Prague

Rating:
Summary: The finest travel book I've ever used
Review: As a relatively experienced traveler who had never been to Prague before, I wanted to make sure I covered all the bases and bought a series of travel guides: Rough Guide, Eyewitness, Let's Go, Fodor's, etc., and studied them all so that my brief (6 day) visit would be as broad and deep as possible. A friend lent me the first edition of the Cadogan Guide and I quickly ordered the 3rd edition. It arrived just before my departure. It is far and away the finest guide I have ever encountered. All of the other guides moved to the bottom of my suitcase back at the pension, and I conquered Prague, Cadogan in hand. Wry, insightful, fact-laden, and witty, I occasionally found myself laughing out loud in the street. The restaurant, bar, and store recommendations were spot on, and led laterally to other adventures. The walking tours were exceptionally well done. I am never travelling without a Cadogan guide again.

Rating:
Summary: Best travel guide ever
Review: I also spent just 6 days visiting the city. I bought this guide after I arrived in Prague and it remains as one of my most cherished books. Incredibly witty, humorous, well-informed and useful. And so dead-on, it sometimes felt as if I was being teased (i.e. Mr Kadri describes a certain club as prone to "shoulder-brushing encounters"; I get there with my friends, go up to the bar to order and... someone's brushing his arm against mine! Seemed like a joke). Also, it made the most out of Prague's odd history and legends.

It's too bad it hasn't been updated, but even if you travel now to Prague, I'd still recommend it for the descriptions. You can get up-to-date phone numbers in other guides, but what Mr Kadri offers I've never seen.

By the way, who's this guy? I haven't seen any other guides by him.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, witty guide to understanding Prague
Review: I read several other travel guides to Prague while planning my trip, but I used this one exclusively when wandering through the city because of its excellent and humorous commentary. Using this guide is like having a chatty, witty, and knowledgable guide who shows you the real Prague, not the tourist Prague. Not only does this guide contain pratical details such as using the transportation system, getting to the city from the airport, weather information, travel advice, places to find helpful info, etc., it contains an accessible and enjoyable overview of the history of Prague, excellent and well planned walks through the city (complete with detailed and witty commentary), restaurant and hotel recommendations, and a few necessary (and not so necessary) phrases in Czech. Also included is a chapter on moving to Prague as nearly everyone who goes there ends up wanting to live there. Unfortunately, due to new immigration laws the process of obtaining a residential visa is a long and exasperating process.

The walks (maps and directions included) themselves are wonderful as they lead you through different sections of the city at a pace that allows you to really enjoy and deeply experience many aspects of this complex city.

The only drawback to this otherwise excellent guide is that it sorely needs an update or a new edition. Many of the phone numbers are wrong as the phone system undergoes frequent changes. Several of the businesses have closed or moved elsewhere. Other then that, this city guide stands above those that are ladened with only facts and impersonal descriptions.

Rating:
Summary: A must for anyone who takes a sense of humor with them
Review: This book really enhanced my stay...5 days. The author goes way beyond the typical Fodor's guide, which generally gives you pictures and facts. The author give you the flavor of Prague's rich history and helps make your trip all the more memorable.

Rating:
Summary: Brings the city alive
Review: This is one of the best city guide books I have ever used. Particularly good is the very detailed and enjoyable walks which bring the city alive, and the quirky history and cultural sections. Prague has such a strange and bohemian history it takes an unusual and observant writer to capture it in the written word. This book does it. Also worth noting is the Prague day trips. Visit all the towns the author mentions, they are fantastic.