Rating: 
Summary: Best guidebook, even for experienced India travelers
Review: When Lonely Planet India first appeared in 1981, it raised the standard for all India guidebooks in the comprehensiveness of locations covered and the detailed information useful to independent travelers, especially those on lower budgets. Twenty years later, it remains the guidebook I personally rely upon most, despite my familiarity with India from extensive travels since 1980 researching my historical novels such as India Treasures. I first learned about that wonderful nonprofit home-stay organization Servas from a Lonely Planet guide, which led to many of our best experiences in India, including lasting friendships. Although my wife and I aren't backpackers, and we're probably mid-range in terms of the amount we spend on accommodations and food, the book is extremely helpful. It's the most up to date and highly detailed regarding such information as transportation options within India, the scams travelers can encounter, and a wealth of other tips too numerous to get into in a brief review. Given the India guidebook's thickness and weight, I've found it convenient to cut it into sections and only take the parts with me for the regions I plan to visit. It's still desirable to get supplemental maps for any city or region one plans to spend much time in, as the maps in the book are usually pretty minimal in terms of detail. And other guidebooks do indeed have useful information this one doesn't (browse the travel shelves in your favorite bookstore to find the additional guides most suitable for your own interests and style of travel). I also advocate reading the better novels set in India, to experience insights into daily life that guidebooks can only hint at. No single guidebook on India can be all things to all persons for all occasions, but this one surely comes the closest, especially for travelers who don't have their arrangements taken care of on organized tours.
Rating: 
Summary: You'll miss out without it!
Review: While bulky and ubiquitous, this tome is a must for explorers interested in getting more out of their journey. One thing that's worked well for me is to prepare photocopies of key pages from the guide in advance (especially the maps) so that I can keep them handy while travelling light! Anyone know how different this new edition is from the previous one?
Rating:
Summary: Yeah, yeah, irreplacable...
Review: Yes, this book is full of valuable info. It doesn't quite prepare you for the shock (though nothing does) of India itself, it does help you enjoy it when you can. (And when you can't, eat only bananas and yogurt for about 24 hours straight, trust me on this one). It would be nice if the book wouldn't be so heavy. If you are planning to go to only part of India, strongly consider the LP books that cover only the area(s) you will travel, they are much lighter and can be easily resold to locals who have no internet access. Of course the book is irreplacable as everyone clearly admits. Thank you LP for being so straightforward with your opinions.
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