Program 696: For the Love of Guidebooks; The Gulf; Greatest Art In Europe

We look at the must-see paintings, sculptures and historic edifices across Europe. University of Florida professor Jack E. Davis notes the many roles the Gulf of Mexico has played over the years, and why it's important to understand its ecology. And we'll look at the role of guidebooks, and what can make one worth reading, a hundred years after it's been published.

• Author Peter Fiennes, former publisher of Time Out magazines and guidebooks
• University of Florida history professor Jack E. Davis, author of "The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea" (Liveright)
• Gene Openshaw, lead writer for the "Rick Steves Art of Europe" TV series

• Peter Fiennes is a travel writer based in London.  He spoke with Rick about his book "Footnotes: A Journey Round Britain in the Company of Great Writers" on Travel with Rick Steves program #678 in June 2022.  His interview about his latest book, "A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical Greece" aired on program #684 in August 2022.
• Jack E. Davis teaches history at the University of Florida in Gainesville. His book "The Gulf" is an environmental history of the Gulf of Mexico. It earned him a Pulitzer Prize for History in 2018. 
• Jack’s prior interview with Rick on his book "The Bald Eagle" aired on Travel with Rick Steves program #680 in July 2022.
• The New Yorker discusses issues over rebuilding on Sanibel Island after it suffered heavy damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
• Gene Openshaw researched and wrote the scripts for the "Rick Steves Art of Europe" TV series.  He also co-authored "Europe's 100 Top Masterpieces" with Rick.