Azerbaijan, 3rd: With Excursions to Georgia (Trailblazer)

Perhaps the best recommendation for this books comes not just from the many expatriots who rely on it, but from the native Azeris who are astounded at how well Mark Elliott (native of UK) knows their country. Azeris are famous for assuming (perhpas rightly so) that the rest of the world knows nothing about their country. So, when Azeris recommend a book about their country, written by a foreigner, it is a pretty good endorsement.

By far the best aspect of the book are the scores of maps and illustrations--all done by the author. As a trained geographer, I appreciate the excellent maps loaded (almost overloaded) with information. They are easy to read maps that make it difficult for the traveler to get lost. I am particularly impressed by how a map can simultaneously accurate and amusing! My favorite entry is the map of the fascinating town of Quba that includes "Old Men" sitting in the park. Damned if they weren't still sitting there. On another map, the author suggests looking for grey beards at the point where you're supposed to make a particular turn. Sure enough, there they were.

Living in Baku, my family and often make use of Elliott's recommendations for restaurants. Of course restaurants come and go, but the information is nearly always accurate and detailed.

My eight-year-old son and I have enjoyed taking his "scavenger hunt" for artistic architectural oddities in the city. I think we've now found all the objects in the second edition, but a third one is already on the drawing boards.

Mark Elliott has a delightfully respectful attitude towards Azerbaijan and the Azeris. This is different form many travel books (Including the Lonely Planet Guide to the South Caucasus) which often take on a preachy attitude which tends to poke fun at the local cultures rather than respectfully describing them as Elliott does.

In addition to being a good travel book, this book also is a worthy source of information on the country for anyone interested in learning about it.

Having lived or traveled extensively in over fifty countries I can recommend this book most highly.


Topical, relevant, useful travel guide; Spring 1998   November 6, 1999
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

In the style of "Lonely Planet" guides, this recent book is worth its weight in gold to help take the apprehension out of travel in the South Caucasus. Full of useful information balanced between travel logistics (travel modes, accomodation, money and eating), country history and today's culture, this book not only lists the tourist's highlights of the two countries, but also the pitfalls to avoid in searching them out, as well as a selection of quirky oddities for those who tire of museums and cathedrals. The book's maps are highly useful.

Intended as a guide to Azerbaijan, the section on Georgia is a serviceable, useful bonus. A similar detailed guide to the equally fascinating country of Georgia begs to be written!

(Be sure to read the book before you visit AND to bring it with you. And don't forget your recording walkman for the amazing sounds of Georgia.)


The travel bible that makes Azerbaijan accessible/enjoyable   May 20, 2000
Tamsin Wilson (Baku Azerbaijan)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

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 goint 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.


A Must-have for Azerbaijan   October 2, 2003
C. Anderson (Washington, DC)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

If you're going to Azerbaijan you must have this book - in fact, several companies issue this book to their international staff here. It is extremely comprehensive and thorough and very accurate (though there have been some changes). As someone that has lived in Azerbaijan for the past year and a half, I continue to be impressed with this book and have relied on it many times. It is an essential guide to exploring Azerbaijan - a country that has a lot more to offer than most would expect. Buy this (and avoid the Lonely Planet one - it does a really bad job for Azerbaijan!).


There's a new edition on sale that doesn't seem to show up!   October 2, 2002
Mark Elliott (Baku, Azerbaijan)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

As the author I'll leave it to others to comment on this book, but I'd like readers to be aware that there IS a new edition which has been available since 2001. It has over 140 maps and although the 'with Georgia' was dropped from the title, it retains plenty of coverage on that nation, though still focussing on Azerbaijan. There are reviews on the amazon.co.uk website if you can't find them here.
Enjoy Azerbaijan!