Well, the story is built on other guidebook authors’ wisdom, but I compiled this piece about what to look for in a guidebook. It’s also in the print version.

Let me just say, though, that through the vagaries of the magazine editorial process, not all of that text is mine. Of course my original version was a million times more nuanced and savvy and sparkling…but that’s what every writer thinks.

One piece of advice that did not make it in, which was funny because it was the crux of the original question from the editor (how can you tell whether a writer is faking it?), is to look for reviews of places that describe interactions with people or other commentary on decorating details and the like–that’s the best evidence a writer has actually sat in the restaurant and eaten a meal, rather than poked his head in and thought, “Looks passable.” Thanks to Bethany Ericsson, author of New England Cabins & Cottages, for that one.

Also, the whole explanation of copyright dates is slightly muddy. Let me make clear that every guidebook you buy is giving you information that’s at least a year old. There’s no getting around it (except with a clever update page like mine!). But, despite what the article says, you may very well want a book that’s a few years old, especially if it has the kind of background info you want and a writer whose taste matches yours. Moreover, for some destinations where things don’t change radically, it just doesn’t matter that much if you have an older book.

Many other witticisms from fellow writers failed to make the cut, unfortunately, so you’ll just have to believe me when I say we’re a bunch of geniuses with incredible insight into this complex and fascinating subcategory of the tourism industry.