Knopf Mapguide Berlin

I borrowed this book from the library after buying two other guidebooks in preparation for a trip to Berlin, and I found this book indispensible. While I used the two other books in the planning stages -- deciding on hotels, prioritizing tourist sites, comparing restaurants -- once I arrived in Berlin, it was this handy book that was practically glued to my hand! Thorough, convenient, well-organized, and small enough to slip in a large pocket or tuck into a purse, this Mapguide is my new favorite and a must-buy for every trip. You know that awful feeling when lost in a foreign city, disoriented, trying to find the nearest landmark and having to unfold a gigantic map in the middle of the street? Might as well wear a gigantic sign marking yourself, to friend or foe, as the hick tourist! Plus, it's just annoying and half the time the map falls apart at the creases, and you still can't find where the hell you are. Instead, these Mapguides are well-organized, focusing on touristy areas with a separate section for each neighborhood. Tourist landmarks are clearly marked, and in the Berlin guide, we used it constantly to find the nearest subway stops and routes. There are brief -- very brief -- descriptions of major sights in each section (organized by location). Not great for in-depth info but adequate if you've already done your homework. Also, a few restaurant and lodging recs, but these are better gotten elsewhere. For its purposes, it's the best thing out there and well worth the 9 bucks.