Most informative travel guide series?

[dbaker]

What's the word on the most reliable and consistent travel guide series?

I hear a lot about the "Lonely Planet" series of books and it seems to cover a broad range of countries. Any others that I should be aware of?

I find general information, broad travel references, cultural information, and country history to be more important than details about specific locations within cities, etc.

[Jarin]

I like for city trips DK Eyewitness Travel Guides. There is general information, broad travel references, cultural information, histor, etc.
How it is about countries I do not have any experience, but think it should be ok as well.