2 comments about London's War: A Traveler's Guide to World War II.

1. Well first off, it's TWENTY walks not eight! Either way, I can't rave enough about this book. I bought it as a Mother's Day gift, and was leafing through it waiting for the mircrowave to bing, and have now read it cover to cover TWICE: first for the little boxed tidbitty things on each page, all the human interest details, and then for the rest of it, which turned out to be ALL human interest stuff. It's written about things you'd really want to KNOW, like how people felt and how they survived and how things are pronounced, and where the bathrooms are. It made me think how much dignity Londoners had, and how brave they were. I wasn't even planning to go to London and I still found the book fascinating. I guess that'd be my only complaint, actually. Now I want to go but I can't afford to! I'm writing this review because I just signed on to amazon to buy a copy for myself (not as a gift this time!), and thought I'd spread the word. Enjoy!!



2. I took this book w/ me to London last summer and spent time on some of the walks the author suggests. I wish I had had time to do them all as I found her guidebook to be an excellent source, highly enjoyable, lots of side notes and comments, with good maps.
   
   When I returned I recommended it to a professor who was going over to teach for the fall semester. He reported that he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed it as well. So, if you're a history buff, WW II or not, you'll enjoy this guide.

3 comments about Munich Laminated Pocket Map by Pocket-Pilot.

1. We just used a number of Pocket Pilot Maps on a recent trip; Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. We carried them everywhere and they were very helpful. They aren't enough to use on their own when planning a trip, and their list of "must sees" didn't agree entirely with ours or other travel books, but I still highly recommend having this map with you for every city you go. We wish we had had them for every city we went, but they don't all exist. The easy-to-fold-in-different-directions flexibility was great, as was the fact that it was laminated (we did have some rain and snow, and would even look at the maps over meals or drinks). Overall, I say these are a must buy, but don't rely on them on their own. We enjoyed using the Rick Steve's books to help with our planning, and then found the Knopf MapGuides a perfect match with our pocket-pilots. Both are fairly small and both are helpful in different ways. Don't forget to check out your local libraries for the Rick Steve's and Knopf guides, but you'll definitely want to buy your own personal copy of the pocket-pilots. Happy travels!



2. Great map for pedestrian and subway travel. Very durable. Perfect size to carry in pocket.



3. After going over many options for maps in my local bookstore, and several chain bookstores I choose pocket pilot. It is made from a tear resistant/water resistant material, its the perfect size, very readable and easy to fold.

No comments about Moleskine City Notebook Roma (Rome) (Moleskine City Notebook).

4 comments about Michelin Green Guide Rome (Michelin Green Guides).

1. I have used the Michelin Green Guides on many trips to Italy. They have always provided accurate information in an easy to use format. I particularly like that they are small enough to pack in a suit easily. This might not sound like much to you. But I am a one carry-on suitcase kind of girl, so I don't have much room to spare for lots of travel guides. I always have at least one Michelin Green Guide in my suitcase for each new adventure.
   
   The writers do a nice job of provided walking directions through Rome to maximize your sightseeing opportunities. I love to walk around Rome. It is such a beautiful city that can only be truly appreciated up close. Just be sure to wear comfortable shoes. The street are very uneven and unless you have gel inserts in your hard soles shoes you feet might give out before you do. I have been known to walk 10 miles a day in Rome without trying to. It is very easy to get carried away and just want to see more.
   
   Be sure to check out a few of the outdoor markets that are outlined in the book. These are so much fun. I like them almost as much as the museums.
   
   The floorplans of the museums that are provided are very useful and I would recommend copying those before you leave to have with you if you don't plan to take the book.
   
   One overlooked sight in Rome that I love is the Baths of Caracalla. If you are there in summer check to see if they are having the outdoor concerts at night, they are worth attending. Even without the concerts the scope of the Baths is worth seeing. It is fascinating what the Romans were able to accomplish in AD 212.
   
   I would highly recommend the Michelin Green Guide to Rome to anyone that is planning a trip to Rome, be it their first trip or their tenth.



2. I've browsed and borrowed several guidebooks, and the ones I relied on for taking with me and walking around with (as opposed to pre-trip research) were Fodor's, and Michelin's Green Guide for Rome. The latter has no restaurant or hotel information, but excellent historical and cultural notes--more than some people want, perhaps. My only criticism of it is that the index is not good: some listings are under the Latin or Italian names, (many churches are found under the listing "chiesa" for example),some are under the English translation names, and some important topics or sites are not actually listed in the index at all, but they do appear in the book. Topics are well-organized into walking itineraries.



3. Caravaggio's Conversion of St. Paul, in the church of Santa Maria Del Popolo, is a deathless masterpiece. People of all ages, from all countries of the world, stand in front of it in silent awe. Some of them weep. This is what the Michelin guide has to say about this painting: "The effect of the divine light illuminating St. Paul on the road to Damascus should have been sublime but it falls first of all on the hourse, which is out of proportion, before touching the foreshadowed figure of the saint." Oh, excuse me, Michelin man, it's a shame you weren't around in the 17th century so you could give Caravaggion lessons in proportion! Then there's the column of Marcus Aurelius, which as been transfixing travelers to Rome for nigh on two thousand years now: "The overall appearance is spoiled by the lack of entasis two-thirds of the way up the shaft, which would have avoided the impression of concavity." Spoiled! And here I was, along with maybe a hundred million people before me, thinking the spiraling reliefs of victory and disaster were something pretty damn special and reasonably unspoiled to see. And please forgive me for not having any idea what the heck "entasis" means. The star rating system of this guide will only lead you to the places you already knew you should go and see--the guide gives one or no stars to places that are not only magnificent, but which will be, even on a July afternoon, cool, silent and empty of the multitudes. The Rough Guide to Rome is a much better book. Or just follow your nose, your eyes and your heart--in the Eternal City, they can't steer you wrong.



4. The Michelin Green Guide is still the best. The history and tours will turn you into your own expert guide. The star system lets you select the best spots to visit within your time frame. It will fit in your pocket, but it is not a light weight guide. Durable and easy to use, it is a classic.

2 comments about London Style: Streets, Interiors, Details (Icon (Taschen)).

1. This book is an excellent viewbook if you want to get a taste of contemporary London interiors. It has very modern, a bit more classic and very simple interiors as well. There is very little text in the book, but the photos are all full page and very well made, high quality. A fun book to flip through and get inspiration from!



2. Artsy black & white pics show London street scenes in the first (small) section. Then the large sections of excellent color photography illustrate a variety of interiors, then decorating details.
   
   Most of the space is given to the pictorial, as befits a book on how things look; what little trilingual (English-French-German) text exists is poetically descriptive.
   
   Styles represented tend toward the spare and eclectic - we're not talking about conspicuous consumption or Martha wannabes here - probably "urban bohemian" is the general trend. Architectural details are proudly and blatantly incorporated into the overall scheme of things... It's a work well worth inclusion in your library

5 comments about Italy, Instructions for Use: The Practical, On-Site Assistant for the Enthusiastic (Even Experienced) Traveler.

1. Of the many books we purchased prior to going to Italy, this was far and away the most useful. It's short and sweet--and very entertaining--and packed with useful tips for planning your trip and getting around once you are there. The best part is it fits in a purse or pocket, so we took it everywhere. We actually wound up contacting Nan to arrange our tours and she is lovely. The most helpful tip for me was the suggestion to pick a color and pack only items in that color so you could mix and match--it elimated an entire suitcase, key when traveling by train between cities. The pronunciation and key phrases sections were excellent as well. We dog-eared many pages we used over and over again. I've purchased seven copies in the past year for other friends traveling to Italy and have urged Nan to write instructions for Paris, Spain, and other countries as well--she's really got the formula.



2. Pretty disappointing. The book is about 3 x 5 inches and maybe a quarter of it is taken up by vocabulary that is easily available in other guidebooks or on the web. The rest of the information is either common sense or easily available (e.g., rules for riding the train). Instaed of this, I recommend either a good guidebook (Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, or Rick Steves) and some of the betetr web sites (trip advisor, slow travel)



3. This book has LOTs of tips and info not found in the standard guides. I highly recommend it.



4. By Bill Marsano. I go to Italy every year, often twice, occasionally four times, once six. I visit cities, small towns and the countryside. And every time I run into tourists who are baffled and sometimes panicked because, contrary to their innocent assumptions, Italy is NOT exactly like home only with better food and art. The telephones are baffling and sometimes you pay for coffee before ordering (and sometimes after); tipping isn't the same as home and neither is ordering; there are two classes of travel on almost every train. You can avoid post-office lines by buying stamps at a smoke shop and had better pay attention to those blue lines painted on the pavement when you want to park your car. Italians, many are surprised to learn, often speak a different language, and for someone brought up on English it can be hard to pronounce, so you need some basic vocabulary and help with how to say the words. Nan McElroy, longtime resident, frequent visitor and all-round expert, solves these and many other problems in this tiny (fits in your back pocket, like a wallet) light (4 ounces!) guide, which can be far more helpful than ordinary guides. McElroy tells you HOW to do what you want or need to do, and does it with no fuss. As for what to see, where to eat and the like, you'll get that elsewhere, probably from one of those large overstuffed guides that weigh a pound or more--the ones you inevitably leave behind at the hotel because they're too inconvenient to lug around. This is the book you'll take with you. FYI, the same author has written "France: Instructions for Use."--Bill Marsano is an award-winning travel writer and editor.



5. WOW, such a tiny little book that is just crammed full of everything you really need to know, about traveling through Italy!
   Love the format & the info included.
   Great for any new traveler in Italy.
   Very informative & concise!
   Thanks for sharing.......

5 comments about Walking Paris : Thirty Original Walks In and Around Paris.

1. "Walking Paris" is an excellent, easy to read, easy to carry book of walks around Paris which combines both obvious tourist high spots with hidden and unspoilt and largely undiscovered Paris. It is full of fascinating background information. It also contains helpful information about good restaurants and cafes on your route."Walking Paris" really adds value and enjoyment to your trip to this fascinating and most beautiful city.



2. My girlfriend and I did about a third of the walks in this book while visiting Paris at Easter.
   
   Overall, a very good guide that points out both the expected and unexpected sites of interest on the
   walk. The maps sometimes have glitches, so on every walk we found ourselves lost at least once.
   
   Some walks were brilliant and informative. Walking Montmartre and the Marais, I learned a lot more about
   neighborhoods I'd been in before (previously armed with a Michelin guide). The Latin Quarter walks were
   a little less good but still excellent (and in the Latin Quarter, seemed to take us past all the fine bakeries).
   
   Other walks were simply average: the Louvre to Champs Elysee and Ile St Louis. The walks were fine but
   nothing in the guide made them feel special. And while I applaud the idea of trying to create a walk
   from Trocadero to the Arc de Triomphe, the actual walk was rather boring.
   
   Still, overall, the best walking guide for Paris I've encountered.



3. If you're only interested in who built a particular building and when and in what style, then you'll love this book. But in my mind, only an architectural history buff would like it. It's just a list of information, few cultural references, nothing interesting, it's very boring.



4. Having already used the "Walking London" and "Walking Dublin" books, by the same publisher, with great success, we were immediately drawn to the "Walking Paris" book. Instinct guided us correctly. My wife and I just used this book over Easter 2008, and were pleasantly satisfied with the range and commentary of the walks. I have been to Paris 4 times, and each walk we took I learned so much about the history of the streets, homes, and monuments that were on the paths. In five days we were able to enjoy around a dozen walks, and as a man I found the maps very helpful. If you plan ahead you can connect the walks to stretch your time. The book also includes valuable Metro information, historical background of Paris, colorful photos, and practical hints. My wife and I both feel that our days would not have been as exciting/ informational without "Walking Paris".
   
   At the same time we purchased "Paris Walks" by Landis et al. and were quite disappointed. For the information that **is** given the detail is phenomenal, yet for such highlights, i.e. Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, and the Louvre you will not even find an entry. On the other hand, for a small yet historical restaurant such as Maxim's, you will find over 2 pages of information. This was not our style, but made a good compliment. That is why we think "Walking Paris" is the best.
   
   We will continue to purchase from this publisher for other cities we travel to. You will not be disappointed.



5. I found this book quite useful. I had it with me on a recent trip to Paris and took three or four of the walks. It's easy to use, accurate, informative and it definitely shows you things you might otherwise miss. On one walk through the Marais, we "discovered" a medieval library I would otherwise just walked straight past.
   I suggest taking this book and another one with restaurant and hotel listings. But for people who love Paris and love to walk, this is a good buy. For more on me, and my book The Nazi Hunter: A Novelgo to www.alanelsner.com.

No comments about Fodor's European Ports of Call, 1st Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides).

5 comments about The Wee Mad Road: A midlife escape to the Scottish Highlands.

1. Wow! I felt like I was there. I have been to Scotland before, but not quite that far northwest. Now I see what I missed. The Frieda chapter was priceless! It was nice to read both authors' comments. It gave a well rounded picture of the people and terrain of the area. I felt as though I were there. The writing is so vivid, that I felt the wind and cold rain. The life the authors had is quickly dying, and it was wonderful that they were able to take that time in their life, to live a somewhat slower pace, where you had time to "smell the flowers" and appreciate their neighbors. The pictures were excellent as well, and easily showed Scottish life and scenery.



2. I read about this book in the St. Paul(MN)Pioneer Press
   
   We have a Scottish daughter-in-law. We went to visit her parents on the Isle of Skye after she married our son. I fell in love with Scotland, especially the Highlands.
   
   I ordered this book for my daughter-in-law for her birthday and she was delighted with it. She knew the location of Coicagh, had been there and knew how to pronounce it. I picked the book up at our library and am enjoying it immensely. Anyone born in Scotland or it was their birthplace, can't help but identify with these Highland Scots: Warm, generous, patient with Americans, especially. To me Scotland could be heaven and I would be satisfied.



3. Fun read if you are into Scotland!...and I certainly am! So I'm really enjoying it. If you are looking for an instruction manual on how to move to a foreign land I don't believe this book will give you all the information that you need, but I don't think the writers intended that. It's just a short journal/story of their experience. I am finding it very entertaining. And Mrs. Maloney's sketches are such a bonus! I believe if you have a love for Scotland you will enjoy this book. And I believe if you are contemplating taking a big step in your life this couples story will be an inspiration to you to just go for it! (...and don't forget to journal your journey so that others can enjoy your experiences too!)



4. Plainly written but very true to the scottish people, countryside, and a wonderful view of what their life was making this dramatic change to living. Really enjoyed due to the insight into the scottish village life and way of interaction.



5. In addition to reader reviews, here's what the media are saying:
   
   "...funny, touching, insightful, The Wee Mad Road is well worth traveling, if only from the comfort of your favorite armchair."
   Neill Kennedy Ray, editor, SCOTTISH LIFE magazine, Summer 2008
   
   "If you're looking for a respite from politics and war, you can lose yourself in The Wee Mad Road...so idyllic it'll make you Highland green with envy."
   Mary Ann Grossman, book reviewer, Saint Paul Sunday PIONEER PRESS, May 4, 2008
   
   "The Wee Mad Road is kind of like Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence, with rotten weather and lots of whisky."
   Bob Gilbert, columnist, VILLAGER, May 7, 2008
   
   "...a two-year adventure of shearing sheep, learning folk songs and befriending locals. The whole romantic endeavor is captured in The Wee Mad Road."
   Kerri Westenberg, travel editor, Minneapolis Sunday STAR TRIBUNE, June 22, 2008
   
   "...gloriously whimsical...This is great fun!"
   Hamish Coghill, book reviewer, SCOTTISH LIFE magazine, Autumn 2008

4 comments about New Gardens in Provence: 30 Contemporary Creations.

1. The French country garden has experienced a renaissance in recent years. Following Rousseau's stipulation to "please the eye" the reader will find this is accomplished by placing what Jones identifies as "Land Art," right at the heart of the garden and making it the focus. Around it, she strikes a personal balance between formality and gentle disorder.
   
   Drawing inspiration from the iconic region of Provence, New Gardens in ProvenceV features 30 designs detailing the full extent and exciting diversity of the modern French country garden.
   
   Hundreds of arresting photographs capture Provence's seductive allure that are sure to gain favor among Francophiles. St. Fiacre the patron saint of gardens would approve of this wonderful celebration of new interpretations of French gardens, old-fashioned techniques, and the rediscovering of obscure heirlooms.



2. This is a very lovely book with large beautiful photos. I had been looking for a book that captured the true essence of Provencal gardens. The narratives were very informative as well. Because these were "modern" gardens I felt that the look they presented was attainable for my own garden design. One negative is the book does not go into much detail about the actual plants used. There is some plant descriptions but not as much as I hoped. I was also looking forward to more photos of the garden on the front cover. Overall, the book is one of my favorites and will be a source of reference for my ongoing gardening projects!



3. I am a horticulturist and wanted a book to research a Provencal garden I wanted to design for a client. I was leary because there were many books and I was not sure which one would be good. I made a great pick. The pictures are great and provided me with lots of ideas. The author knows a lot about gardens and specifically design. I highly recommend to anyone that wants to creat a garden with high design and a great spiritual feel.



4. I have a new appreciation for wild gardens, thanks to this book. I like the way it's divide by description: Small Secret Gardens, Story Telling Gardens, Wild and Woodland Gardening, Sculpted Landscapes, V Stone Lines, and Community Sharing. I fell in love with a couple of gardens (including the one shown on the cover) and it turns out they were designed by the same person: Michel Semini. I'll be trying my best to copy his approach in my own garden.