<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Not the whole story
Review: Don't want to sound like I'm shilling for Amazon.com, but if you're going to be in Poland for more than a few days, I would recommend both the Rough Guide and the Lonely Planet Poland guides. Both the strength and the weakness of the Rough Guide is that it is written by a Western European (or is he a North American?) who experiences Poland in a way I assume would be similar to most readers of English-language guides. That means sometimes he's sarcastic and dismissive when he shouldn't be. It is true, what other reviewers said about his tendency to question the essential Polishness of towns, people, etc. There's about 900 years of propaganda behind a lot of this, and I doubt the author is conversant with that history. On the other hand, his general reactions to things -- the beauty of Krakow, bad first impressions of Warsaw, the horror of Auschwitz, etc. -- were similar to my own reactions. I have found the Lonely Planet guide to be generally the more accurate of the two on the mundane details. It's also more balanced in its interpretations, though that is a matter of perspective. The author is a Pole, and his superior knowledge and understanding of just about everything both books cover is pretty evident. In no way is the book written from a crude, nationalistic standpoint, but he nevertheless doesn't quite connect to the reader in some vital way the author of Rough Guide Poland does. Maybe it's because he writes as a native rather than a sardonic ex-pat. If you're buying just one Poland guidebook, go with Lonely Planet.
Rating: 
Summary: Rough is right
Review: The only thing rough about this book is that it was allowed to pass a copy editor and onto printing while in rough draft form. This is by far one of the worst travel guides I have ever purchased...way out of date, biased, bigoted. If one ever intended to see the out of the way sights by using this book you may just as well forget it. The maps are unusable, there are no helpful tourists tips ie where to catch a tourist bureau, a restroom, etc. It makes you not want to visit Poland at all. What a shame since getting off into the country side areas, even cities of 10-25,00 people there is no info. Save your money and buy a national geographic subscription. ken gorski, el paso, texas August 16, 2003
Rating:
Summary: Rough is right
Review: The only thing rough about this book is that it was allowed to pass a copy editor and onto printing while in rough draft form. This is by far one of the worst travel guides I have ever purchased...way out of date, biased, bigoted. If one ever intended to see the out of the way sights by using this book you may just as well forget it. The maps are unusable, there are no helpful tourists tips ie where to catch a tourist bureau, a restroom, etc. It makes you not want to visit Poland at all. What a shame since getting off into the country side areas, even cities of 10-25,00 people there is no info. Save your money and buy a national geographic subscription. ken gorski, el paso, texas August 16, 2003
Rating: 
Summary: Poland, The Rough Guide
Review: This book is very negative in presenting Poland and its culture. Every time the author mentions something worth visiting, it is with reservations and he makes sure to diminish it in some way by subtly bringing negative aspects or comparisons (or questioning Polish origins of it.) Makes you wonder what were the reasons for writing this book. Many names are misspelled and prices not very accurate, especially for higher priced hotels and restaurants. Lonely Planet's Poland is much more enjoyable and accurate.
Rating:
Summary: Poland, The Rough Guide
Review: This book is very negative in presenting Poland and its culture. Every time the author mentions something worth visiting, it is with reservations and he makes sure to diminish it in some way by subtly bringing negative aspects or comparisons (or questioning Polish origins of it.) Makes you wonder what were the reasons for writing this book. Many names are misspelled and prices not very accurate, especially for higher priced hotels and restaurants. Lonely Planet's Poland is much more enjoyable and accurate.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably the best source
Review: This guide had extensive information on Poland, including coverage of many small towns omitted from other books. It is much more thorough than Lonely Planet. It also includes more information on sites of Jewish interest, which Lonely Planet virtually ignores. Perhaps that is why the other reviewer considered it a negative book. As with most guides geared to a budget audience, information on upmarket hotels and restaurants is limited at best. However, there is much more detail of things off the beaten path than one would find in a more upmarket guide.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best source
Review: This guide had extensive information on Poland, including coverage of many small towns omitted from other books. It is much more thorough than Lonely Planet. It also includes more information on sites of Jewish interest, which Lonely Planet virtually ignores. Perhaps that is why the other reviewer considered it a negative book. As with most guides geared to a budget audience, information on upmarket hotels and restaurants is limited at best. However, there is much more detail of things off the beaten path than one would find in a more upmarket guide.
<< 1 >>
| 
