Books to help answer the question, 'are we there yet?'

A trip to Nauvoo is a journey through both geography and history. A good guide book can make it not only easier, but also more enjoyable and educational.

There are a lot of books that tell the story of Nauvoo in both text and pictures. Any of them can add to your experience. But if you're specifically looking for guidebooks, here are four that combine the historical and geographical aspects in particularly nice ways:

THE LDS FAMILY TRAVEL GUIDE: Independence to Nauvoo, by Becky Cardon Smith, Granite Publishing, $14.95.

Smith starts out with a section on planning your trip, including tips on how much time to allow for various sites, suggestions on where to say, figuring costs, what to take, what to do before you go. She also includes a brief church history overview.

Sites covered include Independence, Liberty, Haun's Mill, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Hannibal, Nauvoo, Carthage and others. Each section provides details on how to get there, planning your time, local sight-seeing tours, background stories, where to find ATMs, shopping, recommended restaurants, lodging and camping options, nearby church services. There are also pages for you to jot down your own notes. Pictures and maps are also helpful.

Owners of the book also receive discounts at more than 50 locations for such things as meals, lodging, tours and gifts.

Sample text: "Gallatin is a small town located 8 miles south of Adam-Ondi-Ahman. The town was named after Albert Gallatin who was Secretary of the Treasury under President Jefferson and President Madison. There is little to see here of Church historical interest, aside from a marker on the courthouse lawn. But the stories and events associated with Gallatin are worth remembering and discussing. While at the courthouse notice the hand-wound antique clock in the dome. Gallatin also has the dubious distinction of being one of the towns robbed by Frank and Jessie James."

OLD MORMON NAUVOO AND SOUTHEASTERN IOWA: Historic Photographs and Guide, by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and T. Jeffery Cottle, Fieldbrook Productions, $14.95.

The book begins with a brief history of Nauvoo as well as an overview of Nauvoo today. The city is divided into eight guided tours, each set off with clear, easy-to-follow maps. Sites are designated with markings to denote "no present standing structure," "standing structure or marker" and "standing structure open to public."

The old photos are a lot of fun. Historical background about each site is included.

Tours of surrounding communities include Carthage, Webster (Ramus in the Mormon era), Quincy, Montrose and others.