Beijing Smart Guide by Dinah Gardner, 2008, Apa Publications GmbH and Company, $11.95, softbound, 144 pages. Category/Genre: travel. Cover: interesting. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble.
The book starts with an overview of various areas one might be inclined to visit, including Beijing itself, Western Beijing, the Great Wall, the Lake District, and Gulou.
Next comes an a to zed overview of a number of important items to consider for your itinerary. These include Beijing opera, gay and lesbian hotspots, restaurants, palaces and homes, museums and galleries, teahouses, temples, churches, and mosques, and more.
The book also comes with a streetplan of Beijing and a selective index to streets and sights.
If you like this one, try: Family Guide Washington DC, by DK; Family Guide London, by DK; and Eyewitness Travel Guide, by DK.
Eyewitness Travel Guide: London, Main Contributor Michael Leapman, 1993, DK, $25.00, softbound, 448 pages. Category/Genre: travel. Cover: lovely shot of Big Ben. Where we got it: prezzie. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
This is a much-treasured prezzie we recently got from a dear friend to help us with writing about England. It's a book that has everything.
Before you even come to the table of contents, there's a map of London area by area, with each area colour-coded.
The section introducing London has, among other things, the history of London, London at a glance, and London through the year. 'London at a Glance' reveals the top 10 tourist attractions found in London; and 'London Through the Year' highlights what can be found during the different seasons and months. There are even charts for the average daily hours of sunshine, the average monthly rainfall, and the average monthly temperature.
'London Area by Area' gives the reader sights at a glance: historic streets and buildings, churches, museums and galleries, monuments, and parks and gardens. This section also has a 'Street by Street' map and a look inside buildings such as the Houses of Parliament. In the area section, one may also find six guided walks and what can be seen along those walks.
'Travelers' Needs' helps one find where to stay, how to book one's stay, and the facilities found in London hotels. There's a whole host of hotels listed with their contact information, price range,and a brief blurb on what the hotel is like. Restaurants and pubs are given their due, as well, and there's even a section on the types of food one may find in London. Plus, there's a list of restaurants that has the same type of information as that given for hotels.
There's also a spectacular pull-out map at the back of the book. Here you will find information on getting around in London -- by bus, underground (tube), driving, walking, etc. There's plenty more to be found in this guide, as well, so if you're planning on visiting, or merely writing about, London -- or if you're simply very interested -- this is the guide for which you've been looking.
One small nit: it would be nice if the colours of London area by area were a bit more differentiated; it's rather hard to tell some of the colours apart.
Family Guide: Washington, DC, 2012, DK, $25.00, softbound, 255 pages. Category/Genre: travel. Cover: makes you want to open the book. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million.
If you're planning on going to Washington, DC with your kids -- or if you're looking for a research book to help you write about Washington, DC -- then this could be the right book for you.
This guide provides practical information (such as getting round, accommodations, health, etc.) along with expert recommendations for sightseeing with kids.
There are also some really nice colour photographs, along with interesting facts about Washington -- facts which adults will enjoy as much as their kids will. For instance, the book says that Abraham Lincoln's shoe size was a staggering 14 -- whereas the average shoe size for a man is 10 1/2.
Each chapter has a 'best of' feature followed by key sights in the area and ideas on where to eat, drink, and have more fun. There are sections on 'Washington, DC on a budget,' 'Washington, DC by season,' 'Three days in Washington, DC,' and 'Theatrical Washington, DC.'
There's information on getting to your destination, whether you're going by air, bus, car, or rail.
If you like this one, try: Frommer's Washington, DC 2012 by Elise Hartman Ford; The Rough Guide to Washington, DC by Jules Brown and J.D. Dickey.
Beijing Smart Guide by Dinah Gardner, 2008, Apa Publications GmbH and Company, $11.95, softbound, 144 pages. Category/Genre: travel. Cover: interesting. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble. 
