Books
On this page you will find examples of Ron's most recently published books. For a complete list, see Ron's CV.
Teak Lord (2022)
A tale of piety, greed, debauchery and equanimity in a remote Asian kingdom
It’s 1875 and Chiang Mai, capital of Lanna, is a cultural crossroads of Buddhist monks and Christian missionaries, of spirit doctors and opium smokers, of seductive dancers and Western adventurers.
A sharp rise in teak prices sets off a mad rush for logging concessions, and the forests of Lanna resound to the thwack of axes and the trumpeting of elephants as the mighty trees are felled.
Enter Doctor Marion Cheek, a medical missionary and teak trader, whose exploits in this exotic realm – saving the life of the ruler’s wife, setting up a harem of local beauties and standing triumphant at the kingdom’s highest point – make him a legend in his lifetime.
It’s 1875 and Chiang Mai, capital of Lanna, is a cultural crossroads of Buddhist monks and Christian missionaries, of spirit doctors and opium smokers, of seductive dancers and Western adventurers.
A sharp rise in teak prices sets off a mad rush for logging concessions, and the forests of Lanna resound to the thwack of axes and the trumpeting of elephants as the mighty trees are felled.
Enter Doctor Marion Cheek, a medical missionary and teak trader, whose exploits in this exotic realm – saving the life of the ruler’s wife, setting up a harem of local beauties and standing triumphant at the kingdom’s highest point – make him a legend in his lifetime.
Rough Guide to Thailand (10th edition, 2018)
For the tenth edition of the Rough Guide to Thailand, Ron zig-zagged his way from the northwest corner of Isaan to the southeast corner, checking out a few hidden gems in this rarely visited part of the country, such as little-known Khmer ruins and craft villages, and he was delighted to find the folks of the northeast as friendly as ever. He then picked up his swimsuit and went island hopping along the Eastern Seaboard to note changes in contrasting destinations such as Pattaya, Ko Samed, Trat, Ko Chang and the beautiful Ko Kood. Sad to say, this is probably the last time that these guides will involve on-the-ground research, so the end of this research trip was also the end of an era. You can order this collector's item here.
Rough Guide to Vietnam (9th edition, 2018)
For the ninth edition of the Rough Guide to Vietnam, Ron rattled round the north and northwest of the country, exploring hilltribe markets, riding the new cable car from Sapa to the top of Mount Fansipan (the highest mountain in mainland Southeast Asia), revisiting the Dong Van Geopark, his favourite place in the entire country, and having fun with friends in Hanoi, taking food tours round the backstreets. And to think they call this work. To join in the fun, order your copy here.
Rough Guide to Thailand (9th edition, 2015)
For the eighth edition of Rough Guide to Thailand, Ron roamed all over Isaan (Northeast Thailand) and the Central Plains, home to the ancient cities of Ayuthaya and Sukhothai, clocking up thousands of kilometres and looking at hundreds of hotels, guest houses and restaurants in order to recommend the best deals for readers. So if you're planning a trip to Thailand, order a copy of this reliable and up-to-date guide here .
Rough Guide to Vietnam (8th edition, 2015)
The laws of karma have finally caught up with Vietnam. In the 20th century, while the rest of the world was enjoying unprecedented wealth and well-being, Vietnam was engaged in the century's most destructive conflicts. Now, in the 21st century, while the rest of the world goes through economic meltdown, Vietnam is suddenly the safest and coolest place to be on this planet. Don't believe it? Then pick up this guide here and go see for yourself.
National Geographic Traveler Vietnam (3rd edition, 2014)
Working for Nat Geo is a goal aspired to by many writers and photographers, and Ron is proud to have been called upon to update the second and third editions of the National Geographic Traveler Guide to Vietnam. The guide contains an image taken by Ron of the wild landscape in the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Vietnam's far north, which achieved a long-harboured ambition—to see his images on the pages of this prestigious publication. Buy from amazon here.
Searching for Shangri-La
Though Ron spends most of his time updating guide books and penning feature articles for magazines, he occasionally writes short pieces on unusual places, recounts odd travel experiences and rants about the dire state of the world. This compilation, culled from two decades of such writings, is available both as an ebook at Amazon Kindle and as a paperback (print-on-demand or POD) from Create Space. For less than $5, you can now find out what goes on in the back room of a guide book writer's brain.
To read a sample story, click here.
Frommer's Thailand (10th edition, 2012)
Despite disastrous floods in late 2011 and a fragile political balance, Thailand continues to be the Southeast destination of choice for visitors from the USA and Europe. This new edition of Frommer's Thailand, updated by long-term resident Ron Emmons, lays out clearly the best options for sightseeing, sleeping and eating, along with suggested itineraries for spending your precious time in the Land of Smiles.
Walks along the Thames Path, New Holland (4th edition, 2011)
The banks of England's best-known river, the Thames, are packed with sights of historical and cultural importance. Thoroughly revised and updated, this book of 25 circular walks guides readers round places like Oxford, Richmond and Greenwich. Buy from amazon here.
Top Ten Bangkok, Dorling Kindersley (2008)
Ron has worked on several projects for renowned publisher Dorling Kindersley, including their Eyewitness Travel Guides. This pocket-sized guide gives the lowdown on the best places to visit in Thailand's capital for visitors with limited time. Buy from amazon here.