A shade late (sorry about that), this is to say that the new edition of my Rough Guide to Jordan is now out, buyable anywhere in the world as a printed book (yay!) – ask for ISBN 978-14053-89792 – or downloadable as an e-book (boo!) here.

Rough Guides (in fact, the amazing Martin Dunford; how many careers have you launched, Martin?) commissioned me to write the first edition back in 1997. I spent three months in Amman that summer – and then moved to Jordan shortly afterwards. The first edition came out the following year, then another in 2002, then 2006, then 2009. Now 2013.

It’s been a constant 15-year process of updating and refining information, writing and rewriting accounts, expanding and clarifying maps and listings, and – I hope – shedding some light on the country and the region. It’s often been a battle with Rough Guides, but this is my book, and I love it.

And what a privilege to have the chance to travel Jordan in detail, over so many years – a place of spirit, beauty and profound human warmth. Jordan has changed my life. I will never be able to repay my debt of gratitude to this memorable place and its remarkable people.

I’m old-fashioned enough to think travel guides – proper travel guides written to be read, not Top 10s and bitty web content – can help bridge otherwise unbridgeable gaps. I only hope mine does.

But, naturally, there are horrible mistakes in it, and countless things that are already out of date. If you find any, have a look at this update list I’ve started to see if I’ve already picked it up. If not, please drop me a line.