Mongolia (Bradt Travel Guides) [Paperback]

Sorry to disagree with the previous reviewers but disagree I must. I bought the Bradt guide partly on the strength of earlier reviews and partly to see how other guides compare with Lonely Planet, my normal guidebook of choice. I now know why I lean towards LP.

For sure Part One has a good deal of interesting background and detail which will enhance your understanding of Mongolia and maybe stir a yearning to visit. There is also a good selection of high quality colour photographs to whet the appetite still further. However, Part Two The Guide, the engine room of a good guide book, is sadly lacking. The map of Ulan Bator is not cross-referenced with the text; there is no numbered list of sights, places to eat etc with a grid reference to match back to the map. The fact the UB map shows my accommodation in a place it has not been for years did not exactly endear me to this book nor did it fill me with confidence about the accuracy or attention to detail. Incidentally it is shown correctly in Bryn Thomas's estimable Trans-Siberian Handbook which is of the same vintage so there is no excuse. I found the layout to be confusing, littered with text boxes which have been tossed around like so much confetti.

Oh and one last gripe: the index is in an absurdly tiny font size: why?

It is pretty clear to me this guidebook is targeted at tourists with deeper pockets than mine, who cannot travel too far from home without keeping the normal creature comforts. Phrases such as: 'Ladies, should you need a nice loo when you are out and about in Ulaanbaatar...' speak volumes.

I have not tried a Bradt guide before but on the strength of this one I shall not bother again. I have no idea how good the LP equivalent is, but if it is written to the normal LP standard I suspect it would be far more to my liking.

Jane Blunden clearly has an affinity with Mongolia and her passion shines through. In summary, if you want a nice middle class book to read in a comfortable armchair, telling you how spiffing Mongolia is then this is an excellent choice. If you want a guidebook to use on the ground, to help you with the day-to-day navigation around a wonderful country then this is not the one for you.

This guide is the best guide for travel in Mongolia, but should be combined with another guide such as the LP for maximum effect. The guide has a vast background section with which it gives a real feeling to the country. The guide is low on actual information about places and locations. Two thirds of the book are used for background information.

The book lacks GPS coordinates and locations of sights are not clearly indicated and this book alone would not suffice to locate them. It is a well written guide, but the book clearly needs an overhaul of the travel section. It is not up to par with other Bradt guides and the guide certainly has a more dated feel than the date of publication suggests.

I must confess that I have not (yet) visited Mongolia but after reading Jane Blundens Guide I feel as if I have already been there. Just One of the many reasons why this Guide can be considered exceptional is the fact that Jane Blunden manages to transfer her fascination for All Things Mongolian to the reader. It is something of a misnomer to simply call this work a Travel Guide --it is a great read, one that you can dip in & out of and each time you can be certain that you will learn something new about this wonderful Country. This Guide would make an absolutely perfect Christmas Gift. Eamonn Sreenan , Wexford, Ireland.