Help in Germany !

RS books are generally not available in Germany. The only place I have ever seen them sold was in bookshop on one of the NATO bases. You can usually find English-language editions of some of the internationally published guidebook series, like Marco Polo, or Insight Guides. Relax, I can assure you that Mr. Steves doesn't have a monopoly on good travel ideas for Germany.

There is a four-story bookstore called Hugendubel on the Marienplatz in Munich. It's on the side opposite the Rathaus (with the Glockenspiel), with your back to the Rathaus more or less on your left. They have an English language section. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a guidebook in English. I can recommend the Baedeker if they have it.

Okay, Laura. I called Hugendubel on Marienplatz for you. I was told that they have at least a couple of travel guides for Bavaria/Munich in English. Also, they're closed on Sundays. The English language travel guides, according to the woman I talked to, are in the "Reiseabteilung" - travel section - on the second floor, mixed in with the German language books. One of them she mentioned costs a little more than seven Euro. I know this isn't Rick Steves but maybe it'll help.

If you're traveling with an electronic gizmo, you can download a copy from Amazon, B&N, etc. You'll need their reading app first. I think most would agree there's a bit of a learning curve using his books this way, but if you're desparate for RS' book, this might work for you.

If you are arriving by plane or train, there are usually book shops open in those locations where you can buy an English language guide book. The Tourist info may have some too.

You could have Amazon.co.uk send it to your Munich hotel address. Actually you can even order it from Amazon.de and get free shipping. But it'll take about three days to get to you...