Perhaps because of its history, The Handbook manages to do justice to the complexities of history, economics and politics of a region, while at the same time providing the essentials which are the staple of most of its competitors. Most guidebooks trying to cover a land-mass as vast and varied as South America end up as garbled and piecemeal editions which totally fail to do justice to the area and are completely inadequate when it comes to any attraction which is off the beaten track. The Handbook, however, manages to provide crucial information listings and a broader range of accommodation and entertainment options than other guides possess, without losing its knack for leading you away from the favourite haunts of travellers to places which are genuinely remote.

This is far and away the leader for guides on the region, and has a position which will be very hard to challenge. If you are packing only one guidebook for your trip to South America, this is the one to take.