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

5 comments about 1634: The Galileo Affair (The Assiti Shards).

1. This is the first-published "1634" novel in the "Ring of Fire" epic Alternate History being conducted by young Eric Flint. It follows on the brilliant initial "1632" and sequel "1633" novels. They must be read first or you won't care much for this novel. The "Ring of Fire" and "Grantville Gazette I and II" anthologies in the same series will also contribute your enjoyment of "1634." What is going on is an immense collaborative construction of a saga about the trial and tribulations understandably faced by a mining town from West Virginia that suddenly is whipped back intact to 1632 in southern Germany, into the middle of a war chewing up Europeans. While it was initiated by Flint, it has morphed into the work of many authors who are building all the background elements, like genealogies, for a consistent and constrained (no nuclear weapons in W. Va.!) "history" of how the up-time American cope with, and attempt to democratize, a Europe full of conflicts. This is an astounding endeavor, one unique in my reading experience. It looks like five or six "1634" novels will be produced, each taking up one geographical/topical thread of the overall saga, as Grantville attempts to expand its sphere of security.
   
   "1643: The Galileo Affair" is a further embodiment of Flint's philosophy that history moves in many directions and places simultaneously, that it is made up of many threads of change, and the ones with now-famous people in them were not whole story. After the sprawling "1633" almost lost control of its multiplying story lines, this novel, and the other "1634" novels to come, will divy up the continent and will each be more tightly focused on a comprehensible set of problems, characters, and locales within the same year. Read them all and see the big picture after the fact. (What's going to happen in "1635" and later years as the saga of Grantville's citizens ramifies further? It boggles the mind.)
   
   In this book we travel to Italy, with an American embassy from Grantville to Venice, led by humble religious leaders because only they can be spared from other desperate ventures. We do occasionally hear of other threads taking place elsewhere in the saga, but most of the pressing issues raised in "1633" are left in limbo. "Galileo" is particularly notable for the unusually prominent role played by religion in a fictional history, in an age characterized by fierce competition between Catholics and Protestant sects, and all the principalities and kingdoms flunting them, stirred up by marauding mercenaries. Since the detailed, or even general, nature of the affronts taken between the parties is completely obscure history to most of us, considerable digressions into creeds and legalisms are properly necessary. Nevertheless, they also abet the lack of "action," particularly the absence of battle action that readers would expect from Flint's earlier books, in this series and out. Oh, and the Galileo affair is not about the infamously terrible Inquisition of his beliefs we've all heard about. "Affairs" have other meanings.
   
   It is even clearer that the target audience for this series is teenagers. A main sub-plot in this novel features a passel of addled teenage American brothers and their Venetian girlfriend and her family of revolutionarily inclined Stooges. Venice = Venus = Love, right? They cavort and stumble through an inane and picaresque conspiracy to free Galileo, who thought Earth wasn't the center of the Universe. What an indulgence of these brats. Meanwhile, the serious business of expanding the sphere of American influence so they can access essential trade items, like zinc, and withstand their French and Spanish enemies, is in the hands of a priest and a pastor from Grantville on embassy to Venice, the fading capital of Mediterranean trade (no, it is not "sinking" in this story; stinking, yes). The embassy engages in a great deal of religious discussion and maneuvering, eventually leading to a surprising opening to the Catholic church and the Pope in Rome. Teenagers will not particularly enjoy the disputation, but it will be much better than their sanitized textbooks and might seduce a few into understanding why separation of competing churches from the state actually is a vital principle of beneficial government.
   
   I found the chapter-head quotations more confusing and irrelevant than helpful. The prose reads a bit more like military communiques than literature--but then I do like a better sense of place in novels. Don't confuse the reader with ambiguity: everbody is played mostly to type and is pretty obvious: subtle, gentle, foolish, steady, sneaky, dastardly, or so forth. It's fun to suddenly encounter historical people or the roots of modern words: Newton, ghetto, imbroglio, and so on. Clearly this novel is a side thread in the overarching saga of The Ring of Fire, but it develops one good character (Father Mazzare) and ends with considerable intimation and promise of an amazing development to come.



2. A novel about a section of the alternate history that should be forgotten or covered briefly. The story goes off on a tangent from the main storyline that is boring, it should have been either ignored or covered in a few well written chapters in other books. Save your time and money for better books.



3. This is one of numerous spin-offs from Eric Flint's brilliant 1632 and 1633. What that means is that this book (and the other spin-offs) deviate from the primary storyline of the previous books. While expanding the overall story of the impact Grantville has on the world of the 1630's, this book basically ignores the (more exciting) developments of the war with France and the exploits of the USE ambassadors in London, Scotland, and Amsterdam. That is the reason I think most people are disappointed by this book. After being left with so many open plot lines after 1633, readers are anxious to see what happens with those and don't have too much patience with this apparently unrelated (and seemingly unnecessary) new direction. Why spend time developing this new story when your readers are so excited about finding what happens in the primary plot lines?
   
   That being said, The Galileo Affair was enjoyable and informative. The Stone family and Father Mazzare travel to Venice and Rome, establish important diplomatic ties with various groups, and get mixed up in some double-dealing agents that could spoil all of their gains as well as threaten their very lives. This book also chronicles the falling in love of two important Grantville characters, Sharon Nichols and Frank Stone. These two romances couldn't be more different and each is for the most part amusing to see develop. There is very little action in this book (especially compared to the previous books) but lots of diplomacy and intrigue. For some reason this book reads as if it was meant for a somewhat younger audience than the others. This may be the influence of Andrew Dennis, with his attempts at humor sometimes being rather immature seeming. Fighting off muggers and assassins by using your soccer and baseball skills may appeal to some readers, but IMHO it takes away from the otherwise realistic feel of the novels.
   
   Taken as a purely side story, this book is actually rather good. The dynamics within the Catholic church and among the various people of Venice is very interesting. Richeleu and Mike Sterns are still involved here, Mazarini and Mazzare are both developing into very important players, and the overall impact of the Ring of Fire is further developed in this book. Additionally, the same charm that the first two novels have is also present here. The dramatic influence of current day knowledge on life in 17th century Europe is still attractive and fascinating.



4. In this, the third installment to Flint's Assiti Shards series, Grantville's former president, and new prime minister of the United States of Europe (USE), Mike Stearns, sends a delegation to Venice, Italy, to set up firm trade and industrial ties with the city noted for its merchants. While establishing these ties, certain members of the USE delegation simulataneously begin to set up small economic empires of their own, fall in love with the locals, and develop hare-brained schemes to rescue (along with a clan of locals) a certain famous scientist from the shackles of the notorious Inquisition.
   
   The Galileo Affair was certainly not a bad continuation of Flint's series. Indeed, the story continues to provide depth into the world Grantville now finds itself in since the Ring of Fire. However, the story takes much too long to really get going, and even when it does finally start to pick up, there are moments when things just don't feel "realistic". However, I do look forward to further installments in this series; despite the "slower-than-molasses" approach at times to the story, the characters and ideas presented are fundamentally interesting and I most thoroughly look forward to continuing the story of Grantville and its ever-broadening cadre of citizenry.



5. I also am a follower of the series and was dissapointed by the long drawn out pointless plot. I kept reading more each day hoping that the story would pick up or at least become interesting. What I intially liked about the series was when the story slowed it was at least interesting, but this book was torture, and you feel no connection at all with the characters. The well has run dry and Im gone from the series

5 comments about Lonely Planet Rome: City Guides (Lonely Planet Rome).

1. I just (January 2007) spent six days with this guide as my constant companion on a holiday in Rome. I also saw many other people carrying this book around with them - so it seems it is a popular choice! I would say this book was an essential part of the success of my trip.
   
   * Walking around central Rome I noticed that every other person seemed to be carrying some sort of map! The maps in the guide are clear enough for navigation in the city - once you understand their limits. For example, not every street is shown and/or labelled, but in the centre of the city you're never all that far away from a street that _is_ shown. Once I got the hang of the rather chaotic way the streets work, I felt comfortable with wandering around for a while and then finding my place on the map. But if (like me) you had booked a room in a hotel well outside the city centre, you will want to get a proper map of Rome and/or take a printout of the area from Google Maps - I did both. But in the city centre it's much easier to have the guide open to the map pages than to use a large folding map.
   
   * In the shopping section there is a strong (but certainly not exclusive) emphasis on clothes/fashion/design. There's no doubt that this correctly reflects the vast number of such shops in Rome. Nevertheless, that is not my sort of thing and I would have liked more coverage of other types of store.
   
   * The walking tour section is excellent. I did two of the walks pretty much as per the directions and found them very enjoyable. Be aware though that if you want to go in to the places on the tour you need to check opening times - for example, I started the Trastevere tour at about 10:30 and by the time I got to the second half of the tour most of the places were closed. Well, that was my fault - the book gives opening times for the places mentioned on the tours.
   
   * Every place mentioned has specific directions on how to use public transport (metro and/or bus) to get there from Termini station - these directions were invaluable and I relied on them many times.



2. Lonely Planet is great for inexhaustible lists of information that you cannot possibly go through, like hotel listings, restaurants, nightlife, plus some interesting background info on history, culture, politics, and the like.
   
   I just got back from a week's vacation in Rome and I found that Lonely Planet was really useful for finding my way around the city (pretty decent maps) and finding lodging and local phone numbers. As for actually exploring places of interest, I found Rick Steves' Rome much more detailed and fun to follow.



3. This book saved my husband and me in Rome earlier this year. The friends we were traveling with had purchased the Lonely Planet Italy guidebook but it did not have nearly enough information to get us around Rome. This guide provided excellent walking tours and information on the major sites in Rome. Its multiple maps of many parts of the city made navigating the often twisty streets of the city more managegable. Definately a must for any first time traveler to Rome!



4. Credit where it's due: the guide did cover the basics.
   
   What it missed was most of the wisdom for seeing the city efficiently obtained in even a single visit. Some examples:
   - Italian restaurant customs are vastly different from American customs. For example you seat yourself and must ask for anything you want (to order, a drink refill, the check, etc.) - it's just their way of doing things. None of this was mentioned.
   - The best times to beat crowds and lines. I went several places at the suggested times and hit long lines, then exited a couple hours later to see almost no line at all...
   - Organized tours get different lines to see historical attractions (Vatican, Colosseum, etc.) than the general public. Many of these tours are a cheap way to cut through the wait even if you don't want the tour. I figured out that paying 5-10 euros for a tour can almost completely avoid a 1-2 hour wait; I just handed my pass to the guide and said "no thanks" after getting through the entrance.



5. I spent about 7 days in Rome, and found this guide very practical. I also had the Green Guide (Guide Vert-Italy) which wasn't so great for Rome-only.
   
   First, Lonely Planet guides have the worst physical quality of any guides. Maps are illegible as they are black and white and there are almost no photos. Second, the guides are not great at emphasizing the "must sees"; everything is wonderful. LP does have a "see in a day" or "see in two days" section, but I have found this itinerary mediocre and particular to individual tastes (I for example do not care to sit in a fancy restaurant for lunch for 3 hours).
   
   The only other negative thing I can say about LP is that they recommended Perugia versus Assissi, though the latter was probably nicer and closer (though I didn't go due to LP's recommendation).
   
   But LP did have some great area sites, including Tivoli, Ostia Antiqua, and others. LP is great in the practical areas - bus lines, train routes and schedules, etc. LP consistently surpasses all other guide books in this area.
   
   In general, I do not focus a lot on shopping or restaurants. Serious "tourists" are always walking around and seeing sites, and tend to eat when hungry rather than go to a particular restaurant.
   
   LP also has great budget lodgings listed, which in Rome is quite important. Hostels were consistently higher quality, based on some conversations I had with people, than hotels.
   
   Eyewitness guides have better graphics and maps, for example, though you can get decent enough maps of Rome from hotels, and most of the historic sites have passable explanations and illustrations, either in brochures, books you buy, or on display.
   
   In terms of total number of places/sites, LP tends to win precisely because they have so few graphics.
   
   I think LP could vastly improve just by adding color maps and a few more photos, and still keep the same variety and quantity of information.
   
   LP Rome tends to be best if you have a lot of time and you don't mind reading through the book several times. Otherwise, a more easier book such as Eyewitness might be better because it will cut out some of the smaller sites that LP mentions.

2 comments about Venice Pocket Pilot Map.

1. After going over many options for maps in my local bookstore, and several chain bookstores I choose pocket pilot. It is made from a tear resistant/water resistant material, its the perfect size, very readable and easy to fold.



2. Helped alot while i was there. The directions are really small but right on the money! The streets look small on the map because there are so many little alley ways, it definetly helped me, just make sure you follow it turn by turn because if you don't you might end up on the wrong side, but really there is no wrong side! Because again, Its a village!

2 comments about In Love in Italy: A Traveler's Guide to the Most Romantic Destinations in the Country of Amore.

1. "In LOve in Italy" is a very doable book. Easy to read and pleasent to look at, good information. I have given it as a gift.



2. This is a beautiful book, both in terms of words and images. Very special. Perfect for those who love Italy, someone going on a trip there soon, or dreaming of a future viaggio. The sort of book you buy for yourself and then want to give to each of your friends. The pictures are lovely and look particularly nice on the non-glossy paper. The paper feels good on your fingertips, as you turn the page. A book Italians would love.

4 comments about A Traveller in Rome.

1. There is a small, independent bookshop in New York dedicated to the Art of Travel. It is there that I've spent many happy hours looking through new and used books and maps- some treasures and some highly disposable.

   One of the favorite places I've ever visited is Rome, Italy. And this book by H. V. Morton which is shamefully out of print, is positively the finest I've read on this forever changing, "eternal" city.

   I'd never heard of Morton, but soon learned that in 1957, when this volume was published, he was "the most widely read living travel author." And now, according to research I've done online, every single one of his books is out of print. And he wrote quite a few: "A Stranger In Spain," "In Search Of London," "In The Steps Of St. Paul," et. al. Morton's method is simple and works perfectly: first a short history of Rome, then a diary-like collection of his thoughts and impressions. There are also several, wonderful photographs including a charming, color one of The Vatican's Swiss Guard---one man "at attention;" the other looking as if he had better things to do. Everything in the book is well-researched and very interestingly written, yet his description of the politics and history of The Vatican is especially fascinating, as is his description of Julius Caesar's final days. But the book is not all history. Not at all. We also read about the author's trip to an open market, Hadrian's Villa, and I particularly liked the passage about Rome in the rain, since when I was there, it rained every single day for twenty days. This is a book of fact that reads like a fine novel.

   It is an absolute crime that Morton's books cannot be more easily purchased both for travellers and for people whose hobby is reading about travel. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.




2. I am thrilled to see that "A Traveller in Rome" is back in print! (I have spent the past decade combing used book stores for books in H.V. Morton's several wonderful series -"A Traveller in...", "In Search of ...", "In the Steps of..." and others - and never pass up an opportunity to buy one when I find it.) Although published in 1957, "A Traveller to Rome" is as fresh as the day it was written (H.V.Morton was at his best when writing about Italy). The book is not a travel guide per se, but rather a sort of memoir of walks all around Rome into which Morton seamlessly weaves charming tales of his own experiences, his personal observations, and fascinating historical background. And what makes it all so delicious is Morton's elegant but unpedantic use of the English language. I have read this book half a dozen times, and it never fails to delight. I wholeheartedly recommend "A Traveller in Rome" to anyone who is going to Rome, who ever went to Rome, who ever may go to Rome, who enjoys daydreaming about Rome, or who simply glories in elegantly-written non-fiction. I look forward to the day when Morton's splendid companion volume about Rome, "The Fountains of Rome," is back in print as well.



3. Spending several months in Rome, living in several different locations to get a feel for the neighborhoods, the very observant Morton sets out his commentary and observations and amazement about a wonderful city over 2,000 years old. He weaves history in with the modern, and for someone who has been to Rome, the observations are spot on, even though they were written in the 1950s (his comment about Roman drivers is still very true today, absolutely on the mark, and poetic in his analysis). I read some of the book while I was in Rome; very much enjoyed reading it after I returned, and reread the parts I had read when there. This would also make a great book for an armchair traveler. This is travel writing at its very best.



4. I have read a lot of travel books as Editor-at-Large for Travelers' Tales but this is one of the very best. Morton's grasp of history is nothing short of extraordinary and his powers of description, as a traveler, are almost peerless.

4 comments about Blue Guide Florence, Ninth Edition.

1. This guide was required for a class I am taking. The guide is easy to read, colors are excellent, and the size is perfect for my travel bag. I know it will be an indispensable aid in Florence.



2. If your trip to Florence is motivated by your love for art, history and the developement of the medieval and renaiscance city, this is your guide.
   Buy the book before you go, and you will know what to look for and understand what you are seeing. Keep it after you return for reference.
   IT IS NOT A PRACTICAL GUIDE for finding the cheapest lodging or restaurant. Graphics are not as glossy or convenient as some of the "younger generation" guides.
   Enjoy your trip
   E. Yarhi,Jerusalem. Israel



3. The best guide book available for art, architecture, history and culture of any city, region or country.
   
   Don't leave home without it.



4. On his website, travel guru Rick Steves says that Blue Guides take "a dry and scholarly approach to the countries of Europe. They're ideal if you want to learn as much about history, art, architecture, and culture as you possibly can." This is basically true, though I much prefer a "dry and scholarly" tone to Rick's "nerdy and precious" style. He's great when it comes to practical tips, but he can't touch the historical, artistic and architectural content of the Blue Guides.
   
   Blue Guides pack a tremendous amount of information into their pages, much more than any other guide I've used. They're wonderful for reading before and after your trip, but they're probably too dense to pack and take along for most people. Before leaving on my honeymoon to Italy, I photocopied the relevant pages of the Northern Italy book to avoid having to pack it because I knew I wouldn't be visiting most of the cities it covers. On that trip I field-tested three guides: Rick Steves, Eyewitness, and Blue Guide.
   
   Blue Guides are not good to use as your main guide. They're far too light on practical matters such as maps, directions, hotels and restaurants, and they're not updated every year. I used Eyewitness to plan and get around and then pulled out the Blue Guide once I reached a major site. I used Rick Steves so little and found him so unhelpful that I left his books behind in hotels along the way.
   
   Blue Guides have come a long way over the years. I was given an older edition of the Rome guide many years ago, and I couldn't believe how small the print was; it had a lot of detail but would have been very difficult to use while traveling. The publishers have learned their lesson: the current editions are far easier to use and much more attractive, with colorful maps and an easier-to-read format. They've improved on the practical aspects as well, but you'll probably be in trouble if you rely on this book to get around. I recommend packing a more comprehensive one-volume guide such as Eyewitness and using Blue Guide to learn about specific sites once the other guide gets you to them. Keep Blue Guide on your shelf as an attractive reference and let it inspire you to return to Florence!

1 comments about National Geographic Traveler: Piedmont & Northwest Italy, with Turin and the Alps (National Geographic Traveler).

1. This bookguide focuses on Turin, Piedmont, The Aosta Valley and Liguria.
   
   It includes one walking tour of Turin's historic center and three driving tours: The Langhe Region, Lake Maggiore and The Aosta Valley. It also includes articles on interesting facts: Cafe Life, Fiat, Contemporary Art, The Slow-Food Movement, Truffels, The Gardens of Lake Maggiore and Giuseppe Mazzini.
   
   I didn't give it 5 starts because I think it should've featured at least one more walking tour of Turin and maps of other cities (Aosta and Genoa for example). Besides, all the hotels listed are rather expensive, so this isn't a bookguide for those who travel on a budget.
   
   In general, it's quite good, so I highly recommend it.

4 comments about The Hill Towns of Italy.

1. This book is mostly a picture book (and the pictures aren't that great) with little information. Having spent time in all of these towns, the pictures do not do justice. Also, the author concentrates on towns that are full of tour buses and very unpleasant - especially during season. There are so many more hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany that are more out of the way and charming. I guess I should be greatful that they weren't disclosed so that they stay less touristy!



2. OK, my grandfather, Richard Kauffman (now deceased), spent 12 years photographing the eternal beauty of the hill towns of italy and all of the photographs in this book, now in its second reprint, were lovingly color-separated personally by him in his garage. He wouldn't even trust another printer with the quality of his images, being a printer by trade himself. Family bias aside, having since travelled to the towns, he captures Sienna as if you were there. Enjoy it as we do...



3. The book is in good condition, and provides the information I need. It came very quickly. BUT -- it was supposed to be a paperback book and it is hardback. I wanted paperback so that I could take it with me when I travel!



4. While the information in this book is very interesting, we had hoped for a few more pictures of the Tuscan countryside.

5 comments about The Stones Of Venice.

1. As much as I appreciate and respect the work of the editor, I was distresed to find that passages in which Ruskin addressed labor reform were left out. This was in Chapter 6. In the original, Ruskin argued for preserving the integrity of individual workers. I found that this edition left out pages that concerned labor reform, making the work appear to concern architecture alone. If you are interested in Ruskin's views on society, then, be cautious of this. For my part, I ended up resorting to the Norton Anthology of Literature for the text I needed.
   
   In the "Gothic" passage of SoV Ruskin wrote quite forcefully in defense of labor. He emphasized how important it is for buildings to show the work of individual workers. Signs of their work are an essential part of the architecture, he contended. Much of this argument does not appear in this edition.
   
   It remains a wonderful work for those who are interested in the architecture alone.



2. Hey, guys! A lot of the reviews of this book are complaining that the text is abridged. No! This book is the first of THREE VOLUMES which, together, make up the entire "Stones of Venice." To get the whole thing, you need to buy Volumes 10 and 11 as well, not just Volume 9. (N.B., "The Nature of Gothic," the best-known part, is in Volume 10.) It's all there. You just weren't looking in the right place.
   
   That having been said, it's a shame that one has to spend about $300 to get the complete text in a nice, hardbound format. But it's still a worthy investment.



3. Amazon frequently mixes reader reviews of various editions of a given classic work. Such is the case here. Be advised that if you are now veiwing the Dover 3 vol. edition of Ruskin's The Stones of Venice, it is the UNABRIDGED edition of this work. Not a single word is missing. As such, this is the ultimate edition to own.



4. This is misleading...not even 5% of the Ruskin masterwork is printed in this book.



5. The Stones of Venice is beautifully written and a must-read for anyone interested in art, architecture, Venice, and Victorian literature. The massive original has been pared down here into a much more manageable volume without sacrificing its brilliant prose and insightful commentary. It'll easily fit in your carry-on luggage for your next trip to Italy.