Today I review: Top Ten Sights: Dublin. Edited by Mark Jones (no authors listed)
Rating: 4 out of 10
Pros: Has some good factual information. Inexpensive. Well edited. Won't take you long to read. Oh, and I'm not sure how long the promotion will last, but it is currently on a free promotion.
Cons: Definitely, not up to par with the description which calls it "ultimate" and "the only guide book you need". Provides very minimal practical information. Only information is on history and attractions. Very short. Doesn't even mention anything about restaurants, bar or night clubs which are mentioned in the description. Mostly dry and boring descriptions of fact after fact.
Top Ten Sight delivers factual (but no much practical) information about 10 different sites in Dublin (well really nine because random statues aren't a site in my opinion). It won't tell you addresses, how to get there, or any other practical information except occasionally a tip or two. You will have to do all the research on that yourself. It mentions nothing else about Dublin other than history-thus the description on the amazon page calling it ultimate and the only book you need is way off. Anyway I don't believe in the only book one needs theory. In fact, even famous travel author Rick Steves in his European Travel Skills show advocates for guide books and buying a variety of well written guide books.
What do I think of the sites picked for the book as someone who has traveled in and written a guide book on Dublin myself? Many belong on the list, but some in my opinion don't (zoo, random statues) and some other better and more popular sites are left out (Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublinia).
If you are curious what the ten sights are they are as follows:
- Trinity College (and Book of Kells)
- Dublin Castle (and Chester Beatty Library)
- National Museums of Ireland
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Kilmainham
- Guinness Storehouse
- Dublin Zoo
- Farmleigh House
- Statues Around Dublin
- Old Jameson Distillery
Is this book worth it at the 2.99 US list price (when it isn't on a free promotion)? If you are the type of person who likes to learn detailed factual information about a place before going to that place at the inexpensive price it may be worth it. But don't expect much more than that from Top Ten Sights: Dublin.
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