The Passport Book

by Nicola Von Velsen (Editor)

For frequent flyers and armchair travelers alike, this pocket-sized guide to the passports of the world is as informative as it is fun to peruse. This highly entertaining, fact-filled book reproduces the passport covers of every single country that issues its own travel document. It clearly illustrates how varied passports can be, despite the guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Arranged by continent, each country’s entry includes a full-color reproduction of its passport cover as well as brief information, including its location on the world map, flag, population, population density, political status, GDP and per capita income, official languages, and visa index. In an increasingly globalized world in which a passport has become one of the most important credentials we possess, this compendium conveys the symbolic power of these documents, and the fascinating stories behind their designs and development.

420 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2017

Reviews

[Cabno24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es ist einfach zwischendurch mal interessant die Reisepässe aller Länder kennenzulernen. Schade finde ich die doch sehr vorurteilsbehafteten "Fakten" zu den Ländern.

[James Crabtree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is all right... it has beautiful covers of passports in full color but I believe the book should have been done a little better. Instead of the almanac/encyclopedia info on each country's GNP, pax per mile, etc. I would have preferred more information related to each country's passport system and the use of their passport. For instance, the fact that several country's not only do not recognize Israel's passport but will ban third parties who have an Israeli visa in THEIR passport. There must be several different factoids that could be incorporated in this book... whose country produces the passport LEAST LIKELY to be seen outside of their territory (I'm thinking DPRK)? Which was the first country to produce printed passports? The first country to include photos for identification? What additional information or artwork is included in the passport? And while we're on the topic, what does that country's visa look like for visitors from foreign country's? And illustration could be provided of that as well.

Perhaps the book might even include a section on defunct passports, such as those for Rhodesia, the USSR, and Manchukuo. In my opinion, that is what it would take to make this a five-star book.