Italy Books

I got the book as a birthday present for a friend who owns a 1968 vespa. Compared to all the other Vespa books, this had the best combination of vespa-nerd technical information and great historical content -- not just about the development of the scooter, but about how it affected people around the world. I also love the "pillowy" cover, which makes the book not just visually entertaining (so many great photos), but, also just holding it is a great tactile experience.

Although the book is deceptively small, its contents are very comprehensive. Contained between its high quality hard covers is a comprehensive view of the Vespa history, current and former production models and associated marketing programs. It's a very handy travel volume for those of us who love to strike up conversations about the world's most popular scooter brand.

Viennawalks is simply the best book of its type I have ever read. I first bought it in 1985 and have read it each time before I left for Vienna (at last count, eight!). The author's writing style is unlike any walking tour book you have ever encountered - it reads like a novel. One can tell from the descriptions and antidotes that the author is truly in love with the subject - and it shows! By books end, you feel as though you know the Author. I only wish he would write a volume II that explores the neighborhoods outside of the innerestadt (like Hietzing, Neubau, Spittelburg and Mariahilf). I would be the first in line to buy it. One word of advice to the potential reader - Reading the book before you go is certainly advisable, however, it won't mean a whole lot. But, after your return, you will not be able to put the book down! I have personally worn out 3 copies in the past 14 years! Good reading!

Viennawalks is a substantial book, with four detailed walking tours. It contains some of the basic information, such as transportation, eating, telephone usage, and banking (no hotel or restaurant listings). The main part of the book are guided walks around four parts of the city. The Stones of Vienna takes you through the oldest buildings, including the Jewish quarter; Vienna Gloriosa passes St. Stephen's Cahtedral, Mozart's Apartment, the Old University; Noble Vienna navigates through the Hofburg (Hapsburg's residence); and Fin de Siecle Vienna looks at turn of the century art and architecture (Otto Wagner's designs, including the Karlsplatz subway station, the museum of fine arts and the Secession). The descriptions are rich in history are are quite detailed (60-70 pages per walk). It is very readable and contains a few pictures. If you want to take one or more leisurely walks through Vienna, and have the time to go slowly enough to soak up the information from the book and the sites in front of you, then this book is highly recommended.

I picked this up about a month ago as it was on sale for $5. I was stunned by the fierce beauty, magic and profound depiction of the "Viking" mind-set, poetry, beauty and religious beliefs. It is very in-depth. About 13 years ago I was very much into all the myths, legends and spritual practices of this Norse culture, so looking at the visuals and reading the LWB, which for once included some very detailed info on each card, brought a lot of it back.

If this culture and religion interests you, you will love this deck. Even if you know little or nothing about it, the stunning images might spark a search for knowledge and information on it, which is always a great thing!

The 2 groups of Gods are represented in the cards, Aesir and Vanir. The majors have some stunning choices. Frigg as the High Priestess is so gorgeous I would love a print. Norns depicting the Wheel, haunting and unsettling Valkyries as Death, the fall of Asgard for the Tower. But my favourite has to be The Stars represented by the Yggdrasill the Ash Tree. Breathtaking!

I really loved how the minor arcana was laid out with the The Giants in the wands suit (primeval forms of energy, fire, snow and ice: aspects of unbridled nature)....Vanir for the Chalices....Dwarves and elves for Pentacles...epic heros, wise magicians, heros and rulers for the swords.

All done in a wonderul watercolour. The Queen of Pentacles is a blueish Elf Queen, love it! 9 of Swords is a ghostly image of Svipdagr. I love all the Queens, but the Queen of Swords, set in this evocative Autumn setting is so beautiful.

Obviously, I was surprised at the power and depth of this deck, which is rarely mentioned and so overlooked! I am assuming because it is so Norse specific, which doesn't have loads of people interested in them or it's religion. It could be overwhelming to those not farmiliar to the whole culture.

Three words sum up this deck:1 "Beautiful" I cannot stress how wonderful these images are done. I believe watercolor and some other medium. That means soft, dramatic earthly tones that convey a sense of nature. The artist needs to be congratulated with producing one of the best "theme' decks I have ever seen!

2 "Viking"-This often misunderstood and little studied culture has a sense of drama and romance like no other. "Viking" is a loose term used to describe Scandinavian raiders who colonized northern Europe from Britain to Russia. Thier brand of mythology is either heroic or frightening to say the least! This deck is carefully reseached with much information regarding the 5 planes of existence in Norse mythology. Major trumps as Aesir-Celestial Gods with Thor and Odin. Cups as Vanir-Earth based God featuring Freya. Pentacles are Dwarves who work the Earth. Wands as Giants with fiery personailities. Swords as airy elves. Sound like an elaborate fairy tale?

3 "Tarot" being a tarot collector, student and reader this deck does not disappoint! All of the majors trumps are clever in concept. A little heavy, considering the bloodthirsty and barbaric theme they are dealing with here. There is also a sense of poetry and depth like one would expect from this beautiful and mysterious culture! All of the Major and Minor trumps are accurate as far as the correspondence to the traditional Rider -Waite system. I would use this for beginners as well as advanced students as this deck works on all levels.

Lo Scarabeo publishes many styles of decks it seems each month. Some not very successful. This one is one of the best, as the instruction book is thorough in its short descriptions. The only problem I have with this deck is the backs. The green Thor on his chariot is acceptable. This would have been my favorite deck from them had it not been for this slight flaw. Readers who like Norse Mythology and Tarot would appreciate this deck. I sure do!

If you want a glimpse of the famed Villa & its beauty take a look inside this book. The pages are beautiful & you can feel the ambiance as if you were living it in the moment!

If you want a glimpse of the famed Villa & its beauty take a look inside this book. The pages are beautiful & you can feel the ambiance as if you were living it in the moment!

I bought this book several years ago and it has been a while since I read it last time. When I pulled it out from my bookshelf today and read it again, I was still amazed by the story and especially the illustration of this book. The masquerade in this picture book is so fascinating. The masks, costumes and the way they are presented really allures you back to the time and place this story happened. If you are planning to visit Venice, you may want to read this book and get some ideas about this Venetian folktale.

The story is reasonably simple but it's beautiful and magical. The artwork is unbelievable. I judge books by their covers, and this one passes!

This book is well written and was very helpful in my research for an independent study that I am doing for college credit. The writing style was interesting and held my attention.

Voicing Gender is a beautifully written and meticulously researched addition to the growing body of scholarship on women in opera. Naomi Andre has made much-needed, insightful connections between castrati, travesti, and women's characters -- these insights are firmly grounded in opera of the nineteenth century but resonate throughout opera of the twentieth century as well. This book is strongly recommended for Women in Music, Opera, and Gender and Performance studies. A thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating read.

Take this audio guided tour as you walk through Florence. The included maps and language instruction complete this all encompassing guide.

I highly recommend these audio tours! When we received the CDs, we loaded the files onto our iPod and printed out the map and directions. (Use the printed directions-- SO much easier to navigate the streets than the map.) We also had bought an earphone/audio-out splitter so we could listen to the iPod at the same time. We romantically walked through the streets arm-in-arm, listening to our walking tours.

My husband and I opted to use these walking tours instead of a guided tour, and I'm glad we did. We were able to walk the tours at our own pace-- stopping to shop or eat lunch, or even skip by a few things we weren't interested in. So many times landmarks, museums, etc., were pointed out to us on the audio tour that we would have walked right on by. The narrator also encouraged us several times to go into museums and churches we might have been un-eager to enter, but were very glad we did! Each tour is about 1.5 - 2 hours, while the individual segments within each tour were 2-5 minutes long. You won't be disappointed!

Great for every traveler... a unique combination of guided walking tour, maps and foreign language instruction, that could only be offered on audio.

I highly recommend these audio tours! When we received the CDs, we loaded the files onto our iPod and printed out the map and directions. (Use the printed directions-- SO much easier to navigate the streets than the map.) We also had bought an earphone/audio-out splitter so we could listen to the iPod at the same time. We romantically walked through the streets arm-in-arm, listening to our walking tours.

My husband and I opted to use these walking tours instead of a guided tour, and I'm glad we did. We were able to walk the tours at our own pace-- stopping to shop or eat lunch, or even skip by a few things we weren't interested in. So many times landmarks, museums, etc., were pointed out to us on the audio tour that we would have walked right on by. The narrator also encouraged us several times to go into museums and churches we might have been un-eager to enter, but were very glad we did! Each tour is about 1.5 - 2 hours, while the individual segments within each tour were 2-5 minutes long. You won't be disappointed!

There isn't much available on this beautiful town. I was glad to find this tour and thought the tour covered everything very well.It helped us make the most of our only day there. The information on the Cathedral was very interesting.I like all his tours of Italy, especially Venice

Even if I'm Italian and I know Siena very well I think that this cassette tape is the best for someone who has four hours free and want to visit the best of Siena. Greatings at the writer. He must be have Italian citizenship. I hope that this audioguide is produced in Italian language soon, so that I can buy it myself.

I always get these tours when I travel. They are inexpensive and thorough. Venice is the best yet. The voice is so clear that I can hear everything, even above street noise.

Glad to see this new tour with The Cicerone. We like his tours and use them whenever we go to Italy. I think the maps are fabulous because they are so large I can see them without my spectacles.