Lonely Planet Micronations (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) 
asked by hooked on November 17, 2006 10:50 PM
Bored of visiting the same UN-recognised countries? Ready to explore somewhere unique and perhaps a little wacky? want to add some really rare stamps to your passport? Then let Lonely Planet's guide to home made nations take you to a bunch of places you've never heard of. Micronations takes a curious look at some of the most curious places on the planet. Designed to generate interest in the strange world out there, this is a fully illustrated, humourous mock guidebook to the nations people create in their own backyards. A global selection of micronations are profiled with facts and figures, cultural information, Things to See & Do, Getting There & Away, and interviews with the quirky characters who've set themselves up as presidents, emperors and serene highnesses. The book also features full colour photographs and sections detailing the historical, philosophical and most definitely satirical aspects of the micronation phenomenon. For lovers of humour, trivia and ephemera, this is a gift book, a reference text and a travel guide rolled into one.
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Rather collect taxes than pay them? Fond of issuing edicts? Want to have your own National Security Appartus? This is the book for you. Informative, colourful, well-designed, and hilarious, the Guide to Micronations will introduce you to such mini-states as the Barony of Caux, where the national sport is "Whacking The Welsh", and the heir is fond of "bizzare dentistry and recreational self-abuse".
Some almost-nations are covered here, such as Sealand (an abandoned gun platform off the coast of Sussex) and The Principality of Hutt River Province, an Australian agricultural protest writ large. Other, less plausible states are included, as well as those with legitimate claims to nationhood, like the aforementioned Barony of Caux, which tarces its documented history back to 1040 AD.
All in all, a fascinating and informative read, and an important reference source the discerning traveller, armchair or otherwise, will use for years.
Some almost-nations are covered here, such as Sealand (an abandoned gun platform off the coast of Sussex) and The Principality of Hutt River Province, an Australian agricultural protest writ large. Other, less plausible states are included, as well as those with legitimate claims to nationhood, like the aforementioned Barony of Caux, which tarces its documented history back to 1040 AD.
All in all, a fascinating and informative read, and an important reference source the discerning traveller, armchair or otherwise, will use for years.
reviewed by fazer on November 18, 2006 7:55 PM
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... this is your book! I love it and it's big fun. I really recommend it to all flag lovers, people who like to know about very small and not so well-known countries. Okay, most of these "nations" may not qualify to join the United Nations but all of them are "real" (and there is even more fun data waiting for you just checking all the websites included in the book). I think the information is presented with great respect but with a bit of extra humor that makes the book very, very informative and a great entertainment at the same time. Chapters are not very long so it's perfect for a bed side table and short readings for many days. The quality of the illustrations and graphics is excellent. I especially appreciate the inclusion of images of flags, coins and banknotes of all these 'nations". It's a Lonely Planet book, so that says it all about its quality (superb! Sorry, I'm a big fan). And why not, I got more suggestions for original travel destinies!!
reviewed by mountaindew on November 20, 2006 6:24 PM