5 comments about Midnight In Sicily: On Art, Feed, History, Travel and la Cosa Nostra.

1. What an odd book. A history of the Mafia mixed with fond travel essays. Would a history of the Mafia in Italy be too heavy without the travel essays? Maybe, but I would not have read it. Would a travel book about Naples and Sicily that ignored the Mafia be dishonest? Maybe, but I would have enjoyed this one a lot more without the Mafia history.
   
   Would a travel book without maps or photos be frustrating to read? Yes. A history book without maps or photos or an index? Yes, frustrating.
   
   I would not read it again. There is no one to whom I want to give the book. I would not recommend it to anyone who did not want to read a lot about the Mafia in Italy or Italian government after WWII. A student of small-time terrorism might like it. It was readable but not fun to read.



2. I read this book with pleasure and excitement. If you love Italy or are planning a trip to Sicily you need to get it In fact, jest read it, wherever you might be, maybe with a little glass of grappa.



3. This is a very intricately and detailed story of the mafia in Sicily. If you like a quick read it is not for you: Enjoyable otherwise.



4. Great read ... informative and scary, the trips Robb takes the reader in and throughout the mezzogiorno made me hungry and thirsty and yearning for a six month vacation there ... the scary has to do with the Italian mob and how ruthless it was (is) ... Robb's wonderfully detailed overview of the history of the mob/Italian culture/government, etc. and how that cancer grew to a disproportionate mass is totally understandable within the context of this wonderful read. Bravo!



5. I bought this book after an Amazon's suggestion, and was looking forward for an overview of my country's history from the outside, but was disappointed.
   
   I think it would be fair to say that Mr. Robb tries to set the stage for a review of the last 60 something years in Italy (and in particular Sicily) with the eye of the historian. Unfortunately he comes across as too politically charged to be successful in his intent.
   
   When dealing with such recent history an historian can only do so much objectively, i.e. almost nothing. I felt the book is a partial view of Italy's politics, neatly divided between good and bad, with characters that are either a cross between a hero and a saint or between Satan and bluebeard. It hurts to see some of my heroes bunched together with opportunistic egomaniacs that did nothing to address the underlying problems and everything to work their own advantage. This might just be due to a difference in political views, but it makes you want to scream that yes, the facts might be somewhat there, but it is just half of the truth.
   
   The most concrete indication of the futility of historic perspective on this topic is the fact that the book, published 12 years ago, feels already old. The exact opposite of Sciascia's writings on the mafia, that instead are current and actual as if they were written today.
   
   I think the author's goal is admirable, but unfortunately the result is very simplistic, politicized and polemic, factious, barely scratching the surface, and ultimately reinforcing what everybody with more than a little experience on these matters thinks: outsiders don't know a thing.
   
   The author tries to condense decades of the most complex interactions and dramatic events that have formed and plagued a nation whose dealings are already notoriously devious and complicated, into statements of right and wrong.
   
   To the sensibility of an Italian (no, I can't generalize like this, let's say to my sensibility as an Italian) these statements are crude and naïve, it is no surprise that to my knowledge this book is not translated in Italian and that there seems to be no Italian reviewer on this site. No offense to all the people who consider themselves Italians, but I am using the term "Italian" here in the strict sense, i.e. somebody who has lived the facts narrated in this book in the first person.
   
   I wonder if I am the only one feeling this way, or if there is anyone else who has listened to the telegiornale growing up, with all the news of maxiprocesso and pool antimafia and Falcone e Borsellino and mani pulite, who sympathizes with me.

No comments about Fodor's London 2009 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

2 comments about Fodor's Ireland 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. I used Frommer's and Fodor's both for my recent Ireland trip. I think Frommer's had better detail about sights, for example more accurate times when the sites were open. I usually check the book out of the library and if I really like it then I buy it. I probably used Frommer's more on my vacation because I like the way it is written more but Fodor's had some info that was not in Frommer's and it is interesting to see what attractions they rate well compared to Frommer's. If both books like an attraction then you know it is going to be worth the trip! I really like to deeply research my vacation location so I enjoyed reading both books.



2. I review the updated copy of this each year and think they could have put more maps and photos in. Also, they tend to highlight the well known restaurants and not the local places, which I always thing are the hidden jewels in each country. Otherwise it's a great book.

2 comments about Take Your Kids to Europe, 8th: How to Travel Safely (and Sanely) in Europe with Your Children (Take Your Kids to Europe).

1. If you are planning an extended stay in Europe with children, you need this book! Take Your Kids to Europe, 7th: How to Travel Safely (and Sanely) in Europe with Your Children (Take Your Kids to Europe) My 3 school-age children and I have just returned from a 4-month trip to the UK. This book was the single best purchase we made as we prepared for our trip. The book helped us to set up an accurate budget, buy and sell our car, camp our way across Wales and the Lake District, rent housing for our stay in the UK, and rent an apartment in Paris for a week. Harriman's suggestions for how to help children adapt quickly to a new home-away-from-home were indispensable. We used TYKE to pick the cream of the crop of sites to visit and then used the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: Great Britain Great Britain (Eyewitness Travel Guides) for additional information and photos of each excursion. My 10 year old relished the job of "checking the book" and filling us in on our next stop. I cannot overstate how much this book helped us to have a safe and fun adventure. If only life came with a guide this thorough and helpful!



2. I bought this book as a supplement to my already strong European travel plans (been before several times) and expected I might get one or two things from it. I was surprised and delighted by the great insights in the book and the time and money we will now save due to the excellent advice on kid-friendly Europe. Our trip will be so much better taking in some of the sights which we would have otherwise missed - such as the cheese and chocolate tour in Switzerland - can't wait!

2 comments about Fodor's Around Paris with Kids, 3rd Edition: 68 Great Things to Do Together (Around the City with Kids).

1. This book has all the details necessary to make an enjoyable trip with your kids to Paris. Just fabuous. My daughter and I visited Paris and found this guide most helpful. All the good stuff with not all the fluff. There are sections that cover food, playgrounds, and other fun outdoor activities. All in all, I had a wonderful time with my daughter where this guide definately helped with all its ideas. Fudor's is the best, and I hope to see other in the series for trips I may have in the future. So this book is both action and info packed, totally awesome with tons of useful information that I could not remcoment any higher---as in greattttttttttttttttttt.



2. We bought this book for friends who are living now in Paris (and we are French and we know Parish quit well) They have got 3 children and they are thrilled with this book. It gives them plenty ideas to do with the kids. Very easy and good explenation (and it doens't stop with the main attraction!)
   So if you are going to Paris or somebody is going to live there this will be a great book!

1 comments about Romania - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

1. I am very glad I bought this book.
   
   I have dealings with people in Romania, both for work and socially, and had been baffled and offended by some behaviors.
   
   This book explains all: for example, it isn't bad manners, it's normal manners, it is local custom, to not say "please" or "thank you." When they get in your face and yell their opinion, it isn't aggression or anger: that's normal conversation. And if you yell right back, they'll appreciate it!
   
   Wish I knew that before my first trip ......
   
   Dropping pronouns & even nouns is how they actually talk (as opposed to what we learn in Berlitz or other language schools).
   
   The essays on recent history & politics are very informative on how many Romanian people view, and sometimes envy us; and explains the disconnect between what we, in a free market economy in a democracy mean and what they hear/understand. And vice versa.
   
   I wish I had this book a year ago, when I first interviewed for a consultant position in Bucharest.
   
   It is easy to read, well laid out, a very casual style of English.

5 comments about On Persephone's Island: A Sicilian Journal.

1. It irks me that Mary Taylor Simeti is in possession of any of my money! That any publisher found ON PERSEPHONE'S ISLAND worthy of print astounds me! Be warned, you get exactly what is promised, a journal! Simeti's is a dry account, devoid of humor, insight and passion and is written with a lofty phraseology: a deadly combination that had better not be contagious! To be honest, I found the book so dull I was unable to read it straight through, so after eighty pages, I began skiping around in search of entertainment, since there is no story. I found none!

   If you're searching for an escape to another place, a glimpse into another life or culture, or just plain fun, look elsewhere! You will find none of the above here! Half a star-because the cover is very nice, if misleading!




2. Simeti does a great job of talking about her adopted home. The story works well on two levels - discussing the mythology, history, and culture of Sicily, but also weaving in her responses, frustrations, fears, and joys about her life as an American woman turned Italian wife and mother. One of my favorite books about Italy.



3. This book really gave an insightful and intriguing depiction of Sicily, its traditions and its history. The story line carried it along very nicely without reverting to a guide book. I'm Italian American and throughly enjoyed it. This book is a must for those interested in the Island.



4. I had high expectations for this book, but I find that it's quite hard to get through. I am very passionate about Italy, and especially Sicily, so it's not a lack of interest, but I find Simeti's writing to be a little hard to wade through. There's a bit of a feminist/pessimistic slant to her writing and be prepared for long sentences with multiple adjectives.



5. If you are even remotely thinking about going to Sicily, you should read this wonderful book. Deep understanding of this unique, strange amazing island, seen also with an American's eye. I was reading it while I was there, and it opened up everything I saw in ways that would have been impossible. Like being with a Sicilian friend.

4 comments about Let's Go 2008 Western Europe (Let's Go Western Europe).

1. I am using it for my backpacking trip, it has been very usefull until now



2. Excellent resource with lots of information that you should have like embassy, restaurants, attractions, and accommodations. Fast shipping, good condition



3. This is a good book, keeping in line with the generally excellent "Let's Go" series.
   
   It offers a nice overview of the western european countries, but we found that it lacks in detail for specific countries. We could have seen it coming, of course, but we made it to some fairly major destinations in Germany and Switzerland that weren't in the guide at all.
   
   I'm also a detail buff, and even some of the major attractions which were included lacked detail: as a result, we had to pick up quite a good deal of supplementary materials (maps, historical, etc.) along the way.
   
   So, for my next multi-country trip, I'll be hitting the individual country guides.



4. This was, by far, the most useful thing I took with me on my two-month trip to Europe. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it. If you plan to backpack or work your way through Estern Europe on a shoestring budget, this is the perfect start. It's very easy to use, with sections divided by country, city, and if necessary, sections of the larger cities. It has great information on the best (and cheapest, if that's your goal) hostels, places to eat, and activites. I book almost all of my hostels using the up-to-date information. Each chapter on a country has a small section about the language, with hints on how to pronounce useful phrases like "I'm fine, thank you", or "where is the bathroom?". It also includes directions and maps to hostels and other landmarks that were detailed and, for the most part, easy to follow. Sometimes it was a little off on the pricing, but that's to be expected when prices change seasonally in touristy places. I liked this book much better than the Lonely Planet book I bought, and much, much better than the Frommer's book I had. It's a must-have for any savvy traveler.

No comments about Michelin Red Guide 2008 Main Cities of Europe: 3000 Hotels & Restaurants (Michelin Red Guide: Europe, Main Cities).

3 comments about Portugal (Country Guide).

1. This guide excels in the ins and outs of
   travel by other than rental car and plush
   hotels. The public transportation information
   is useful.



2. We always use Lonely Planet because they tell it like it is---good, bad and ugly !
   
   This latest book on Portugal is no exception.
   
   Wonderful !



3. After having tried a few other guidebook series, I am back to Lonely Planet, as these are simply standard-setting in terms of travellers' reference.
   
   But this is the exception that confirms the rule (along with Lonely Planet Iceland & Faroes). Though published last year, so much of the basic information is not up-to-date - and several recommendations seem like an absolute mystery as they in no way live up to Lonely Planet's usual criteria.
   
   Just too many times I found myself planning according to the book's information and recommendations, and ended up finding nothing or not finding the expected. The examples are too many to be ust coincidence and 'because things change'. I will therefore get rid of this one, and try Footprint or The Rough Guide next time I go to Portugal.
   
   Yet, my critical rating of this guidebook should also be seen in the light of my high expectations, as Lonely Planet - mostly - does set the standard. Try again - new edition.