Not infrequently we receive reference books and review them for library purposes, although the title is really aimed at, and often more suitable for, the individual purchaser. This is very much a case in point. I have to say at the outset that this title is not really suitable for reference library use: its looseleaf format gives an immediate physical security problem, but quite simply and to be fair to it, the product is not meant for libraries. It is aimed specifically at the individual purchaser, to offer an initial guide book backed up by a tailored information service. So how is one to review this fairly in our circumstances? It is probably best to review the publication on its own terms and leave our readers to decide on its relevance or usefulness to their own collections and circumstances.
This title is partly a reference book and partly an advertisement and sample for a customized service. The looseleaf binder contains five sections: Itinerary, Events, Diary, Insider Information, and Stop Press. The Itinerary section contains a single route contained in 18 illustrated pages with a folding map; the map shows the route, but is for general guidance and illustration: the authors recommend the use of a road atlas. This itinerary covers a large area of South and South‐West England, from Windsor to Portsmouth via Bath, Wells, Glastonbury and other places en route. In itself it is useful enough, if rather summary: other titles already in most libraries’ stocks will be able to give more detail and more background. But, as suggested above, this itinerary is a sample; therefore various tourist, historical and similar features are carefully selected, as well as a range of events. It is very attractively presented with illustrations, nice use of colour, with directory and related information listed separately, and a clear, lively, if concise, text. The whole point is that users then select the area of their own choice, add themes of their own interest as defined here (amusement parks to wildlife/nature by way of such topics as museums/art galleries, shopping or things for the kids), indicate the time they have available and commission their own itinerary at rates varying from £16.24 (one week, UK) to £154.87 (12 weeks, rest of the world). A standard form is included for the purpose of ordering such a personalized itinerary.
The Events section is similarly a selection from a much wider range to show the enormous variety available throughout the year, from 1 January to 31 December. The range is from Hogmanay (although I must point out that this is a festival for the whole of Scotland, not just Edinburgh as suggested here) to a Dickensian Christmas in Rochester, as well as further Hogmanay revels around Scotland. The Diary is for the individual user to fill in themselves (a further disincentive to the library shelves). The Insider Information section expands on themes and is full of practical advice about how to get the most out of a visit or tour, including topics such as “often neglected points of interest”, “strange British traditions” and more practical subjects such as cost reduction hints or driving in the UK for overseas visitors. The Stop Press section gives a range of useful addresses for Tourist Boards (although they include an unlikely Ayrshire and Aaron), ticket agencies, organizations and the like.
Although this title is marketed for the United Kingdom as well, it is likely to be of most use to overseas visitors: a point worth noting for our readers outside the UK. The authors’ style is somewhat excitable but they are trying to convey enthusiasms and that is no bad thing if it helps to attract tourists into the country. The authors are themselves a Londoner and an Australian, so that between them they give a useful perspective. The work is really a sample and framework for a customized service, but some of the tourist information is handy to have in one place. It claims to cover topics not found in a typical travel book: by and large this might be true enough. Public libraries and tourist information centres in the United Kingdom will find this a title that it is useful to know about, at least to recommend to their customers. Our overseas readers also will want to be aware of it as a useful direction to steer enquiries for UK travel information and itineraries. The prices quoted do not seem too steep for a customized service: any reasonably intelligent tourist should be able to compile a similar (perhaps by definition even better because more personalized) itinerary for themselves, but it would be at a great cost of their own time and require the use of a wider range of resources than might be available to them. This is certainly different from many traditional guidebooks (even some of the more modern versions) so is certainly well worth knowing about.
