Burma (Myanmar, Odyssey Guides) (Paperback)

~ Caroline Courtauld (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

These handsome, well-edited books from a Hong Kong-based publisher cover places few other guidebooks go.... The writers are particularly well-chosen....Odyssey fans tend to be adventurous travelers with a literary bent. If you're lucky enough to find an Odyssey Guide to where you're going, grab it. -- National Geographic Traveler, February 2000

Product Description

An isolated and remote country, unspoiled by mass tourism, Burma is for the traveler, not the average tourist. This guide takes its readers to the far corners of this little-known country. Travel the great Ayeyarwady River to Kipling's Mandalay, the last of Burma's royal capitals, and explore exotic Inle Lake whose inhabitants live on floating islands overgrown with flowers and lush vegetation. And, of course, meet the people of this richly varied land, from the northern hill tribes to the amiable Burmans themselves. This fully revised and lavishly illustrated second edition intelligently evokes the magic and the mystery of what was once the richest nation in Asia. Fully revised second edition. Takes the reader to the far corners of this remote country. Extensive illustrations include fascinating archival material. Detailed background on the history, religion and people of Burma. Personal observations from an author who knows the country extremely well. Indispensable practical information. Evokes the magic and mystery of what was once Asia's richest nation.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Odyssey Publications, Ltd.; 2 edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9622176089
• ISBN-13: 978-9622176089
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,674,713 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #56 in

  Books > Travel > Asia > Myanmar

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quality Book, March 26, 2000

By	Roger Jobson (Alameda, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Having recently returned from my third visit to Burma in three years, I looked forward to the publication of this new guide. Information for the traveler is current and accurate. The historical and literary references greatly add to ones appreciation and perception of the country. The photographs are wonderful and plentiful. This book is a pleasure to read and more importantly it has added to my knowledge of that country which is Burma.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good guide book with beautiful pictures, December 31, 2002

By	A. Lam (Grimsby, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having just returned from a 10 day trip to this beautiful, exotic country, I found the Odyssey guide book which I brought along helpful but it is likely an insufficient source of information for most travellers. The book provides detailed background on the history, politics, culture of the people of Burma. There are also boxes containing interesting snippets of people like Aung Sang, the drug lord Kung Sa, as well as other interesting topics like the making of lacquerware. Unlike most guide books I have used in the past, this one is filled with beautiful, colourful snapshots of the places and people of Burma.

The major shortcoming is the lack of detailed information about the attractions, i.e., details regarding times of operation, location, costs of admission, as well as details about the sites
themselves. Also I believe many of the lesser known attractions in each destination were not covered by the author. Overall I think the target audience for this book is the traveller who has signed up with a packaged tour. Such an individual is likely to visit only the major destinations covered by the text, namely Yangon, Bagan, Manderlay and Isle Lake. This individual also is unlikely to require the details mentioned above.

In summary if I had to buy a guide book again for a visit to Burma, I would choose the Lonely Planet book which I believe remains the gold standard of guide books to relatively obscure destinations of the world.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overall Guide to Burma & Major Sites, November 18, 2001

By	"krchicago" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Excellent background sections covering basic history, the religious lives of the Burmese, festivals, theater and music. Guide emphasizes Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay and Bagan (Pagan), and their immediate environs -- if you are traveling more off the beaten path, you need the Insight Guide, which also has more and better pictures. Strong on the "flavor" of the country, particularly the last Burmese empire and the colonial years.