Books for the Journey: 2004
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?
Compton MacKenzie
I have recently heard about books by Compton MacKenzie which features the Scottish Highlands, which we want to visit in the future. I am having trouble finding affordable copies of any of his books. Can anyone reccomend any place to obtain copies in the US at a reasonable cost?Thank you!
Susan
Red Bluff, ca USA Mon 12/27/2004
London A-Z Map
I just read a fascinating book about the woman who saw a need for a comprehensive and up-to-date street map of London in 1936. She walked the city for eighteen hours a day for a year and mapped it herself! The book is "Mrs. P's Journey - the Remarkable Story of the Woman Who Created the A-Z Map" by Sarah Hartley. It's not incredibly well-written, but it is a fast read due to the truly remarkable life of Phyllis Pearsall. More than half the book recounts her life before she got into cartography, and most of it has to do with how she managed to survive her parents' emotional abuse. Good overview of London during both world wars, and a bit of Paris thrown in as well. Phyllis also recounts her story in her memoirs "From Bedsitter to Household Name" but I haven't read that yet.
Sue
Philadelphia, ca USA Mon 12/20/2004
Book about the Sistine Chapel
Before traveling to Italy, I read the book Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King. It's an interesting read about the process and about what was going on in Rome at the time when Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel. This book is full of little interesting facts about the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo, the Vatican and some Popes. Knowing some of that background information made seeing the ceiling first-hand even more interesting and exciting.
Julie
ca USA Mon 12/06/2004
Books set in Italy
I get a lot of recommendation for books from this graffiti wall, but I've just read two great books I haven't seen listed here:SEASONS IN BASILICATA by David Yeardon--a new book on living in southern Italy.LUCIFER'S SHADOW by David Hewson-- compilcated novel set in Venice.
Cidne Hart
Los Angeles, ca USA Fri 12/03/2004
Books for England and France
For England: The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool, both by Philippa Gregory. These are FABULOUS historical fiction novels set in the time of Henry VII and Elizabeth I. They are great books to begin with, but they paint a very vivid picture of England in the 1500s.
For France: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. Great (and supposedly true) novel about the phantom who haunted the Opera Garnier. A must read if you want to see the Opera House! The Virgin Blue and The Lady and the Unicorn, both by Tracey Chevalier. The Virgin Blue has two intertwined stories, one set in modern day France, and the other during the Protestant massacres. The Lady and the Unicorn is the fictional story behind the famed tapestries bearing the same name. They are housed in the Cluny Museum in Paris so if you plan to see them, this is also a must-read!
Abby
Tallahassee, ca USA Wed 11/17/2004
Italy: Instructions for Use
A friend of mind turned me onto a great little handbook, Italy: Instuctions for Use, just before we left for our trip. What a find! It's different than RIck's books in that is only general, practical information, but it's tiny, and easy to keep handy for last minute questions (for us, that meant specifics for train travel, ordering info, driving and shipping stuff home). Wouldn't trade our Rick Steves Italy for it, but we were glad we had it along too.
Inez W.
Atlanta, ca USA Fri 10/08/2004
England Kid Book Suggestion
A good book for kids who may be travelling to England with their parents is "Minnow on the Say" by A. Phillipa Pearce. It is an excellent mystery (with no one getting hurt) set in southern England. Some historical facts are presented along with two young boys solving a centuries old family mystery. Great for 6-16, but the younger ages may prefer it as a bed-time story.
Mark
Livonia, ca USA Thu 09/30/2004
books for the journey
For someone who wants a book about Amsterdam (Netherlands in general) read "My'Dam Life: Three Years in Holland" by Sean Condon. This account is both astute and witty, and guaranteed laugh out loud funny
Gail
Santa Monica, ca USA Sun 09/19/2004
Books for the Journey
Daniel Silva's suspenseful thrillers are terrific, covering numerous European (and some non-European) cities frequented by spies and terrorists. I especially enjoyed: Mark of the Assasin, Kill Artist, The English Assasin, A Death in Vienna, and the Confessor. I read Kill Artist first, then felt compelled to track down the others at our Library. There are several more of his books which I still haven't read. All are perfect to get ready for a trip, re-living one, or just for armchair traveling.
Check the publication dates and try to read them in chronological order, since there are recurring characters with some continuing story lines.
Silva's books will keep you reading till late at night and/or make travel time pass quickly!
J.D.
Oahu, ca USA Fri 07/30/2004
Recommended Book
I recommend picking up Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King. Found it in an O'Hare bookstore before our trip to Rome - about $15. It was wonderful to read about Michelangelo's sojourn with the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and about Raphael's work - and then to actually see the works
Doug
Chicago, ca USA Mon 07/12/2004
books for the netherlands
The Coffee Trader by David Liss is
a good book for amsterdam. It is
very interesting about Jewish history in Amsterdam of the Golden
Ages. Also Tulips is anothor one
dont know the author..
if you type on amazon book search of netherlands or amsterdam you can find book lists people have made there .......there are books for paris too....the Cara Black mystery series esp MURDER IN THE BASTILLE are very good
also a new one Rendevouz in the 18th by an afriaan american writer dont know name but it was a very interesting mystery set in the area near Sacre Coeur.
Susanne
ca USA Fri 07/09/2004
Books to read about Florence
A new book by Sarah Dunant, The Birth of Venus, is full of details about Renaissance Florence, particularly the zealot Savonarola's short reign. The main character, a female teenage painter, winds her way through the streets of Florence and the history of her time. Lots of action.
Mary Ann Hadlock
Bend, ca USA Thu 07/01/2004
Must-Reads for France
For travel to France, ESPECIALLY Paris, there are two must-reads: Savoir-Flair and French or Foe? both by Polly Platt. Good books about French culture and traditions and everything a non-French person doesn't know about! Reading these books about how to deal with the French and what they consider rude and polite will make for a very enjoyable trip!
Abby
ca USA Sat 06/26/2004
Recreational Reading
Enhance your trip to Greenwich England.
Dana Sobel's book Longitude describes the interesting story of how scientist raced to figure out how to measure longitude so ships and explorers could accurately travel in the age of sea exploration. It describes how the clockmaker John Harrison scooped scientists and developed a solution (and the politics behind it). The Royal Observatory is mentioned many times in the book, and Harrison's incredible clocks are displayed there. This is a short but engaging book anyone going to the Royal Observatory should read.
Will
Vancouver, ca USA Wed 06/16/2004
When one doesn't want to read Grisham on the plane
For someone off to England or want something smart and entertaining but not too deep on a long flight I suggest to anyone, "The Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. It is the first in a hilarious series where the main character Thursday Next is a sort of a literary detective. It is a sort of alternate universe where the Crimean war has been going on for over a hundred years and anything to do with literature is treated the same way a rock star might be treated.
I have my Mother to thank for getting me hooked and I greedily await the next book.
Another book I picked up at an airport recently was "A treasury of Royal Scandals" by Michael Farquhar. The anecdotes about famous royals in history make many of the current royals of England seem like sober church goers.
It chronicles the insanity, the vanity and the hilarity of people supposedly deemed by God to rule the masses when they could hardly rule themselves.
it made the flight pass.
Genevieve
Seattle, ca USA Mon 06/14/2004
Venice
A friend of mine in Germany mentioned she and her mother both love a series of detective fiction that takes place in Venice. The author is Donna Leon. I haven't seen them in our local book stores, but have ordered them. Descriptions on Amazon.com sound pretty good, so I'm looking forward to reading them.
Hille
Neenah, ca USA Wed 06/09/2004
Literary for Spain::
Literary SPain (Burns)
Gives a wonderful sampling of writers on Spain.
I would also highly recommend Washington Irving's Tales of the ALhumbra - it will bring alive the Alhumbra as much as his "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" makes a trip to Tarrytown worthwhile.
M. Armstead
USA Fri 06/04/2004
Books for travel to the Netherlands
Having just returned from a trip to the Low Countries, let me share some of the novels I read before I left that really enhanced my trip. Of course "Girl With a Pearl Earring" is a must. Even if you don't make it to The Hague to see the painting, if you look at Vermeer's paintings at the Rijksmuseum you'll feel you know him. Another wonderful book you won't be able to put down is "Tulip Fever" by Deborah Moggach.
But, the one novel that is a must read for the Netherlands is "Lust for Life" the historical biography of the life of Vincent van Gogh. I have to admit van Gogh wasn't one of my favorite artists before I read the book. But, after learning more about his tragic life and seeing his paintings in the van Gogh museum, I have a newfound respect for him. You might also want to check out "Dear Theo" edited by Irving Stone that contains some of the letters Vincent wrote to his brother Theo. (This is non-fiction.) Since Virginia Commonwealth University is my alma mater, I feel compelled to recommend "Van Gogh and God: A Creative Spiritual Quest" by VCU professor Cliff Edwards. I have this on hold at my library. The reviews on Amazon have been great. Also, I'm still waiting to get another non-fiction book from my library: "Tulipomania: The Story of the World's Most Coveted Flower."
If anyone out there knows of other books about the Netherlands, please post them. Doesn't reading before your trip really add to an already educational journey? (I would be remiss not to mention Rick Steves' excellent "Amsterdam, Bruges and Brussels.")
Kat
Sandston, ca USA Thu 05/27/2004
Historical thick and great to read
Neal Stephenson is a great writer who has been stuck in the SciFi section because that is the genre of his earlier novels. Cryptnomicon is a techno crypto novel set in the US and Asia and spanning pre WWII to the present. the first two books of the Baroque Trilogy are Quicksilver and Confusion. They are set in Europe from 1850 on. The characters are rich and he blends historic personages into his story lines. All three are thick satisfying reads.
Tina
Roslyn, ca USA Sun 05/16/2004
Outlander series
The Outlander series are wonderful historic fiction books. The first couple books take place in Scotland and I loved reading them while we were visiting that beautiful country!!
Patty
ca USA Fri 05/14/2004
Great Britain for those who love children?s stories
I?ve been reading a wonderful book, ?Once Upon a Time in Great Britain: A Travel Guide to the Sights and Settings of your Favorite Children?s Stories.? It is by Melanie Wentz, and was published in 2002.
This is partly a guide book and partly biographies of authors and illustrators of books such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh and many others. Each chapter has a brief biography with emphasis on the places where the author lived or was inspired, a description (with directions) of the places connected with the story, and other related activities that children might like to do. Most people have heard all about all of the Beatrix Potter-related places, but how many know where Watership Down is? Or that Winne-the-Pooh?s ?100 Aker Wood? is a real place, but called the ?500 acre wood? in real life?
This book would be good either for those traveling with children, or for those who were once children themselves.
Ruth
Des Moines, ca USA Tue 05/11/2004
Helene Hanff's Books
My family and I are going to England and Scotland at the beginning of June and we have all been reading Helene Hanff's books "84 Charing Cross Road", "The Duchess of Bloomsberry Street" and "Q's Legacy." What fun reading by someone who was so passionate about England. We will try to see some of the sites she mentions, but if nothing else, it has gotten us in the mood so much that our kids (who back in January didn't even want to go) are now counting down the days before we go. They are 11 and 13 and I still can't believe that they read the books. Thank you Ms. Hanff.
Marianne
Chicago, ca USA Wed 05/05/2004
Almost French
Have just finished "Almost French", a charming book about an australian woman who lives in Paris with her Parisian boyfriend. Good insights and cultural differences between US and France.
Crawford, TX USA 04/22/04
USA Mon 04/19/2004
Books for the Journey: history
My favorite read for a three-month long journey through Europe was Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror." The book pretty well encompassed events throughout Europe during the pivotal 14th century which explained a lot of what I saw in several countries.
Dennis Hogan
Frisco, ca USA Sun 04/18/2004
Books on Paris/France
I read Seven Ages of Paris by Alistair Horne before my trip to France. It's very heavy, in-depth reading though, so if history doesn't interest you much, then this probably isn't the book for you. But if you do enjoy long, detailed historical accounts, this book is fabulous. It covers EVERYTHING about the history of Paris. I also read a wonderful biography, called Marie Antoinette: The Journey, by Antonia Fraser. Another great book, but again, heavy reading. I read this after my trip, but I would suggest Le Divorce by Diane Johnson. It's funny and insightful. The main character is an American woman who goes to Paris to visit her sister, who married a Frenchman, and it explores many of the cultural differences between the two countries while telling a a great story. The best thing to read before you go is your guidebooks! Don't just use them once you get there! They will have background info and help you decide where you want to go and such.
Abby
Tallahassee, ca USA Tue 04/13/2004
For Europe
Bill Bryson's Neither Here nor There - Travels in Europe is brilliant. I read it before I left. More of a story, but some advice. A word of caution: if reading in public you may burst out laughing
Ryan
USA Fri 04/09/2004
Book for England and France Visitors.
I just finished a great book: The Other Boleyn Girl. It is good and follows the Royal Court as they travel every summer and mentions a lot of castles and towns that are bigh tourist sites. Thanks to everyone for the advice on some great books.
Tina
ca USA Wed 03/24/2004
BOOKS FOR THE JOURNEY - ITALY
ANYTHING BY HV MORTON - A TRAVELLER IN ITALY, A TRAVELER IN ROME -
I, CLAUDIUS
ROOM WITH A VIEW
VERONICA DALY
MENDHAM, ca USA Sun 03/07/2004
Italy: Sprezzatura
I thouroughly enjoyed taking "Sprezzatura: 50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped The World" by Peter D'Epiro, with me on my last trip to Italy. It cover topics from ancient Rome through Modern times in an essay type format. It provided wonderful background for Rome, Florence, and many other locales, usually by focusing on an individual. The Essay type format made it easy to read a passage on the train or over morning coffee. Highly suggest you look at for your next trip.
Paul
ca USA Wed 03/03/2004
Paris
I loved the book Le Divorce. I got so much out of it after having been in Paris for two weeks. I didn't realize that French law was so "French." The characters were so real and the descriptions of Paris, even though this book if fiction, were fun to read since they seem so accurate.
Jonesey
Lafayette, ca USA Thu 02/12/2004
Too Much Tuscan Sun
I discovered a great easy to read travel book: Too Much Tuscan Sun. It's very fun and informative. It's not available in the US yet but can be found at www.toomuchtuscansun.com.
Sabina
USA Thu 02/12/2004
London & Paris
George Orwell's Down And Out in London and Paris will definitely make you think twice about the restaurants you dine at in those cities.
Susan
Atlanta, ca USA Mon 02/09/2004
Andalucia, Spain
If you have any desire to visit Andalucia in Spain, Platero and I (Platero y Yo) by the Spanish poet Juan Ramon Jimenez is a poetic, poignant look at provinicial Spain. The book is a collection of little anecdotes about the author and his donkey. It catches all the romantic atmosphere of the region and its descriptive power will have you hunting for sleepy villeges and the quite countryside when you visit. If you havn't visited Andalucia, after reading Platero and I, you will want to go.
Paco Cantu
Prescott, ca USA Sat 01/31/2004
Spain and Portugal
A great read for travellers to Spain or Portugal is Iberia by
James Michener. He combines personal experiences of travelling in Spain
and Portugal in with excellent insights into Spain's culture and history.
The result is a very entertaining and informative book that will enrich
the experience of anyone travelling to Spain or Portugal.
Wayne Faires
Columbus, ca USA Tue 01/27/2004
News Hound
Pick up this week's copy of "The Economist" magazine and brush up on current
events during those looooong train rides.
bkr
Denver, ca USA Thu 01/22/2004
Tuscany
If you are going to Tuscany for the first time, and if you want to rent
a villa, and if you want to go off the beaten path, and save money, and
learn enough Italian to get through, read A Summer in Tuscany.
Our family of four succeeded in our trip as if we were natives and had the
time of our lives. Highly recommend!
Angie Bunne
Chicago, ca USA Mon 01/19/2004
Greek Islands
Mary Renault's The King Must Die (1958) is a perfect book for anyone
thinking about going to Greece. The story takes the reader on an island-hopping
adventure from the mainland to Crete, Santorini, Naxos, and Delos, so the
book brings the history of these places to life. For example, the eruption
of Santorini is an important part of the story. And you should not travel
to the Palace of Knossos on Crete without having read this book. The writing
is absolutely top-notch. Oh, and you've probably heard of the main character
before.
Mike
Philadelphia, ca USA Wed 01/14/2004
Vermeer & Vagabonds
I see a lot of recommendations for Girl with a Pearl Earring
here. A much better book that would give a broader view of that history
is Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland. I love this book
and have given it as a gift on many occasion.
My favorite travel book to date
is Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman. It is about
as inspiring as any book can hope to be. You are forewarned however: this
book may leave you itching for more adventurous travel than you are used
to! I am just now setting off on an 8-month journey because of this book.
Read them, love them, pass them on.
Rachel
Marinette, ca USA Tue 01/13/2004
Another Da Vinci Code Fan
To add my two cents about Dan Brown - both The Da Vinci Code and
Angels & Demons are remarkable works of fiction based on historical
characters (I, too, am a fan of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With a Pearl
Earring). To note, Angels & Demons is available in paperback,
and Da Vinci Code is available in paperback via Quality Paperback
Book Club - www.qpb.com.
Susan
Denver, ca USA Tue 01/13/2004
Books for Italy
In addition to travel guides by Rick & Lonely Planet, I read some great
books before & during my Italy trip: Sixteen Pleasures by Robert
Hellenga (novel about art, books, restoration & romance after the 1966 Florence
flood. You'll recognize the landmarks as you read!) The Collected Traveler:
Central Italy, Tuscany & Umbria by Barrie Kerper (collection of short
works by travel writers. Even has some practical information!)
Liza
Orange County, ca USA Thu 01/01/2004