Many members will share the sentiments of Paul Wade when they read Nick Parsons’ new book Worth the Detour, a 380-page history of the guidebook.

'Why didn't I think of it first?' wonders Paul, who says that Nick's caustic sense of humour is allied to impressive research in a tome that begins with Erastosthenes of Cyrene and ends with a Traveller's Guide to Hell. In between, Paul reckons that Nick's detail and understanding of Greek and Roman, German and French, British and American guidebooks is worthy of a PhD, but that his wit keeps readers hooked.

As Nick himself points out 'Our choice of guidebook, and the ways in which we choose to use one (dutifully, with scepticism, with blind obedience, or even with mockery), reveal a good deal about us and the cultural attitudes we instinctively subscribe to.'

So if you're looking for a Christmas present for a fellow travel hack, look no further. Worth the Detour by Nicholas T Parsons is published by Sutton Publishing and costs £20. For a review copy, contact Yvette Cowles, Head of Marketing and Publicity, on 01453 883300 or e-mail
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