1 comments about Michelin Red Guide 2008 Deutschland (Michelin Red Guide: Deutschland (Germany)).

1. I understand it's terrific -- very thorough -- however, it is written in German so I hope you are fluent!

2 comments about Let's Go 2008 Spain & Portugal (Let's Go Spain and Portugal).

1. This book is packed full of information. It's also large. However, the maps it provides are both truncated and not in color. The layout of the articles on each city are not as well formatted and readable as other guide books. The "Rough Guide to Spain" is by far a better buy.



2. Very disappointing. Let's go team has been sitting on their laurels. They don't even bother to check if the information they publish is still valid year after year. I was in Seville in 2008 and the book mentions a campsite near the airport, well according to the gypsies who took over the site, the campsite has been closed for more than three years. How come the information hasn't been revised. Let's go team is asleep at the switch. There are many many errors and inaccuracies, don't buy !!!

1 comments about Made In France: A Shopper's Guide to France's Best Artisanal Traditions from Limoges Porcelain to Perfume, Pottery, Textiles and More.

1. My sister and I recently traveled to France and purchased this book. It was great to use and gave us some wonderful ideas on what to see, where to shop and where to find the true artisanal items for each region we visited. We will keep it for future trips to new areas. We recommend it.

1 comments about Hedonist's Guide To Paris 1st Edition (Hedonist's Guide to..., A).

1. I have utilized the Hedonist's Guides for a couple of years now. They are a must have for a sophisticated traveler, especially the 20-somethings/young professionals that are accustom to knowing where the cool spots are at home and wanting the same experience when they are traveling. Restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs, and even cafes/pubs - this guide has it covered.
   
   Case in point---this weekend, I was in Paris with two Parisians meeting up for some drinks on Friday night. Their original plans were foiled (private party) so we began looking for alternatives. Having lived in Paris for a month and using the Hedonist's Guide as my Bible, I threw out a few suggestions I remembered from the Paris guide. Needless to say, the Parisians were skeptical taking recommendations from an American. Regardless, we ended up going to two of the places, Le Fumoir and Kong, and they were both great. We were dancing on the couches at Kong until closing time. I have since been praised for knowing more about the hip places in Paris than two locals. I am not sure a guide can get a higher compliment. Bravo!

1 comments about A View of the State of Ireland.

1. As difficult as it is to give a "star rating" to a book that advocates the genocide of an entire nation, this volume is a valuable scholarly resource. And, indeed, the total destruction of the Irish "race" is Edmund Spenser's aim and rallying cry in writing this volume, addressed to the first Queen Elizabeth. The text takes the form of a Platonic/dramatic dialogue between Irenaeus, lately returned from Ireland (as was Spenser), and his compatriot, the reasonable Eudoxus.
   
   A capsule-summary of the book's tone is possible by a brief description of the half-dozen pages that Spenser spends describing a single article of traditional Irish clothing: the mantle, a long, warm cloak worn by common countryfolk. Even the clothing of the Irish, Spenser/Irenaeus argues, is an incitement towards crime and vice: the mantle can be used to hide anything from weapons to stolen goods to illegitimate pregnancies, and serves as both shelter and bed for outlaws, as well as serving as an effective shield in swordplay. This simple garment, he concludes, must be outlawed. Elsewhere, he also attempts to dissuade British functionaries similarly stationed in Ireland from taking Irish wives or wetnurses, because the women will infect your home and family, resulting in somehow "going native."
   
   So be warned, this is a hateful volume, advocating step-by-step for the Irish people to be killed off so that England can flourish without a sore on her side, and warning, in fact, that the "great scourge" of Ireland presents an eminent danger to the Queen if she does not immediately invade and crush that nation. He argues that the Irish people are so barbarous that English laws will not rule them (and Irish "law" is simply "wrong," encouraging immorality), that the Irish people are uncivilizable, and thus barely human. This book, in many places, does become difficult to read, but read through 20th century eyes, the faulty logic of its arguments is ridiculous enough to prompt giggles--if they were not so deadly serious, and had not been taken seriously by the author's contemporaries.
   
   I would definitely recommend this (quite readable for its age) book to anyone interested in Irish or English history, as well as--perhaps more urgently--to scholars of any of the major 20th century genocides.

5 comments about Food Lover's Guide to Paris, 4th edition.

1. I brought this book to Paris along with 4 others, and although had high hopes, I found it frustrating. It didn't provide enough choice within a geographic area, and with respect to our one "big night" out, led us to a disastrous, expensive disappointment. Alcazar(p. 51) had miserable service (she had billed it "exquisite") and a meal that had to go back. We did much better following Rick Steves' recommendations, and our own noses. If it's the third or fourth book on your list for Paris, as it was for us, save your money and the aggravation of carting the hefty thing around. It's not worth it.



2. Ms Wells allows you to prepare for a gastronomic trip to Paris.
   Her essential information regarding types of eateries, locations, speciality foods, terminolgy and ofcourse understanding tipping is highly descriptive and beneficial.
   Choosing restaurants and food styles are of personal taste and may not reflect that of Ms Wells', but the guidelines established in this book provide many options. One can dine at a numerous amount of bistros listed in this guide and understand their specialities and price ranges effectively.

   As a person who has travelled to Paris, many restaurant guides are available and recommendations are abundant. I regret not having this book on my last two trips but will definitely visit some of the eateries listed in this book on my next trip.




3. I brought this book to Paris on a recent week-long trip, and had very mixed feelings about the reviews. About half of the recommended establishments were closed, moved, or under new names/management. If you use this book, calling ahead to verify that the restaurant exists is a must! The copyright date on this book is 1999, and many of the reviews must have been written or checked earlier than that. The reviews quote all prices in francs, which constantly reminds you of the age of the reviews, and the age of the quoted prices.
   
   Still, every one of the restaurants, bistros and cafes which Wells recommended, and still exist, were winners. Often times, the reviews suggest perhaps a too cozy relationship between reviewer and owner/chef, but I'm willing to overlook that somewhat, as that doesn't seem to spoil the quality of the recommendations. Despite what people may think, there are bad (well, not-so-good) restaurants in Paris, and price is not always proportional to quality. Having a guide like this one is key to painful trial-and-error experiences. I just long for an up-to-date edition!



4. Just came back from 8 days in Paris and I had studied and marked on a map Wells' recommended cafes, boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries and specialty food stores. Note that I wasn't so much interested in restaurants but I've NEVER known Patricia Wells to be wrong so I can't imagine her recomendations wouldn't be excellent. Although it would be great if her book were updated again since it hasn't been in 5 years I found most of the places still there and loaded with thoroughly delicious treats. Her website patriciawells.com has updates for restaurants for those interested. The French really do food right and the baguettes, cheese, wine and pastries were exquisite. Each place has certain items that are especially delightful. Gosselin really does have a superb baguette, Calixte has croissants and pain au chocolat that are really magnificent, Malineau has fruit tarts which are exquiisite, Martin has wonderful baguette sandwiches to take with you and munch on and Kayser has many wonderful delights. Go to Paris and you will come to know what Bon Appetit can really mean.



5. Yes, some of the restaurant reviews are out of date, but this is so much more than just a restaurant guide. It also gives details about markets, boulangeries, pattiseries and other treats and traiteurs. Gold dust.
   
   One of the best ways to eat in Paris is to buy a baguette de tradition and a fresh piece of really STINKY and TOTALLY unpasteurised fromage and eat it in a jardin or parc. (I reccomend the rue Cler for this you can get your fromage from Christine and your pain from Poujairan and your patisserie from Lenotre - all spellings approximate!- and eat them around the Invalides).
   
   This book tells you how to do all that, and how to find precious treats like Berthillon ice cream and Christian Constant chocolates and Le Stubli's cakes.... I could go on but it's making me too hungry.
   
   But a new edition is certainly sorely needed. For example, Andre Lerch is retired, and has been replaced in rue Cardinal Lemoine by a store selling Tour D'Argent memorabilia. Conversely, the book omits the magnificent Pierre Herme (probably the best and most astonishingly innovative patissier in Paris, and it's in rue Bonaparte - just spot the queue). In the meantime, boulangerie fans could acquire the Guide des Boulangeres (which is regularly updated with a pamphlet supplement) or the Michelin single-city food guides; both can be got from the fabulous cookbook store in the Rue Dante, which has very helpful English-speaking staff. And for restaurants nothing beats Gault-Millau (provided your French is good - it's idiomatic).
   
   But Wells is still worth having, especially for non-French speakers. She points in most of the right directions. You CAN update her book a bit by visiting her website.
   
   And her devotion to Paris and Parisian food makes you want to sing aloud. It was this book that helped me become a raving Paris foodie, and I'm still very grateful.

5 comments about Silk Road to Ruin: Is Central Asia the New Middle East?.

1. Ted Rall is best known to me for his inciteful and incendiary cartoons. I had no idea he is also an intrepid traveller and perceptive and wildly funny observer of human behavior. What a great, funny,interesting and depressing book.



2. This book is a winner for both armchair travelers and those with a serious interest in international geopolitics. Intrepid journalist Ted Rall has become an expert on the obscure lands of Central Asia. This vast but little-covered area covers the five former Soviet republics known collectively as the "Stans," plus parts of Afghanistan and non-Chinese far-western China, all of which are strongly integrated in culture and history. Here Rall reports, with both journalistic insight and a brutally engaging writing style, about his extensive trips through the region. In an often rip-roaring read, we learn about the various horrors of traveling in Central Asia (the corruption and diarrhea there are both among the worst on Earth), while also gaining knowledge on the region's complex politics and infighting. Rall also provides enjoyable coverage of some of the region's offbeat personalities, locations, and culture - such as Turkmenistan's incompetent dictator Turkmenbashi, or a bizarre sport called buzkashi in which many meatheads die painfully for fun and glory.
   
   Central Asia will soon be a world quagmire that will make the Middle East look like a hissy fit. Age-old ethnic tensions, corrupt dictators, irredentist meddling, and the hangover from Russian and Soviet brutalization will all soon combine with the worst of energy politics, as Central Asia's immense fossil fuel resources attract money and influence from power players. Ted Rall usefully clarifies what's really happening in Central Asia from the ground, and points out the geopolitical disaster that will occur if we merely view the region through the lenses of terrorism (i.e. everyone who disagrees with America is in league with Al Qaeda) or petropolitics (i.e. nations are given benefits or sanctions based merely on how much fossil fuel they can offer). Overall, this book is held back a bit by Rall's occasional tendencies toward hyperbole. His political points become repetitive as the book rumbles along, and the later chapters on energy and military matters get bogged down in simplistic conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, Rall's graphic novellas about his journeys add a great amount of fun to this book, but his regular four-panel political cartoons just aren't really that enlightening. Finally, the book is very richly illustrated, especially with candid photos of Central Asia's regular folks - but the maps are cramped and incomprehensible, which is a real problem if you like to see the precise locations of all the interesting places Rall talks about. [~doomsdayer520~] ]



3. Ted Rall's book is worth reading, for a damning self-portrait of an "ugly American" version 2006--huckster, radio host, cartoonist, coldly cynical, thrill-seeking, slumming Ivy Leaguer, brimming with smug condescension and contempt for those he encounters on various tours through Central Asia over the past decade.
   
   Rall waltzes through some of the most violent and tragic regions on earth apparently in search of laffs, thrills, and chills. He gets them. A form of 21st century slumming, adventure tourism is the theme, including a brief kidnapping by the Taliban. Yet lives of ordinary Central Asians apparently matter little--he boasts of paying thousands of dollars in bribes to bump Central Asians from reserved seats on an airplane in order to escape with his tour group from a potentially violent attack. Despite claiming that the Central Asians were in no danger (if so, why were they leaving, and why had they bought tickets?), his message is clear: "I'm number one."
   
   Although Rall clearly has talent as a writer and cartoonist, as well as determination and guts, he apparently lacks human compassion for the people in the region he exploits in his business ventures.



4. 
   Ted Rall travels to Central Asia - Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. He traveled a few times by himself while he was doing a radio show in LA. Then he went on behalf of the U.S. state government to Turkmenistan and on his own to Afghanistan via Tajikistan to cover the 2001 Afghan invasion.
   
   The book goes into the history, current political situation and culture of this region of the world which we do not know much about. We read about a world where there are military checkpoints, not much development, corruption and different cultures. We learn that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have vast amounts of untapped oil reserves which the United States, Russia and China are all vying to get. Since 2001, the U.S. has also opened military bases in these countries.
   
   He details environmental problems such as Kazakhstan is Russia's Nevada and Russia does nuclear testing there. He goes into Central Asia's versions of 9/11 and Tiananmen square. Also we learn about some customs and interesting games played by people in Central Asia. The book has some enlightening and funny comic strips in it. Rall has a genuine appreciation of the history and culture of these regions.
   
   Rall's conclusion at the end is that when democratically elected leaders such as Askar Akayev from Kyrgyzstan are toppled by U.S. backed revolutions and dictators who bow to the U.S. are instilled; this will lead to a repeat of a 1979 Iranian style revolution in these countries. That is one conclusion, the other one is that countries are turning a blind eye to gross human rights violations like murders of political opponents or boiling dissidents while at the same time cozying up to dictators to gain favor and eventually access to oil. This will create resentment in the long term. He says if people in the United States don't care about these countries, that is fine, as long as we withdraw from the region completely. Another conclusion is that foreign aid is pouring into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan since they have proven oil reserves. Meanwhile Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are borderline failed states. Rall states these countries are a "package deal" and if one or two countries remain volatile, it will affect neighboring countries. Silk Road to Ruin is a must read book to learn about this underreported part of the world.



5. As a cartoonist Rall is great, making striking points, with a beautiful line, about the absurdities of Central Asian administrations, governments and societies. But the same exaggerations that fits the cartoon medium, does not work so well in the rest of the text. Rall exaggerates the geopolitical importance of this region in general. And he is definitely not a turcologist, two examples: "...Turkic peoples (in Central Asia) languages are considererd dialects of Turkish by some linguists, and distinct but closely related tongues of the Indo-European language group by others". Turkic peoples speak Turkic languages, and no linguist believe Turkic is an Indo-European language, it's either a separate group or part of the altaic language group. And this one: "Traditionally all Turkic peoples living west of the Amu Darya were called Turkmen. Now, however, these Oghuz Turks - who are genetically indistinguishable from actual Turks - are the only true Turkmen." What does this even mean!
   But as an easy read, entertaining introduction to the region, the book works.

1 comments about Fodor's England 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. It was so hard to chose a travel guide for a country I have never been to that I obsessed over the choices available. I finally settled on Frommer London and Foders England. Imagine my surprise when I couldn't find any mention of an area of England that I must spend time in due to a work obligation, in the Fodor's guide. I couldn't believe it!!! I should send it back for a refund, but instead you can look for it in my third party bookshop sometime in the near future.

5 comments about The Rough Guide to Andalucia - Edition 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. Keeping in the tradition of the insight, clarity, and usefulness which has made Rough Guide among the best of guide book series, the Rough Guide to Andalucia is the definitive book for any tourist interested in visitng that region.

   Uncluttered, with honest facts AND opinions about where to eat, landmarks, hotels, hostels, and more, the Rough Guide is peerless in it's thorough usefulness.

   This book does an excellent job of presenting more than your usual tourist traps. Special needs travelers (pets, children, handicapped) can also get a sense of what may and may not be good ideas for your Andalucian odyssey.

   All in all, if you're looking for a guide book that presents what you NEED to know without a lot of editorial musings, you will find the Rough Guide to Andalucia not only at the forefront of this genre, but without competition when it comes to giving you all things the "non-touristy tourist" wants to know.




2. I found this book extremely helpful, if a bit bulky. One shortcoming is that the book does not include prices for the accommodation it recommends. Prices are always helpful if you're traveling on a budget; even though they become outdated quickly, they at least give you an idea.
   
   Including the frequency of bus and train routes was very helpful, but they should also include web sites to check current schedules.
   
   I do recommend this book.



3. This high-quality guide is 50% thicker than the Lonely Planet guide to Andalucia, yet it's not too big or heavy for a light packer. (But I wouldn't want one any heavier than this.) There's no filler; it's dense with practical information.
   
   The "Let's Go" guides are written by undergrads and have excellent lists of accommodations and eats, but the rest of it tends to be immature and alarmist purple prose. (I'll never forget this comment on Morocco: "But be careful, camels have been known to carry syphilis." OK, how many people do you know that have caught syphilis from a camel?!) I call it "Let's Not Go" because they always try to scare you. Other travelers I've met had similar comments and once upon a train ride we had some laughs swapping ridiculous citations.
   
   Rick Steves is just too political for me. His "guides" read like tiresome negative campaign commercials or anti-American polemics.
   
   This guide is about Andalucia. It starts off with a section called "34 Things Not To Miss" with a nice color photo of each, includes a good index, clear and legible maps, and a section on Gibraltar. All the opening/closing times were accurate for the places I went. Those who enjoy intelligent historical and background commentary will like this.
   
   There's no logistical info on Madrid but that's OK: those who land there can go to the prominent "i" booth in Barajas airport or Atocha (the main train station) for free maps and friendly information in English.
   
   Accommodation prices are absent because they vary by season, but good values are pointed out. The money section should warn about the blue "EXACT Transfer" exchange booths in train stations which charge exorbitant fees (like 25%!) and refuse to cancel the transaction once they have your money. (They display different rates for three amount ranges, but charge the highest rate regardless of your amount; it would be a crime in most places.) Note that prices on everything have skyrocketed since the advent of the Euro: the Ave ("AHH-vay") fast train between Madrid and Sevilla cost 70 Euros each way (!) and taxi fares were what I would expect to pay in the U.S. (Tapas is still a deal.) I also suggest a free glance at the State Department's consular information sheet online --your tax dollars at work.



4. After just spending 10 days in Andalucia, I have to say that I wished I had gotten the Lonely Planet guide. This one just did not have enough truly useful information to justify its considerable weight. For example, it would say "a bus takes you from the train station into town," but did not tell you the number of the line. Or it would say "there's a lively market on thursdays on c/ borroso" in Sevilla, but it did not give you any orientation as to where "c/ borroso" was in the city or on a map...and do you know how many tiny streets there are in Sevilla? Also, while it gave numerous restaurant reviews, it did not give them relative cost ratings (e.g. $, $$, $$$). This would have been really helpful, as I often would seek out a restaurant only to find it out of my price range.
   
   That said, if you're not planning on getting audioguides at the historical sites and have time to read the descriptions, you will undoubtedly get more out of this book than I did. And when they had the necessary details, their recommendations of things to do were spot-on.
   
   After browsing through other travelers' Lonely Planets, I think those guides are arranged much more intuitively.



5. This guide was so bad I ended up ditching it half way through the trip, since it was basically as useful as carrying a brick around.
   
   I had been to Spain before, previously using Rick Steve's guide, and I have usually rely on Lonely Planet - which I used in India - so I thought, since I had been to Andalusia before I would try something different. What a mistake!
   
   a. Inaccurate information - for two nights I had no hotel reservation (because I was coming from Morocco and wanted that portion of the trip to be open ended - I tried using the guide in two cities I was unfamiliar with - Ronda and Alegris. The hotel information for Alegris was vague and the hotel they described as sparkling was literally a roach filled dump. In Ronda, the first hotel I tried to call I got fax number, the second, I was able to make a reservation but the hotel listed in Rough guide under hotel listings was different than the hotel shown on the map - I ended up getting a nice hotel out of that for cheap (turns out there were two hotels with the same name) but through no fault of the guide! Now I can understand one or two mistakes but out the three hotels I tried all three had inaccurate information.
   
   Walking around Ronda, I got the distinct impression the writer had never been there and was simply copying things from other guides - the way things were described was so vague that I simply ended up relying on the nice tourist office, a map provided by them and information from the sites. Ditto for Sevilla and Granada. Often -very often the way things were labeled by Rough Guide was NOT how they were labeled in reality or on the map. I tried the tapas/rest. recs - and found for Ronda they were again vague and inaccurate -'good tapas off such and such square' - that I simply ended up finding a place myself - the same in Granada where the writer described one place as spit and sawdust' when in reality it was cafeteria like!.
   
   b. Self righteous politicizing - I don't like people sticking their political opinions in places they don't belong - especially in places like Spain which has a complex history. The writer(s)'s PC bias was clear describing Isabell and Ferdinand as "liberating" (in quotes!) Granada as if the Iberian people taking back their own land was a bad thing, in Ronda the writer can't bring himself to say that it was Franco supporters who were executed by being flung off the bridge (which drops into a steep gorge) and (again) vaguely says 'the prisoners were executed on this brigde) never referring to who or when. In many ways this is worse than a bad guide since it seems to be deliberately distorting information in between telling us that Gibraltar 'can and should' be returned to Spain without telling us why they think so other than their own warped political views (Gibraltar was won by treaty and the majority of Gibraltons want to stay part of Britian, so much for democracy for PC jobworths)
   
   c. lastly HORRIBLE connection and transportation information. No estimated travel times between major cities like Seville and Granada, no number of trains/buses a day - and as seems to be consistent for this crappy guide, vague often inaccurate information.
   
   I will never use another Rough Guide again. Honestly if you're going to spain for the first time and standard' trip - use Rick Steves - its light but gives you everything you need to know - getting a bit more off the beaten path, use Lonely Planet.
   
   Yes there is some 'good' information in here about sites and such - but it was probably just copied from somewhere else.

5 comments about Italian Days.

1. The first two-thirds of this book is a superb travel guide to Milan, Venice, Rome, and Campania. Barbara Grizzuti Harrison is very conversant with the best travel literature of the past (and thoughtfully provides us a useful bibliography) and -- more rare by far -- has a great deal to add as an Italian-American confronting the land of her birth.

   After her chapter on Naples and Campania, the book takes an entirely different tack. The author goes to visit what remains of her family in rural Molise and Calabria. Big mistake. You can't mix pleasure with unfinished family business and expect to get anything other than heartsick.

   I remember taking a visit to Hungary and Slovakia to visit my relatives some years ago. Their reaction: Why haven't you visited us before? Why aren't you staying longer? When are you coming back? Let us introduce you to your third and fourth cousins! It was interesting, at times even exhilarating, but it was no vacation. And you need a vacation from your vacation when you return.

   Although Harrison's family visits break her book in two, it conveys a sense of truth missing from most books of the sort -- especially of the nefarious Tuscan villa genre. Our ancestors left their homes for a reason. They may not tell you the reason; but those left behind nursing their grudges will gladly set you straight -- possibly to your intense discomfiture.

   So in the end, I have nothing but praise for this book. Especially if you are an Italian-American going back to the "Old Country" for a first visit, you must read this book. Like the author, take your vacation first -- then go face the music with your relatives.




2. This book came very highly recommended, and I have to admit, I was disappointed. I found it self-absorbed and opaque, inscrutable. Grizzuti Harrison's Italy sounds like a place I would never want to go -- indeed, nothing like the place I've been to -- full of peevish storekeepers, American-hating townspeople, predatory men. I found nothing to love about the Italy depicted in this book and couldn't imagine why the author would subject herself to further months spent there.

   The writing is very strange. The sentence structure loops archaically, and the asides that are often inserted into the sentences not only make the reading more difficult, but do nothing to enlighten the reader.

   I also took issue with the book's tone and diction. Grizzuti Harrison spends pages and pages on high-flown quotations -- so many that it seems like she's padding her book because she has no thoughts of her own -- yet brings the reader crashing down from these utterances with a few strangely-placed "f-words."

   I didn't understand this book. I prefer my own memories of Italy to this author's.




3. I've never been promt to write a review until I read this book. I have read 79 travel and historical books on Europe, 36 on Italy. This is the only one I've disliked. I would give it zero stars but that isn't an option.



4. After reading "Italian Days" I feel as if I actually know Barbara Harrison. I enjoyed reading about the travels of someone of my own age and sex, who notices and enjoys the same things as I would if I were lucky enough to make a trip to Italy. She generously reveals much of herself in her writing. Through her stories, I also feel as if I have experienced Italy, tasted the food, crowds in Rome, natural beauty, art, architecture and people. The book is thick and full of sensuous detail. Reading it made me hungry for the wonderful food she described.



5. This is a difficult book to recommend. The problem is that the author's tone is painfully self-conscious and at times off-puttingly pretentious. Adding insult to injury, her writing style is awkward and convoluted, and her love of breaking up already lengthy sentences with ellipses only exacerbates the situation. She plays fast and loose with some of the historical facts she tosses out, too. And some of her observations seem so far-fetched that I swear she's just making up some of this crap for dramatic impact. I mean, I've been to Italy several times, and I've seldom encountered shop-clerks who are as outspokenly rude and negative as those that are depicted in abundance here. I found myself skipping occasionally large passages of her self-indulgent, meandering drivel in an attempt to stick to the meat of this book, which can actually be somewhat compelling.
   
   When she is able to put a lid on the pretentiousness and unengaging cynicism, the book paints a colorful and vivid (and brutally honest) portait of Italy, its society, and culture. Some of her thoughts and observations are truly poignant. Basically, with some hardcore Occam's Razoring, this book could've been profoundly improved. It almost reads as if it simply wasn't edited. I'm kind of surprised it even got published. As it stands, however, lengthy portions are a rambling mess seemingly aimed at pseudo-intellectual snobs brimming with unchecked ennui and bile. Which is sad since some readers might let that get in the way of the passages that really are worth reading.