues on to the last country Zimbabwe, Lonely Planet has put together an extraordinary travel book that brings us to every country in the world. Listed alphabetically from A-Z, each country occupies 2 pages with vivid pictures and some impression of the lands. Even tiny Pacific islands get the same amount of space as everybody else, regardless of their size and popularity in tourism. Using a more liberal concept of 'country', it brings the total number to 230.

In just one volume, it makes no attempt to be a comprehensive reference book. Instead there are many fun ways to use it. Flipping it to a random page to get some inspiration for your next travel destination (you will likely end up in some distant place rather hard to get to.) Cover the title and try to name the country by the pictures alone (a challenging game given the pictures are more focused on people and landscape than instantly recognizable landmarks.) Or just read it cover to cover as I have prepared to do.

This book evokes the same kind of exhilaration from travelling. I was joyous like a kid while walking away from the bookstore with this 3kg book.

This is the most beautiful, inspirational and informative coffee table book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who travels, dreams about traveling, or has children who want to see the world in a much more exciting way than sitting in a geography class or looking at a globe or atlas.

Every country comes alive in this book. The photos are spectacular and I always get a smile or a laugh out of the "in a word" phrase for each place... "Bula" for Fiji and "Hakuna Matata" for Tanzania are so spot on.

It's so much fun to revisit the 28 countries I've traveled in and even more exciting to find new places to go... I wish I had this book when I was a kid, or at least when I started traveling.

(A great companion book to this is "1,000 Places to See Before You Die.)

As an "Intrepid" traveller, I loved this book, it serves as a whistful reminder of the beautiful places I have visited and better still as a valuable "taste" of the countries I have yet to visit. It's doubtful I will get to all 230 countries featured in this great coffee table book, but of the 67 I have visited, the pictures for those have done complete justice to the location. Simply stunning. Good to have general facts and figures listed, enough for you to see if you need to delve further in exploring a country. In fact my last trip was brought about by this book, I closed my eyes, opened the book randomly and it opened on Nicaragua so off to Central America I went. Don't Analyse the book, simply try to live it.

I am taking my teenager on a backpacking trip around the world, and this obviously requires a bit of research. I have to admit that I have done most of this in the bookstores, sitting with a book such as this one, and taking notes.

This book, this massive tome, though, kept calling to me every time I went in. I came up with a justification for buying it easily enough - it will look great on the coffee table! (And it does)

It impresses in several ways

1- The breadth - every country in the world - every single one - has a 2 page spread. (Only thing left out are the micronations, but don't worry, LP has a separate book just for them!)

2 - The pictures - in true LP fashion, the photos are stunning views into another place, a different culture, often taken from an angle you don't expect.

3 - The information - concise, accurate, up-to-date. Included are little bits you won't easily find elsewhere, like how much for a cup of coffee, or the best things to shop for, or unexpected experiences one may find just off the beaten path. Of course, you will also find the essential bits of history and culture to help you get a feel for the place.

I find my self turning to it time and again as I research our trip - it gives me just enough info to know if I want to further investigate a place, or if I should just leave it to armchair travel. This book, by the way, is the ultimate guide for the armchair traveller!

My son has used it for school projects. When he had to write a paper on Africa that included 5 different countries, this is the book he used to determine which countries to research.

Also, it really does look FANTASTIC on your coffee table! Your friends will pick it up as soon as they sit down - you'll see. It is such a large and gorgeous book, and at such a crazy cheap price, there's little risk here.

If your considering buying it, go ahead, you will be happy to own it. And your friends will be glad you own it, too!

This is an oversized book. I envisioned it more enlightening, specific, inspiring. However it's a casual read, information limited and not enough unique traveler quotes. The perspective is so limited, it's difficult to take much from it and I wonder how accurate it is. There are some great images, but not enough unique ones. For example, several African countries are represented by an image of a child's face, which seems like a cliche. Maybe there isn't much else to photograph in these places, but I doubt it. The book does a fair job of covering every country even those you'd likely never visit, but unfortunately gives short shift on enormous and varied destinations like the USA.

This book, in fact, is a very like a kind of reference book of geography rather than a travel book but you can use it to give you a rough idea of the countries you want to visit before you are really going to plan your trip.
Anyway, after reading this book, you will know how large is the world and make you always dream of the next destination for the travellers.

Lonely planet has really impressed me. This book is beautiful! The photographs are just gorgeous and captivating. Everytime you open the book there is something just lovely waiting for you. The Travel Book includes every country in a two to four page spread with pictures, geographic information, population,language, and cultural facts. These cultural facts are what I most enojy, they include popular sayings, music, foods, and a book or movie that relates to the country so that you can learn more. This book is fantastic for anyone interested in culture, travel, or photography. Its great for a coffee table or office book and its just an interesting guide for countries you have wanted to learn about. Lonely planet also has many other great books and travel guides but this is my favorite.

This is an excellent acquisition if you plan to do extensive
travelling overseas. Each country is listed with details as to
the best time to visit, the "must see" tours, music, food and
details on the local culture. The volume will help anyone unfamiliar with the travel itinerary. The book is perfect for
student projects as well. Antarctica is presented with full color
pictures; such as , the Dawson Lambton Glacier by the Weddell Sea
or the Mosques of Bahrain. The sand dunes of the Atacama desert
provide a spectacular view of Chile's outdoors. The acquisition
is worth the price . This volume would make a perfect gift for
any student or cultural enthusiast.