Different publishers specialise in different regions
and in different activities. These are my opinions on the ones I have
used.
Copyright: whoever owns the copyright receives the royalty income on sales
volumes. LP writers used to own the copyright until it was noticed the
best selling authors were receiving big royalty so thecopyright was bought
back. Now no LP author owns the copyright. I believe this is one of the
main reasons they are so inaccurate.
Publication Date: Without a publication date I cannot tell how old and
hence out of date the guide will be. Footprint are the worst offenders
here but paradoxically also produce the best guide for the region.
| Publisher |
Copyright owned by |
Publication Date |
Comment |
| Bradt Guides
(UK) |
Writer |
Yes |
The best for Africa.
I went to Madagascar because of Hilary Bradt's guide book. |
| Cadogan
(UK) |
Writer |
Yes |
Refreshingly different. |
| Footprint
(UK) |
Publisher |
No, only edition number |
The best for South America.
The South American Handbook is updated annually and is the best for
this area.
|
| Moon Guides (USA) |
Writer |
Yes |
Excellent for The Americas but distribution is non existent outside
the USA.
|
| Rough Guides
(??) |
Writer |
Yes |
The most informative and encyclopaedic, but they can be hard to
find. |
| Trailblazer
Publications (UK) |
Writer |
Yes |
The definitive overlanding series.
Chris Scott's Sahara Overland and Adventure Motorcycling Handbook
are required reading. They also have an excellent Mediterranean Ferry
Guide. |
| Lonely Planet (Oz) |
Publisher |
Yes |
LP has the best distribution of any publisher so they are the easiest
to find.
They also have the best structure but are the least accurate.
I only use these if I can find no alternatives. |
