By RICHARD B. WOODWARD

Travel writers have to be optimistic about the places they've visited. If they aren't we won't follow.

Pity then the authors of the new Bradt guides to Kabul and Baghdad, who must walk on the sunny side down some of the world's darkest streets.

Written by and, I'm guessing, mainly for journalists, these handy palm-sized paperbacks (published in the United States by Globe Pequot Press) seem intended to cheer on the intrepid without making a bad situation worse by licensing foolishness.

Practical tips in these books go beyond where to change money: In choosing a hotel room in Baghdad, be mindful that it's not too close to the street in case of car bombs.

Armchair Traveler continued