Fodor's Moscow and St. Petersburg, 5th Edition : The Guide for All Budgets, Completely Updated, with Many Maps and Travel Tips

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for planning a trip, or remembering one!
Review: Of the various travel guides to the area I have consulted I particularly like this edition from Fodor's. The information is arranged in a logical way and is invaluable for planning a trip. And planning such a trip is very important even with the changes in today's society. Even for those not traveling this book can serve as a pleasant reminder of earlier visits. It deserves a place on the traveler's bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Good Start
Review: This is a great book for planning your trip, what to see, etc. It's up to date, and the maps of these old cities are impeccable. What it doesn't give you is a sense of what Russia is like these days--something hard to get into words. For that, take a look at "The Chess Artist," by Hallman. Less maps, but a real sense of how weird Russia can get.