Overall Impression We found this book exceptionally informative. It was actually two guides in one. The first part was a fascinating 160-page treasure trove of information about the flora, fauna, cultures and socio-political events that shaped the Amazonian world, including a number of vignettes on history, climate and current ecological challenges. Additionally, it provided us with a wealth of realistic facts on topics ranging from health issues to what to pack for a visit to the area. We found it an invaluable resource in planning our recent visit to the Western Amazon. We subsequently had daily opportunities to be glad that we had followed the authors’ sound practical advice on clothing, footwear and personal necessities selection. This enabled us to travel more comfortably, and lighter than we ever thought possible.

The second part of the book was a set of mini-guides that provided an informative overview of each of the nine countries in the Amazon basin: Venezuela (25 pages), Colombia (25 pages), Ecuador (37 pages), Peru (49 pages), Bolivia (31 pages), Brazil (61 pages), Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname (10 pages each). The chapter on Peru was the only one of immediate interest to us on this trip. It contained useful general travel information, including transportation, national wildlife preserves and lodges. There were also three short, helpful appendices at the end of the book. Appendix One (two pages) was a directory of the U.S., U.K., Canadian and Australian Embassies and Consulates in the various countries of the Amazon. Appendix Two (six pages) was a handy English/Spanish glossary of commonly used words, complete with phonetic pronunciation. Appendix Three (eight pages) offered recommendations for further readings as well as a list of websites. It was similar to the structure of the book: background and natural history-related readings and websites first, followed by general information books and sites for the various countries.

While we also perused country-specific guides for more detailed information on various points of interest along the way, we found The Amazon to be the best written, most useful and enjoyable travel book we came across on the subject. We took it along on our trip and frequently consulted its extensive Natural History chapter (61 pages) to research animals or plants that we had observed during our explorations.

Authors Roger Harris & Peter Hutchinson.

Date Of Publication 2003 (2^nd edition)

Isbn Number 1 4162 070 X

Number Of Pages 448

Price $19.95

Publisher Globe Pequot Press

Size 8.5″ x5.4″x0.9″

Weight 1 lb and 1 oz

Date Of Review September 2005

ReviewersArticle by Josette King

Overall Impression In addition to page after page of fabulous maps there are three square feet of information including 75 political and physical maps, satellite photos, and a 134-page index in the latest edition of the famous National Geographic world atlas. Last updated five years ago, the eighth edition emphasizes North American maps. It is divided geographically starting on page 25 as follows: North America (22 pages, p25-47), South America (five pages, p48-53), Europe (14 pages, p54-68), Asia (13 pages, p69-82), Africa (five pages, p83-88), and Australia and Oceania (five pages, p89-94). With as many as 8,000 labels per map plate, the Atlas is one of the most detailed in the world. National Geographic editorial staff made use of the geographic information system and data sources such as the United Nations, U.S. State Department, Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

At the beginning of the book, there is information on the world according to satellite, physical and political data (p3-5); the natural world (p6-12); the human world (p13-24). After the Australia and Oceania section there is information on: the poles (p95-97), oceans (p98-103), cities (p104-105), space (p115-122), nations (p123-134) and finally geographic comparisons (p136) and temperature and rainfall (p137) before the extensive index of 140,000 place names.

Some of the maps are quiet complex and interesting including two page maps each of Satellite Word, a composite of 9,700 satellite images as well as radar and sonar data to map the ocean floor; Physical World, an artistic rendering; Evolution of the Earth depicting the world from 600 million years ago to the present; Biodiversity, maps reflecting 825 terrestrial and 96 freshwater and marine “ecoregions;” Population, Cultures (including languages and religions), Migration (including remittances sent and received), Conflict and Terror, Economy and Trade, Food and Forests, Energy and Minerals, Transportation and Communication, Health, Nutrition and Literacy, Environment, and Wildlands. There are also Cities with size estimates from 1950 to 2015 and maps of major metropolitan areas; Space with an image of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, Northern and Southern skies, The Moon, Mars (compiled from NASA spacecraft data), The Solar System, The Milky Way, The Universe, and Nations with brief descriptions and approximate locations of each.

The book, much of which was bound by hand, is able to open “nearly flat” and comes with an interactive password protected website which includes updates to the Atlas. According to National Geographic it is the first atlas with a totally integrated online component including the latest mapping techniques and satellite imagery. When we last visited the website two updates had been made: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Persian Gulf. These updates could be printed and kept with the atlas or reviewed directly on the website. The website which includes animations made with satellite images and ArcGlobe ™ technology, allows visitors to customize maps and add personal labels and them.

Author National Geographic cartographers

Binding Hardcover

Date Of Publication October 2004

Isbn Number 0-7922-7543-8

Number Of Pages 416

Price $165

Publisher National Geographic Society

Size 19.0 x 12.8 x 1.5 inches

Weight 7 lbs

Date Of Review June 2005

Overall Impression We found Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries to be a useful reference source, especially for travelers booking an organized tour. This makes sense since the author heads up Africa Adventure Company, a Florida based travel agency specializing in African safari trips. W e have referred to this book when planning an independent game viewing trip. It offers insights on weather conditions at different times of the year, a “What Wildlife is Best Seen Where” chart, destination highlights, facilities descriptions (without contact information), a glossary of safari terms, a list of shopping suggestions for various countries and plenty of useful maps. We would have especially appreciated tourism and facilities websites and email information. Perhaps there will be some of those in the next edition.

The book is divided into Call of the Wild, an introductory section; East and Central Africa, which includes Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Burundi; Southern Africa, which includes Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Swaziland, Lesotho, Seychelles, and Mauritius. Additional content in the back of the book addresses safaris, safari terms, Latin and scientific names for mammals and reptiles, suggested reading, places and people, animals and plants, and accommodations indexes. Also at the end of the book, we found a list of maps, charts, animal profiles, photo credits, and information about the author. There were lots of black and white photos and the first half of the book had about 30 pages of color photos. There was information on various kinds of photo, walking, gorilla, boat, bird watching, hot-air balloons, and honeymoon safari trips.

For readers seeking information on specific countries, following is a breakdown of the number of pages per destination contained in the book: Botswana, 36; Burundi, 8 ; Congo, 20 ; Kenya, 52 ; Lesotho, 11 ; Malawi, 15 ; Mauritius, 12 ; Namibia, 30 ; Rwanda, 11 ; Seychelles, 15; South Africa, 52 ; Swaziland, 13 ; Tanzania, 70 ; Uganda, 14 ; Zambia, 20 ; and Zimbabwe, 39 .

AuthorMark. W. Nolting

Date Of Publication 2003

Edition Sixth

Isbn Number0-939895-10-2

Number Of Pages 688

Price$19.95

Publisher Global Travel Publishers, Inc.

Size 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches

Weight 1.8 lbs

Date Of Review March 2005