The Guide: Dummies

Target Audience: A relative newcomer to the travel-guide scene, the Dummies series is written for the first-time traveler who wants to visit in broad strokes — seeing everything she expects (the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Washington Monument) while skipping the small, surprising, and out-of-the-way attractions.
To Buy: www.dummies.com
Strengths and Weaknesses: Dummies has blown some long-established travel series out of the water by applying its get-to-the-grist approach to travel, making novices feel like travel experts in one chapter flat. Its no-nonsense instructions are helped by the easy-to-follow price-and-rating system in the books’ listings. Updated every one to two years.
What It Says About Paris: “You’re planning a visit to Paris, and you may feel a bit overwhelmed. With so many museums to see, you’re probably asking which ones should you see first, and frankly, which ones are a waste of time.… Know up front, much as you’d like, you simply won’t be able to do and see it all.”

The Guide: National Geographic Traveler

Target Audience: This series is ideal for the travel, history, culture, adventure, and photo buff who already is a fan of the National Geographic magazines.
To Buy: www.nationalgeographic.com.
Strengths and Weaknesses: National Geographic has, by far, the best photography and presentation of any guidebook series, with expert details on a destination’s culture, history, and society. There is an emphasis on outdoor spots and geographically remote locales. Sometimes these books feel less like practical on-the-road guides than like fantasy fuel for the armchair traveler. And all that photography adds to a higher retail price. Updated every one to three years.
What It Says About Paris: “Paris, in essence, was created by the Seine, which was once twice as large. At one time, a string of islands stretched along the river; now, as a result of natural changes and human intervention, there are only two.”