The Best Shop Travel Books, Maps & Guides by Region 2026

1. Dark star safari : overland from cairo to capetown: 9780618446872

The legendary travel writer's thrilling and dangerous account of his journey across Africa A rattletrap bus, dugout canoe, cattle truck, armed convoy, ferry, and train. In the course of his epic and enlightening journey, wittily observant and endearingly irascible Paul Theroux endures danger, delay, and dismaying circumstances. Gauging the state of affairs, he talks to Africans, aid workers, missionaries, and tourists. What results is an insightful meditation on the history, politics, and beauty of Africa and its people.

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Capetown, (Paperback) Author: Mariner Books ISBN: 9780618446872 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2004-04-05 Page Count: 485

2. Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival, (Paperback)

Skeletons on the Zahara chronicles the true story of twelve American sailors who were shipwrecked off the coast of Africa in 1815, captured by desert nomads, sold into slavery, and subjected to a hellish two-month journey through the perilous heart of the Sahara. The western Sahara is a baking hot and desolate place, home only to nomads and their camels, and to locusts, snails and thorny scrub -- and its barren and ever-changing coastline has baffled sailors for centuries. In August 1815, the US brig Commerce was dashed against Cape Bojador and lost, although through bravery and quick thinking the ship's captain, James Riley, managed to lead all of his crew to safety. What followed was an extraordinary and desperate battle for survival in the face of human hostility, starvation, dehydration, death and despair. Captured, robbed and enslaved, the sailors were dragged and driven through the desert by their new owners, who neither spoke their language nor cared for their plight. Reduced to drinking urine, flayed by the sun, crippled by walking miles across burning stones and sand and losing over half of their body weights, the sailors struggled to hold onto both their humanity and their sanity. To reach safety, they would have to overcome not only the desert but also the greed and anger of those who would keep them in captivity. From the cold waters of the Atlantic to the searing Saharan sands, from the heart of the desert to the heart of man, Skeletons on the Zahara is a spectacular odyssey through the extremes and a gripping account of courage, brotherhood, and survival.

Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival, (Paperback) Author: Back Bay Books ISBN: 9780316159357 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2005-04-12 Page Count: 384

3. The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire, (Paperback)

An adventure story in the tradition of Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief, The Heartless Stone is a voyage into the cold heart of the world's most unyielding gem. When he proposed to his girlfriend, Tom Zoellner gave what is expected of every American man--a diamond engagement ring. But when the relationship broke apart, he was left with a used diamond that began to haunt him. His obsession carried him around the globe, from the "blood diamond" rings of Africa; to the sweltering polishing factories of India; to mines above the Arctic Circle; to illegal diggings in Brazil; to the London headquarters of De Beers, the secretive global colossus that has dominated the industry for more than a century and permanently carved the phrase "A diamond is forever" on the psyche. The Heartless Stone goes beyond investigative reporting into the regions of the human heart that make the diamond empire possible. It has been called "a dazzling display of intrepid reporting" (Entertainment Weekly) and "an illuminating expose of a mineral and an industry" (The Wall Street Journal). An American Library Association Notable Book

The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire, (Paperback) Author: Picador USA ISBN: 9780312339708 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2007-06-12 Page Count: 352

4. Pre-Owned Top 10 New York (Paperback) 0789483513 9780789483515

An unbeatable, pocket-sized guide, designed to help you see the very best of New York City. Exhilarating, ever-evolving and unforgettable-New York is one of the most visited cities in the world, known for its world-class museums and galleries, dazzling Broadway shows, towering skyscrapers, amazing food, and fast-paced life. Your DK Eyewitness Top 10 travel guide ensures you'll find your way around New York City with absolute ease. Our annually updated Top 10 travel guide breaks down the best of New York City into helpful lists of ten-from our own selected highlights to the best museums, art galleries, restaurants, performing arts venues, children's attractions, LGBT+ points of interest, and famous department stores. You'll discover- - Fifteen easy-to-follow itineraries , perfect for a day trip, a weekend, or a week - Top 10 lists of New York City's must-sees , including detailed descriptions of the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square and Theater District, Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City's most interesting areas , with the best places for shopping, going out, and sightseeing - Inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip - including festival and events, bars and lounges, hidden gems off the beaten track, and things to do for free - A laminated pull-out map of New York City and its environs, plus thirteen full-colour neighbourhood maps - Streetsmart advice - get ready, get around, and stay safe - A lightweight format perfect for your pocket or bag when you're on the move DK Eyewitness Top 10s are the UK's favourite pocket guides and have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 2002. Looking for more New York City's culture, history, and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness New York City .

Title: Top 10 New York ISBN10: 0789483513 EAN: 9780789483515 Author: Berman, Eleanor Pre-Owned Condition- Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include 'From the library of' labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included.

5. Culture Shock! Sri Lanka: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette [Paperback] [Feb 15, 2007] Barlas, Robert and Wanasu

Information and background for travelers and expatriates includes a brief history and description of the country, along with facts about the food, language, culture, and pastimes to help the "shocked" function in society, business, and residence.

Culture Shock! Sri Lanka: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette [Paperback] [Feb 15, 2007] Barlas, Robert and Wanasu

6. Angry Wind : Through Muslim Black Africa by Truck, Bus, Boat, and Camel

Hailed by Bill Bryson and the New York Times Book Review as a rising star among travel writers, Jeffrey Tayler penetrates one of the most isolated, forbidding regions on earth--the Sahel. This lower expanse of the Sahara, which marks the southern limit of Islam's reach in West and Central Africa, boasts such mythologized places as Mopti and Timbuktu, as well as Africa's poorest countries, Chad and Niger. In parts of the Sahel, hard-line Sharia law rules and slaves are still traded. Racked by lethal harmattan winds, chronic civil wars, and grim Islamic fundamentalism, it is not the ideal place for a traveler with a U.S. passport. Tayler finds genuine danger in many guises, from drunken soldiers to a thieving teenage mob. But he also encounters patience and generosity of a sort found only in Africa. Traveling overland by the same rickety means used by the local people--tottering, overfilled buses, bush taxis with holes in the floor, disgruntled camels--he uses his fluency in French and Arabic (the region's lingua francas) to connect with them. Tayler is able to illuminate the roiling, enigmatic cultures of the Sahel as no other Western writer could.

Hailed by Bill Bryson and the New York Times Book Review as a rising star among travel writers, Jeffrey Tayler penetrates one of the most isolated, forbidding regions on earth--the Sahel. This lower expanse of the Sahara, which marks the southern limit of Islam’s reach in West and Central Africa, boasts such mythologized places as Mopti and Timbuktu, as well as Africa’s poorest countries, Chad and Niger. In parts of the Sahel, hard-line Sharia law rules and slaves are still traded. Racked by lethal harmattan winds, chronic civil wars, and grim Islamic fundamentalism, it is not the ideal place for a traveler with a U.S. passport. Tayler finds genuine danger in many guises, from drunken soldiers to a thieving teenage mob. But he also encounters patience and generosity of a sort found only in Africa. Traveling overland by the same rickety means used by the local people--tottering, overfilled buses, bush taxis with holes in the floor, disgruntled camels--he uses his fluency in French and Arabic (the region’s lingua francas) to connect with them. Tayler is able to illuminate the roiling, enigmatic cultures of the Sahel as no other Western writer could.

7. Time Out Guides: Time Out Paris Eating & Drinking (Paperback)

Paris means haute -- and hot -- cuisine. With reviews of more than 750 restaurants, bars, and cafés -- anonymously tested and meticulously checked by a team of experienced, Paris-based journalists -- this eighth edition of Time Out Paris Eating and Drinking is the most authoritative English-language restaurant guide to the City of Lights. For every destination, these candid critics identify the best, the worst, the most fashionable, and the more overrated venues in the ultimate food town. Informative sidebars help travelers expand the experience.

Time Out Paris Eating & Drinking: Time Out Paris Eating & Drinking (Paperback)

8. South Africa

CONDITION – USED: Books sold are in GOOD or better condition. Good Condition: Minimal damage to the cover, dust jacket may not be included, minimal wear to binding, most of the pages undamaged(e.g., minimal creases or tears), highlighting / underlining acceptable on books as long as the text is readable and markings are not excessive, no missing pages. May be a former library book, with usual treatments(e.g., mylar covers, call stickers, stamps, card pockets, barcodes, or remainder marks). Extra components, such as CDs, DVDs, figurines, or access codes are not included. ISBN: 9780756628741 ISBN10: 0756628741 Contributors: O'Leary, Ian, Brett, Michael, Johnson Barker, Brian, Dorling Kindersley Publishing Staff, Renssen, Mariëlle,

Paperback, DK Publishing, 2007, ISBN# 0756628741

9. Wildlife and Nature Identification African Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar Animals, (Paperback)

When tracking animals in Africa, guides rely on spoor (tracks and dung) to let them know where and when animals are present. African Animal Tracks is the perfect pocket-sized, folding guide for nature enthusiasts wanting to learn more about the science of tracking many of these nocturnal species. Beautiful illustrations highlight more than 80 species and their signs. Laminated for durability, this lightweight guide is a great source of portable information and ideal for field use by novices and experts alike. Made in the USA.

Nature Observation International Africa Animal Tracks, (Paperback) Author: Waterford Press ISBN: 9781583550373 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 1999-11-01 Page Count: 12

10. Wildlife and Nature Identification: Africa Wildlife : A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals (Other)

Eco-tourists, adventurers, and nature lovers will find African Wildlife to be the ideal pocket guide for safari. This illustrated 12-panel folding guide highlights 140 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, including a map of vegetation zones. Laminated for durability; a resource for conservationists and citizen science programs.

No other continent offers the opportunity to see such diverse wildlife -- up close and in its natural habitat. Eco-tourists, adventurers, and nature lovers will find African Wildlife to be the essential pocket-sized, folding guide as they travel. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. This guide was updated in 2012 with a new cover design and a back panel map highlighting prominent ecosystems. Laminated for durability, this guide will conveniently fit into a pocket when you want to reach for your camera or binoculars.