The role of books in framing travel imaginings is an important social and cultural phenomenon. This book explores how reading books influences the way in which we understand travel and the tourist experience. It covers a variety of genres of books, from children's books and historical fiction, to westerns, science fiction and crime fiction.

Jennifer Laing is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Events at Monash University and Warwick Frost is an Associate Professor in Tourism and coordinator of the Events programs at La Trobe University. Their joint research interests include heritage, events, travel narratives, and the interaction between media, popular culture and tourism. They are co-convenors of the biennial International Tourism and Media Conferences.