Books for the Journey: 2000
As anyone can attest from reading The Agony & the Ecstasy before a trip to Michelangelo-land or Trinity before visiting the Emerald Isle, recreational reading can make your sightseeing a lot more fun and meaningful. Which books carbonated your travel experience best?
Travelers' Tales
If you're gearing up for a European trip (or, like me, just wishing you were) I heartily recommend the Travellers Tales series available from Publishers Group West, excellent compendiums of on-the-spot memoirs and reporting from some of our best modern travel writers. I particularly enjoyed the volumes on Italy and Spain, as well as the special "Food: A Taste Of The Road" volume. Cheaper (if not better) than a plane ticket! Also, if you're planning to spend more than a few days in particular European cities, allow me also to add in my recommendation for the Time Out series of guides from Penguin Books, which cover major world cities with the same admirable handy concise thoroughness the Time Out Magazine brings to London. Both a friend and I found the Paris volume on separate trips there over the last few years!
Terrence Sakamoto <email>
Vancouver, BC Canada 12/15/02
London Theatre
If you like theatre and you are going to London, do I have a book for you. The Official London Theatre Guide by Richard Andrews is a book you will love. History, seating plans, how to book, where to sit, discounts, information sources and even a walking tour. I never go to London without it.
Matthew
San Diego, CA USA 12/14/02
Understanding the Italians
If you want to get an accurate picture of what Italians are really like before visiting Italy, read Tim Parks' 3 books on living in Italy. "Italian Neighbors". "An Italian Education" & "A Season with Verona".
Parks is an Englishman, married to an Italian, who moved to Italy about 20 years ago. "Italian Neghbors" is about when he first moved to Italy and dealing with "things Italian" during everyday life. "An Italian Education" goes a bit further and gets into the Italian education process of his kids. "A Season with Verona" goes even deeper and is about his relationship with the Hellas Verona Football Club and its fans while he attended every one of their matches, home & away during the 2000/2001 Series A season. You don't have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this book.
I suggest that you read them in the order they were written. Reading all 3 books will definitely give you a very good picture of the Italian mind and will help you understand (or at least accept)it.
If you want to do a 180 degree turn and see what an Italian thinks of life in USA, then read "Ciao America" by Beppe Severgnini. It's a hilarious look at a lot of things Americans take for granted thru a newly arrived Italian's eyes. It will also help those going to Italy understand how they view America and Americans.
Douglas <email>
Italy 11/04/02
Two enjoyable, practical and anecdotal books that can help you enjoy your first trip to France: French or Foe; Savoir Flair. Both by "diplomatic trainer" Polly Platt. Happy Carol
The Perfect London Walk
Just returned from a trip exploring surrounding areas of London. A wonderful little book "The Perfect London Walk" by Roger Ebert is great! Describes a walk starting at Belsize Park undergound station going to Parliament Hill-Hampstead Heath and Highgate with lots of literary references. Easy to follow (even has pictures!) VERY enjoyable.
Judith Beck <email>
Perkasie, PA USA 09/26/02
travel books
I take Granta Magazine with me on trips. They have shorts that you can read in an hour or less, encompass a theme per issue, pack light and are no big loss if you lose them or share them. You can get a cheap year's subscription on the internet and you look cool reading it!
Wilson Lanford <email>
The Plains, VA USA 09/24/02
Bruges: Two Thousand Years of History
If you're heading for Bruges, you'll be well prepared if you read Bruges: Two Thousand Years of History by Noel Geirrnaert and Ludo Vandamme. It's a very comprehensive guide that takes you just about street by street through the city giving you an even greater appreciation for those normally ignored landmarks. While it does have plenty of pretty, glossy pictures, it is the most informative book on the city we found in English.
Dawn
Cottage Grove , MN USA 09/03/02
If you're going to Florence
Brunelleschi's Dome (How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture) by Ross King
Susan
USA 08/08/02
Recomendations from a travel-virgin.....
Recently, I've been poring through literature, gearing up for my big "hey-I-just-graduated- so-I'm-going-to-Europe" trip. These are the best of the travel books I've read so far....
"The Piano Shop on the Left Bank", by Thad Carhart.....Chronicles American author's discovery of a small piano-repair shop in his left bank neighborhood. As he gets to know the owner and rediscovers his love of music, he is gradually accepted into the community. Really beautifully written, evokes a Paris I think we all want to be a part of.
"Round Ireland With a Fridge", by Tony Hawks.....yeah, I think it was mentioned somewhere else here, but I had to reinforce how funny this book is. Oddly moving, in a really bizarre sort of way.
"Prince Bohrgese's Trail", can't remember author's last name, but first is Genevieve, methinks.....anyway, it's about her and another woman taking part in the Peking-Paris rally, which was first done in 1901 or something. VERY interesting, especially because they are some of the only women in the rally. They travel from China through Tibet, Nepal, India, the Middle East, and Turkey up into Europe, all in vintage cars. Fun and exciting, excellent girl power book.
I found a lot of these "I'm-an-American/Brit-who-decided-to-live-the-dream-and-buy-a-cottage-in-France/Italy/wherever" books rather dull and sappy, with the exception of the Thad Carhart book mentioned above, because he can actually write and he put an interesting spin on things with the music angle. Oh, and you've gotta love Bill Bryson, of course ("Notes From a Small Island" about the UK, and "Neither Here Nor There" about backpacking through Europe in the early 70's).
Also, "Weird Europe" ("A guide to bizarre, macabre, and just plain weird sights") was lovely, containing such joys as The Arnold Schwarzenegger Museum and Vatican City's "X-rated high altar". And more mummies, two-headed-sheep, and freaks of nature than you can shake a stick at. Good times....
Jean <email>
CA USA 07/29/02
Piazzas and Pizzas — a fun book to look for
A friend just gave me a really funny, new book on traveling within Italy — "Piazzas and Pizzas, The Adventures of the Clean Plate Club." Rick Steves makes two accidental appearances when the author chances upon him first in Vivoli (the famous gelateria in Florence) and then a day or two later in Fiesole. This is more of a travelogue than a guidebook — but there is lots of good information (at least based on my limited experience and travel) and it is delightfully fun. The chapter on Italian plumbing is priceless! So is the piece on driving on the autostrada.
Timmy Wright <email>
Boston, MA USA 06/16/02
Hunchback of Notre Dame
As a literature teacher, I've read a lot of books, but The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo is the only work of literature that made me cry at the end. It's truly a story that captures the beauty and ugliness of humanity on many levels. Don't let the movie versions deceive you — I have never seen a movie based on the book that was true to the work itself — every one of them changed the ending to make it either happy or less tragic, substituting surface romance or silly songs for the deep struggles of the soul. The way Victor Hugo brings the values and tensions of medieval Paris to life is both powerful and poignant. (Hugo's Les Miserables is wonderful, too!)
V. Allford
Sunland, CA USA 06/15/02
Classics can be fun!
I took Voltaire s Candide with me on my first trip to Europe last month. It was a great choice! Not only is it a story about travel, but it also brings up so many themes significant to European history. As the character Candide is from Westphalia, I also found irony in the fact that I stayed in the Pension Westphalia in Munich. (One of Rick s recommendations). The book was a quick read and perfect for a couple train rides. I bought it at a used bookstore for a buck and left it on the train for the next passenger.
Jennifer <email>
Greeley, CO USA 06/13/02
Travel Books
Patrick Leigh Fermor's book "A Time of Gifts" (recommended in an earlier post) is one of the best travel books I have read. Although this book covers middle and eastern Europe it is a good read if you are going anywhere — mainly because the author inspires a complete travel experience. I also highly recommend any Jan Morris books — I especially enjoyed "The World of Venice," but it is longish — maybe a good read after you return from Venice. H.V. Morton's books on Italy are nice but very long. And I always enjoy the older literary travel writings (Hemingway, Henry James, DH Lawrence, etc.).
Amy in Oregon <email>
Portland, OR USA 05/09/02
Books For Travel Part Two
I discovered a really cool new guidebook called "The Jewish History of Europe Tour (14 Days in Holland, France, Germany, and Italy)."
Frank Henderson <email>
Baltimore, MD USA 05/08/02
Books for Travel
You MUST read Miss Garnet's Angel by Sally Vickers if you are planning a trip to Venice — or if you've just returned. So evocative and a great read.
Karen <email>
Federal Way, WA USA 05/01/02
Great book set in Prague
For any fiction fans travelling to the Czech Republic, I highly recommend "The Widow Killer", which takes place mainly in Prague, by Pavel Kohout. The writing is excellent, much better than most mysteries, and I learned a lot about the 1940's transition from Nazi rule to communism just as a side benefit of this gripping novel. Just be warned, the murderer is a real sicko!
Suzanne Hall <email>
Seattle, WA USA 04/05/02
Rich, delicious Tuscany
My dreams of a trip to Europe began several years ago after picking up "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes. It is one of the richest, most fulfilling books I have read in my "armchair travels". We leave for Europe in two weeks, and I have typed out pages of my favorite quotes from her book to help me savor my time there. While this book has little practical travel information, it is wonderful preparation to whet your appetite for a place (especially her delicious descriptions of the food... bella!)A warning to the reader though: allow yourself PLENTY of time to read the book; it deserves to be digested slowly and relished!
Whitney <email>
Joplin, MO USA 03/20/02
First time in Tuscany
I think that The English Patient is good to read, and the movie of the same name, which is so romantic and beautiful. For practical advice, the Cadogan Guides and A Summer in Tuscany are tried and true.
Annie Bunne <email>
Seattle, WA USA 03/13/02
Travel reading
Plan your in-flight reading ahead of time and carefully — nothing worse than having nothing to read except that magazine they provide. I suggest two disposable paperbacks, one a novel you have been wanting to read and one connected with your destination. Susan Toth's "My Love Affair with England," Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Small Island," Paul Theroux's "Kingdom by the Sea" for England; anything by Peter Mayle for France. All are informative and entertaining. Studying maps is a great help too — you may find some at secondhand book sales. I like to photocopy articles from travel magazines and guidebooks to avoid carrying heavy books. You can get so much information from Tourist Offices at your destination.
Joan Hortin <email>
Pensacola, USA 03/11/02
When I travel anywhere, I usually bring a classic book like the "Count of Monte Cristo", or "Gone with the Wind"
Czo <email>
USA 03/06/02
I like The Drifters by James Michener. I take it every time I go. Entertaining, and travels through and describes a lot of the places that I've gone to.
Erin Parker <email>
Snohomish, WA USA 03/01/02
Did I learn anything in school?
Hoping to find a quick read to brush up on what I slept through in college, I discovered Instant European History. It's a 200 page, humorous look at everything from the French revolution to the Cold War. Full of great maps, photos and even cartoons. The author is Robert P. Libbon.
Donna <email>
CA USA 02/19/02
Colleen McCullough series
I'm a huge fan of the Rome series by Colleen McCullough. There's several of them, beginning with "First Man in Rome." They are all wonderfully written historical fiction. It really puts you right there in the ancient Roman Empire, and all the ruins seem much more alive having read these books. They are quite long, but easy to read as long as you can keep the names straight!
E.D.
San Francisco, CA USA 02/18/02
WW2 era spy fiction
Purely for fun- try any of the books by Alan Furst. He's the recognized master of the "atmospheric spy novel". His books are all set in the time of WW2 and are rich in details from the time period- think James Bond in the 1930's or 1940's. Furst uses real events and places as a backdrop for his stories. Great reads! Personal favorite- "The Polish Officer"
anon
USA 02/18/02
Old travel books
Few things get me in the mood for booking a cheap flight to Europe like an hour or two with some old armchair travel guides. The other day I found, in the bargain bin of a local used bookstore, Anne Fremantle and Bryan Holme, EUROPE, A JOURNEY WITH PICTURES, a 1954 Book-of-the-Month Club dividend volume. It's about 250 pp., loaded with photographs and travelogue commentary about the major European sights. References to buildings damaged by WWII, the end of rationing, etc., are sprinkled throughout the book. And I found this amusing: "All of picturesque Europe is overnight by air, five days by boat, and can be reached for as little as $500 round trip from New York." It makes me very appreciative that today, Europe is much more within the price ranges of most people.
David Yamada <email>
Boston, MA USA 02/06/02