A Man's Guide to the Caribbean, 1998-99

Rating:
Summary: What a Joke!
Review: (...)Please don't let the fact that there aren't many books on this subject lead you to buy this one, it is not only unhelpful but it will hinder your abilities to find your way around. The maps are totally inaccurate and not drawn to scale at all. Save your money and buy yourself a nice souvenir on your trip!

Rating:
Summary: What a Joke!
Review: (...)Please don't let the fact that there aren't many books on this subject lead you to buy this one, it is not only unhelpful but it will hinder your abilities to find your way around. The maps are totally inaccurate and not drawn to scale at all. Save your money and buy yourself a nice souvenir on your trip!

Rating:
Summary: Totally Useless!
Review: I recently purchased this book to help me on a trip to Santa Domingo. I might as well have used a guide to the New York subway system, it would have been just as helpful. To start with, the map was incorrect and confusing. After repeatedly attempting to follow the map provided in the book, I finally went to the hotel's concierge. When I got an accurate map, I couldn't believe how far off the one in this book was. Secondly, the book tells you NOTHING. Here is a direct quote from the section on Santa Domingo, 'On the weekends, well, you know the story.' No, I don't know the story, that's why I bought the book! Going back to the map. Those places that are discussed in the book are not labeled on the map. Things that are labeled include Burger King and ATM machine. The book talks about how hot the Cinema Centro is. Well, you look to the map and, guess what? It's not there! The book does however take several pages to inform us where we can find Dairy Queen, KFC, and McDonalds. I'm sure that's just what every tourist to the caribbean is looking for. Also, you would not believe the number of typos in here. The worst part, however, is how totally subjective the book is. The author took no pains to ask about other's experiences. It's all the author's personal opinion. Likewise, this is all MY personal opinion, but I suggest you do not waste your money on this book. It is useless and will only frustrate your attempt at having a good trip. I personally cannot believe someone would publish such a poor attempt at a travel guide. The gay community certainly deserves better!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Daring & Honest.
Review: I'm fortunate to have both travel guides that the author has published. Both guides are very good. This guide in particular is quite unique. It's the only gay travel guide that reviews in detail Havana, Varadero and the local, Cuban gay culture. It also has a thorough chapter on Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Most other gay guides have written off the Dominican Republic. As a matter of fact, if you review Out & About's travel book (not the newsletter), they consider the island passe without much to offer. I have traveled to the Dominican Republic 5 times in the last 4 years and I can report that Santo Domingo unquestionably has a thriving gay community that welcomes foreign visitors. It also has several establishments that cater exclusively to gays and this is the only guide that provides reviews of each. If you're interesting in visiting the Caribbean, please do go and don't hesitate to take this guide along with you - it speaks the truth.