Insight Guide: Myanmar (Burma)

He loved this book, and still continues to rave about it a few years later. He was born there and grew up there through his teens. To see how much has changed without visiting the country himself was nice. He really enjoyed it, so I'd have to recommend to anybody with an interest.

Insight Guides are generally worth buying for the pictures alone, and the Burma/Myanmar volume is no exception. Background sections are generally good, although there is not much on Buddhism or nat worship (these topics are filled out more in connection with individual sites, however). Covers the entire country (unlike the Odyssey guide). Although it is sometimes a little dry, this guide manages to convey virtually all of the facts you will need about each place you visit, along with the associated mythology, significance of the site, and so on.