Lonely Planet Alaska (Alaska, 6th ed) (Paperback)

by Jim Dufresne (Author)

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
Lonely Planet guides are a must-pack” --Toronto Star, February 2006
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 6th edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864427549
• ISBN-13: 978-0864427540
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,294,383 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable, October 7, 2002

By	J. Friedrich (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just got back from a week on the Kenai Peninsula - this book was an absolute must. The author is very candid about places, good or bad. Saw a bunch of amazing stuff and did it all on a modest budget, thanks to this book. The history and flora/fauna sections are very accurate and very interesting. I read other sections of the book (places that I didn't go), and because of the descriptions, I am already aching to go explore more of the state. If you go to Alaska, all you need are the proper clothes and this book.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Useful Guide To Alaska, January 14, 2004

By	M. Schafle "King Ratt" (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lonely Planet Alaska (Paperback)

Along with Frommer's Alaska 2004, this is tied for first place among the Alaska travel guides. Especially for the outdoors stuff they include. There are 70+ maps inside, showing trails, waterways, etc., for the adventurer. And there is an entire section devoted to the top ten of hiking in Alaska. For an adventuring trip to Alaska, this book is great.

But I believe it's also the best of the "big 3" (Fodor's, Frommer's, Lonely Planet) as far as how much it encompasses overall. It is quite comprehensive for the tourist, pointing out all of the things a tourist may want to see, and it balances this with the same amount of equally useful information for people going to Alaska to kayak, hike, bike, and explore.

While I still enjoy the Frommer's Alaska more than any of the Alaska guides, this book has things that Frommer's doesn't when it comes to tourist-oriented sightseeing. Fodor's Alaska 2004, on the other hand, is almost entirely tourist-oriented, with little useful information for anyone going to Alaska to adventure. But this book is a solid guide, and I've taken it to Alaska with me on my adventuring trips. Worth the money, and my time to recommend this book!

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	mehndiartist "mehndiartist" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - 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.