The ONLY guide book for Azerbaijan - Rated 
I travelled to Azerbaijan (mainly Baku & the Apsheron Peninsular) a couple of years ago for a month or so with a group of geology students doing some studying in the area. Between us we bought several guide books; a few from the standard travel book companies and this one. After about a week we realised this was the only one we needed!
It appears the author has actually travelled fairly extensively in the country and really does appreciate the uniqueness of this country as a travel destination. Not only are the true tourist elements covered well - locations to most of the best mud volcanoes sites, natural fire sites, prehistoric paintings and the old city of Baku but the guide to restaurants and bars etc in Baku (and therefore I assume the other towns) is excellent as well. We visited several local bars recommended and were never let down.
There are also good sections on the history and culture of the country and its obsession with peotry. As well practical cultural advice such as buying flowers (don't get an even number as it means someone has died and will provoke spontaneous flower buying by everyone else in the local area - believe me!), how to smoke shisha and when to drink vodka.
The book has a great quirky style as well with funny, hand-drawn maps that are fortunately accurate and legible also. The writing is informal and friendly, in the style of someone who is not native Azeri but has lived there a long time and developed a great affection for the country, so there is the global perspective to see some of the odd things about the country but also a love of the country.
If you are travelling to Azerbaijan please don't buy any of the standard tourist guides - get this one I promise you it is far better, as well as being a jolly interesting read in itself.
Travelling with humanity, a five-star guide. - Rated
This review is to thank publisher and author for opening up what was the closed book of Azerbaijan and making it possible,imperative even, to get out and make the most of life in a fascinating country. Written with an attention to (sometimes quirky) detail which denotes enthusiasm and respect for both country and traveller. Background and perspective provide the human face which is so often missing in the formula guides (viz, sadly, Lonely Planet's recently-produced barebones approach to the same country)and the general western viewpoint. A friendly, challenging and inspiring read, it is one of the three essential books for anyone planning to stay or visit (Thomas Goltz and Qurban Said wrote the others).
The bible for expats to make the most of Baku and Azerbaijan - Rated
Before this book there was nothing written at all to help people travel around, enjoy and get a cultural understanding of this place. But thanks to this guide, a lot of us that thought Azerbaijan was going to be an oil-hardship posting have discovered that it's a really beautiful, varied and incredible place. The book is stuffed full of maps and little pictures. Even shows sketches of bus stops where you need to turn (there aren't many road signs) and has pages and pages of food words which has helped us venture into some of the non-expat restaurants. The title is Azerbaijan with Georgia, but the Georgia section is relatively small - again lots of maps, but seems to be included just for people going there on weekends from Baku. The Azerbaijan sectin - the overwhelming majority - is very comprehensive. I heard that a Lonely Planet book for the Caucasus is coming out later this year, but it's hard to imagine that it would really compete - has to cover three countries. I would suggest that anyone coming to Baku / Azerbaijan seriously considers getting this 'bible' before they come - it is difficult to find a copy here in Azerbaijan.
Not just the only guide but a pretty good one too - Rated
Over a hundred maps look like pirate treasure charts but are surprisingly accurate. Loads of pictures, diagrams and really useful historical and cultural background. It's the only book on the country but a very good read too.
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