Full disclosure: we published this book. But even if we didn’t, we’d still love it. Hong Kong’s hiking trails have long been recognized as some of its most cherished assets. It’s no surprise, then, that a number of guides have been published about the subject over the years. Written by a very precocious 17-year-old, David Pickerell’s “Historical Hong Kong Hikes” differs from previous guides in that it not only gives thorough descriptions of some of the best walks around, but delves into the rich history surrounding the large and small landmarks along the main trails. Through detailed asides scattered across its 15 outlined hikes, we learn about the origins of well-known local institutions, from the Matilda Hospital to the Trappist Monastery on Lantau. We also come across landmark sites such as the hillside where a thousand soldiers died in one day during the Battle of Hong Kong, or the place where a British naval force first landed to claim Hong Kong. All are annotated by photographs either by the author himself or from The Hong Kong Museum of History. An excellent Christmas gift available at all major bookstores, “Historical Hong Kong Hikes” belongs on the shelf of anyone with an interest in hiking or local history.

5 Stars by John Robertson.