Maps are the heart of any guide and Eyewitness has shown us the next generation. From clear 2D context maps we are lead to beautiful aerial perspective illustrations of large areas of the city. Then sectional axonometric drawings of key buildings showing noted detail elements in "pull out photos" with wonderful supportive descriptions. This takes the reader from the scale of the city into the building and then to the scale of a carved door way or fresco in such a smooth transition that we feel that we can zoom in and out at will. Over this hardscape of information place a web of local food, wine, art and customs and you will have some idea of the richness of this series.

Architecture students and professionals will find that these books place buildings back into the cultural and historical context which is so often over looked by our "Architectural History" books. An understanding of history is gained through the exploration of place. Sections on food, art, costuming, natural habitat and regional products are linked into the mapping structure in ways that allow for clear referancing of topic to place. The fact is these books would make a valuble supplament to many language and historical text books which are use in the class room today.

The books end with a section on "practical information" which offers us the necessary information as travelers to survive in a new land. It is always the little things that make travel hard and Eyewitness shows us the potholes to be avoided. From how to use a local phone to how to buy a train ticket, we are given the low down to keep us on our path. Doing these little things always seem as if there should be no problems but anyone that has traveled knows they can ruin a day and bring on that "I am lost feeling".

This section is worth the time as a reader just to see the wonderful variation from place to place, but when your on the road and changing your last buck for money that you have never seen before this section is a great help.

I would offer a very small critique in the area of the Phrase Book, the next editions should include a phonic description of the names of places. Often buying a ticket to a place one pronounces in an English accent will confound or worse send one off in the wrong direction. A map of place names with a phonic pronunciation below would be a big help.

I have always found it fun to read fictional stories which take place in the areas in which I will travel. A list of noted books would be fantastic to include. This was touched upon in some of the books and would be great to highlight through out the series.

Also where a person finds the really up to date listing of clubs and events is more often a college paper than the official Tourist Offices. Where one links into the "underground" information network of timely events could be important to addition.

What is next? In three years will we have Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness travel disks on our Newtons with an Internet link feeding us news and location information in real time? Will we have language and money conversion programs?

This guide book series stands at the forefront of the information wave. Founded in the best of a long tradition of travel companion books, these guides become a necessity, like a compass or ships log or the sketch notebook which is always at ones side. Bravo.. DK

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