5 comments about Amalfi: Italy's Divine Coast.

1. An amazing collection of the most remarkably beautiful spots in the region. A must-have. The best pictures I have seen on the Costiera Amalfitana.



2. This book was not as good as the other review made it out to be. Some good pictures of towns and views of the sea, but far too many pictures of festivals and people for my taste. Picture quality is only good-not excellent.



3. In my opinion, Italy's Amalfi coast is one of the best kept travel secrets in the world. This gorgeous region rivals any in the world with its blue sky, crystalline water and beautiful backdrop of mountains. The region has its own unique character and charm, well captured in this book. Amalfi is someplace truly special, reserved only for those who appreciate beauty in its most full-blown form. If you're one of those who loves a treat, you simply can't go wrong with this book.



4. There is nothing like the Amalfi coast. Hidden from most of the world, the only accessible route is one road that travels high in the jagged cliffs. Amalfi is unique unto itself. Much like Provence, France, only different. Both are special. My sister and I love flying over Amalfi, in fact, we are the only identical twins to ever do so. I have been flying for nearly 15 years, so don't worry, we're safe! Of course, if you do go to the Amalfi Coast, stay in Sorrento, and then come see our beautiful Isle of Capri. Almafi is gorgeous; Capri is magical, but not quite our Provence, which we always retreat to, because we are French. -------------------------Presented by Summer!



5. The pictures were beautiful but I guess I wanted something that was going to give me the same feelings I had when I first saw the Amalfi Coast, I wanted the book to take my breath away. I enjoyed the book but I wanted something with more landscape views of Positano and of the surrounding areas.

No comments about Trieste Town Plan.

5 comments about Memoirs of Hector Berlioz : From 1803 to 1865, Comprising His Travels in Germany, Italy, Russia, and England.

1. Is this guy for real?! Hector Berlioz seems too amazing to be true: I knew he was a superb music composer but I applaud him even more as an enchanting story teller. I should have guessed that the man who came up with the Symphonie Fantastique (a symphony with a story plot) could recount the extraordinary events of his life with such vivacity and good timing. And he did have some extraordinary events in his life. Exuberant, tortured, starving, successful, in love, angered, whatever the state of Berlioz's life, he lived it fully. At times soap opera-esque (I almost fell over reading about how he plotted to dress up as a maid and kill his faithless fiance), this book was a true joy to read. Thanks, Berlioz!



2. The other reviews pretty much sum up the qualities of Berlioz's writing. Like others, I find is prose more inviting than his music. Immensely candid, entertaining and wonderfully written, it would be a great shame if only musicians were to read it - it's enjoyable on so many levels. The only reason I decided to write this was to urge anyone thinking of buying it to get hold of David Cairns' more modern translation. It reads far more fluently and somehow seems to get inside Berlioz's character in a way that the older translation doesn't. It also has among the appendices a valuable dissection of the contentious points and parts where Berlioz was economical with the truth.



3. Anyone familiar with the works of Oscar Wilde will of course know where the "take-off" above comes from. And how trenchantly - even scathingly - funny that particular work is, even to the point where some folks have fun citing extended passages at will, out loud, just for the "yuks" it contains. Well, add "The Memoirs of Hector Berlioz" to that short list.
   
   I am now barely 100 pages into this screamer, after having recently concluded reading the magisterial and sympathetic two-volume biography of Berlioz by David Cairns (who also provides the perfect translation of these Memoirs). Frankly, I wasn't sure that I could handle "yet more Berlioz" so soon after finishing the Cairns volumes (although Cairns provided plenty of justification, in terms of his ability to pinpoint Berlioz's scathing wit).
   
   I shouldn't have worried.
   
   Berlioz is certainly famous among music lovers, and musicians and composers, for a long list of "firsts": The first to take the proto-Romantic beginnings started so auspiciously by Beethoven to new heights, the first to expand the size (and instruments) of the classical orchestra to something closely resembling today's symphony orchestra, the first to write a detailed study on the uses of the instruments in the orchestra, including the effects of venue acoustics on the orchestra's sound... It's a long list, and this is just a part of it.
   
   But Berlioz was also a brilliant writer. Inter alia, his "feuilletons" (music & arts criticism for the cultural journals of his time) and his "Evenings in the Orchestra" (including several of his better feuilletons) showed both his brilliance as a writer on the arts and his scathing wit. And that wit comes across as well in his Memoirs, as can be evidenced by this example on his very first page:
   
   "Needless to say, I was brought up in the Catholic and Apostolic Church of Rome. This charming religion (so attractive since it gave up burning people) was for seven whole years the joy of my life, and although we have long since fallen out I have always kept most tender memories of it. Indeed, such is its appeal for me that had I the misfortune to be born into the bosom of one of those schisms ponderously hatched by Luther or Calvin I should undoubtedly abjured it the moment I was able..."
   
   It gets even better later on, and the Memoirs are very well served by Cairns's idiomatic translation that so perfectly captures the trenchantly ascerbic writing qualities of which Berlioz was so capable. (Apparently, earlier translations, whether due to "bowdlerization" or simple lack of supporting documents, did not succeed to the same degree in capturing all of these qualities.)
   
   Berlioz started these Memoirs while in his mid-40's and while in London for performances of his works and finding himself with some spare time. From then until the end of his life two decades later, he would add to them, with the express requirement that they be published posthumously. There is no need to "wonder why" at this requirement: He had something to say about nearly everything and everybody in the world of music and culture of his time, and wasn't afraid to "name names." And good for him!
   
   I hope to have more (but not too much more) to say about these alternately hilarious and moving Memoirs once I've finished them. In the meantime, I hope that these brief comments serve to whet your appetite for one of the best books ever written about music by a musician. And a suitably famous one at that. This hardcover version is inexpensive and beautifully bound; a worthwhile addition to every music lover's library.
   
   Bob Zeidler



4. The inimitable Hector Berlioz was a prolific writer (perhaps he missed his true calling). His memoirs are an irresistible and captivating read, giving us an all too brief window into his life-long struggles, both personally and professionally. Cairns did a bang-up job at translation (no real complaints here) and the Everyman's edition is splendidly printed.



5. This is a rare, surprisingly lucid, firsthand account of the life of one of the most influential and innovative composers in history. Descriptions of contemporaries, the artist's balance of art/business, and the intimate history of specific works (Fantastique, Harold, Faust, Les Troyens, etc) are valuable to those interested in classical music and period history.

4 comments about London Spiral Guide (Aaa Spiral Guides).

1. My wife and I used this travel guide extensively while in London. It served as our bible, tour guide, and street map. It is laid out in a very clearly and the sprial binder makes it very easy to flip to any page. It is filled with clear, color pictures and maps. The guide is broken down into various regions throughout London, with each section highlighting Must See Attractions, and then At Your Leisure sites that are also in the area. It also has a very nice reference on how to see a region in one day. An Underground map is on the inside back cover, and a regional map of London on the front inside cover. Other nice features are sections called 'Finding Your Feet' - which provides great information for when you first arrive in London (either by plane, train, boat, etc..) and a 'Practicalities' seciton that talks about currency, clothes sizes,etc.

   What really made this book stand out compared to other London travel guides was it included detailed street maps of these regions. Those proved invaluable for us once we started walking around the area. The book is compact, and fit inside my coat pocket comfortably.




2. This is the best travel book about the London that I found. It has all necessary information that I was looking for without the tones of text and pictures. It gives you so good ideas about what you can or should see in one day that I decided just to follow the book. :)



3. Before traveling to London, we purchased many travel books, but AAA's London guide was the only one we took with us. The book is filled with beautiful color photos, great descriptions, planned itineraries, and a fantastic detailed map. We are planning on traveling to Rome this summer and AAA's Rome guide is the only travel book we will be purchasing before we go.



4. Took 3 guides to London for our 2005 trip. This guide has the best pictures of the 3. Most of the information is very good. The walking tours are the best! It even tells you when to stop and eat.hmmmmm
   
   The guide doesn't really cover all aspects if you are new to the culture and city. No real tips on staying out of trouble and the detailed city map is combersome. That aside, the book is well put together with wire spirals, the cover is a hard paper for good construction.

No comments about Hammond Maps Northern Italy.

No comments about Mozart in Italy.

No comments about In a Tuscan Castle.

2 comments about Michelin THE GREEN GUIDE Tuscany, 3e (THE GREEN GUIDE).

1. Excellent coverage of monuments, museums, history, etc. It DOES NOT contain any info on lodging, restaurants, shopping, etc. But for planning your outings and getting around it is very thorough. A 100 page section on Florence, and a concise write-up on even the smallest towns, usually with it's own little map. Plenty of small photos and even floor-plans of large museums. Street map of Florence is good, but does not label all streets, and not a great street index, so a detailed map of your destination is advised, in addition



2. Great reference once you are in Tuscany, but don't try to plan your trip with it.

No comments about Amelia Troubridge: Maltese Stories.

1 comments about Italian Neighbours.

1. Sheer brilliance! Tim Parks has an utterly realistic outlook on the romantic ideal of settling in Italy as a foreigner. He clearly loves the country he has chosen as his home, but remains exasperated by its bureaucracy and its peculiar cultural quirks. This non-fictional tale reads like a novel. It is full of dark humour, cynicism and a touch of the epicure.
   
   I was sent this book as I struggled through a year's study in Italy, wondering what on earth had made me go there. The insights offered by Tim Parks allowed me to accept my Italian experience for what it was, 'a package deal.'
   
   My copy is battered, underlined in places and thoroughly appreciated. My Italian friends hate it, mostly because it is so accurate.
   
   I am very disappointed to see it is now out of print. It should be required reading for anyone who is going to Italy!