5 comments about As the Romans Do: The Delights, Dramas, And Daily Diversions Of Life In The Eternal City.

1. Mr. Epstein obviously has bushels of cash, and plenty of connections with the glitterati. His descriptions of buying a place in Rome, going to dinner parties with his famous personal friends, and his perceptions of la bella figura, etc. are all rather patronizing. While I did enjoy a couple of the chapters, I found that Mr. Epstein's reality in the USA was obviously far different from mine, and so is his reality in Italy. Must be nice to have it all so easy.



2. I quickly got absorbed in the first half or so of this book. The author's delight in his adopted city is contagious, and apart from falling into the occasional cliche and tendency to name-drop, he's an engaging writer. But eventually it cloys. Please, let's hear something--anything--to indicate that Rome is not paradise, because no place is paradise. The absence of a single negative note gets to be monotonous and annoying--and suspect. (You get the feeling that his publisher gave him his marching orders, instructing him to offer kudos and nothing but. Or else that Epstein lives in a fantasy, averting his eyes from anything unpleasant.) By the second half of this book I couldn't shake off the sense that if it were the Roman habit to toss the household garbage out the front window, Epstein's response would be "How charming! What insouciance! Such a devil-may-care approach to life!" I hope in his next book, if there is one, he exhibits a little more candor.



3. I agree with Veerby's assessment - the first half is a fun, engaging read, but after that, you wonder if there is anything bad about Rome in the least. It's great with all the men being mama's boys and women making themselves up to go to the grocer and the traffic jams and everything. I was actually surprised when he mentioned how Rome is not perfect and has its flaws in the last chapter, but he failed to elaborate in the least, aside from mentioning that many immigrants have come whose customs are different than that of the Romans, insinuating that they also brought crime with them. i would much prefer a more even-handed read, and preferably from someone who is not as obviously well-off. It makes me think of New York City, where having a little money makes the city a MUCH nicer place to live, mainly from being able to afford a nice neighborhood to live in.



4. I agree with a lot of the other reviewers in that the author obviously finds himself delightful. His ego seeps through the pages to the point where I was rolling my eyes in exasperation at him. You can just imagine him jumping up and down screaming "Look at me! Look at me! Aren't I awesome, I live in Rome!" His ego comes across in his pointless name dropping (the story could have been told without naming his friends and he would have come off the better for it), and his sections about how desirable his wife and him can be to Romans who just love to flirt. (Please.)
   
   The book is entertaining and he obviously loves the city and it shows in his colorful, lively interpretation of it. However, as others have mentioned, he just skims the surface, never bothering to delve deeper. At one point he has a blurb mentioning that when they were away from Rome they had heard how expensive it had gotten. He further states that they sure found out just how expensive when they came back. BUT he never bothers to explain how expensive and what they experienced!!! (Hello? Don't lead us on and then not bother with an explanation.)
   
   His constant obsession throughout the book with la bella figura wore thin after the one millionth time he mentioned how amazing Roman women are. (Can we say stereotype?) I'm sure they are amazing, but I find it really hard to believe that every woman in Rome is always dressed to the nines. I would really like to read an honest portrayal of the women.
   
   His chapter on how seductive and flirtatious that city was really had my eyes rolling. Why does he need to describe a woman's chest bouncing away in her car? I know it was to demonstrate sexyiness of the city, but come on, does he need to describe this for pages? (I don't take issue with this b/c it offends my sensabilities...I just thought it was very silly.) He reminds me of guys who think if a girl merely glances at him than that must mean she likes him.
   
   Furthermore in the first part of the book he states how untrustworthy Roman workers are and how you should never leave them around your stuff. (And how first floor apartments can be very unsafe b/c they are always robbed.) But throughout the book he keeps mentioning how crime is very low in Rome, bla bla how Romans never commit crime. Uh...maybe his editor should have picked up on these inconsistencies.
   
   All in all I don't hate this book, but the author's obnoxiousness and his superficial look at Rome detracted from my enjoyment. I would recommend this book in ADDITION to another more in depth coverage of the city.



5. Having just returned from my first visit to Rome two months ago...I happened upon this book at my local library and devoured it in 2 days. It's helped me recapture my experience in a way that even my 1900+ photos can not.
   
   Epstein's engaging style and keen observations so beautifully describe the Roman experience that I was transcended as I read. I could hear, see and smell all the things with which I fell in love during my short stay.
   
   This would be an excellent book for someone planning to visit Rome for the first time-- as it gives a very realistic sense of what you will experience culturally while there. Epstein explores nuances you won't learn about from travel brochures or visitor's bureau websites.
   
   I have purchased this book and will most likely reread it when it arrives and will then share it with the friends with whom I visited Rome. Then, between now and my next visit to Rome, I can review its many passages which truly capture the heart of a great city.

1 comments about Sta. Maria del Popolo: Audio Guide to Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome and its Remarkable Art Treasures (Jane's Smart Art Guides).

1. One of Rome's lesser known but truly outstanding cultural and artistic icons are wonderfully showcased and informative presented in "Jane's Smart Art Guide To Sta. Maria Del Popolo In Rome", a two CD disk audiobook that has a total running time of 1 hour, 55 minutes (consisting of an 18 minute pre-visit and a 97 minute on-site excursion) and guides the listener through a remarkable church with its modest early Renaissance facade masking an interior adorned with an wealth of Italian art treasures and rare architectural features that includes the first Renaissance dome, the last Baroque tomb, as well as works by such celebrated artists as Algardi, Bernini, Bramante, Bregno, Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, Raphael, and others. This audiobook format is ideal for the `armchair traveler' and a simply wonderful `hands free' guide for on-site visitors as the narration covers details far beyond the `highlights only' superficiality of many ordinary guidebooks. Thoroughly researched and expertly produced, as well as enhanced with the inclusion of an 8-page booklet including the track list, floor plan, a glossary, tips, and twelve photographic images, "Jane's Smart Art Guide To Sta. Maria Del Popolo In Rome" is nicely paced, well organized, and thoroughly `user friendly'. Also very highly recommended are the companion audiobook guides: "Jane's Smart Art Guide To St. Peter's Basilica In Rome And Its Remarkable Art Treasures" and "Jane's Smart Art Guide To Our Lady Cathedral In Antwerp And its Remarkable Art Treasures".

No comments about St. Peter's Basilica: Audio Guide to Rome's St. Peter's Basilica and Its Remarkable Art Treasures (Jane's Smart Art Guides).

1 comments about Rome up Close (Up Close).

1. This is a guidebook unlike any other---which is sad, because London, Paris, Zurich and Prague cry out for a book like this. What makes "Rome Up Close" unique is its district to district, street by street architectural maps which provide an aerial, isometric view of the city that includes every byway, building and (it seems) window in a particular area. The commentary accompanying the maps is succinct and to the point, but commentary isn't the point. The maps are.
   If you're thinking of going to Rome, this is a terrific book to pack---it's a great walking around guide, but it shouldn't be your principal one. There are no hotel or restaurant recommendations, as such, nor many of the other things you'd expect from Fodor, Frommer or Lonely Planet. But the maps...the maps are really somethin'!

No comments about Ancient Rome: A Guide to the Glory of Imperial Rome (Sightseekers).

No comments about Guide to the Aqueducts of Ancient Rome.

No comments about TUTTAROMA: A contemporay guide to Rome.

1 comments about Art/Shop/Eat Rome.

1. This travel guide is aimed straight at art lovers. Emphasis is on description of art museums and galleries, with a brief note on the other major attractions, with a secondary speciality in shopping and eating opportunities. For instance the book spends almost 11 full pages on the Gallery Borghese (only 1/2 of one page is a photograph) detailing the art that is in each room on each floor. For people who are mainly interested in seeing art museums this is a great book.
   Small, easy to carry, would fit in a man's back pocket, with a 10 page art glossary in the back. The huge problem with this book is site location: If the book tells you to buy your art supplies at Poggi on Via del Gesu, you have no idea where the street is, they don't locate it on a map for you, there is no street index. You cannot find what the book is recommending by using this book. Under shopping is the listing "Chez Garage, on Via Pinciana #53, A wonderful luxury bazaar with multi-ethnic clothes, shoes, and objects." Wow, sounds kinda cool, wonder where it is? Who knows! You'll never find it using this book. It is as if the people who put the book together never tried to use it.
   This is the first edition, hopefully they will wake up and correct this huge blunder in the future editions.

1 comments about Art and History of Rome and the Vatican, Special Edition for the Jubilee Year 2000 (Art & History).

1. This Jubilee Edition of Art and History of Rome is much expanded and improved over the last one I bought eight years ago. There are many more pictures, although perforce smaller, and it's well organized by districts of the city as well as the major section devoted to the beautifully spiffed up religious sites. They've taken a page from Dorling Kindersley's guides by adding street-by-street views with little buildings drawn in. Also added are detailed sidebars of relevant historical information to put the sights in context. Overall, a very handsome and worthwhile book for prospective or recent visitors to Rome.

5 comments about Cheap Eats in Italy '99 Ed.

1. My friends and I recently went on spring break to Rome and Florence and we took along the cheap eats book. We had the best food of our lives on a college student's budget. Everything in the book was accurate, in our experience, and even the picky eaters among us were satisfied. We knew exactly what to expect at each place we went, which made things much easier. We actually met Sandra Gustafson at a restaurant in Florence where she was updating her entries for a new edition!



2. My wife and I have used this book in Rome on two occasions and were extremely satisfied both times. I believe there is now a revision appropriately entitled "Great Eats in Italy". Both books cover Rome, Florence, and Venice. The book is fairly accurate about the menus so you know what to expect (where to go or not to go based on your preferences). The meals are not cheap. They are reasonable. I think the author does herself a diservice but using "cheap eats" in the title of the book. Cheap is not relevant with this book. These are very good places to eat at reasonble prices. You can a vacation just sampling her recommendations. We let other people borrow this book from us when they go to Italy... I bought her other books for Paris, and Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville). She has another one for Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Keep 'em coming!!!



3. Going to Florence, Rome, or Venice? Like to eat well without breaking the bank? Buy this book. Went on my honeymoon to all three. Brought this book along, and we ate like kings, but paid like paupers. You can't go wrong with any of the restaurant,cafes, etc. suggested. Be aware, however, that the maps are hard to follow for Venice (probably because Venice is such a maze).



4. Best take out: Sisini in Trasteverte three blocks from Ponte Cavour. Best,astounding pizza, pasta. No drinks. Busy all day and night. Friendly, fast, very cheap. Try pizza with arugula.
   This is not in Cheap Eats but should be.
   Best pasta: L'Archetta near Pantheon, on east side of Via Corso near Trevi Fountain. Magnificent spaghetti.

   see kosher bakery by main synagogue. Delicious baked goods-ask for 'pizza' a soft biscotti filled with crystallized fruit.




5. I travel to eat and, with this guide in hand, I ate memorably in a different restaurant or trattoria every night for three weeks in Venice and Rome. The author's listings are, for the most part, unique to this book and evaluate an establishment's menu, service, ambience and location. (All locations were easy to find.) Her reviews are well written and reliable: she has eaten repeatedly at every restaurant that she lists.
   
   This book allows those with discerning palettes to dine well in the company of in-the-know natives. Friends who live in Rome were so impressed by the author's reviews of the restaurants already known to them that they were eager to try several others from the book and asked for my copy when I left Italy. (I gave it to them, of course.)
   
   Note: The author's "Cheap-Sleeps" series is just as accurate in its descriptions of different levels of accommodations, the best of which need to be booked months in advance.