Lonely Planet: The World’s Great Wonders

You may have seen photos of the great wonders of the world, but how much do you actually know about them? In Lonely Planet’s The World’s Great Wonders, a reader will find poetic descriptions of 50 different wonders of the world, sorted by natural wonders and man-made wonders. One will also find interesting facts, and at least one large color photograph – but probably at least two – per wonder.

It is a neat little book to place on a coffee table for visitors to flip through, or to pick up anytime one feels a bit of wanderlust coming on. The book’s beautifully presented photographs and diagrams will please visual learners. But while Lonely Planet’s The World’s Great Wonders is fun and educational, it breaks very little new ground. It’s not detailed enough to satisfy those who are ravenous for a lot of facts, and it is hard to imagine anyone else sitting down to read through the whole thing. However, it is an admirable effort that succeeds at being a visual treat for those who enjoy armchair traveling.