Egypt Guide (Open Road Travel Guides Egypt Guide) (Paperback)

by John Bentley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Author Bentley, an American raised in Cairo with more than 20 years of Egypt experience, provides readers with an insider's knowledge and insight. The towering monuments of Thebes; the world-famous pyramids; the minarets, shopping and nightlife of Cairo; and the 6th-century monastery on Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments are highlights of any trip to Egypt, but Bentley also shows readers where to go diving in the Red Sea, where to ride Arabian horses at night in the moonlit desert, where to camp, fish and play golf and tennis. In-depth treatment of hotels and restaurants, a staple of Open Road guides, is featured, as is good background on history and culture. But "Egypt Guide" searches out the unusual and the unique - how to enjoy a Nubian wedding in Aswan, how to camp out under the stars with real bedouins in the Western Desert, the best way to travel up the storied Nile in a falucca; and tips on bargaining in the bazaars and markets of Cairo. More than 50 major destinations and dozens more smaller places are included, as are more than 500 hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Geared to the individual, independent traveller, Bentley steers readers to places and activities where they can meet the Egyptian people and have some fun along the way.

From the Publisher
John J. Bentley IV, a graduate of Harvard University's Middle Eastern History program, was raised in Cairo and Vermont. Having lived off-and-on in Egypt and Vermont for many years, he now makes his home in South Royalton, Vermont. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Open Road Publishing (December 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883323711
• ISBN-13: 978-1883323714
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,120,981 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good info, good value, July 19, 1999

By A Customer

Egypt was great, and I really appreciated all of the suggestions on how to see it and enjoy it. Guess I'll have to go back to try more. Pluses - the info was pretty much on target regarding tourist (and non-tourist) sites; the itineraries; the informational blurbs which enhanced the overall experience; and cost. Minuses - maps & pictures (lack thereof). Didn't mind the typo's so much once I got there - they kinda fit the place.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is like a sphinx without a nose, December 11, 1998

By A Customer

"Egypt Guide" is an excellent book as far as good detailed information about eveyrthing from hotels and restaurants to transportation and how to make sense of local culture and traditions. I found that the author's insight, which often differs from conventional tourist wisdom about Egypt, was very helpful and interesting. Best of all it doesn't (like some of the more popular guides like Let's Go and the Lonely Planet)come across as patronizing or trying to be funny at its subject's expense.

Why is it like a sphinx without a nose? It's comes across at times as being incomplete. There are few maps, no photos, and lot's of spelling and grammatical erros. I don't kow if this is the author's fault or the publisher, but it needs to be fixed. If this were done, this book will serve many as a a good alternative to mainstream guides.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Egypt is worth it, December 18, 1998

By A Customer

Few destinations in the world are more worth visiting than Egypt, a land laden with ancient monuments of unsurpassed splendor and presently inhabited by a people whose generosity and kindness is unmatched. Anybody considering a visit to Egypt shoudl read all that they can, including "Egypt Guide."

The first twelve chapters cover a variety of "background" relating to general issues of travel to Egypt from basic infomation about the people and their history, to specific ideas for itineraries and how to handle a tripwith children. The following 7 seven chapters focus on spefici destinations beginning with Cairo. Each chapter includes dozens of write-ups for hotels, restaurants and historical attractions. Most of the information is relevant and accurate, and options are included both for budget and upscale travelers. In particular, those chapters relating to less traveled to regions such as the verdant oases of the Western Desert and the Christian sites of Middle Egypt which include some of the worlds oldest churches and monastaries. By in large the writing, while not gripping, is clear and easy to follow.

There are however some weaknesses, namely the lack of useful maps, and some shoddy editing. It is worth it for any traveler to rely on more than one source, however this one is well worth the $13.