That meant starting the update around October or November, a year before the book appeared in stores. But Lonely Planet online outdoes the competition with its so-called Upgrades. These author-written reports detail changes in everything from politics and environment to travel safety and currency exchange rates since the previous edition of the relevant guide. But at least Fodor's, like Frommer's, updates most books yearly. Few other series do.
Tired information can go on misleading for years.
But research the books thoroughly. Then buy two, three or four among what look like the best. Take the trip, see how the books perform. Guide yourself accordingly when you are back at the store. He is chairman of the Society of American Travel Writers' Institute for Guidebook Writing.