‘Burma: The Alternative Guide’ (BTAG) was released in 2009 and, to quote the back page, tries to answer the question “What is the truth about life in Burma?”

There are several very worthy guides for travellers, although few touch on the moral issues of tourism in a totalitarian state. I have seen the Lonely Planet guide described as ‘a tirade against the regime rather than a travel guide’ – an excellent compliment for any guide to Burma! BTAG has been written by two people who have travelled extensively through the Burma where tourists are likely to go and also to the Thai-Burma border, so one third of their book covers what the authors call the ‘hidden reality’; with sections covering the life of refugees and IDPs; the armed struggle by freedom fighters of the KNU and SSA-S in areas of the country not accessible from the SPDC controlled areas of Burma for the casual tourist; Mae Tao clinic, AAPP(B), Saffron revolution, etc. In this sense, the book does cover broader aspects of life for the peoples of Burma than many other guide books.

Although only 200 pages in total (Lonely Planet has 412pages), the authors have included 243 photographs, almost all in colour, which provide a vivid coverage of Burma’s beautiful people, scenery and architecture.  I would have preferreda larger format book to view these, but the quality and range of subjects give an excellent window into the country and the subject matter of the book.

BTAG covers the main cities and tourist sites with only a limited personal view and a shortened history. In fact, I spotted a few mistakes that must have come about either through incorrect translation, poor proof-reading or just inaccurate knowledge – none of which are really acceptable for the consumer. The telling of history of Burma remains controversial in many areas and other guide books and more learned works contain similar mistakes.  Perhaps the casual reader who has little previous knowledge of Burma and the history of the country will still find the book a useful introduction. Unfortunately, the reference section and index have been compressed so that, I suspect, it will all fit exactly into a limited printing format. Hence, the reader can find a few websites listed and a useful list of further reading material, but by no means a comprehensive list.

The guide offers itself as an ‘alternative’, although to what it is an alternative, I am not sure – there are other travel guides to Burma that have far more practical information for the traveller, there are more lavish colour photograph books and more detailed books and online reports about history and the ‘reality’ of life in Burma than can be found in this alternative.

The authors are refreshingly zealous about revealing the actual situation that the people of Burma face in their everyday lives, but their subjective views are not always expressed in a manner that gives justice to those whose plight they describe. In my view, the book could show more clarity if the narrative were better structured and the explanations about Burma’s modern history clearer – a longer book or fewer photographs would easily have allowed this.

An aspect of the printing that I found amusing is that the book was printed in regime-friendly China – obviously foreign currency speaks louder than Beijing rhetoric.

For it’s shortcomings, it is difficult to wholeheartedly recommend this book, but given the paucity of alternatives, this may be the book to suggest to new friends and acquaintances who want to know where to begin to find out more about Burma from a starting point of knowing little and just wanting a short book that covers a lot of ground.

review written by Taisamyone

Details:-

Title: Burma: The Alternative Guide
Authors: Elena Jotow & Nicolas Ganz
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Thames & Hudson (6 April 2009)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0500287872
ISBN-13: 978-0500287873
Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 14.8 x 2 cm

Availability (a few of several online bookstores)
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Burma-Alternative-Guide-Elena-Jotow/dp/0500287872
Freer&Sackler: http://www.freersacklershop.com/bualgu.html
Asia Bookroom: http://www.asiabookroom.com/AsiaBookRoom/search.cfm/UR/127891/ss/d/rtd/1