London (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
by Michael Leapman, Roger Williams
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Book Summary Information
Author: Michael Leapman, Roger WilliamsEdition: Turtleback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-03-20
ISBN: 0756615461
Number of pages: 448
Publisher: DK Travel
Book Reviews of London (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Book Review: Don't judge a book by its cover!
Summary: 1 Stars
I did, and I regret it.
Now I'm not saying this is a "bad" book. I'm just saying this is a very specific book (which actually makes it good, since the more specific, the better) but it's not specifically for me, and I think is not specifically for 90% of the people who are visiting London at any given time.
Therefore, it's odd that this book is has a higher Amazon sales ranking (2594), relevant to other books (7741 Lonely Planet, for example). The popularity ranking and the mainstream look of DK led me to choose it. But now I realize that, 1.) I am not really that mainstream, and 2.) This book is not mainstream either. And, I suppose, 3.) The way that I am not mainstream is different from the way that DK London is not mainstream.
Since the subject of this review is DK London and not me, let's stay on topic. The cover says History - Theaters - Art - Churches - Pubs - Hotels - Nightlife - Markets - Restaurants - Museums - Parks - Architecture. Of these, the guide covers mostly: History. And by extension, churches, museums, architecture. But really, it's history. Floor plans of museums. Descriptions of every wing. Details of church spires, which you probably won't be able to see except with binoculars. Historical timelines. And most of all- worst of all- any and every building, arcade, academy, house, church, mall, institute, chapel, square, market, gallery, arch, tower, theater, museum, and library in London. It's in here.
So what's wrong with that? Well, if, like me, you're just going for a week and for the first time, and you just want to visit a few major sights, not more than one or two museums or art/ historical things per day, and take plenty of time to mellow out (it's a vacation, right?) at cafes, or lunch, dinner, maybe go somewhere at night- this book leaves you completely in the lurch. 90% of the book is about buildings and history. The hotel listings are just a few pages in the back, as are the restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Followed by some cursory travel info. Also, the listings are mostly for mid-range to expensive places. This is where I realized I'm still more of a budget traveler. They do offer some suggestions for "light meals and snacks" like pizza, noodles and sandwiches, but this amounts to just a few pages in the back section. This book is in denial that you have to eat and find places to rest inbetween examining all those Tudor facades. Like I said, it's very specific.
This book is for my high school AP Spanish teacher, who made us memorize a hundred slides of places I had never been to (and gave a decided advantage to those affluent enough to have traveled and seen them). This book is like the annoying guy at the office who does NOT shut up and goes on and on about things that no one cares about. This book weighs three pounds.
I bought this book because it looked easy. It looked like a comprehensive yet user-friendly guide (due to the pictures and glossiness). Well, it is comprehensive and user-friendly, but only in one respect. And overall having this book, rather than calm me, has overwhelmed me. I can't tell what to visit. Everything seems important. Meanwhile I am left to figure out of all the practical matters of my trip by myself.
Of course history is important. But I'm also interested in London as a living, breathing city- where people live, its culture... none of which I will really come in contact with if I follow this encyclopedia masquerading as a guidebook. And ideally I'd rather not go from historical object to historical object all day and then sit in my room at night.
Now I will say some positive things about it:
1.) It's beautiful. I bet some are duped by its beauty into thinking they ~are~ interested in this stuff.
2.) It has several "area by area" maps, watercolor aerial close-up drawings of small sections (a few blocks) of the city with handy lines pointing to --yep, historical places. This does make things easier to find.
3.) It also has maps in the back, which look easy enough to use.
Oh yeah, one more "bad" thing-- it doesn't say what anything costs. It just says either "free" or "charge." I mean, that could mean anything.
OK I'm done. That's all my thoughts about this book. In this time I probably could have gone to the bookstore, sat down with several other guidebooks, perused them all, and found one that was really for me. Given that there are 100 London guidebooks out there, there is probably one that is just for me. And one for you. Instead I chose to sit here and write down all my thoughts about this one. 'Cause actually, I hate returning things. And I wish that someone had written an honest review, instead of all this general positivity that proliferates on this site, because then I would have found something else. I don't think it would hurt to have a negative review here and there. I mean, someone who is going to London is going to buy a London guidebook; it's just a matter of which one. I wish someone had told me that this was not the one for me.
Summary of London (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
For things to do and see visitors to London are spoiled for choice. Whether you are in London for a long trip or a quick taste of the city the Eyewitness Travel Guide will help you to make the most of your time. You will find suggestions on what to see, how to get about and where to eat and stay. New features in the Eyewitness Travel Guides are itineraries, each one follows a theme and sights are reachable with public transportation. Prices include travel, food and admission. The themes for each day are as follows; History and Culture, Shopping in Style, The Great Outdoors and Family Fun Day.England Books
- Subjects > Travel > Europe > Great Britain > England
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