DK USA (Travel Guide)

My personal view of the USA is that it should be treated as a number of countries. Not every State is highly distinctive - but many are. I therefore initially rather liked the breakdown of the country into 15 distinct regions. Their differences are real, and the idea stands up, although one could sometimes argue where the boundaries should be. Tick.I then went through the 10 States I know quite well. Prioritisation and presentation of top sites is good - another tick. However, the first signs of an issue start to arise. There are never enough of them shown. There also seems to be a prejudice against the West over the East - with the exception of California which is given regional status. In my humble opinion, the more vibrant and different the State is the less we have on it! (eg New Mexico - larger than many countries, a glory to explore gets a mere 10 pages inclusive of pics and diagrams.) Poor old Utah, with some of the world's best National Parks, gets the same. Arizona gets 12 pages purely because of the good old Grand Canyon. It is not that the Guide is small. It's a hefty - and good value 768 pages! Tick for the good value, cross for the lack of depth.I can see the issue - 50 States multiplied by 10 pages is 500 pages already! However, the problem is exacerbated by prioritizing city over country, spectacle over history. I find most US cities abhorrent -dirty, unsafe, beggars and street sleepers on the edge of every attractive bit, full of surly people less than glad to be there. I would only go to LA, San Fran, NYC or DC if I had to, not because I want to. They each have distinctive assets (although often over-sold by the movie industry), but you need money, insulation, and time to get the best out of them - or good contacts. However, each to their own. Our US trip this year will be in Florida; Naples (not in the book) and St Augustine will be my main destinations. I am not averse to a bit of Art Deco Miami, just not prepared to put up with all the crap involved in doing that. Let's also face the fact that most US cities are NOT iconic at all. Another cross.My opinion is that US cities show all that is bad about the country - crime, untreated mental illness, appalling medical provision. They are beaten hands down by many Third World cities, cities with all the problems but better reasons to be there - Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Sa Paolo, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, etc, etc. On the other hand, rural and less urban America is dignified, courteous, aware of its culture and distinctively what it is. I urge you to avoid the assumption that America is its cities. Palm Springs is about my maximum. Go where Americans go for THEIR holidays. You won't find them getting all excited about the big cities. I took a bus tour around NYC once many years ago. I was the only non-American, there on business. The remainder were a real mix of internal tourists. Man, did they not like the place!

DK publications never get old. As ever accurate, interesting and high-quality guides. I've always bought those and it's good to see them being updated. Lots of interesting information, good size and high-quality paper. Great guide!

While this book is the size of a large paper back and over 750 pages, covering a country the size of the USA is a tall order for one book – it does however make a good job of it. Filled with quality photography, some wonderful illustrations and plenty of maps it follows DK's tried and tested format – and it's all the better for it. An interesting read even if you're not planing a trip any time soon, and a good way of picking up ideas for a possible future destination.

This quite a comprehensive guide to the USA from DK and is currently selling for £15.15 on Amazon.The tome is quite a big paperback spanning 768 pages.The book outlines major tourist attractions,features handy maps and makes recommendations on where to eat.A handy reference guide,while on vacation in the States.My rating is 5 Stars.

The DK Eyewitness USA (Travel Guide) Paperback – 21 July 2022 Is a good guide to America, well the states at any rate.As we all know there are a whole slew of this type of guide out there. America is a massive country and it is hard to include everything, no guide could.But the K guide has a good stab at t.Firstly it is bang up to date for 2022 so most of the details will be current and up to date. Secondly DK make a great jib of educating, informing and entertaining the traveller.If you are just visiting one or a couple of Staes state then it would be better and more relevant to get a guide for those states that you want to visit, but if you want an overall overview of what to do and where to go this makes a decent stab.If you just pick up one time saving tip then the whole book will be worth the admission.Recommended.#quite of few of this type of guides out there. My tip is always to try to get the latest as the information is bang up to date.The next tip is to get a comprehensive and colourful guide to help you to get the most from your precious holiday.The good news is that this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete Pocket Travel Guide does all that.The price is a steal when you consider how much information and advice it gives.Easily readable and pocket sized it is well worth a look.Recommended.

A comprehensive and very helpful guide to the States, ideal for the touring visitor.