The Time Traveler’s Handbook: 18 Experiences from the Eruption of Vesuvius to Woodstock

This is your basic travel guide manual. Just like Rick Steve’s books or the popular Lonely Planet guide books, The Time Traveler’s Handbook outlines the optimal journey: where to stay, where to eat, where to seek out local knowledge, how to stay out of trouble, and what to see. The catch? It is, as the title suggests, a guide for traveling to some of the most influential moment in history. Maybe you’ve always wanted to see the opening night at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London, or maybe you’d prefer something a little more adventurous. You could always opt for joining Marco Polo or exploring Pompeii during the most famous volcanic eruption of all time.

While this book is clearly satirical, there was a part of me that wished it wasn’t. It certainly wasn’t a typical work of fiction as it’s formatted exactly like the information you’ll find on tour companies’ websites. It uses the same enticing details and paints a vivid picture that makes you want to take this trip. Despite the nontraditional style, it was very fun to read and I found myself lost in it just like I would have been if it were a collection of short stories about people who did take these trips.