Michelin THE GREEN GUIDE USA West, 1e (THE GREEN GUIDE)

Rating:
Summary: A SOLID ANSWER TO A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE
Review: I love the Green Guide series. As a group they are compact and consise enough to be useful but focused and intelligent enough to be interesting. So how does the greatest series of guide books tackle an area that is greater in size than the whole continent of Europe? With some difficulty. Michelin was wise to break the country into sections, but the "west" and "east" can hardly be described as defined tourist regions. I am grateful for the scope of coverage, knowing that I can get the Michelin treatment of the whole United States in these two volumes. But a great deal is lost in terms of depth. America is the ultimate melting pot, but these companion guides struggle somewhat to see the whole among the parts. The series seems headed for a more regional approach with other titles (California, Florida, Northwest, New England, etc.). But let's not quibble. This guide is still the best overall introduction to touring the grand American West, and the format remains the best in the business. If only American guidebooks could approach the ease of use and cultural depth of Michelin.

Rating:
Summary: A good overview...
Review: I was going to the Santa Fe area, and when I realize that Michelin recently made available a new title: USA West, I immediately bought it. The guide doesn't go as much into details as, say, the Michelin guide on California, but as usual I am satisfied and I trust the Michelin ranking system: 3 stars, 2 stars, 1 star, no star, not mentionned. The price is right, and there is ton of information packed into 400 pages. I liked the idea of giving a relevant internet address when appropriate.