Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 Fantastic Guidebook for Architecture, Art and Cultural History May 30, 2008
I used this book for a four day visit to Rome. It is excellent. It does not have photos, the plans are small and it is quite dense. However, its virtues far outweigh any deficiencies. It fits snugly into one's pocket and has a wealth of interesting and useful information. One can turn any street corner in Rome and see something one wants to know about; and nine times out of ten, this guide book has it there with all the relevant facts and anecdotes.
Not for tourist June 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an indispensable, unique, brilliant book. I have lived in Rome three years, and I guarantee that Georgina Masson captures the hidden powerful essence of the Eternal city like no one else: she succeeds in putting on paper the soul of Rome, which cannot but delight people who have been living in the City for long like me.Still, for this very reason, I would not recommend the book to tourists. This is not a Kleenex-book, this is not a book to spot out the best restaurant, to find out at what time the latest art exhibition opens,or to make the best of a 7-day-tour in Italy. This book is written for the ones who have time, who want to taste, not just to bite and go. This is why I like the book:this is The book for the ones who are in tune with the soul of Rome, which, in a nutshell, is filled with "Pazienza" (patience). Enjoy the book, I wish you all a happy strolling in Rome.
 Not for the average tourist October 29, 2002
7 out of 20 found this review helpful
I was extremely disappointed in this book. Although undoubtedly a great literary work, it is necessary to appreciate the difficulty that an average tourist (like myself) would have in using the book. With massive amounts of inordinately detailed text on every entry, with no sub-headings or pointers for the wandering visitor, this book would be much more appropriate as an audio guide. It is next to impossible to fully appreciate your surroundings whilst reading the book as it is necessary to constantly refer to the text in order to maintain your bearings during the walks.The lack of pictures is appreciated since it gives the opportunity to really see things for the first time (so rare these days) however this does not compensate with the difficulty of keeping track with where you are. Be aware that you are buying a history book, rather than a travel guide and be prepared to work hard in order to derive the full value of this hefty tome.
Complete and in depth knowledge January 11, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
As someone who relies heavily on travel guides.I can say that this, for me is the best I have ever read. If you are interested in the history of the city and want to know more that the locals, this is the book for you. The books format is to divide the city up into two weeks worth of walks through the different parts of the city. It is not the usual guide book and you will need to buy both this and a DK eyewitness guide or something similar if you want the full benifit.
The eternal guide book of the Eternal City March 20, 2001
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I live and work in Rome and Georgina Masson's guide is the best I have read - no other guide book on Rome matches it. Written by someone who knows the city well and has lived here for a number of years, the book sets out, in chapters, a number of walks around Rome and has small, simple to use maps. The walks are not exhausting and each area is explained in considerable detail. The text is enlightened, excellently researched, entertaining and infomative. In addition, there is a comprehensive index from which you can find the appropriate piece of text for the site you are in. If you are a discerning traveller rather than an ignorant tourist you should be carrying a copy of this book on your next visit to the eternal city.
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