County by county (plus London, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands) The Good Pub Guide 2002 covers all the pubs which Alisdair Aird and his indefatigable team (what a terrible job they have!) reckon are the top of the league. And it says why, describing the atmosphere, whether it's olde-worlde or ultra-modern, quiet or crowded, which beers, wines and whiskies are stocked, types of meals served up--with prices and occasional specific recommendations--and even the entertainment facilities.

The Guide depends on input from its readers. If you agree or disagree with anything, or if you find a stunning pub it doesn't mention, just fill in the forms at the back of the book and send them in, Freepost, to make your own contribution to the next edition of this superb book. --David V Barrett

The book strikes a whole sequence of sensible balances. The division of each chapter into long entries for the main recommended pubs, plus a more succinct "pot luck" section listing many more, is very wise. I am also pleased that character, atmosphere, beer, wine, food are given roughly equal billing as important aspects of a good pub.

I've checked many of my favourite pubs around the UK, and was generally impressed by how well the book's opinions matched my own. I've since visited many of the pubs it recommends, and not been disappointed. I've also casually compared its reviews with some competing books, and feel this is the best by a significant margin.

My biggest gripe is that personally, I'd like to see a little more information on the quality of soft drinks in pubs - the book will inevitably be used most by people when far from home, one of whom will very likely be driving!