The Asia Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the Continent    by China Williams & et al Order:  USA  Can Lonely Planet, 2007 (2007) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Here's another splendid coffee table sized book from Lonely Planet that combines an overview of Asian travel with a variety of enticing photographs - they give a preview of what's to be seen, and also create a mental itch to start trip planning. In the Foreword, Roz Hopkins tells us that 'Asia means different things to different people. It's the tranquillity of a watery rice terrace reflecting the clouds. It's the eternal emptiness of the desert; it's the uber-modernity of a neon-bathed city. It's all this and infinitely more.' An introductory essay speaks of a continent that 'has contributed a cast of heroes and villains to global history', as well as ancient trading routes and 'some of the world's most revolutionary ideas.' A one-page Timeline summarizes historical highlights, from the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (founder of Buddhism) in 653-483 BC Nepal to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The overview continues with a map; an Asia at a Glance summary (including Best Sunrise); and a presentation of the region's eight Great Journeys (each with photo, description and map) - from the Overland Trail and the Silk Road to following In the Footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia. Asian destinations are then presented under five categories: Southeast Asia (Thailand to the Philippines); Northeast Asia (Mongolia to Taiwan and Japan); the Indian Subcontinent & the Himalaya (Tibet to the Maldives); Central Asia (Turkmenistan to Afghanistan); and the Middle East (Iran to Israel). Each region is introduced by an essay - describing both geography and flavor - and map. Country entries are rich in images and topics covered include Landscape, History in a Nutshell, People, Cuisine, Culture, Essential Experiences (like rush hour on the Tokyo subway!), and Best Time to Visit. At the back of this glorious travel book are a series of essays on Themes of Asia: From Desert to Delta, discussing 'Asia's complex bond between people and place'; Land of Gods, 'that has played by far the most prominent role in shaping all the major religions practised today'; Pop Goes Asia, its modern cultural expressions; and (one that brought back many memories for me) Flashing Back to the Asian Hippie Trail. What a wonderful resource on one of the most intriguing areas in the world! My copy of The Asia Book will be well thumbed as I gaze at pictures that recall past journeys, and carefully read its text to plan new ones. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Travel books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews