2: Compact indeed, but so well done!
The publisher has the bad habit of hiding the names of authors of their compact guides, let me rectify this:
The guide was written by Nicholas Cobb, the splendid color photography was provided by Tim McKenna.
On mere small 121 pages, Cobb's book provides the essential information about the (tragic) history of Tahiti and about the contemporary marvels of its nature, attractions and the hospitality.
McKenna's photography is magnificent and its value cannot be underestimated: Compared to the black and white photography in books from Lonely Planet and Moon Handbooks, with their sometimes abysmal print quality, this travel guide really shines. In its photographic valors and in the quality of print Insight Guides match the best of the breed, including the Eye-Witness DK guides. The charts and maps of the islands are also in color. Without clutter, they really depict well only the important details of interest for a short time visitor.
Of course, 121 pages cannot contain all the information which you might find in David Stanley Tahiti Moon Handbook, thus I would suggest to take Stanley as the primary source of information. However, considering the moderate price, this guide is a most welcome extension and a "must have!" It is current, 2005 edition, compared to 2003 editions of others. Foremost, currently this is probably the only guide about Tahiti written after Marlon Brando passed away. Somehow I do not like to read about a dead person in 'present tense'...
My only regret is that Insight does not provide a larger version of this guide! Maybe they will, I will grab it as well!
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