The Alpine 4000m Peaks, 2nd : by the Classic Routes

Rating:
Summary: Useful, but Limited
Review: As an American, I found this guide to be disorganized and spotty. Each of the climbs IS well described, but there is no overview of the different areas, no large scale maps, or even an index. Maybe if you already know your way around the alps, this is adequate, but if you want to actually find out where in Switzerland the climb actually is, you'll be consulting other maps and guides.

Also, the use of the older rating system, with no real conversion, is disconcerting. How hard actually IS a 'peu difficile' climb? The translation is 'a little difficult', but for who?

Overall, the guide has good information on the climbs, but I found I had to supplement it with a hiking guide to orient me to the alps as a whole.

Rating:
Summary: Useful, but Limited
Review: As an American, I found this guide to be disorganized and spotty. Each of the climbs IS well described, but there is no overview of the different areas, no large scale maps, or even an index. Maybe if you already know your way around the alps, this is adequate, but if you want to actually find out where in Switzerland the climb actually is, you'll be consulting other maps and guides.

Also, the use of the older rating system, with no real conversion, is disconcerting. How hard actually IS a 'peu difficile' climb? The translation is 'a little difficult', but for who?

Overall, the guide has good information on the climbs, but I found I had to supplement it with a hiking guide to orient me to the alps as a whole.

Rating:
Summary: Great carry-along over- view guide for The Alps.
Review: Well laid out and presented. Gives a good general outline of the 4000m+ summits, the most popular routes taken to climb, and generally good descriptions of what to expect along the way, with cautions given to appropriate areas of the route, etc.

Bound as a pocket book with vinyl cover, makes a great take-along guide to throw in your pack.