5 comments about In Tuscany.

1. This book is quite different from Mayes' first two books about Tuscany, which were more like travel memoirs. This book's focus is photographs, accompanied by some commentary, thoughts, and insights from Mayes, as well as some recipes. Frankly, I didn't read the text at all. I just enjoyed the photographs. I wish I'd had this book when I was reading Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany because all the places she talks about in those books are scattered throughout the pages of this book in beautiful photographs. We finally get to see what Mayes' charming Bramasole house looks like, as well as the town of Cortona and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. If you haven't read Mayes' first two books, read them and have this one handy so you can see for yourself just how beautiful these houses, towns, and people are.



2. This book is exactly what we wanted. We have lived in Europe for 7 of the last 9 years and LOVE Italy. We plan to purchase a house there soon and have decorated with all things Italian. This coffee table book was just the ticket. Beautiful pictures and food too!



3. Her books have probably sold millions. Good thing the buyers didn't have to listen to her! Her voice is absolutely not suited for a CD or any other recording. I could only take it for about five minutes before my ears cried out for relief and my strong forefinger punched the eject button. It's a shame because I'm sure the content would have been worthwhile.



4. I have read the other Frances Mayes books on Tuscany, "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Bella Tuscany". This book is the perfect complement to those works as it portrays the very essence of what Mayes finds so appealing and charming about life in Tuscany. The pictures are gorgeous and recipes she includes are easy to prepare and delightful to behold. I recently gave a copy of this book to a friend who had just returned from the area and she felt it captured the essence of the place.



5. This is another of Francis Mayes books that I have thoroghly enjoyed. I am a bit prejudiced, thought, in that my daughter married and established her family in Florence, Italy, and I have been so very fortunate to have visited and traveled there often in the last eight years. Florence, Cortona and Tuscany in general are so beautiful, and the people have made my family feel so welcome.
   Ken Irons

5 comments about Markets of Provence: A Culinary Tour of Southern France.

1. My cousin and I just returned from a 9-day trip to Southern France. Our highlights can all be found in this wonderful book. We met Henri Tomas and taste-tested and approved the Galette specialty of the house; taste-tested and brought back many bottles of wine from Chateau La Canorgue. We followed the suggestions and pretty much made the rounds to all of the sites. Our last evening in Provence, we sampled the goat cheese, bread from Henri Tomas' patisserie and the wine...we added our own Picheline olives and fresh market tomatoes to make our meal complete...what a last supper to have in France. Joy of Life, Indeed!!!!!! Thanks for making our trip a 10++++++.



2. This excellent book was in the kitchen of a house we rented a couple of years ago in Caromb, northeast of Avignon. Not only were the lists of daily markets invaluable, but the recipe for quails with spring onions on tapenade-covered croutons, for example, allowed us to make good use of local products. (With all those fabulous tapenades available at market, I did not make my own, as the recipe suggests.) Patricia Wells's introduction reminds you of her own invaluable guides to food throughout France, and her inspiration and influence are apparent throughout the book -- the level of knowledge, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the wonders of Provençal food is engaging and contagious. The illustrations remind you of places you've been away from too long and get the juices flowing for a return visit for markets you missed the last time.



3. If you or anyone you know plans a trip to Provence, make sure this book goes too! It is an excellent guide to the wonderful Provencal outdoor markets. If you want to experience Provence at its finest, this is one of the very best guide.

   Full of gorgeous color photos, this is a beautiful as well as helpful book. After the trip, it is wonderful to go through the book again and savor all of the great memories. For the finest produce, cheese and other delights of the South, this book is a must have!




4. This book is a lovely guide for those who plan to travel to Provence as well as those who cannot. It is lovely - just lovely. Beautiful photographs, wonderful insights and descriptions off the beaten path. I high recommend this book.



5. As part of a $250.00 order, I ordered the Michelin France Provence map in English, and the Michelin 2006 Red Guide France: Hotels and Restaurants in English - both Items they sent me were written in French, which are of no value to me. I requested a shipping label to return the map and the book and asked they send me the English versions. The Amazon Outsourcing Desk in India refused both request. I requested an American Amazon Customer Service Manager contact me on this Issue. That has never happened. I am also being asked my Satisfaction on a 3d book - Markets Of Provence - which they never sent me. The remainder of my $250.00 order were the English Versions, as ordered. My Overall Satisfaction: Well below the 1 Star shown. Actual Satisfaction "F Minus" for all departments in Amazon and far less for their very poor Customer Service and lack of ethical follow-up for their mistake.

1 comments about Cave Art: A Guide to the Decorated Ice Age Caves of Europe.

1. Thank you, Paul Bahn, for making this book! I am planning a trip to Europe exclusively to visit cave art sites. I have been trying to find information about caves that are still open to the public, but was having a really hard time on my own finding anything helpful. My search has come to an end! This book has a wealth of information which will undoubtedly be invaluable for planning and during my trip. It covers more than 50 caves and relevant museums/centers throughout England, France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy that are open to the public.
   
   Each cave is arranged by country. It has a description of the site and what there is to see as well as the histories and interesting facts about them. Coupled with the description is a list of practical information about the site which includes:
   
   - The site's address, telephone, fax, website, and e-mail address
   - Nearest city/town
   - Nearest airport
   - Nearest car rental
   - Nearest train station
   - Nearest bus route
   - Nearest taxi or private car hire
   - Restaurants in the vicinity
   - Hotels in the vicinity
   
   Then it has a list of questions which are each answered with as much detail as possible for each site. The questions are:
   
   - When is the cave open?
   - Admission prices?
   - Storage facilities?
   - Do you have to make a group?
   - Can you reserve a place in a group?
   - Languages of the guides?
   - Length of tour?
   - Is the cave privately owned?
   - Is there a gift shop?
   - Are there WC facilities?
   - Handicapped access?
   - Is there any climbing necessary?
   - Distance to walk?
   - Level of fitness required?
   - Equipment required?
   - What are the conditions inside the cave?
   - Is it lit?
   - Is it slippery?
   - Is photography allowed?
   
   There are maps and an informative introduction to the book that explains a lot about what to expect when you visit these sites. There is also some interesting information about cave art itself. There are many full color photos of the art you can expect to see. It is apparent that great care went into creating this guide. It far surpassed my expectations. It is clear, easy to read, and up to date. I can't wait to use it to help me plan my trip to Europe!

5 comments about The Paris Shopping Companion: A Personal Guide to Shopping in Paris for Every Pocketbook.

1. This is more than a shopping book....it is the easy way to get the best that Paris offers. The restaurant suggestions have proved to be extrodinary and the selection of hotels allows you to stay anywhere in the city that suits your whims. There is so much in Paris and this book allows you to organize, focus and have more time to enjoy what interests you...to find those special things you want to bring home. A necessity for your next trip!
   Roz Elms Sutherland



2. I was lucky enough to have Winkler's guide with me this past year on a shopping trip to Paris with my mother and grandmother. Truly, Winkler's presence made the trip. Without her insight and advice we would have been absolutely lost. Winkler's book is real insider's guide to Paris that held excellent advice and suggestions for the three generations of women in my family. Based off of my experience, I am confident that anyone looking for anything could be helped by The Paris Shopping Companion. Winkler must be a women with real style!



3. I lived in Paris for two years (2004-2006) but didn't begin to shop until I found this book (recommended by Amazon). Often in Paris, the store windows don't really show much about what's inside, but this book tells everything you want to know before getting on the Metro. Every description was accurate. The shops were where they were supposed to be, the merchandise was as described in the book, and prices were close on the mark.
   
   Every Saturday I mapped out where I would go based on "the book". I found that if I read the shop descriptions, I could tell in advance if I would want to find them, so I would check off my "must sees". Along the way I made notes in the margins about the shops, and also what else was in the neighborhood. I didn't find the restaurant reviews particularly helpful, and wish they were left out to make room for more shops.
   
   An unexpected bonus: looking for "the book" stores often lead me into streets and neighborhoods far from my usual treks, and MORE shops! The sightseeing hints were excellent also. I never went out without this book, and my co-workers borrowed it until it became available at WH Smith. I met Susan Winkler at a book signing there, and she was amazed at my margin notes (and probably at the tattered condition of the book).
   
   Two of the specialty shops Susan praised were down the street (Rue Royale) from where I worked and I went into them at lunchtime at least once a week. My only regret is that my last month in Paris was the dead month, August, when almost every thing is closed, but I burned up the pavements for the six months preceeding. (I bought the book as soon as it came out in February).
   
   Happy shopping!



4. Lots of the shops and retaurants were closed in August which was not noted in the book and two in particular were no longer at the address shown. While all the shops were located by an area it would have been nicer if the shops were along a fixed route.



5. The book itself is somewhat helpful;however, the photos are really bad quality: they look like some taken in the 20's or 30's...

5 comments about The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence (Most Beautiful Villages).

1. Provence is heaven to me.I love the hills, the variety of plant life, and the exquisite villages with their definitive shuttters and dove cotes. The fountains bubble with life. The cobbled streets lead to some of the most fetching homes and buildings in the world. The Provencal people dress their windows in lace and paint the exterior and interior of their homes in the colors found in the Provencal landscape: blue, yellow, ochre, greens. Terracotta roofs provide the most wonderful color and texture to the landscape. Somehow everything blends wonderfully! The creators of The Most Beautiful Villages in Provence capture the essence of this southern region of France. The photography vividly presents the viewer with a panorama of gorgeous scenes: fields of lavender, geraniums in pots leading to a beautiful door, roof top views that are breathtaking, undulating paths that take you to splendid spots, aerial views of villages, an old roman road and bridge. A friend of mine, who was born in Provence, gave me this incredibly beautiful book; the only thing better, she says, is to be there! I plan to take this book with me to Provence next summer!! After seeing this book, nothing can keep me away!



2. I am French and was born in Provence, so I have spent most of my days there, except when I travel and when I was modeling in the world of high fashion. I know every village, and I fly my plane over Provence many, many times. I bought this book because it is so beautiful and shows the many wonderful places in my part of France. I am not good at taking the pictures, like these men do, and besides, I always do the flying. My sister would have to do the picture making. If you buy this book, you will be able to see my beautiful Provence in the pictures whenever you want to. Provence is very old and very picturesque, that is why the photography is so good. If it was not a most beautiful place in the world, it could not be so beautiful of a book. I am French and so I know it is this beautiful. It is more beautiful in the real world, if you can even think that. We have lots of cobble streets. Everyone loves the flowers, so you will see most beautiful flowers everywhere you look in Provence. We have hidden waters that come out into our special fountains. Every village must have their fountains and some are very, very old and are more special than any place else in the world. We like things to be beautiful, so you never see anything ugly in Provence. The earth is very good to us. We have herbs growing everywhere in the countryside. Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme, you can find just walking in our wonderful hills. We love colors in Provence. Blue, yellow, ochre,green, we like all of those colors. Marcel Pagnol lived in Provence, too. He made his films and his books because he loved Provence. He was French. If you want to see a beautiful book that will make you smile and smile, get this book, and then come see for yourself that I am lucky to be French and live in Provence most of the time...................... ................Presented to you by Summer



3. I bought this book thinking that it would show me not only nice pictures, but also information about the villages it supposedly considers the most beautiful ones in Provence. Pure disappointment... Even though the quality of the pictures is nice, they do not give you a true view of the relevant villages. They are pictures taken at random that do not represent - sometimes - the best view of the village.
   
   But what is most dissapoiting in this book is the poor information about the villages, its populations, culture and location. In my opinion, every descrition of each village should also contain a map of its location in southern France (for us to know how could one get there), its population (to see how big it is), a some info on the villages picturesque points, etc. The few paragraphs dedicated to each village are too vague.
   
   Finally, I think the editor should have made this book differently with half the villages and twice the pictures and info about them. I gave 2 stars for the pictures.



4. I love this book! It effectively captures the drama and charm of Provence. I have been to Provence and this book is the next best thing if you can't go there. I also highly recommend the other book "The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Provence".



5. France is one of my favorate places to visit and the book has picked a few of the places I have visited. Great Book to own.

5 comments about City Walks: Paris: 50 Adventures on Foot.

1. I didn't get this box of walks until my second visit to Paris and now would make a point of buying these cards for any holiday destination.
   Choose 3 walks (they generally all form a daisy chain) and make a day of it.
   Easy to follow maps without over-burdensome commentary. Who wants to spend their nose in a book while walking? A few highlights per walk that you can make your own, or skip.



2. What a great idea...the cards give you a walking tour w/o the hassle of a walking tour. You can take your own pace, decide where to stop and for how long, and you dont have to pay $70 per person for each walk! We jotted down ideas from several cards and took about four of them with us. The information on the back and the map on the front were equally valuable. An especially great tool for "first timers" that don't want to only see the tourist side of paris.



3. These cards give you great ideas for exploring different neighborhoods and places to stop along the way. But you need to be careful that the directions are correct. I went through about 20 cards (combined walks each day). And each day there was a card with a slight, but important, error in it: the path on the map was drawn incorrectly, street names were incorrect, or the written direction said to go down a street when really you needed to go up the hill. They're useful and I recommend them, but just make sure you have another map with you in case you get a bit lost. But getting lost can be half the fun of exploring a new city.



4. Having just returned from a visit to Paris, we found these cards to be marginally helpful and interesting to us. Each of the 50 cards contains a map on one side and text on the other, and each walk contains information of historical and architectural interest as well as some merchant and restaurant suggestions. this sounds good on paper, and I found the cards to be useful when planning our days, but by necessity the text was really short on facts and too long on merchants. I think this could be useful but if you really want a walking tour, you'd be better off getting something more lengthy and detailed. the cards are handy for throwing in your pocket, but not all streets are marked.



5. I liked the size of these cards - they were easy to carry around and refer to. I also liked the fact that they don't just cover the usual spots. There are some nice out of the way streets and locations to explore in this deck.

5 comments about Eating & Drinking in Paris: French Menu Reader and Restaurant Guide 4th edition (Open Road Travel Guides).

1. I expected more from this book. While it has lists of restaurants, the menu guide is just a glossary of french terms. I admit that I'm spoiled - I expected something similar to a book I used extensively in Japan - "What's What in Japanese Restaurants - A guide to ordering, eating, and enjoying" by Robb Satterwhite. In that book, you go to the section for the type of restaurant you're in, see typical menus and translations, and can order from there. "Eating & Drinking in Paris" is NOT that kind of book. It's not a menu guide. It's just two lists - an alphabetical list of restaurants (note: not by neighborhood or type - though there's a neighborhood lookup at the back), and a list of words. Speaking no French, there is no way I'm going to translate a long menu word by word with an alphabetical dictionary. I kept flipping through, hoping to see groupings of typical cafe or bistro fare, only to realize how little actual guidance there is. I'm leaving this one at home.



2. If French isn't your primary language and you need help understandind what to order in a restaurant or if you are looking to find out more about French food and are looking to broaden your culinary horizons, then this book will be helpful to you. If you plan on eating fast food, don't waste your time



3. I bought this book before our trip to Paris, knowing that I wouldn't be able to read a menu. The book had a lot of good tips on dining out, which turned out to be very handy while we were there. Also, it's a small book, so I kept it in my purse the entire time. We were able to look up all of our menu items in the book, and, while some things we just didn't know what to expect, we were still able to glean information about it. We also found some things on the English menus that we had to look up, as well. For instance, "Croque Monsuier" was on the English menu, which is roughly translated to a ham and cheese sandwich.
   
   I would recommend this book to anybody leaving for France who speaks little to no French.



4. What strikes me about this guide (and I buy every new edition) is the author's ability to find new gems. We dined at Le Severo (great beef dishes) in a neighborhood we'd never have gone to except for this book. The next night we visited La Maison (which despite its excellent location near Notre Dame isn't in other guide books) and had one of the best (if not the best) meals of our lives. After a long stay in Paris, we wanted to have some Italian and headed to Soprano for a relaxing inexpensive evening. I like the fact that the author seems to steer US travelers to places where they'll feel comfortable AND have a great meal.



5. I just returned from five days in Paris, and took this along in my bag for the menu translations. I speak French, but the culinary terms often elude me, and this little book had every term I looked up. Don't agree with his editorial on Ile Flottant -- I love it!

5 comments about Savoir Flair: 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French.

1. Excellent book.
   Information is right on!
   Read and then enjoy your relations with the lovely French people. When you know the rules, there are no rude Frenchmen or women. They just want to be loved for who they are.
   Polly Platt's books are great!



2. Unless you need fast, specific travel advice, it would be a good idea to read Polly's broad cultural perspective of France first (French or Foe), and then assimilate the more specific tips in this sequel.
   
   Oh, just buy both books at a discount and read them on the plane. It's going to take awhile, since you can't catch the Concorde anymore.
   
   Both books are well-written and useful, but the first is a broad, classical exposition of how to deal with the frog mentality. (By the way, they will not take the "frog" term with any more offense than the Brits resent being called "rosbifs" or Arabs find the term "beurs" offensive in France. It ain't a big deal.)
   
   When she gets specific, Polly is usually at the high end of societal etiquette and decorum. You can't go wrong following her advice, but you can bend her rules a bit. If you aren't invited to a formal dinner party with place cards but a college kid party, taking a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers will not be considered too gauche.
   
   On the other hand, carefully remember not to touch the merchandise in any small boutique where it is artfully displayed. That really ruins their day. The French are funny, and Polly sees the inherent humor -- as well as the logic and history -- of their ways.



3. My husband and I took our maiden trip to Paris in September 2006. I bought Savoir-Flair! about two weeks before we left and devoured it on the plane. Although my husband and I both had studied French in college, we were rusty and unsure what to expect, especially given the bad PR the French seem to receive from Americans.
   
   Ms. Platt's book explains so well the cultural differences between the French and Americans, and we followed her advice to a T. We only encountered one person during the week we visited who was downright rude, and I just think he was a curmudgeon. Everyone else was so gracious, despite our terrible pronunciations and grammatical errors. The fact that we were attempting to adapt instead of forcing ourselves on the people we encountered put everyone at ease, from shopkeepers to waiters. It was a magical experience.
   
   And I put Ms. Platt's tips to use at a Starbucks in La Defense. My husband was having major American coffee withdrawal, so while he was in a business meeting I popped over to the Starbucks to get him a big cup of java. I ordered in French. I know I made some mistakes, but the barista was very nice about it, and we laughed. She spoke English but appreciated my not assuming that she did.
   
   Behind me in line was a very impatient older American woman who was crowding my personal space. When I moved over to wait for my coffee, the older lady stepped up to the counter and asked, quite loudly as if the barista had a hearing impairment, whether the place served cappuccino. The woman was practically shouting. And the barista never offered to speak English, either. I took my coffee and slipped out, lest someone assume I was American, too. In hindsight, I should have offered the older woman my copy of Savoir-Flair!



4. We went to Paris last March and French or Foe was a life saver. It made our trip a delight. I couldn't wait to read Polly's latest, Savoir Flair. It's informative and a great read. If you are going to France, buy it. You won't be sorry.



5. Savoir Flair: 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French
   I came to this book AFTER I'd been traveling regularly to France. It's a delight, and I only wish I'd found it before. Polly Platt is an entertaining and insightful writer. With a better understanding of French customs and quirks, you will enhance your experience in France, whether it's a short vacation or a long-term stay.

5 comments about One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in France (101 Towns).

1. I was very disappointed in the book. Most of the description is history, very little about current life in the towns. The photos are not very sharp in focus. It would have been very helpful to be able to id the towns on a map. The book does really delveinto some small remote towns that are not often covered in books.



2. This item was exactly what I needed: birthday present coffee table book for discerning New Orleans doctor. It arrived promptly & was well packaged, too.



3. It's nice if you want a VERY short overview of towns in France. If I had leafed through it in a bookstore, I probably would not have purchased it.



4. This amazing book leads you through beautiful France with a gentle hand. It opens doors not otherwise available unless you have unlimited time to research across a wide range of texts. Each step into each Department ensures another ( and different ) breath catching sight into ancient and contemporary France. Even though it is a heavy ( weightwise) text it is essential
   to take it with you. The index in back of the book it a treasure trove of information that otherwise would not be available to you. I rate this book as one of my special treasures and will be taking it with me for the 2 months I intend spending in the south of France in September and October. Don't buy another book until you have put this treasure in your library even if just for pure pleasure of meandering through beautiful France.



5. I shall be basing a few tours on this finely produced book but it gives only a tantalising introduction: the illustrations seem to emhasise the cathedrals - take Laon, for instance, it is an extraordinary fortress on a rock with fascinating labyrinths. I expect to find far more delights in the places we visit than the few that are hinted at. Great coffee table conversation piece.

5 comments about French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork, and Corkscrew.

1. My son is very into the french language and culture and this book is excellent is filling in gaps that he does not get at school and through french movies and videos. Thank you.



2. I didn't think I would enjoy this book so I kept putting it off. Boy, was I wrong! What I enjoyed even more than the detailed descriptions of his degustations, were his extremely accurate descriptions of Frenchmen. I studied in French schools throughout my young adulthood and this book brought back so many memories... To top it off, I'm a big cheese lover and cheese plays a big role in this lovely work.



3. I am ready to go back to France after reading this book. Anyone with a love of good France, light humor and beautiful countryside of France, should read this book.



4. In this wonderful look at Gallic Culture and Cuisine, British Francophile Peter Mayle visits several food fairs and celebrations in the French countryside and takes us along for the ride in this tale that is part travelogue/ part food guide. The tales are usually funny, interesting and mouth watering. I nearly drooled on some of the pages reading his description of the elegant dishes that were served.
   
   I've never learned so much about Frog Legs, truffles, snails, or cheeses. I only regret is that he missed the festival celebrating the sausage that my Canjun relatives call Boodat.
   
   Conviently there is an appendix with addresses and phone numbers for anyone contemplating a trip to France to attend one of the festivals themselves.



5. As a former (and once-again) food writer, I must say this book is deliciously entertaining. I'm still in process of devouring the entertaining writing. Very well done. Any serious foodie will enjoy it!