Rough Guide to London (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
The Rough Guide to London must have represented a considerable challenge for author Rob Humphreys: not only is the library of guide books to the capital overstuffed, Humphreys was faced with creating the definitive insider’s guide for an imprint which has long enjoyed very high expectations in its dedicated army of users. The Rough Guide series has always marked itself out as the most incisive, lively, hyper-informed and (most of all) unstuffy series of guides on the market. Previous editions of this pithy and highly accessible book have comprehensively established its credentials, and they’re copper-bottomed. Whether you’re looking for a truly idiosyncratic guide to the more esoteric byways of the Big Smoke (with particularly useful and offbeat sections on the performing arts and sport) or a straight-down-the-middle guide to all the standard tourist attractions, Humphreys’ book pulls off the impressive conjuring trick of functioning on both levels. While the guide is perfectly judged for the reader living on the British mainland, there are useful sections on getting to London from North America, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, with up-to-date info on visas, customs, tax and work permits (the latter will be particularly useful for students: always a key audience for the Rough Guide series). And the sections on the more boring necessities such as insurance, post and health are dispatched with economy and accuracy. But it’s in conveying the city’s rich topography and history that Humphreys really soars, and a casual glance at the sections on Fleet Street, the South Bank and trendy areas such as Clerkenwell will have both die-hard Londoners and visitors keen to track down the points he ticks off. As ever in the series, illustrations and colour are kicked out in favour of hard-core info, and even if you’ve picked up earlier editions, the ever-shifting flux of one of the world’s greatest cities has ensured that you probably need this new, comprehensively updated volume. –Barry Forshaw
Customer Review: Horrible to use - go for the Footprint guide instead
The book has lots of information, good detail and lots of interesting facts about London. However, it’s horrible to use, as is it structured more as a book than a reference guide. For example, finding a good restaurant near to where you are currently standing is a lot harder than you would believe.
No doubt about it - go for Footprint guides instead. Now those are heartily reccomended
Customer Review: Comprehensive but some-what one-sided
A very comprehensive guide to everything and everywhere in London. It is almost a little too detailed - too much history perhaps and far too much personal political comment from the writer. There are quite a few inaccuracies and inconsistencies, but these are mainly on minor issues. Probably a more interesting read for native Londoners than tourists.
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