Lonely Planet Iran (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

by Pat Yale (Author), Anthony Ham (Author), Paul Greenway (Author) "Iran's ancient history is a catalogue of dis and short-lived triumphs, of occa brilliant rulers succeeded by incompetents who failed to secure their in..." (more)
Key Phrases: stalactite mouldings, main telephone office, minibus terminal, Persian Gulf, Iran Air, Caspian Sea (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From its celebrated Persian palaces and turquoise-tiled mosques to its clay-baked caravanserais and exotic bazaars, Iran has long tantalised travellers fascinated by the Islamic world. Explore all of this country's secrets - and more - with this fully updated guide.

• 57 detailed maps, plus a full-colour country map
• illustrated sections on arts, carpets, Persepolis and Esfahan
• extensive historical, political and cultural notes
• the latest on border crossings, no-go areas and the best way to get around
• Farsi language chapter and script for all place names

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 3rd edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864427565
• ISBN-13: 978-0864427564
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,196,480 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Been There...Done That, July 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Iran (Iran, 2nd ed) (Paperback)

This book gives an fairly impartial yet Western view of modern Iran. I can see how some Iranians would criticize it, but my wife who is Iranian and me (an American) spent 4 weeks traveling in Iran in March 2000 found this book to be useful before, during, and after the trip. We never encountered any anti-American or anti-West attitudes during our trip, in fact just the opposite. Sure there aren't the nightclubs or other forms of 'entertainment' that you find in the west, like Paul mentions but for us this became an opportunity to do other things. They don't roll up the streets at dark, far from it. The coffee shops, resturants, stores, and bazaars in many cities are open quite late with many people shopping, having a meal or a chat. My wife said it was much better there than her last trip in 1996. I had a great time! If you're planning a trip to Iran (even if you're Iranian) get this book (my wife enjoyed it too).

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This Lonely Planet is not good, August 20, 2003

By	marielita (Belgium) - See all my reviews

While the guide is relatively useful for hotels (prices are outdated), it is not very interesting for the restaurants nor transport (many many obvious options aren't listed), nor for other practical information as many of Pat Yale's comments are negative, predicting hassle, bureaucracy or cheating when there is only friendlyness, smiles and enough english to handle the situation.
Her comments on wearing the Hedjab are displaced. If wearing a scarf ruins your holiday to that point, are you realy the right person to write a guide book ?
Pat Yale seems to have been afraid during her trip in Iran, and annoyed by iranians. They are the most friendly people I have encourtered on my many trips. I travelled on my own, and was not pinched in the back or molestated by anyone, never. The Lonely Planet, full of comments warning lone women travellers to better take a guided tour, made me hesitating unneccesarily before my departure.
I did not appreciate her comments on the american blocus, where she pretends that other countries, including Europe and Japan, are too eager to tap on Irans ressources.
Iran and the Iranians, and you as a tourist, definitely desserve a better guide, and Lonely Planet needs more competition.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too negative, September 10, 2001

By A Customer

A waste of time! The authors far too negative about everything and doesn't show Iran for what it really is. I travelled to practically every corner of Iran over the course of two and a half months: Alot of the things that were worth checking out hardly even got a mention in the guide!

I ended up binning the lonely planet guide and bought a better guide book in Tehran.