Susan (SG) -
Yes, we've all come to rely on Wikipedia or other web sources for most of our reference needs. Does anyone even know what a gazetteer is? Well, it's a "standard international directory of places and the facts, figures and people associated with them. It provides comprehensive coverage of the modern world, with rich statistical detail on countries, regions, cities and towns - their business and industrial activities, physical features, histories, population sizes and special points of tourist, religious and current affairs significance" (according to the dust jacket). In short, it's a comprehensive, pithy, desktop reference book edited by professionals. This formidable text includes many illustrations, and over a hundred beautiful full-color maps at the back. Fun to browse, this volume is perfect for the armchair traveler, or anyone who wants quick, reliable information about a place in the world. This gazetteer may represent a dying breed, but there is still much to delight true bibliophiles.
