Most globetrotters trust their travel books to guide them to the must-see locations, eateries and historic sites on their trip.
Now the 2012 Dolman Travel Book of the Year has announced the nominations for the most sought-after travel books, with 12 titles making the list.
2011’s winner Rachel Polonsky, who won the prize for her book Molotov’s Magic Lantern: A Journey in Russian History, will form part of this year’s judging panel.
The line-up of judges will be completed by Susie Dowdall, books editor at the Daily Mail, Sarah Spankie, deputy editor of CondeNast Traveller, Chris Moss, a regular contributor to Telegraph Travel and Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet.
“We have produced a very interesting long list, with well-known writers (Colin Thubron and Redmond O’Hanlon) and first timers, cities (New York’s Harlem and Naples) and country,” said Wheeler.
“Personally, I’m pleased to see there are so many walking books (A Mountain in Tibet and Thin Paths) and that we’ve ventured into some little known (or little written about) corners of the world. Wild Coast is certainly introducing me to those three South American Guianas.”
The 12 nominations will be whittled down to a short list in August, with the overall winner announced on September 5. So what are some of the books that have made the initial cut?
Wild Coast: Travels on South America’s Untamed Edge by John Gimlette
An extraordinary insight into the forgotten corners of the jungle between the Orinoco and the Amazon. A gripping read, Wild Coast takes in remote villages and secret hideouts of this relatively unexplored area.
Harlem is Nowhere by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts
Harlem has long been an iconic part of New York City, and this book really does the area justice. A tale of the Rhodes-Pitts’ experiences in the New York borough, she uses characters and stories to paint a very personal picture.
On Extinction by Melanie Challenger
The book features details of abandoned locations such as whaling stations in South Georgia and ruined tin mines in Cornwall.
Street Fight in Naples by Peter Robb
An account of an Aussie’s time spent in 1980s Italy, Robb introduces us to colourful characters and hardened surroundings in this historically-focused book.
