Armenia A Journey Through History

Posted In: Armenia

James Waltho says...

Having just come back from a months stay in Armenia including a short visit to Karabagh, I am amazed at the amount of up to date and useful information contained in this book.You feel that the authors were there the day before your visit and give you all the tips and advice that can make your trip a memorable one. The color photographs as well as the glossy pages are of the highest quality, ensuring it a permanent place on any bookshelf or coffee table.

Posted on November 30, 2010

Jaime Ruf says...

I haven't finished reading all sections of this travel guide yet, but I can say confidently that this is a very helpful, succinct, and insightful guide. (I think that an excellent travel guide should be very enjoyable to read cover to cover, but one sign of an expertly written guide is that it delivers meaningful info even when read in snippets only.)



The writing is very straight-forward, jargon-free, and easy-to-understand. I've been also impressed with all the detailed info such as how to make phone calls, where to wash your laundry, which bus or train to take to go from point A to point B, how to deal with the local culture, etc. One thing I did not expect to see from a travel guide to Armenia was the in-depth discussion of the environmental concerns and issues bound to arise during a trip to this neglected land. It was good to hear that there are many out there who are paying attention to improving Armenia's environment, and to learn how even those of us who are not as conscious and committed can contribute to preserving this precious heritage.



This guide will be most helpful to those who have only a minimum of knowledge about Armenian culture, history, language, etc. The authours have thought of everything one would need to enjoy the trip to its maximum.



In my case, although my planned trip to Armenia will be my first ever, I am not overly concerend about how I'll manage since I speak Armenian and feel confident I could get around fairly easily. Nevertheless, the info in this guide makes me feel I could pretend I've been there and done that many times before!



Another important point for those who, like me, will do brief and hasty trips only and will not fully explore this tiny land before your retirement, is that reading this book makes you feel you have a good feel for how life is in the out of the way spots. You will become an armchair expert on Armenia's flora and fauna, the topography, the local habits, etc.



Finally, one point I really found neat was the description of the B+B scene. Not only did I learn that Ottawa's own Antoine and Sheila Terjanian operate a cozy B+B an hour's drive south-east of Yerevan, which I hope to visit, but it was reassuring to know that there are a few simple alternatives for those who are seeking a more intimate setting for their sejour.



Overall, I think this guide is a great read and can help plan your trip with minimum fuss and worry.

Posted on November 30, 2010

Donald Lee says...

I was planning a ten day trip to Aremenia and wanted a travel guide.I shopped around and this one seemed to be the best.I was very pleased with it when it arrived and I was even more pleased as I had it in hand while I traveled in Armenia.The book seems to capture the real Armenia in all its beauty.It is now a treasured souvenir of my trip.I recommend buying this book even if you will only be there for a few days.

Posted on November 30, 2010

Manuel Torrent says...

There's very little available to guide travelers who wish to explore Armenia and Karabagh, making The Stone Garden Guide Armenia & Karabagh unique. Now consider the authors are two experts who have each spent a decade traveling the area and you realize you have a gem in hand for any bound for Armenia. Maps and color photos are literally on every page. In-depth discussions of health, water quality, nature and conservation provide a focus most tourist guides only pass over briefly. And tips from tour operators to sights make for an exciting guide indeed: very highly recommended for any comprehensive travel library as something very different from the norm.

Posted on December 2, 2010

Jarrett Dauzart says...

I hadn't planned on buying another Armenia & Karabakh travel book, since I've been to these two wonderful countries before, but as I was leafing through the "Armenia and Karabagh" guide (looking for a particular piece of information), I realized how much knowledge this book contained that was different from other guidebooks, such as the "Lonely Planet: Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan" guide or the "Armenia (with Nagorno Karabagh): The Bradt Travel Guide." So I broke down and bought it! The Nagorno Karabakh section looks very good in this one. Such a wonderful little land, full of ancient Armenian monuments, incredible vistas and truly amazing people.



I really appreciate the perspective of the authors, who have written a text for people who are somewhat environmental-conscious and perhaps looking for some experiences that may be slightly off the beaten path. I particularly like the book's organization, impressive photos and the authors' practical insights. I like it when guidebook authors actually offer opinions and don't just list information that may turn out to be a poor choice. Well done!

Posted on December 3, 2010

Fernande Vallario says...

My husband and I took our second trip to Armenia in November, and we used this book extensively. The book was absolutely marvelous! We carried it everywhere and we would have missed out on so so much if we didn't have it.



The photos were wonderful, and helped us decide where to visit. The information was quite comprehensive and the book actually suggested skipping some sites, which I found quite refreshingly candid. The coverage for the far south of the country, near the Iran border, was rather thin. But they made up for it by covering Karabagh very thoroughly (this was our first time in Karabagh). I would definitely recommend it.

Posted on December 4, 2010

Hyacinth Poche says...

I volunteered in Armenia for two months and this book was an indispensable guide throughout my time in Yerevan and beyond.The photos are beautiful and the writing is excellent.I am looking forward to an updated version that includes sights from historical Armenia.



Please don't be discouraged by those who have given the book poor reviews.They are looking at the book in a political context rather than as a guide book.

Posted on December 5, 2010

Dick Mccready says...

Highly recommend this book, gives good and accurate information on Armenia and Artsakh. Used it to my trip to Armenia. Was very helpful and gives comprehensive coverage on the country.I think this is the best guide book ever made on Armenia.

Posted on December 7, 2010

Miguelina Moak says...

This book is quite revealing.

It is indeed a case study.



Armenia's history takes us back to prehistoric times described in biblical literature as the Garden of Eden and Archaeologists discovered evidence it was one of the few sites of human existence.



In the third century, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion. All pagan subjects were converted following upon its ruler's (Tiridates III) adoption of Christianity with full regard to the Roman Empire.



The tug or power between Russia on the one hand and the Ottomans on the other brought the establishment of the first Armenian Republic encompassing lands previously ruled by Russia in the East and the Ottomans in the West.

There was a time of relative calm.

But!!!

The Armenian Holocaust is tragic.

Over one million perished between 1915-1917 during the reign of the Young Turks.

The young Turks came to power five years before WWI and abolished the Caliphate and deposed Sultan Abdul Hamid.

((Gamal Pasha is one of their officers and in Lebanon he is always referred to as `The Butcher' for the bloody record he imprinted by hanging Syrians and Lebanese nationalists.))



The treaty of Sevres on August 10, 1920 promised the protection of the burgeoning state of Armenia by League of Nations.

When the Turkish National Movement took power, the treaty of Sevre was rejected.

In 1920 Armenia and Turkey fought each other.

The Armenians were defeated and their armies surrendered all their weapons (and lands) to the Turks..

In the same year, the Russian army marched into Armenia proper and established the Soviet rule; two years later the country was incorporated into the Soviet Union.

The Church struggled in both eras, 1) Under the Turks and 2) Under the Communists.

The years of relative stability were those when one of the two competing powers broke apart

Posted on December 8, 2010

Erminia Schneeberger says...

The first edition of The Stone Garden Guide: Armenia & Karabagh was the 2005 Independent Publisher award finalist in the category of best travel guide. Now in an updated second edition, Armenia & Karabagh remains thorough, practical, and completely up-to-date in its information concerning this predominantly Christian nation that borders Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Written by Matthew Karanian and Robert Kurkjian, two experts who have each spent a decade traveling in the region, Armenia & Karabagh is filled cover-to-cover with full-color maps, photographs, must-see sights, and solid general advice for business and pleasure travelers alike (drink bottled water instead of the local water unless it has been boiled, and also avoid using ice cubes in restaurants or using nonsterilized water to brush one's teeth). An all-inclusive, absolute "must-have" for anyone interested in experiencing the uniquely rich cultural heritage of Armenia for themselves.

Posted on December 11, 2010