Insight Guides South Africa (Travel Guide with Free Ebook)

Title: South Africa / edited by Johannes Haape. Edition: New ed. / updated by Eberhard Gennrich. Publisher: [Hong Kong] : APA Publications ; Boston, Mass. : Distributed in the U.S. by Houghton Mifflin Co., 1995. Edition Date: 1995 Language: English Notes: "Created and directed by Hans Höfer." Includes index. Physical Details: 371 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps ; 23 cm. Series: Insight guides ; 257 Other Authors: Haape, Johannes. Gennrich, Eberhard. Subjects: South Africa--Guidebooks.

I recently purchased this book for my mother who is going to South Africa for a vacation. The book was so helpful for me two years ago, that I wanted to make sure she had it. (My copy is marked up and the seams are a bit worn!) I like the books's balanced report on the history of South Africa, and the fact that it is neither for rich travelers with no budget, nor is it for poor students. The sections on things to buy and places to go are great, with enough examples to give you choices, but not simply a laundry list of restaurants and stores. It also has good information on things like local languages and cultures.Great book and I'd recommend it to anyone.

I had the opportunity to visit SA for a month in 1999. I knew going that I would have an informed friend to host and guide me, so I did not bring any guide books with me. However, when I returned home and had 34 rolls of film to show, I wanted a book to accompany the photos and act like its own souvenier. After looking at many titles, I settled on the Insight Guide because of its excellent balance of basic information (incl. a well-written chapter on the history), color photos (on the order of National Geographic), maps, tourist information (what to do; where to go; how to prepare; etc.), and candor about apartheid. I never regretted paying a few extra dollars more for the book because it stood head and shoulder above the competition. It's the book I would have made had I the opportunity. The mulitple authors are well-informed, and though some info might be outdated, one has to remember-- this is AFRICA!

Insight guides offer a rich history, political analysis and cultural insight to the countries they cover. By using locally based writers they get the insiders view of what the various camps believe in. For a discerning traveller who wants to know about the country, the people, geography, food, industry etc and for those who wish to travel independently, this is the book to read. It is not tourist guide which says stay here, eat this menu, see this statue. All that is left to the standard tourist guide writers. If you never travel to a country, you can know it through the insight guide. The South African book is no exception and is full of well written and accessible articles, giving you information that you will find invaluable if you travel to the country.