Rating: 
Summary: Lonely Planet Never Disappoints
Review: After using Lonely Planet on my trip to Europe I purchased the Alaska one for my recent trip. This book was wonderful, it was the only guidebook that we needed. It was especially helpful in finding hostels, and allowed us to arrange lodging before we arrived. All the information contained was up to date, and pointed us to little treasures that we might not have discovered otherwise. As a result we really got to get taste of Alaska and keep our trip affordable and interesting. If you have a desire to really discover any place you go, turn to Lonely Planet I know that I always will.
Rating:
Summary: Tells U What Places to Avoid As Well As What Places to Visit
Review: Along with "Off the Beaten Path" by Melissa DeVaughn, this book was indispensable during a 2001 and a 2002 trip to Alaska. I especially appreciated the candor in this book, for example tersely warning to stay away from a certain hotel in a certain town because it was "run-down." In the sections about Nome and Kotzebue, I appreciated the tip that these parts of Alaska aren't set up for independent travellers and are best reached via a tour group. Additionally, the sections for each region all follow the same format. And the book is just a good, chunky size and feels good in your hand!
Rating:
Summary: Tells U What Places to Avoid As Well As What Places to Visit
Review: Along with "Off the Beaten Path" by Melissa DeVaughn, this book was indispensable during a 2001 and a 2002 trip to Alaska. I especially appreciated the candor in this book, for example tersely warning to stay away from a certain hotel in a certain town because it was "run-down." In the sections about Nome and Kotzebue, I appreciated the tip that these parts of Alaska aren't set up for independent travellers and are best reached via a tour group. Additionally, the sections for each region all follow the same format. And the book is just a good, chunky size and feels good in your hand!
Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Guide To Alaska
Review: Along with Frommer's Alaska 2004, this is tied for first place among the Alaska travel guides. Especially for the outdoors stuff they include. There are 70+ maps inside, showing trails, waterways, etc., for the adventurer. And there is an entire section devoted to the top ten of hiking in Alaska. For an adventuring trip to Alaska, this book is great.But I believe it's also the best of the "big 3" (Fodor's, Frommer's, Lonely Planet) as far as how much it encompasses overall. It is quite comprehensive for the tourist, pointing out all of the things a tourist may want to see, and it balances this with the same amount of equally useful information for people going to Alaska to kayak, hike, bike, and explore. While I still enjoy the Frommer's Alaska more than any of the Alaska guides, this book has things that Frommer's doesn't when it comes to tourist-oriented sightseeing. Fodor's Alaska 2004, on the other hand, is almost entirely tourist-oriented, with little useful information for anyone going to Alaska to adventure. But this book is a solid guide, and I've taken it to Alaska with me on my adventuring trips. Worth the money, and my time to recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: A Very Useful Guide To Alaska
Review: Along with Frommer's Alaska 2004, this is tied for first place among the Alaska travel guides. Especially for the outdoors stuff they include. There are 70+ maps inside, showing trails, waterways, etc., for the adventurer. And there is an entire section devoted to the top ten of hiking in Alaska. For an adventuring trip to Alaska, this book is great. But I believe it's also the best of the "big 3" (Fodor's, Frommer's, Lonely Planet) as far as how much it encompasses overall. It is quite comprehensive for the tourist, pointing out all of the things a tourist may want to see, and it balances this with the same amount of equally useful information for people going to Alaska to kayak, hike, bike, and explore. While I still enjoy the Frommer's Alaska more than any of the Alaska guides, this book has things that Frommer's doesn't when it comes to tourist-oriented sightseeing. Fodor's Alaska 2004, on the other hand, is almost entirely tourist-oriented, with little useful information for anyone going to Alaska to adventure. But this book is a solid guide, and I've taken it to Alaska with me on my adventuring trips. Worth the money, and my time to recommend this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Serious editorial problems!
Review: As a lifelong Alaskan and a frequent user of Lonely Planet, I peeked inside this book to see what it had to say about my home state. The editors must have been asleep on the job! Within 5 minutes, I identified three glaring errors: neighboring Whitehorse was listed as "Whitehorse, British Columbia" (it's the capital of the Yukon!) and our governor and congresspeople were hopelessly mixed up. I would also dispute the assertion that it is possible to see bears in or around downtown Anchorage. While none of those mistakes would seriously affect a tourist, I hate to imagine what else was overlooked in the editing process. It may be useful as a reference, but don't take it as the absolute truth, and double-check any information that's vital to your travel plans!
Rating:
Summary: My son got a free drink
Review: He and his wife went to Alaska in May. They said this and the other Lonely Planet book (Backpacking in Alaska) were the most useful of several Alaska books and were the ones they took with them. They were hiking and kayaking - it might be different on cruise. When they went into a bar mentioned on page 139 they showed the owner the book. She didn't know her bar was in it and was very pleased and gave them their drinks for free. I can't guarantee that will work every time. Five bars are mentioned so you might have to shop around.
Rating: 
Summary: It's helpful, but...
Review: I'm going to take a cruise to Alaska this summer. And when I saw this book in the bookshop, I bought it immediately. It didn't say much about cruise and any helpful tips for the visitors. Also, it didn't describe the places with much details. If you are going to Alaska by YOURSELF (not tour guides) and you would like to do some investigation, then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: Just got back from a week on the Kenai Peninsula - this book was an absolute must. The author is very candid about places, good or bad. Saw a bunch of amazing stuff and did it all on a modest budget, thanks to this book. The history and flora/fauna sections are very accurate and very interesting. I read other sections of the book (places that I didn't go), and because of the descriptions, I am already aching to go explore more of the state. If you go to Alaska, all you need are the proper clothes and this book.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: Just got back from a week on the Kenai Peninsula - this book was an absolute must. The author is very candid about places, good or bad. Saw a bunch of amazing stuff and did it all on a modest budget, thanks to this book. The history and flora/fauna sections are very accurate and very interesting. I read other sections of the book (places that I didn't go), and because of the descriptions, I am already aching to go explore more of the state. If you go to Alaska, all you need are the proper clothes and this book.
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