This is a wonderful series of books. Each slim volume describes a series of driving tours, one to four days long (most are two/three days), that loop through a particular stretch of country. Between them they aim to cover as many of the most interesting places as possible.The complete series covers the United States and Canada, including Alaska and Hawaii.

The writing is clear, and the facts are right (I find plenty of travel books full of errors). The maps are excellent, tailor-made for each loop. And the photography is, well, National Geographic quality.

There isn't a lot of information about the places mentioned - take along a Moon Handbook for that. I use these mainly as planning and idea guides. The loops are very well worked out - if you follow them you won't miss much of importance. Conceivably you could take every loop in a book, covering the twenty or so trips in about six weeks. Let's see, twelve books at six weeks each, a week off in betwen each region, that's about a year and a half to see the U.S. and Canada. I'd do it if I had the chance!

Contact Don Bain: dbain@virtualguidebooks.com