Rating: 
Summary: OK, but...
Review: I love Iceland. Been to Reykjavik just twice -- once on an Icelandair "add a night" deal coming back from London, and once on an Icelandair Valentine's Weekend package, during Reykjavik's worst blizzard in 15 years, or so the locals told us. The book is OK; as others have said, the Reykjavik info is pretty slim. Between this and the Insight Guide (great pictures), you'll be just fine -- but, man, I wish Rough Guide had a Reykjavik book.
Rating: 
Summary: Thoughtfully written, well researched
Review: I picked up this Lonely Planet guide before heading off on a recent long weekend in Iceland (courtesy of a particularly favorable Icelandair last minute weekend package deal), and was not too terribly disappointed. The background information on Icelandic history and culture was invaluable reading for one who had previously had little to no contact with said society. As testament to the well-written nature of the guide, it has also made me want to explore the North Atlantic beyond Iceland (Greenland and the Faroe Islands). My one dissatisfaction with this Lonely Planet guide is found in the relatively brief treatment they give to Reykjavik - a bit ironic, seeing as how Reykjavik is the closest thing to a metropolis in Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Better city maps and perhaps more detailed bus/transit information would have been welcomed - as it stands, though, one can figure these things out well on the spot in Iceland (even without a reading knowledge of Icelandic, happily!) Still, this is highly recommended for those travelling to Iceland, especially those travelling to places more off the beaten path than Reykjavik. More practical and comprehensive than the Insight Guide, but without the pretty pictures...and less expensive. PS- Many thanks to both LP and other readers on the warning about the Icelandic specialty "hakarl".
Rating: 
Summary: Very useful, thorough
Review: I used this book during a recent week-long trip to Iceland that took me out of Reykjavik for almost the entire time. I found it well researched and a good source of practical information. It is not an "Intro to Iceland" sort of book (see the Insight Guide for that); it is instead a handy reference while traveling. In response to the comment that there isn't enough info on Reykjavik, the real gems in traveling to Iceland are in the countryside, and this book covers them quite well. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover the high level of accuracy in the listings, considering the edition is a few years old. I would strongly recommend bringing this book with you. (And I agree with the reader who said that his/her interest in Greenland and the Faroe Islands has been piqued by this book.)
Rating:
Summary: Iceland
Review: I used this book for a short stay in Reykjavik after returning from London. It was helpful to learn about the flybus and various hotels, but the authors could have emphasized the cost of Reykjavik (extremely expensive) as well provided more detailed maps. Other than that, the book wetted my appetite to see Iceland beyond Reykjavik.
Rating:
Summary: It's a lonely planet indeed!
Review: I used this book heavily during two trips around Iceland in 2000 and 2002, albeit the third edition. The authors know where the "odd" things are to be found. Thanks to them, I located strange stuff which isn't on the average tourist's agenda: geothermal areas, bubbling sulfurous mud pots, Asian restaurants (in Iceland!), cemeteries. I experienced some lovely, desolate terrain where no one was to be found for miles and miles. But, then again, that's why this is the "Lonely Planet" guide! This guide, like other ones published by Lonely Planet, is clearly oriented toward the type of tourist who backpacks and/or hitch-hikes. Nonetheless, it still has much use for the independent tourist who prefers hotels to huts and cars to cabins. Just pick a place and start exploring. Their detailed maps and descriptions won't lead you astray. A special bonus provided with of Lonely Planet books is the company's "eKno" service, which allows one to call nearly anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world, with tolls automatically debuted from a prepaid account. eKno also allows one to listen to one's email messages. Toll-free access numbers are available in most countries. eKno cards come with Lonely Planet books, ready to be activated. I've found this service extremely valuable when calling from Europe to the US.
Rating:
Summary: It's a lonely planet indeed!
Review: I used this book heavily during two trips around Iceland in 2000 and 2002, albeit the third edition. The authors know where the "odd" things are to be found. Thanks to them, I located strange stuff which isn't on the average tourist's agenda: geothermal areas, bubbling sulfurous mud pots, Asian restaurants (in Iceland!), cemeteries. I experienced some lovely, desolate terrain where no one was to be found for miles and miles. But, then again, that's why this is the "Lonely Planet" guide! This guide, like other ones published by Lonely Planet, is clearly oriented toward the type of tourist who backpacks and/or hitch-hikes. Nonetheless, it still has much use for the independent tourist who prefers hotels to huts and cars to cabins. Just pick a place and start exploring. Their detailed maps and descriptions won't lead you astray. A special bonus provided with of Lonely Planet books is the company's "eKno" service, which allows one to call nearly anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world, with tolls automatically debuted from a prepaid account. eKno also allows one to listen to one's email messages. Toll-free access numbers are available in most countries. eKno cards come with Lonely Planet books, ready to be activated. I've found this service extremely valuable when calling from Europe to the US.
Rating:
Summary: A must for the Faroe Islands
Review: I was looking for a guide devoted to the Faroe Islands and found none in either London or Paris and so I bought the Lonely Planet guide somewhat reluctantly - after all it is mostly on Iceland. However, it was well worth travelling with the weighty tome to these remote islands. It is full of accurate and helpful information, excellent accounts of Faroese history and culture and just the right tips to take the visitor off the beaten track (if such an expression can be applied to a place that is hardly overrun by tourists!). It gives a very balanced view of the controversial Faroese practise of whale killing that does not excuse the practice on cultural grounds or condemn it on ecological ones. The style is alert and literate. The guide has whetted my appetite for a trip to Iceland.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing about the birds?
Review: Iceland is famous for its millions of seabirds, especially puffins, that nest on the cliffs and shores. Unfortunately they all depart by September 1 (the puffins often in mid-August), and nowhere did I find that information, although I admit I didn't read the Lonely Planet guide from cover to cover. A group of us who visited in mid-September were very disappointed. In fairness, the other Iceland guides don't seem to warn of this either, nor do the travel brochures.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing about the birds?
Review: Iceland is famous for its millions of seabirds, especially puffins, that nest on the cliffs and shores. Unfortunately they all depart by September 1 (the puffins often in mid-August), and nowhere did I find that information, although I admit I didn't read the Lonely Planet guide from cover to cover. A group of us who visited in mid-September were very disappointed. In fairness, the other Iceland guides don't seem to warn of this either, nor do the travel brochures.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but there are better Travel Survival Kits
Review: Just returning from a two week trip from Iceland everything is still fresh. This book is good. Compared to other guides on Iceland (I don't know about Greenland or the Faroe) this is the book. The content is essentially complete and correct. Lots of usefull tips and good-to-know's inhabit the pages.
But, ... IMHO all this is just the high standard of all Lonely Planet publications. Compared to Travel Survival Guides I have used before, this one seems to be less clear, sometimes almost chaotic. The order of the chapters is a mystery to me. Also sometimes we had difficulties finding places mentioned in the text on the maps.
Overall however, when you're going to Iceland: buy this book.
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