A David Dodge Companion - Travel Books - The Poor Man's Guide to Europe

The Poor Man’s Guide to Europe

(1953)

Publishing History

New York: Random House, 1953

Rev. ed. New York: Random House, 1954

Rev. ed. New York: Random House, 1955

Rev. ed. New York: Random House, 1956

Rev. ed. New York: Random House, 1957

Rev. ed. New York: Random House, 1958

Rev. ed. New York: Random House, 1959

1st Collier Books ed. New York: Collier Books, 1963

Summary

The theme of this book, a tipsheet for nickel-nursers and skinflints, is how American travelers can save money, yet still see and experience all the best of Europe. All of the western European countries are covered, with tips on how and where to get the best exchange rates, what to buy, how to negotiate customs, how best (i.e. cheapest) to get from one place to the next, etc. Sprinkled liberally throughout with anecdotes of the Dodge family’s personal experiences, this was Dodge’s most successful travel book. It was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and was revised and reprinted each year from 1953 to 1959.

The Poor Man's Guide to Europe, Koons illustration

Two of Irv Koons’ illustrations for The Poor Man’s Guide to Europe.

Book Reviews

20,000 Leagues Behind the 8-Ball (1951)

Time Out for Turkey (1955)