Warning: this book could seriously put you off ever going on holiday again. The opening chapter 'A Journey into Danger' sets the tone with gruesome statistics and phrases we don't normally associate with our two weeks in the sun such as 'extreme terror' and 'mutual-assured destruction'. Having established the fact that everyone, from the Russian mafia to Parisian pickpockets, is out to get you, Peter Consterdine, a former bodyguard and risk management expert, tells you how to get streetwise. Though some of the advice seems more suited to FBI agents ('establish a code word for danger') there are plenty of sound health and safety tips. There are also lots of morbidly fascinating facts and statistics. For example, did you know that San Francisco is rated by airline pilots as one of their least favourite for take-off and landing? Well you do now.

To order a copy of Travelsafe by Peter Consterdine (Summersdale, £19.99) for 17.99 plus p&p, call the Observer book service on 0870 066 7989.