There have now been over 20 Footprint Handbooks published, and there are at least ten more in the pipeline. These guides now cover most destinations worldwide, and the series is proving popular for traveller and businessmen and women alike.
This volume follows the same format that has made other titles in the series so popular. Written by people who have a long history of acquaintance with the country in question, the text demonstrates a detailed knowledge of the land and its peoples. The book opens with a section called “Introduction and hints”. This is followed by chapters on the history of North Africa, its wildlife, and hints on appropriate manners and behaviour for travellers to Morocco. Each region of the country is then looked at in turn, with information on accommodation, places to eat, bars, nightclubs and theatres.
The book closes with a serviceable index, and is packed full from start to finish with up‐to‐date information. It is produced in a handy pocket or back‐pack sized wipe‐clean hard cover, and is written in an engaging and accessible style. It represents good value at £10.99. The publishers invite comments and suggestions from visitors to Morocco, so that the next edition will feature further valuable hints and tips. I like this easygoing friendly rapport with the readership. Even so, it is hard to recommend this volume above the Lonely Planet Guide to Morocco, which features sumptuous colour plates and easy‐to‐read maps on its larger format pages. Many of the maps in the Footprint Handbook are too small to be of great use and the text is in very small typeface. The Lonely Planet Guide crams even more user friendly tips per page. Libraries with good funding, if any such remain, would do well to purchase both volumes but, while I think the Footprint Handbook is a quality publication and represents good value for money I think, in this instance, the Lonely Planet Guide has the edge.
