5 comments about Mediterranean Color: Italy, France , Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Greece.

1. Jeffrey's migration from architecht to painter now photographer has imbued his work with a unique sensibility. As a Becom collector Ihave come to appreciate the quality of his eye and the intensity of the Cibrachrome process of printing. I was quite delighted with Jeffrey's ability to write as well; though readers should know that this is primarily a photography book written by a photographer and his wife. He has several galleries around the world that show his work, and though expensive, his work is worth the price! I expectantly await his next book on similar topic, but location of South America. Long Live Jeffrey Becom



2. This book is about Architecture, Color, and how we see the world. It's not about how to be a tourist in the Mediterranean. Unless, of course, you would like to be a tourist who really "sees" what is in front of your eyes when you walk down that picturesque village street. Jeffrey Becom has a killer eye. His camera isolates a detail from our normal panoramic vision of a building or a street scene. When we contemplate this detail our sense of beauty, aesthetic organization, and how the world works is expanded. His capability to see these details while wandering the countries bordering the Mediterranean allows us normal humans a greater appreciation of the sensibilities of work-a-day Mediterannean peoples. The contemplation of Jeffrey Becom's work also inevitably causes us to look at our own world differently. I see things now when I walk down the street that I didn't see before I looked at Becom's work.



3. Wonderful book and great writing. Beautiful images of architecture, color and life. I highly reccomend. A must have for anyone who has traveled there or for anyone who dreams of doing so. Jeffrey Becom's photographs are a feast for the eyes and his tales are engrossing. One must also look at his other book Maya Color - stunning as well!



4. I bought this book looking for a lush picture book of inspiring photos of mediterranean homes. It is not. Although the photography is nice, it is primarily of colourful buildings abroad.



5. I was expecting a beautiful book of photos full of inspiring mediterranean colours. This book had a lot of text and wasn't what I expected. Might be interesting but haven't got the time to read it.

No comments about Insight Guide Crete (Insight Guides Crete).

No comments about Living in Greece (Taschen Specials).

1 comments about The Galapagos Islands: The Essential Handbook for Exploring, Enjoying & Understanding Darwin's Enchanted Islands.

1. The subtitle gives you an indication that this is not exactly a reading experience, but a guidebook during your actually sojourn. While it contains some useful pre-trip information, Stephenson concentrates on detailing the flora and fauna that are on each island, and their approximate locations, in a format that is almost like a checklist (or, for the birders out there, a lifelist). Stephenson is knowledgeable, and her information accurate as far as I can tell, but there's really no savoir faire here, and there's the rub. If I had only this to base my foreknowledge of the islands, I'm not so sure I'd be so excited about going. Luckily, there's other books that are better at capturing the uniqueness of the islands and their place in history and our world today.

No comments about The Rough Guide to Greece Map (Rough Guide Country/Region Map).

1 comments about Insight Guide Greek Islands (Insight Guides Greek Islands).

1. Writing about the Greek Islands is not a simple matter of going there, taking some pictures, and drafting a brief description of the place. This is due in part to the unique nature of the Greek Islands, which are a very diverse and complex collection of locations, cultures, landscapes, and even climates. There are significant logistical concerns because getting to some of these islands can be tricky. And there's also the fact that, while some places cater to package tourists and are overrun with people during certain times of the year, others are far more remote and peaceful. Sadly, this book fails to capture any of these important themes, much less convey them in the kind of detail necessary to make a useful travel Guide. People headed for the Greek Islands should do some more research and find a better guide than this one. Your efforts will pay off in the form of a very enjoyable trip if you bring the right tools with you.

No comments about Santorini: A Guide to the Island and its Archaeological Treasures.

2 comments about Hunter Travel Guides Cruising the Mediterranean: A Guide to the Ports of Call (Cruising the Mediterranean) (Cruising the Mediterranean).

1. Pages 1-134 contain rapidly outdated information--best got off the web on what cruise lines go where.

   Larry Ludmer then fails to deliver on his promise (p152, Cruising the Med) to indicate the location of each port and give some information on getting there. Two examples: Larry please tell us how equipped with a Eurail pass, one gets
   1) from the Venice train station to the cruise terminal,
   2) from Livorno cruise terminal to Florence??




2. While I have to agree with the previous reviewer that the Ship Itineraries section of this book could easily have been dipensed with, I did find some value in this book, taken as it was. The most major ports have a map (not detailed) that gives you some idea of the locations of major sites of interest in relation to each other. I did find this helpful in planning what it was reasonable to expect to be able to get to. It gives an opinion on what ports are best explored on your own, and which are best seen through a purchased excursion. It also gives some tips on getting around; but these are not always consistently detailed for each location. "Highlights Tours" are provided for those ports that you would want to explore yourself.
   
   I found reading this book to be like sitting down and having a conversation with someone who knows these ports...not always detailed enough, or consistent in information, but interesting mostly because it gives you a bit of an opinion on which to base choices and some information that I didn't get elsewhere about the ports that I visited.

1 comments about The Xenophobe's Guide to the Greeks, 2nd (Xenophobe's Guides - Oval Books).

1. This small book better describes the average Greek and his society than any book I have read. The author is frank about the good and not so good qualities of the average greek but does it in a way that doesn't offend. I have shown it to greek friends and they agree with most of the descriptions of the greek society,people, and government. recommended for anyone going to greece which is a must see country.

3 comments about The Bellstone: The Greek Sponge Divers of the Aegean.

1. This book was inspired by a Greek epic poem written by the author's grandfather, a popular leader on the island of Symi in the Dodecanese. For untold generations the island's young men had dived naked into the sea, holding their breath as they gathered sponges. But in the poet's lifetime the introduction of mechanized diving equipment brought wealth to some and death or paralysis to many.

   Michael Kalafatas visited the Aegean islands, met many relatives and learned all he could about different diving techniques. He follows the history of the sponge trade from the Sultan's seraglio in Constantinople to the desert coasts of Australia and the more lush landscape of Tarpon Springs, Florida, where he lived as a boy. He wrestles with such difficult issues as why divers persisted in risking their lives even after they had learned how they could work less dangerously.

   The personal character of much of the book adds to its appeal. In short, this is one of the best books I've read this year.




2. Inspired writing which will inspire any reader. In the Bell Stone, Michael Kalafatas discovers his grandfather's epic poem 70 years after it was written. The writer follows his heart untangling the mysteries revealed in the poem and takes the reader on a journey to far off places both under the sea and across the globe. His story reveals the daring and bravery of his ancestors while sharing with the reader the untold story of sponge divers in the Aegean. This unique story will inspire others to take a smiliar journey--to discover the treasured
   stories of their own special families.



3. In The Bellstone, author Michael Kalafatas discovers a poem about Greek sponge divers written by his grandfather in the early 20th century, and using that as a starting point, travels to Greece to explore both the history of the sponge diving industry and that of his own family. What begins as an explanation of Greek culture turns into a fascinating and touching personal story of connecting with one's past. The author also describes Greek influence in this country and on the pearl industry. The book is both historical and anecdotal, with the poem woven throughout, connecting every facet of the story. Even the acknowledgments refer to the content - that's how well this book flows! It is a learning experience, an enjoyable read, and an amazing family story.