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Summary: New edition of this book now available.
Review: The second edition -- expanded, revised, and updated -- of "The Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World" was published in September 2000. Seach books for "Practical Nomad" for a complete list of titles and information on current editions for the Practical Nomad series of travel how-to and advice books.
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Summary: By far the most practical and useful planning tool out there
Review: This book is admittedly a little dry, but it provides the practical information that anyone planning a lengthy trip around the world needs. The author doesn't mess around, there are no cute cartoons or tons of funny anecdotes. If that's what you want, look elsewhere! This book is essentialy a compendium of information to guide you through the process of planning and executing an independent trip around the world. The book does not give very much information that is specific to any country of region, but it does give resources to help you plan your destinations and transportation. This book is a definite must have. The section on airlines/airfares is especially worthwhile.
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Summary: Not the sexiest travel book, but it is thoughtful
Review: This book is one of the few that really does teach one how to better experience the world through travel. It is not entertaining in itself(yes, that was a dig at people who like "World Stompers") and it has no glossy photos of natives in colorful outfits to bemuse us. However, if you are interested in getting the most out of your travel experience, this is perhaps the best book to read before you head off to any part of the world. Edward sometimes says things that are little soap-boxish, but I really can't hold that against him when says certain things so basic, but SO ignored that his mentioning them make his sins miniscule in my eyes. His insights into what we can do and are best servered by doing while travelling will liberate you!
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Summary: just returned from my RTW trip - not helpful, after all
Review: This book really helped me get through the most difficult aspect of planning a WW trip - air travel! It is also very helpful in laying out other important elements in the planning of such a trip. I would highly recommend this book to anybody partaking this endeavor. Plus, the author is available to personally assist you through his website - something I found to be icing on the cake!Edited Nov. 3, 2001. Having returned from an 8-month long RTW trip, I can now say that I could have had as much success without using the 1st Edition of this book. I found the material dated, often times inaccurate (particularly about attaining visas) and too often based on opinion as opposed to fact. From my own experience, I found it much easier to buy air tickets on the road. It provided me with better pricing and much more flexibility. Please note, this was in SE Asia, you mileage may vary. The sad thing is (...)he demonstrated little interest towards gaining the latest FACTS about the very issues detailed in this book. It is puzzling as to why he would not encourage his readers to augment the book through some type of interactive dialogue of fresh info. that easily could be maintained on the web or otherwise. If for nothing else, than to provide a "notebook" for future editions. That, and the fact that it has been a LONG time since the author has actually travelled extensively, left me questioning his credibility (and the credibility of the 2nd edition). Sorry, Edward - this is my experience. It's time to get back on the road, the world has changed!
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Summary: Fascinating but problematic
Review: This book really intrigued me. I was hoping it would be just the thing for offbeat solo travelers such as myself. To some extent, it is: it contains much useful information and pithy anecdotes, and it's an enjoyable read. However, I can't help but feel that the research and editing are a bit slipshod -- pages and pages are devoted to relatively simple issues, while other topics that are at least as important get glossed over with a couple of sentences. I question the quality of the information that's in the book, too. In the section on North American road travel, Hasbrouck states that the American Automobile Association's TourBooks are generally poor, while their CampBooks are generally excellent. In my own experience (including a 7-week, 12 000-mile trip from New York to Alaska), the reverse is so. Hasbrouck further claims that AAA's CampBooks are the only series of camping directories that cover all of the United States, when in fact there are several others (notably Woodall's). On my trip to Alaska, I had both AAA's and Woodall's directories with me, and Woodall's was more comprehensive almost everywhere. I could cite other examples, but you get the idea. I really wanted to like this book, but it needs some more work before it lives up to its potential. Hasbrouck seems to know a lot about travel; if his research and editing skills were on a par with his knowledge, this would be a five-star book. A final thought: judging from the anecdotes in the book, Hasbrouck has been all over the globe. Yet he himself says, "People who seem to have been everywhere generally haven't been anywhere long." Makes one wonder.
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Summary: Hasbrouck helped me have a life again
Review: We not only used the book as a guide for our 15 month trip to four continents, we also booked many of our tickets through Hasbrouck. Of course, the book had great value without the author's direct involvement. It isn't the type of book that you need to bring on an extended trip--it is more like the Bible for the 3 months that you spend preparing for that trip. It helps focus your thoughts on what kind of trip you'd like and how to go about achieving it. It is probably most useful for those who feel that experiencing other cultures, as opposed to serial sightseeing, is the most important element of an extended journey. Also, Hasbrouck' extensive experience as a travel agent shines through the extraordinarily useful section on how airfares work and how to find the best one (not necessarily the lowest one) for your needs. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Best of the RTW travel guides. Period.
Review: We're 7 months from an 11 month trip around the world and this book is IT for authoritative information. If you are flying to a vacation spot you need this book. Although the book is long and detailed we found it's completeness a real help. Hasbrouck is a detail oriented guy that you would want for a travel agent. His section on air travel is unbeatable. I have read nearly all of the round the world guides and this is the best bar none.
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Summary: Likes to hear himself talk
Review: While this book had a few good travel suggestions, I found it annoying that the author kept interjecting his personal opinions about every and all subjects. His accusations and conclusions were never supported with actual facts. He seems to view himself as a concerned citizen of the world with a strong social conscience, but he comes off as didactic and offensive. Very distasteful. There are many better books out there.
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