"The Grand Canyon State"

When you combine the première publishers of visual travel guides, Insight Guides, together with the creativity and talents of Discovery Channel, the results can be extraordinary. This is particularly in evidence when you read the 1st edition of Insight Guides Arizona & The Grand Canyon.

This guide scores very high points for its comprehensiveness providing an invaluable aid for the armchair as well as the serious traveler, who are eager to learn about the natural and culture history of Arizona. After all, one of the most satisfying pleasures of travel is learning and understanding the historical events that occurred in the places one visits.

The contributors to this guide write from a wealth of research and experience and they do not disappoint their readers in providing useful background information pertaining to dates, native heritage, the Spanish era, the modern era, cowboys, miners, desert life, ghost towns, native art, and ancient Arizona.

Very well organized, the guide commences with a general introduction to the Grand Canyon State followed by different sections pertaining to its history, features, different parts of the state-North, Central, and South. Also included are information panels providing fascinating facts about such topics as water issues, desert blossoms, bird watching and more.

The reader will also find several tips concerning sights worth visiting, tips pertaining to hotels, shops, restaurants, attractions and more. For example, readers are informed that the Grand Canyon Chamber Music Festival in September stages three weeks of concerts at the South Rim auditorium.

The vibrant full color photographs that are generously included showcase a very potent sense of place and of the people who live in the State. Particularly stunning are the photos of the red rocks of the Grand Canyon National Park and the sunrise illuminating the canyon rim.

Another useful inclusion is the mentioning of main places of interest with full color maps, and a symbol at the top of every right-hand page telling the reader where to find the map.

The last chapter of the guide- book provides the reader with brief general information concerning where to stay and eat, parks and historic sites, tours and outfitters, sporting events, cultural venues, and suggested further reading.

The guide is truly a magnificent achievement to be savored and repeatedly enjoyed, and I am sure the reader will place Arizona on a "must visit" list.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Bookpleasures
Posted January 9, 2004