5 comments about Paris: The Biography of a City.

1. Being from Paris and now living in the US, I looked forward to this book. I thought I would get a review of history and maybe find out new things. The history is OK but very slim in many instances. What disappointed me the most was that there were almost no pictures. It would have been fun, for example, to have both historical illustrations and modern pictures of an area being described in this book. Many things are described but it just is not the same as seeing it in pictures. Most illustrations were obscure and not explained within the context of the book.
   
   All in all, better to get two books - one on history and the other on architecture. Trying to do justice to both does not work.



2. This book is terribly organized. I'm not sure what happened in writing this book, but it seems clear that Professor Jones did not compile this in the chronological order that it is printed in.
   
   My main complaint is that rather obscure concepts/people/events are repeatedly referred to, and then only later does Jones bother to define them. (I would almost prefer that he not define something at all, rather than offering a definition 100 pages after his first reference to it!) The fact that the book has an index only further infuriated me - clearly the author/publisher knew where all these terms were located throughout the book, yet did not bother to offer a definition in the appropriate/first reference to the concept.
   
   Examples are numerous, but here are a few:
   **robe nobility: referenced on pages 139, 152, 183. Defined? (pg. 183)
   **sans culottes: first referenced on page 189, defined on page 231.
   **Louis-Sebastien Mercier: referenced on pages 11, 138, 178, 189, 200, 204, 212, 213. When did Jones provide information (that he was a "journalist, dramatist and observer of Parisian mores") on just WHO Mercier is? Page 215.
   
   Aside from that, there are some plain old errors. One such is in the text box on Saint Genevieve. Jones mentions that she negotiated with Frankish military chieftains in the 570s and 580s. She died in 512AD, so the negotiations seem improbable. (470s & 480s would be correct, but I should not have to figure that out.)
   
   The redeeming quality of the book is that if DOES offer information on Paris if you are willing to sift through the above mentioned annoyances. And Paris is not such a bad subject.



3. I understand now that the "biography of a city" genre means, literally, what happened to the city in question throughout its existence. This does not mean the reader will get a historical survey of events within the city. It means the reader will get a more-or-less chronological account of building programs, road building, and changes in sewage infrastructure.
   
   In short: dry reading.
   
   I bought Paris: The Biography of a City on the eve of my trip to Paris, thinking a history of Paris would give me a sense of context. However, history involves people and events. Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed by what I got, and instead read John Roberts's excellent book, The French Revolution. But driven by an obsession with finishing every book I start, I finished reading this book on my return to the U.S.
   
   Taken for what it is, this book is a decent and apparently accurate catalog of Paris's growth since its early years. However, Jones merely mentions in passing major events like the St. Bartholomew's massacre and Napoleon III's coup d'etat, and people like Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte, as if the reader already knew all about them.
   
   A city without people is not a city. Likewise, a biography of a city that goes into almost no detail about the people who lived in that city through the ages is hardly a biography. Or at least, hardly a biography worth reading.



4. I found this book disappointing for other reasons than reviewers have already cited. Namely, it's a very poorly-chosen title. It miscues readers that the story will be told in a alternative way. i.e. Paris (a physical place) has a bio, that is literally comprised of the stories of the objects that compose it. I wish Jones had scrapped this book and written that one instead. That one sounds like fun.
   
   I have no idea how the one review below picked that sentence as typical. I couldn't find a similar sentence anywhere in the book. It's not a difficult read at all.
   
   It's also not an compelling one. The title hints at a book where Paris and it's objects will become protagonists: the story of Paris will be told through artifacts. That's some hook! But the book has little to do with relating Paris' `biography' as such. Instead this is just a conventional history of Paris, with multiple pages devoted to incidents that were long ago sufficiently mythologized, and thus well-known. Paris Commune, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Couer, Haussmaninzation etc. Jones covers every topic as `history' leading to a final few sentences about the artifact that remains. It's unfortunate. Simon Schama's history of the revolution (Citizens) is not very different from this, not a city. It's conventional. This is how histories have been written for the entire 20th century.
   
   It also seems like you can't talk about spaces and buildings without talking about architects too. There's barely a word about anyone other than Haussmann. You can't talk about the Pompidou Center without mentioning Archigram, unless you're writing at the level of "travel pamphlet." It's just not possible.
   
   The topic of Paris is aching for someone to discover its hidden humor. I love Paris but it takes itself so seriously that all who deign to describe it unfortunately become humorless themselves.



5. This books greatest strength and weakness is that it is one of the most thorough overviews on the city of Paris history that has been written yet. Unlike many it goes into wonderful detail on the early years of Paris and the build up on the Isle de cite. One of the other drawbacks is that the maps of Paris in the back are just okay but if you have a Paris travel book with good maps you will be better served for following the authors descriptions. The downside to the detail is that you can get bogged down very easily and lose the authors main point with all of the detail. The book tends to glaze over the post world war II era and I would have liked more explanation of the reconstruction efforts.
   Overall it was an excellent summary of Parisian history and put Paris in the context of the entire country. There are many books like this that offer the biography of the city and I would put this one in the middle of those. It is hard to have a very strong opinion of this book since it was neither amazing nor terrible. For those looking to learn some more about the history of the city or those who want another perspective on French history it is probably worth a read but for the general consumer on European history it is probably worth a pass.

5 comments about Best of Athens (Best Of).

1. The book has good maps in addition to narrative. We used the "Eating" section and "Directory" most heavily, since we are not shoppers and had arranged a hotel through alternative means. We also used the Eyewitness "Top 10" guide and "Streetwise Athens" map, which provide additional perspectives.



2. My wife and i were in athens for 3 days and this little book was always in my pocket. it was very useful for us the entire trip. although some of the restaurant suggestions i'd question that's to be expected. the rest of the information was excellent. i found myself referring to the maps and area descriptions constantly. well worth the investment.



3. Athens is a great city. I had been there several times, waiting to see what has changd from 2000 year.



4. This small guide was very helpful to a recent short trip to Athens. The recommendations of where to visit and day-by-day tours were good. It was nice that the guide was small and fit in my back pocket. However, the maps leave something to be desired. You might want to purchase additional Athens maps to go along with the book, or ask your hotel for some.



5. This was our bible on our first trip to Athens. It was the perfect size to carry along daily, and the maps were extremely helpful. We booked hotels and chose restaurants based on the book's recommendations... we were not disappointed!

2 comments about Michelin Red Guide 2008 Espana & Portugal (Michelin Red Guide: Espana & Portugal).

1. I am always more comfortable in traveling to a country for which there is a Red Guide. They don't include the folksy details of some of the other guide books, but I like quiet hotels and I don't think that you can beat this series of guides for that information. Give me a red hotel with a red rocking chair and I'm in heaven!
   It's less good for restaurants, unless you are only into the high end, but when you want to find quality, it's great.



2. I love Michelin guides and have used them for many travels. This review doesnt reflect the guide or its content but the fact that it is listed as "Multilingual." Parts of it are multilingual but the description in the listings are all in Spanish. If you are expecting the descriptions to be in English, this is not the guide for you.

3 comments about The Civilized Shopper's Guide to Florence.

1. Makes you want to hop on a plane (with a tasteful wallet full of crisp Euros) and explore the art of shopping or even just window shopping in this city with already so much to please the eye. A lovely guide with just the right tone of voice and beautiful images. The handsome package and handy size make it a must-have for a stay of any length in Firenze.



2. This little book made the difference between a great trip to Florence and an "off-the-charts" fabulous adventure. It's filled with descriptions of tiny shops of every imaginable kind that you might never find on your own -- the best of the best, unique items, real craftsmen. There's 90 year old glove shop where they simply take one look at your hand, immediately know your size and can make the perfect recommendation (and they did!) We met a 3rd generation leather craftsman who makes exquisite polished boxes and other items, and just as the book described, he works alone, and is more that happy to stop his work, greet guests and tell them all about his work. Every restaurant that we went to listed in this book was out of this world, and didn't break the bank. Oh, and Grom gelato is reason enough to hop a plane right this minute. This book got us off the tourist track and into a wonderful world we might have otherwise missed. Literally 4 inches square, the book fits into any civilized purse or jacket pocket. I don't even like to shop, and this book made be excited to get out of bed (despite the jet lag) and see as much as I could see. If you've been to Florence before, then this is the ONLY guidebook you'll need on your return trip. The author has apparently written a companion book on Rome. I can't wait for her to take on other great cities of the world. Ciao!



3. I wish I had had this book in hand the first time I visited Florence. This guide lists everything from art supplies to vintage clothing, organized by walks and located on tiny maps. On my next trip this tiny volume will be in my carry-on baggage--I don't want to risk its not getting off the plane with me. I wish there were volumes for Venice, Edinburgh, London, and all my other favorite cities. The Civilized Shopper's Guide is a treasure of a book.

5 comments about Frommer's Greek Islands (Frommer's Complete).

1. I went traveling in Greece 2 years ago and found other travel books to lack info on the Greek Islands and had to struggle my way through the islands. As I am planning to return this summer, I have found this book to be a good reference to prepare, and one that I will bring with me. When most of us think of Greece, the Greek Isles are the place most of us invision. This book gave me a good reference as to where to go, where to stay and what there was to do. I would reccommend this book to others.



2. Unfortunately this book lacks much of the detail and thoroughness that some other guides to the Greek Islands offer (such as the Eyewitness travel guide). Although the major islands are covered in some detail, this book almost entirely ignores a lot of other islands, even some that are quite large. This is a real disappointment because the true wonder of the Greek Island experience is that you can travel to all kinds of places, some very small but no less significant. A good travel guide for the Greek Islands therefore needs to include just as much detail about these less-visited islands as it does about the more well-traveled ones. This book also lacks a lot of the photograps that other books include, which I think is important because the Greek Islands are so diverse. It really does help to see pictures of the islands to help you decide which ones to visit. If you're planning a trip to the Greek Islands you can do much better than this book for a travel guide.



3. The principal difference between this book and "Frommer's Greece" is that this one covers the option of selecting a cruise of the islands, and that section is very good. So, if a major concern is choosing a cruise line (or ship) for your Greek vacation, take a look at this guide. Otherwise, "Frommer's Greece" covers all the mainland (and all the islands) for the same price. Frommer's stands out for clear writing, logical indexing, and especially for running the gamut from budget tourism to the more affluent. His starred system with comments for value or attractiveness to family is understandable with good common sense. Studying Frommer's helps me make the decisions I personally want to make. It will save you many times the price of the book and make your stay much more enjoyable.
   
   Reviewed by David Lundberg, author of Olympic Wandering: Time Travel Through Greece



4. I thought this book would give me additional info about the Greek Islands but it only repeated what was in the Frommer's Greece book,with a few extra inconsequential chapters. You really only need one or the other.



5. Frommer's Greek Islands is just what I was looking for! The section I found most helpful was the appendix in the back of the book that gives info on Greece in depth which briefly lists the Gods & Goddesses, language, useful words & phrases, as well as some menu terms. Even though the book is very light weight I plan on cutting out that section out of the book and keeping it in my pocket for shore excursions on the Islands. I have used Frommer's books in the past with the most recent being Rome. I live in New York and keep a copy of Frommer's New York for foreign travelers who visit me and want to head out on their own. I also found alot of info. in Eyewitness Travel Guides "The Greek Islands" it has glossy color photos, and is a good guide but way too heavy to pack let alone carry on a tour!

5 comments about The Innocents Abroad: or, The New Pilgrims' Progress (Modern Library Classics).

1. Journey to the east in 1860's with the best travel writer ever, Mark Twain.
   Colorful descriptions of people, places and events abroad with Twain humor. If you love travel stories, this will delight you.



2. Twain is not only timeless but his observations may seem all the more timely. This excellent read follows him on a journey to Europe and then the Middle East in the 1860s. We learn much about the time period and his observations are helpful in learning about the past, we see the brutality od the slave market in Istanbul where European slaves are sold, we see the arrogance of the europeans and we see the true view of the 'Holy Land' as Twain puts to shame former romantic accounts of the land of the Bible and brings it to life in its brutal squalor. Twain is ever cynical and whitty and in this the read sheds light on a nascent quinitsential Americanism. The American culture of Twain is not taken in with old europe, he is not impressed by luxory and he is not easily taken in with romance, there is no Lawrence of Arabia in Twain, there is skepticism about religion, about the Catholic church. People are not inherently good or evil, but jaded, Twain has a sense of justice but he dares to challenge his contemporaries and ironically the way his contemporaries viewed say the European or the Arab beoduin, has not changed in 140 years. Twain dared to challenge popular thought and in that he was one of the first Americans.
   
   Seth J. Frantzman



3. In what must have been the first organized tour by Americans of the Old World, Mark Twain tells of his experiences as a member of a party of 150 taking a cruise steamer to tour the European mainland, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
   
   The "innocents" of the title applies to Twain and his comrades. It shows partly in their naivete such as being flattered by a French shopkeeper into buying a tawdry piece of apparel, and in their assumption that every native guide must be telling the truth. It shows partly in their attempting behavior that seasoned travelers would not attempt, such as riding a donkey all day, or making an evening foray to the shore of Athens--in violation of the quarantine--to observe the Parthenon under the moonlight. It shows mainly in Twain's sense of wonder at the monuments of civilization which tower over him in what seems the first confrontation of American culture with Europe and the East.
   
   There are some memorable moments: Twain's audience with the Czar in the Caucasus; his arduous trek through the Syrian desert to the Holy Land; his measuring the blocks of the Baalbek temples and deciding they were as big as railroad cars; his being harassed by beggars in every town in the Middle East; his being made a virtual prisoner by his guide as he labors up the great pyramid in Egypt. And we realize that throughout this tour of the antiquities, some things remain as they were in 1867. Tour groups are still largely made up of the gray-haired, the Louvre with its miles of art galleries is still overwhelming, the sphinx remains inscrutable, and Arabs still hate Christians.
   
   INNOCENTS ABROAD is typical Mark Twain, full of his humor, irony, and exaggeration. Brevity is not its virtue, however.
   
   I found this non-fiction work useful for its travel information, but even more readable for its digressions: those anecdotes, legends, spoofs, and mini-essays that liberally infuse the book. Twain's reproduction of a fancied playbill for the Coliseum of 2,000 years ago is hilarious. His well-evidenced argument that Egypt is the wellspring of western culture is a startling one. His portrayal of his experience in the Tomb of the Holy Sepulcher shows a devoutness that we do not associate with this American iconoclast. In fact, he marshals a fund of knowledge of the Bible and Christian history in demonstrating that Ephesus, now largely in ruins, is really the most important city in Christendom.
   
   I purchased INNOCENTS ABROAD after I read it. It is the only book of Twain's that I own, because I will want to read its passages again and again, to myself and to others.



4. If you don't know the person for whom you're buying a gift, well get them this. It's laugh-out loud funny even for someone who doesn't read much or who has never heard of Twain.



5. I think that I must be one of the few people who has read all of Mark Twain's non-fiction and practically none of his classic works of fiction. I think that Mark Twain is one of the cleaverst philosophers who has ever lived. There is more to be learned in reading Mark Twain than in reading Plato or Aristotle as far as I am concerned.
   I think that this was the second Twain travelogue that I read. It is a laugh a minute. I just love this guy. When they say the "wit and wisdom" of Mark Twain they are not kidding. He is really too much ... and he is fun! How can you beat it.

5 comments about Provence A-Z.

1. Here's a book of a couple of hundred entries, from A to Z of course, about life in the Provence region of France. Each entry then has from a short paragraph to a few pages of description. The author is Peter Mayle who has almost made a careet of writing about Provence. He's a Brit who moved there many years ago. He was going there to write a novel, but instead wrote a book on Provence which to the surprise of many turned into a best seller.
   
   This started a trend with 'A Year in Provence' and 'Toujours Provence' being the best known. Like expats everywhere who have permanently moved from their homeland, Mr. Mayle is in love with his new chosen country. It shows through his selection of words to include in the book and in the dedication with which he has given these words their Provence meaning.
   
   It's almost enough to make people who don't like France ready to go visit.



2. An enjoyable collection about things in and of provence. Peter Mayle has done another winner.
   An easy read and quite informative.



3. This is a collection of short essays about the culture of Provence in alphabetical order. I think it is typical Mayle, intelligent, bright, and whimsical without being "cute". It's a writing you can sample in at odd times.



4. Peter Mayle's books about Provence are always wonderful, and this one does not disappoint!
   Mireille McKell



5. Peter Mayle's "Provence A-Z" is a collection of personal interests and discoveries. There are amusing stories of construction complexities, the celebration of truffles and humorous stories of wild pigs eating perfectly ripe melons. Peter invites you into his world and as he explains the reality of Provence he keeps the fantasy of the perfect vacation alive and well. Since I recently made my own tapenade it was interesting to see a new recipe. There is also an explanation of why tomatoes are known as pommes d'amour. There are stories of unique fruits and visions of hills that are home to two thousand types of butterfly. I loved the story of the new puppy and you can't help but smile when you think of all the adventures Peter has on a daily basis. Overall, this collection of writing makes winter days seem a bit warmer and it is perfect as a cozy read by the fire.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review
   Once I spent a weekend in Provence

5 comments about No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice.

1. I agree with the other posters that Judith Martin's tone is self-adulatory to the point of self indulgence. That, of course, isn't my favorite part of this book. However there is new stuff here that I didn't know and I've been returning "home" to Venice regularly for many years.
   I actually bought this book hoping, among other things, to learn about hat etiquette (as excerpted on this Amazon page), since I sometimes wear a hat in Venice and would hate to be doing it the wrong way. I didn't find it, and that's a shame. Advising on such matters is--or ought to be--the author's forte. Imho it's too bad Miss Manners didn't write this book.
   (By the way, another poster mentioned something called the "Venice Card," which is a discount gimmick for the tourists. This is quite different from the city-issued photo I.D. which allows a resident to purchase the monthly vaporetto pass for 30 euro, and this is what Martin was writing about. I didn't find it too awfully difficult to obtain, but maybe that has changed. My own abbonamento expired years ago but the brusque lady behind the counter still honors it every time, bless her heart.)



2. This is a book without a purpose, beyond the self-adulation of the author. It has nothing new which is relevant to Venice nor is it insightful about its history, culture, or physical presence. There is not even anything relevatory about her experience in the city. These are simply Ms. Martin's musings about a city that she likes a lot. Unfortunately, it's hard to care.



3. Cute title. After that this book sinks into the canal. I agree with another poster I do not think Ms Martin wrote much of this book. If she did she should be ashamed.
   
   If you want to read a good book about Venice read CITY OF THE FALLING ANGELS. Or read any Donna Leon book all set in Venice and all excellent mysteries that are filled with the life of the people of Venice.
   
   This book is just boring!



4. Judith Martin ought to be placed in quarantine as the most threatening carrier of a communicable disease since Typhoid Mary. Her 'No Vulgar Hotel' not only threatens to spread Venetophilia (her coinage, it seems) among the uninefected at epidemic strength; it may well render milder fevers than hers terminally virulent. Beware, after reading this delightful book, of the usual symptoms of this incurable contagion -- the urge to buy and repair decaying, waterlogged and insanely overpriced palazzi, the wearing of scary masks other than on Hallowe'en, a fascination with saints and saint's relics, the adoption of Venetian ancestors (whether they're actually ancestral or not), the collection of gimcracks and gismos whose only value is a tenuous connection with Venice, and not least the impulse to go to bad or mediocre movies merely because they have pictorial connections with Venice; and finally, at the risk of drowning, to go into training as amateur gondoliers." -- Edwin M. Yoder Jr., author of "Lions at Lamb House" and other books.



5. I confess. I have a poster-sized repro of the 1500 deBarbari map on the wall of my study and I fly the standard of San Marco at my house. If Venice is in the marrow of your bones as it is in mine, you will probably laugh and cry your way through the meandering narration of this book as I have. However, I would not recommend this book to the novice. There is a bit too much of the esoteric and self-indulgent to be really useful as a tourist guide. You decide.

2 comments about Good Beer Guide to Belgium.

1. This is THE definitive guide to Belgium beers, this book rates every Belgian beer, gives brewery tour info, beer tourism info, Belgian beer bar reviews, addresses, hours open, and provides essential insights into the history, culture, economics, and marketing of beer. If you are a Belgian beer fan, this book is a fantastic resource. If you are visiting Belgium, this book is an essential companion and constant reference. Can't say enough about this book!! Anyone visiting Belgium should bring this book with them.
   
   Buy this book! An awesome book for a gift or for yourself.



2. With the Good Beer Guide Tim Webb does a superhuman job chronicling the staggering array of breweries, beers, and bars in the Benelux region. I took a trip to Netherlands and Belgium expressly for the beer and for me the book was indispensible. It is organized and indexed very well.
   
   If you are reading this review you are likely at least somewhat interested in Belgian beer and if you are, then you probably can't afford not to use this guide. Not all beers or bars are created equal, even in Belgium. With a limited time and traveler's budget it would be impossible to have savored as many beers as I did without Webb's help.
   
   Because the Benelux countries are among the most pleasant in the world and easiest to get around and travel in, you will not even need a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide--the important stuff (the beer!) is in Tim Webb's book. You can easily find hotels, sightseeing info, and food when you are there, because the region is highly traveler-friendly. However, many of the local beer menus include thousands of offerings and so you can imagine how a guidebook like this might come in handy.
   
   The Good Beer Guide to Belgium will also help you decipher those book-long beer menus and select the right brew for you. With the guide in hand you also might find yourself in towns and villages you never would have visited otherwise, because you were drawn there for a Trappist monastary or a special little bit of brewing history. There are a smattering of other beer guides to the region but none even come close to this one!

No comments about Fodor's Spain 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).