The Best of Phoenix and Tucson: The Ten Best

This is what I want from a travel guide. As I'm considering a lengthy trip to Arizona, and to Phoenix specifically, I want to know the what's what on the what-to-see. "The Best of Phoenix and Tucson: The Ten Best" has that, with a hearty dash of personality. Lots of travel guides take a similar tack: list the top ten of the usual categories. What makes this one different is that the writers have avoided becoming lackeys to the hotel of entertainment industry. Instead of being crammed with corporate logos, they focus on their opinion. I like that. No one will be surprised to read most of the lists: dining, resorts, romantic vistas, but nice to see were lists like, "The Ten Best Other Ethnic Restaurants." Naturally, they have a number of general and Hispanic restaurant lists, but I was pleased to see the authors really did their homework. Now I know I can check out "Peter's European Cafe" and taste their Hungarian palacsintas (stuffed crepes). Phoenix and Tucson are neighbors. Anyone visiting one community is likely to visit the other, but they are not twin cities. Therefore, the writers wisely create separate sections for each city. Anyone willing to make the 110 mile drive will be ready. A tourist will love this book, but I suspect any local will discover things about his home city previously hidden deep in the phone book. I fully recommend "The Best of Phoenix and Tucson: The Ten Best" by Don W. Martin, Betty Woo Martin. Anthony Trendl editor, HungarianBookstore.com