1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List

This book is the "real" deal, as indicated by the multitude of authors who mimic even just the title! It is well researched, well written and an awesome undertaking by Ms. Schultz. The destinations chosen are what I, as a traveller, dream of seeing and experiencing.The factual tidbits about each of the locations satiate the curious. How the Grand Tetons were named, for example, or that the "Medieval Europeans popularly believed it (Iceland) to be the threshold of the underworld.." are interesting facts that required research and outstanding editing.
1,000 Places to Go Before You Die is an excellent resource for planning a trip. Bravo, Ms. Schultz!

Each of the 1000 "sights" is accompanied by a resumee. The first section of these is entitled "What" (others are "How" etc) - time and time again the entry is "Site and Hotel". Have the Hotels paid to be mentioned? I know not but even the most magnificent Natural and Cultural sights seem to get associated with a hotel!
If you want to see the world a la Conde Nast then use this book as your bible. If not then start your lifetime plans with the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Despite its undoubted "Western bias" it gives Africa and Asia a better shout than this book.

I know that in order to cram 1,000 different places in the world into one book, you are going to have to be as brief as possible, but still present enough details so that people reading the book might be interested in visiting a particular location. Well--the book gives great ideas for places to see, but just not enough information to keep you from having to go other places to do more research for your trips. Overall--not great, but not terrible either.

I've done a lot of world travel, and I most certainly do not agree with many of the author's choices. Almost half of the destinations are in the United States, and certain countries in Africa and Asia are completely overlooked! Luckily I just borrowed this from a friend and did not waste my money.

My advice: If you are a true blue world traveler and don't like the typical touristy stuff - you will be disappointed with this book.

This is a slanted politically-biased listing with gaping omissions that are simply shameful and unacceptable. For instance, it lists no sites worth seeing in Lebanon, a country that contains 6 of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites; by comparison, for instance, the list includes 10 sites in Israel, a country that contains 6 World Heritage Sites as well (counting the one in Jerusalem as being in Israel, which is disputed still). I frankly can't think of a reason for the glaring discrepancy other than political bias. You'd think a fair and balanced list (not ala Fox News) of 1000 must-see sites would at least include the World Heritage Sites (the total of which is 851 properties "forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value").
I recommend instead the gorgeously photographed "Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die" or Lonely Planet's far more comprehensive "The Travel Book".