1 comments about Insight Guide Shopping in Paris (Insight Guides (Shopping Guides)).

1. Shopping in Paris can be a good introductory guide to the basics of what was where in the City of Lights at the time the book was written. Because, as the authors indicated, fashions and fashionable neighborhoods are constantly shifting, it is hard to keep track of the latest developments. I liked the book as a good point of departure, especially for first time visitors with limited time and wishing to shop. Although I have visited Paris many times, it was an interesting read with useful tidbits.

No comments about Travellers Sardinia, 2nd: Guides to destinations worldwide (Travellers - Thomas Cook).

1 comments about Venice: Places and History (Places and History Series).

1. Hundreds of color photographs enhance this reasonably priced, large-format book on Venetian history, neighborhoods, festivals, and neighboring islands. The aerial views are some of the best I've seen in any Venice book, at any price. - Durant Imboden, Venice for Visitors, http://govenice.miningco.co

3 comments about Sicilian Summer: A Story of Honour, Religion and the Perfect Cassata.

1. I have been reading all the Sicily related books and am happy to report that I enjoyed this one. Not fabulous or wonderful, but I did enjoy it. Worth a read.



2. 
   I bought this book not knowing exactly what it was I though it was a light hearted book of travels like Brian Thacker writes it is not. All the smae it was interesting but not my kind of book.



3. Knowing that we were going to Sicily, about 5 years ago I began to read books to know what to expect both historically and culturally. There is a wealth of books to be read, both fiction and non-fiction, many by famous authors of the past and present. All of them were informative and of interest to a potential tourist regarding places to visit and/or to learn about "the Sicilian character." But Brian Johnston's book, bought recently, was everything I most enjoy in a book, whether fiction or non-fiction. We went to Sicily 3 years ago, and having been to most of the places he writes about, it was wonderful to be reminded of all of the details he noticed that you never learn from a guidebook. The underlying story about the family with whom he stayed described the thinking and customs that make Sicilians unique, and the suspense he built made it read like fiction. What an interesting writing style he has, and how glad I am to own the book (which now knowing how it ends can be re-read more slowly) and will use it for future reference. But be warned--the delicious meals and recipes Mr. Johnston describes will keep you constantly hungry and you'll find yourself in the kitchen, trying them out. Sicily is very special and so is this book.

1 comments about Corot in Italy: Open-Air Painting and the Classical-Landscape Tradition.

1. I can't praise this book enough. Corot's work in Italy are in my mind some of the greatest plein air painting ever done.Seeing his work compared to his contemporaries etc. is very interesting. One also appreciates the allure of the Italian landscape. Corot is sometimes viewed as the father of Impressionism(his later work). But I could look at these landscapes all day. His realism and fresh painting technique is really sumptuous, and it's a good thing he found his niche in painting rather late.Buy this book, you won't regret it if you love landscape.

No comments about Costa Smeralda.

No comments about Fodor's See It Florence and Tuscany, 1st Edition (Fodor's See It).

No comments about Europe without Baedeker : Sketches Among the Ruins of Italy, Greece & England, Together With Notes from a European Diary.

No comments about Exploring Tuscany's Chianti Countryside: Four Excursions out from Radda and Gaiole in Chianti.

2 comments about Insight Guide Malta (Insight Guides Malta).

1. Probably the best available guide book about Malta, written by natives of the island and others with close connections. as usual with the Insight Guides, it succeeds in giving an authentic flavour of the place in miniature, and I have found it very useful throughout several trips there. Photography is very atmospheric, and almost faultless, though my only gripe is that the latest edition has replaced the Passionist 'cover boy' and his lantern - so typical of religious processions on the Island -with an ordinary, though very attractive, Maltese lass. The boy seemed to sum up perfectly the mixture of youth and devout Catholic faith of Malta. This apart, you will not need another guide to the Island if you have this one.



2. 
   As usual, the Insight Guide relies heavy on photography for a visual feel of the country, probably 40% of the book is photographs, the quality of which is good to very good. With 80 pages of Maltese history, you will get more in depth history here than with any of the other travel guides.
   The text does not pull any punches with discussing Malta & its people when it comes to their love of killing birds, leaving trash around, stealing car parts, overbuilding the island, being stubborn, or being horrendous drivers. But there is also an understanding and appreciation for the natives. The essays on Maltese people, their vehicles, the architecture, and superstitions are good. The last 20 pages of travel tips are helpful, the hotel recommendations adequate, the description of the various areas of interest detailed.
   This book is too cumbersome to take along, this is more for pre-trip research. A good book if you are heavy into the history end...