Arizona

I've been relying on Bill Weir's Moon guide since it first came out in 1986. I still have a first edition in storage somewhere (I think). These comments apply to the 9th edition, published in early 2005 -- which means a 10th edition is likely in preparation as I write this review. In addition to the 9th ed., I have in front of me the 6th ed. of 1996. It's interesting to compare the two. The older book is a "svelte" 488 pages; the new one weighs in at a hefty 650 pp., and is a bit larger-format, too. The newer book has, well, more stuff, better paper (less show-through), better maps, but doesn't appear as sturdily-bound as the older one, and lacks the nice rounded corners. I've lived in Arizona for 30 years, but always learn something new thumbing through Weir's guide. About the only weakness is the occasional dodgy restaurant review -- and in fairness, these are 2-3 year old reviews. If you live in Arizona, or plan to travel here, you need this guidebook. So, what are you waiting for? OK, you can wait for the 10th ed. if you live here. Others, grit your teeth, fork over your 15 bucks. Money well-spent: half a tank of gas, a cheap restaurant meal.... Happy travelling-- Peter D. Tillman Rimrock, AZ (winters) -- The site for the future University of Arizona was donated to the Territory by two professional gamblers and a saloon keeper in 1886.

We have purchased about 7 Moon Books with Arizona being the latest purchase. Good refernce books---up to date and easy to read. We find them better than the AAA Tour Books. A fair price. Needs to be kept up to date with changes occurring so often,it is a good idea to check the "published date"

For anyone planning to visit Arizona, this is definitely the best guide you can bring with you. Although I wish it had more photos give a clue as to what you'll be seeing, the excellent maps, detailed descriptions, and sheer volume of information provided more than makes up for it. I had only a few days in Arizona and didn't have time to waste, so it was important that I find the best places to see while I was there. This book proved to be absolutely vital for my trip. Without it I would never have found many of the interesting sights that I visited. In short, don't go to Arizona without this book.

Recently my wife and I planned a trip to Eastern Arizona. We got copies of all the available guidebooks to Arizona and began going through them for information. It soon became clear that Bill Weir's book had by far the most information. He has been everywhere. The book is well-written, authoritative without being pedantic, and is nicely laid out so that it is easy to use. We especially appreciate his coverage of hiking trails.When we use an Arizona guidebook the first thing we do is crack it open to its section on Flagstaff, where we live. When we did this, we found that the book passed the acid test. This is the best book of its kind, and the one that we will use from now on.

With its 600 pages of text and 32-page index, you immediately sense that this seventh edition was written by a person who knows Arizona extremely well. Flagstaff resident Bill Weir really packs in the practical details of travel, making it unnecessary to spend time wading through the myriad brochures available at roadside tourist information centers. Bill has done that job for us, and he intersperses just the right mix of historical photos, maps, sidebars, and charts to make our trip a real learning experience. Visitors, local residents, and libraries alike will find this in-depth handbook a veritable cornucopia of all things Arizonan.