THANK YOU FOR A BRILLIANT, EMPATHIC BOOK FOR LOVERS OF ROME
936310
Shawn Levy, you are one brilliant, empathic, mesmerizing writer. I am so glad to have ordered Dolce Vita Confidential. I especially loved the closeness of Fellini and his alter ego, Mastroianni, in La Dolce Vita. I first saw La Dolce Vita in 1962. It remains the one film I have stood in a light drizzle for 2 hours to see. Nino Rota's score still is perfection, like this book. Last night, after (sadly) finishing my reading, I sat down and watched La Dolce Vita. It haunted me in 1962 and haunts me still in 2017. I finally got to Rome  for the first time 20 years ago. Of course, I had to go to the Via Veneto - it was just as crowded with chain smoking Romans and tourists - only added were the egoistic young guys standing in the street, oblivious to the crazy Roman drivers in cars and on Vespas on their cell phones now! Three months later, Marcello, the heartthrob with pain behind his eyes, as Fellini's alter ego, was dead. The tribute the author writes of: the shutting off of Trevi Fountain, the covering of it with black cloth and dancing spotlights, was described in such an evocative way by Mr. Levy.

I just started, Ready, Steady Go and am amazed by the same evocation of a city in its special time and place - but with  much more "chipper" tone. I lived in Swinging London in the Carnaby Street years and am reliving the excitement of being young and bursting with the energy of the new young who were turning the world on its head.
After this read, I will go on to Paul Neman: A Life. I know it will bring me once again the writing of a most gifted and insightful author. Mille grazie!
163791
Epstein let me vicariously experience the wonder of being an expatriate in Rome.  His enthusiasm for his subject, his willingness to be honest (and even intimate with) his reader, and his near-childlike joy at his own wonderful good luck all helped the book succeed for me. I read it before I went to Rome for the first time, and the trip was richer for it.
299167
Rome is a magnificent city and for centuries the Romans have been leaving us messages about who they were and what they did.  Unfortunately they are in Latin.  Even with my four years of Latin, I was never able to make out more than a few words of these wonderful inscriptions, so I just walked by.

Tyler Lansford has given us the key to unlock these echoes from the past in his book, "The Latin Inscriptions of Rome. A Walking Guide."  My family (including two high school Latin students) took this book to Rome on vacation this summer.  Grouping the inscriptions along walks around Rome made it the perfect companion for our trip.  Instead of walking past the inscriptions we sat down with Lansford's book and were amazed by the stories they told.  From the poetry of the Latin on Raphael's tomb in the Pantheon to the more mundane Tiber flood markers on buildings, Lansford leaves few inscriptions untreated.  Each section begins with a general introduction to the area you are going to enter, then it leads you from inscription to inscription, telling the story of Rome.  It is a great excuse to buy a gelato and mull over the inscriptions at the Trevi.

The book is well-designed with Latin on the left and English on the right.  The Latin side also includes the frequently missing letters of the abbreviated inscriptions and explanations of the words and constructions.  If you've ever suffered through a Latin class, you can take a crack translating it.  When you give up, you can check out Lansford's wonderful translations on the right.

Some Latin texts exclude the 2000 years of Latin since the Classical period but Lansford's book includes Latin from all centuries.  I especially appreciated the coverage of the Vatican and St. Peters.

I came away from Rome this time with a much deeper appreciation for the people who built it and made it great over the centuries.  Even if you haven't had any Latin instruction in your past, you can use the English side alone to hear the voices of the Romans through their own writings.

I can't wait to go back to Rome, I have a few walks still to go.
1584666
As a military historian with absolutely =no= interest in ancient history, I nevertheless succumbed to extreme curiosity when a friend excitedly described Tony Clunn's masterful account of the utter destruction of three  Roman legions in the boggy western German countryside in 9 AD.
The  pursuit of historical accuracy owes much to the talented amateur who,  fueled by an unshakeable curiosity, delves into the unaccessed nooks and  crannies of times past without the academic's certainty that the historical  record is more times immutable than not. I have long operated on the  principle that history is a moving target, that the pursuit of historical  truth is ongoing, that we have all the time in the world to get to the  bottom of things.
I think my friend felt I would enjoy In Quest of the  Lost Legions on those bases alone, for by sheer persistence (and good  luck), Tony Clunn has turned the foundation of German national history on  its ear.
The English edition of In Quest of the Lost Legions is somewhat  shorter than the original German edition, and it suffers--albeit  slightly--from a lack of transitions where material was cut. Thus a crucial  turning point in Clunn's understanding of the Varus battlefield never quite  pays off, and the reasons for Clunn's numerous quests much farther afield  in Germany go unexplained. Despite these two flaws--which are minor and  would no doubt go unperceived by most readers--Clunn's twin tales are  absolutely compelling from the first page to the last. I found myself  immediately engaged in both the modern and ancient tales, and I found my  understanding of battlefield archeology and comprehension of the Roman  occupation of Germany advancing painlessly at a comfortable rate.
As it  turns, out this dual history--one that focuses upon the first stirrings of  German nationhood and the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire in  Europe, and the other that is an incredible detective story--has been  utterly pivotal in the way Germans have come to view their history in only  a matter of a very few years. The writing style employed in both stories is  both measured and vivid, so carefully conceived that a person as ignorant  of both aspects of the book as I was can be brought along in thoroughly  digestible phases to a keen comprehension of the underlying history and the  inner workings of Clunn's efforts to pinpoint the underlying truths that  are now accepted throughout the academic circles that monitor such  breathtaking historical revisionism. The beauty of Clunn's own tale is that  he is right and that he is acknowledged as being right by the usually  closed circles of experts that tend to stultify historical inquiry by even  the most talented and best informed "outsiders".
In Quest of  the Lost Legions is two great stories for the price of one--the history of  an immense historical coup and the haunting two-millenia-old tale woven  from the threads Clunn himself has laboriously and painstakingly dug out of  the peat bogs of Kalkriese.
4004294
i am a history buff and am a little bit knowledgeable about Rome and it's rich history. but my knowledge is more on the surface. the author has brought me from my panoramic view of roman history down to the most fascinating details of it. she has now become my most favorite author and i thank her for her work. i am thrilled to have her books on roman history but at the same time so terribly disappointed at myself for not having them earlier.
3107837
I love, love, love this charming book that reaches out and touches the bibliophile in me! Only one who has a life-long love affair with books will truly appreciate this story of the decades' long correspondence between Helene Hanff, a script reader/ writer living in New York, and Frank Doel, the manager of an antiquarian British bookshop, Marks & Co. The correspondence starts in the year 1949 and ends in 1968.

These letters reveal two people who shared a similar sense of humor and a passion for old books. Ms. Hanff had a particular fondness for antiquarian books filled with wisdom - the works of John Donne, Samuel Pepys, Newman, Leigh Hunt, Walter Savage Landor, and many others. Despite making little money, Hanff develops such a fondness for the people running the bookshop that she sends them food parcels when she discovers England is being subjected to food rationing in the post-war period.

My love for this story is not only because it is about a love of books, but also because it harkens back to a time when people actually took pains to correspond with each other (not that they had a choice), an art that is slowly dying out (I try my best to keep it alive by penning long letters to my parents who live on a different continent and who are blissfully oblivious to the wonders of e-mailing and social networking).

84, Charing Cross Road resonates with me on so many levels, and is the perfect read on days when I'd like to just slow down and savor the pleasure of curling up with a light read. The movie adaptation starring Anne Bancroft and Sir Anthony Hopkins is another delight that perfectly captures the essence of the book. Also recommended:
Q's Legacy
2190074
We follow Theophilus as a Roman advocate from his adolescent training through his early career as Pilates right-hand man at the trial of Jesus Christ. It was fascinating to see Jesus through the eyes of an intellectual, pagan Roman, who had no vested interest in the Jewish Messiah or a Nazareth carpenters Son.

The first half of the story progresses with details about Theophilus, his career, his lifelong love, and the Roman emperors that nearly toppled the empire. But it was the last half of the book that captured my heart. It delved into the life of the Apostle Paul, when Theophilus was asked to take on this impossible case before Emperor Nero. Paul was a Roman citizen who reportedly had fallen under the delusion of a new religious superstition called, the Way. Theophilus sees Pauls case as a way to make amends for his part in the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. Hed been haunted his whole life, knowing hed allowed an innocent man be crucified in Pilates court.

The last half of the book is a fascinatingand plausibleexplanation of the great fire of Rome, the reign of Nero, and the beginning of the persecution of the Church. If youve ever wondered what happened after Jesuss crucifixion, or how the Church spread through the Roman Emprie, this book will help you understand Roman culture during the biblical events recorded in the Book of Acts.

The Advocate is full of history, intrigue, spiritual implications, and even some romance to keep the reader turning pages. Randy Singer has done a fantastic job on his lone historical novel. I heartily recommend it!
2112986
I had the opportunity to read this lovely jewel of a book while on vacation last weeek.  A friend enthusiastically loaned it to me.  Florence Terranova Gatto could have been describing my own memory vignettes.  Growing up in Brooklyn, surrounded by my extensive, earthy and working class Italian-American family was very much like her experiences.  I found myself nodding, laughing and tearing up over so many parts of this book.  Like the author, my children are totally assimilated.  My Grandson is a melange of many ethnic heritages which is wonderful.  Still, part of me mourns the dimming of my Italian roots.  However, I think my parents and grandparents would approve of my attempts to keep our traditions alive. 2 year old Ben-half Jewish, a quarter Irish and a quarter Italian calls me Nonna (sounds more like Nanu-but I don't quibble!)

I will be purchasing a few copies of this book to share with my many cousins.  We are all past 60 years of age, but our memories still seem like yesterday even with so many loved ones passed.

This book is well worth your time, and Ms. Gatto's writing talents are to be admired.
670590
Brilliant and profoundly engaging. Mary Beard's SPQR is a perfect introduction into the world of ancient Rome from its roots as just another small Latium town to the beginning of its internal collapse during the reign of Caracalla. Thus readers should know that this book does not encompass the entirety of Roman history. Its story ends in 211 CE. Contrary to other reviews posted at Amazon, the book is beautifully written. Sentences flow together like a stream of water that feels so effortless. SPQR possesses considerable depth by addressing the key historical and cultural questions - such as how and why the Republic collapsed, how Rome dealt with the previously unknown problem of nationhood, what it was like to walk the streets of Rome, how classes interacted and how Roman Emperors managed  the largest empire the world had known. When you have finished SPQR there is a sense of 'knowingness' that Beard shares with the reader. It is a great and powerful story.
1386311
This book is a sterling reminder of just how much I love books.  Bartlett's writing was so evocative that I could picture in my mind's eye the bookshops and libraries she described, and it made me want to wander around them for hours.  Her descriptions of rare books and their charms are so vivid that I can't see how any book lover could possibly fail to respond to them.  As I read, I repeatedly found myself telling my husband just how amazing I thought this book was.  He agreed with me.  He read it first and told me how much he thought I'd like it.

What is easy to understand about this story is how a book lover could respond to the lure of a beautiful, old book.  When I was in college, I had the good fortunate to take a Renaissance literature class taught by a professor who took us to see the rare books at the university library during one of our first classes.  I'll never forget wearing white gloves and paging carefully through those gorgeously painted illuminated pages.  It was truly an awe-inspiring experience for a bibliophile like me, and I could easily understand the charm of owning such a volume myself.  Bartlett coveys how books are more than just paper and ink, they're a viable, physical link to the past.  They are objects of memory, symbols of the things that we love and of the people with whom we've enjoyed them.  Given this, it's easy to see how a thief could be tempted.

Equally interesting was the story of Gilkey.  I agreed with Bartlett in that it was difficult to decide if the man was amoral or suffering from some sort of mental disorder.  His obvious disconnection from reality is startling.  Were I in Bartlett's shoes while interviewing him for this book, I think I would have been too shocked by him for any sort of coherent speech.  It was unfathomable that he could view his crimes as being victimless, that he could fail to understand how his books thefts impacted those who, like him, have a high regard for books but, unlike him, obtain them in legal and ethical ways.  Gilkey is an interesting criminal and also an alarming one.  While his crimes may not be violent, I found it disturbing to think that a criminal with so little conscience could exist.  He's the antihero who fancies himself the hero.

It was also disturbing to me to realize just how little publicity book thefts get.  Why is it that when art goes missing, it's a top story, but when invaluable books like this are lost, there's hardly a peep?  That books have power is obvious, as made plain by Bartlett's comments about past and current attempts at banning and burning "subversive" literature.  I was baffled by how law enforcement can treat the theft of a $5,000 book so casually, when the theft of a TV of the same value would clearly not be something treated with so little concern.  What an odd contradiction.

This is a book that I will be sure to recommend to my fellow book lovers.  I was utterly fascinated by it from the first page until the very last.
175108
This is first and foremost a book of a love of a city and its architecture. Beautifully illustrated in water color, well organized and easy to follow.  It gave us a new appreciation and perspective of a city we've visited several times.  Very highly recommended if you're going to Rome or love architecture.
4741275
I've been doing a lot of research on ancient Rome for a book I'm writing and accidentally stumbled on this text (the 1985 edition) in a used bookstore. It's a fascinating read and an invaluable resource.

What I love about it is that it not only provides a very concise history of Rome, but explains how the Romans dressed, ate, worked, played, entertained themselves and lived day to day. It also covers the literature and religions of the time.

If you loved HBO's "Rome" series, Colleen McCullough's "Masters of Rome" books or are interested in the era for other reasons, this is a superb, well-written account of the people and the time. I couldn't recommend it more highly.
2411328
If you are a reader that is looking for a fast-paced, quick to it book, The Book of Unholy Mischief is not for you.  If,  however, you are looking for a book that simmers slowly, builds with an exotic, leisurely scent of savory spices and peels back, layer after layer, as a succulent orange or oversized onion does, you won't be disappointed by this visual masterpiece.

I loved the colorful depictions of Venice in the late fifteenth century.  So vivid was author Elle Newmark's writing and characterizations, even after finishing the book, I can still easily visualize Venice in my mind and the wonderfully written Luciano and Chef Ferraro.  I can feel the squalor and grime under my feet of the poorer calles that Luciano strolled and can sense the aromatic herbs from Chef Ferraro's private closet.  I can feel Bernardo rubbing my leg with his head, feel his purrs and smell his wet fur, as well as hear the various cries coming from the street merchants, the sailors and the prostitutes.

That alone would make The Book of Unholy Mischief a worthy and fantastic read.  After all, aren't the best writers capable of allowing their readers to not only see in their mind's eye the location and the characters but to hear and even smell the story?  Ms. Newmark allows the reader to use all his or her senses and to a fabulous extent.

But let's not shortchange the story which, if you allow it time to build, is phenomenal on its own.  Historical fiction lovers will delight not only in the day to day accounts of Renaissance Venice but also with the mystery surrounding the infamous book of the title, which not only supposedly holds the key to immortal life, wealth and riches but brings about grief, death, murder and ties to Jesus' crucifixtion and resurrection.  Readers who prefer their books with little or no objectionable language and sexual situations will be satisfied with The Book of Unholy Mischief as there are only brief descriptions of slight violence, mostly relative to street living, and one torture scene.

The Book of Unholy Mischief was a fascinating read and has stayed with me, even after turning that last page and closing the book.  I felt vested in the characters, so much so that I experienced both joy and sadness throughout the book and into its conclusion.  The mystery over the book built slowly and paid off greatly in the end.  Portions of the book dealing with cooking and succulent descriptions of food will leave your mouth watering and your stomach rumbling.  And on a purely shallow note, the cover is subtle, understated and yet still luscious and inviting.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Book of Unholy Mischief to one and all and I would love to see this flavorful story on a movie or t.v. screen, as I do think the story would certainly be justified on film.
3405903
Phyllis T. Smiths first novel, I am Livia, hooked me completely. I couldn't wait to see what she would write next, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of her new novel, The Daughters of Palatine Hill, for review.

Once again, Smith brings the early Roman Empire to life by portraying strong women struggling to balance the demands of love, honor, and service to Rome, while living within the inner circles of power and intrigue. These were violent times. Women were political pawns, granted little to no autonomy, with strict rules of behavior. The more important one was, the more strictly controlled. Yet they found ways to wield influence.

Smith has a knack for delving into the emotional depths of women who lead lives of turmoil during times of intense historical significance. Using the lives of these women as a framework, she is able to present a great deal of finely researched, complex history, without making it seem like a history lesson. The imperfect women are presented with empathy and understanding that compels the reader to care what happens to them. I highly recommend Smiths work. Those who love novels of Ancient Rome should add these to their to-be-read lists. And for those who are not yet intrigued by Ancient Rome, try these and you will be!
3412409
Bronte Jackson has brought Rome and her people to technicolor life in this marvelous account of her experiences.
Ms Jackson's enthusiasm for the sensory pleasures gives each one of her accounts a pungency I haven't read since A year In Provence.
I found myself side by side with the author as she wandered through the streets of Rome. It was easy to experience a small cross section of Italian life through her eyes.
I hope to do it for real one day.
831292
I picked up Maria Giuras What My Father Taught Me intending to read just the Note to Reader and the title poem and to save the rest for a little at a time, but then the sublimity of her work took over. Within an hour and a half I had devoured it. Its such a touching book, a charming little pearl that has an ocean of love and devotion for family, faith, heritage, and the gift of being human. God has given Giura the gift of expressing so poignantly not only her journey but aspects of all our journeys.

Furthermore, in her poem, Christ in Concrete, she asked, Where are all the other Italian-American writers? Its so true, and yet here is one of the very capable, vibrant ones right before our eyes. I so look forward to whatever book Giura has to offer us next
3641901
A pair of seasoned travelers-and lovers of Rome-have offered up a wonderful insider's guide to the Eternal City.

As the title succinctly puts it, "Rome, The Second Time" is not going to take you to the Trevi Fountain but instead, will suggest lesser-known wonders and multiple surprises organized for your discovery into a set of itineraries. This is a delightful handbook for those who are ready to explore the next level of Rome's offerings.

 "Second Time" takes the reader into the Roman personality, grabbing insight from the American writers who fully comprehend the City's great cultural, architectural, political and historical gifts tempered by some of its Eternally persistent flaws. "Second Time" assumes that the reader is familiar with Rome's layout; the maps of separate itineraries are helpful, but you need to know how to get to the starting point.

Divided into a set of 15 separate walks, "The Second Time" is worth a full read for explorers who enjoy travel writing. The husband-wife author team often have separate "takes" on a particular experience and the well informed chattiness of the commentary can embrace  a particular place or itinerary but have, at the same time, much wider resonance. Indeed, it is the "he/she" opinion variations that give the guide much of its easy-reading personality and help the reader along making choices.