The Lonely Planet Guide Book

Most people who have taken guidebooks on the road realize that they're bound to contain a few inaccuracies. But did you ever consider that the guidebook's author had never even been to the place he wrote about?

An Australian newspaper reported this weekend that a Lonely Planet guidebook writer named Thomas Kohnstamm has admitted to fabricating large parts of his books. The writer even copped to not having actually visited Colombia, a country he covered for the well-known guidebook publisher.

So how did Kohnstamm write the Colombia guidebook without visiting the country first? "I got the information from a chick I was dating-- an intern at the Colombian consulate," says Kohnstamm. "They didn't pay me enough to go to Colombia. I wrote the book in San Francisco."

Kohnstamm also confesses that he plagiarized large parts of the guidebooks, and accepted free meals and lodging on the road, a clear violation of LP policy.

The author covered a number of countries for Lonely Planet, including Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, the Caribbean, and Colombia. Well, maybe not Colombia. The big-wigs over at Lonely Planet say they're scrutinizing everything Kohnstamm has written for them, but have not yet found any mistakes.

No mistakes? Hmm, that does sound fishy.

By elk on Apr 14, 2008, 01:10 in Friendly Talkzone.

Ctg Bound says on Apr 14, 2008, 05:13:

Elk,

There is already a thread on this get a grip old boy.

gorgonabob says on Apr 14, 2008, 05:26:

probably worth bearing in mind that the last Colombian Lonely Planet guidebook was a two man job and they did visit colombia for several weeks, well one of them at least. the book is a bit of a joke but you shouldnt get all your info from a book so anyone who wants to will get what they are looking for. also this Thomas is trying to sell book so the more crap he spews up the more books he will sell.

gorgonabob says on Apr 14, 2008, 06:35:

further to the above... this Thomas character was not even reviewing Colombias hostels/ travel scene just writing about the history/ background of Colombia. The people who were authoring the book, Michael Kohn and another guy were in the country at least twice. Just ask German at the Platypus in Bogota. He also came to my place but I was not around at the time. Funny to see how things get a little out of hand.. Again Thomas whatever his name is clearly wanted to whip up as much trouble as possible because hes got a book to sell.. and what sells book,, scandels...

Sam Salmon says on Apr 15, 2008, 20:57:

Kohnstamm worked on a lot more than the Colombia book and the lies and ass covering coming out of the LP organisation are almost funny.

They claim to have checked all the facts in Kohnstamm's work and found no innaccuracies-over the weekend from Melbourne Australia!

In fact they are doing nothing but putting out meaningless presse releases full of hot air.

' a la orden!'

durito says on Apr 15, 2008, 21:03:

There may have been people in the country writing the book, it's still the worst guide ever written to anywhere.

Man Tequila says on Apr 15, 2008, 21:09:

If someone recommends a hotel that was good ten years ago, and it no longer is, does that count as a "mistake"? It isn't hard to plagarize another edition. If you actually are relying on the book to recommend the better restaurants and hotels, you need to actually visit the country. It's a third rate book, and I like LP in general. Doesn't have good maps nor good info.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

robi666 says on Apr 15, 2008, 21:15:

From the Lonely Planet site.
"Thomas has claimed that he was not paid enough to travel to Colombia when he was employed as an author on our Colombia guide. The fact is that Thomas was not employed as an on-the-ground author on that guidebook. This means that he did not write any reviews - of places or establishments - in this book. His contribution was to the introductory chapter covering history, culture, food and drink and environment. Two on-the-ground authors wrote the reviews for the Colombia guide."
Is it true?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Man Tequila says on Apr 15, 2008, 22:12:

It could be.

The 4th edition is credited to Michael Kohn (Coordinating Author, Bogota, North of Bogota, Carribean Coast, San Andres and Providencia), Robert Landon (NW Colombia, SW Colombia, Amazon Basin) and Thomas Kohnstamm (History, Culture, Environment, Food and Drink). I'm holding it in my greasy hands.

The author's page also says "Why is our travel information the best in the world? It's simple, our authors are independent, dedicated travelers. They don't research using just the Internet or phone, and they don't take freebies in exchange for positive coverage. They travel widely, to all the popular spots and off the beaten track. They personally visit thousands of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries, palaces, museums and more - and they take pride in getting all the details right, and telling it how it is."

Unusually for an LP book, only the coordinating author describes his favourite trip in Colombia. It is also unusual for the city maps not to include locations of things discussed in the text. I like LP books and have many, and have always thought the Colombia one was grossly substandard.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

Man Tequila says on Apr 16, 2008, 11:34:

The history, culture, etc. sections are at the beginning of the book, as a preamble. They contain stuff one could easily pull of the Internet.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

jonas says on Apr 16, 2008, 13:10:

but those are the only sections I have ever enjoyed in LP´s books. They are actually pretty complete.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

la campiña says on Apr 16, 2008, 16:05:

burn it

Man Tequila says on Apr 16, 2008, 16:20:

I think you have to concede the plagarized sections on history, food and culture are better than many parts of the book, including the sparse maps and descriptions of Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Bogota. The book doesn't even discuss the routes of the Medellin subway or TransMilenio. Complex cities are relegated to a small map or two.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

Sam Salmon says on Apr 16, 2008, 18:53:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=110

' a la orden!'