Europe Books

"The Nuremberg Raid" is another of Martin Middlebrook's excellent, objective, and dispassionate documentaries on the airwar over Europe. Again, Middlebrook has spared no effort in identifying places, dates, and times, linking documents and personal accounts together in his mastery way. No glorification, no condemnation, just pure facts, given a personal face by eyewitness accounts. This, as well as great writing, are the key to Middlebrook's success.

Together with "The Battle of Hamburg," "The Schweinfurt-Regensburg Mission," "The Berlin Raids," and "The Peenemuende Mission" (some of which are out-of-print but worth every penny if you can get them), this book becomes another must in any serious library on the aerial bombing campaigns of World War II.

The Nuremberg Raid by Martin Middlebrook is an outstanding description of a British bombing raid against the city of Nuremberg. In telling this story, there are two major sections, the lead-up to the raid and the raid itself.

The section leading up to the raid tells the general history of British bombing in WWII, what drove the British to bombing at night, their track record bombing at night, and there recent targets. In addition, Mr. Middlebrook gives us a description of Bomber Command, it's men and their aircraft along with a similar description of the German forces.

The heart of the book deals with the actual raid itself. In these chapters, Mr. Middlebrook goes thru painstaking details about the bomber-stream and the events that occur to the bomber-streamer. In here, we learn about how this is the deepest penetration by the British, how the German night fighters responded to the raid, and how the raid was not compromised before hand. Mr. Middlebrook gives excellent details on the shoot down of most of the 96 bombers lost. Of particular interest was how British bomber pilots thought that the German had a gun that fired scarecrow shells (they exploded so as to look like a bomber being hit, in actuality, it was British bombers being hit by Schrage Musik). Also of interest was the British use of Serrate Mosquitoes to intercept the Germans.

This is an outstanding book. Once more, Mr. Middlebrook has hit a homerun. I'll give this one 5 out of 5!

On the night of March 30/31, 1944, Bomber Command sent every available bomber to Nuremberg in an effort to destroy it once and for all. So determined was Arthur "Butch" Harris to have one less target to worry about, that he sent his bombers out in less than ideal conditions. The night sky was largely devoid of clouds--that is, until the target was reached--and the moon was bright. The conditions were therefore very much to the German's advantage, and the defending night fighters took a grievous toll on the bomber force. In the end, the raid was a complete failure: Nuremberg was hardly touched and Bomber Command ended up losing over one hundred bombers. As Middlebrook points out, the choice of Nuremberg has been somewhat controversial, so much so, that some have contended that the raid was conducted with the Germans having known full well what the night's target was. I have little hesitation in saying that the Nuremberg Raid is a superb book. Meticulously researched and loaded with detail, it draws upon numerous sources, including many personal narratives, to construct aa complete an account of one of Bomber Command's raids as one can expect.

Mr Middlebrook has done more with this book than chronicle what was arguably the costliest raid the RAF staged during WW2. More importantly, it's a look at the daily operations of RAF and German aircrews late in the war. The RAF had standardized their tactics, and the Luftwaffe switched from a rigid to a fluid system of control for its nightfighters. Excellent first-person accounts illustrate the points the author makes throughout the work.

The original edition was published in the early '80s with a short update concerning rumors that Ultra revealed the raid was compromised; to protect this intelligence source the raid was allowed to proceed. This "conspiracy theory" is as untrue as the persistent myth that Coventry was destroyed for the same reason. In actuality there are a myriad of reasons why a mission might be cancelled; it's extremely unlikely that the Germans would have connected a cancellation of the Nuremberg Raid with intelligence concerning their defenses.

The only area where the book is wanting is the chapter(s) concerning "Butcher" Harris. Research since the book was written has shown that he was obsessively committed to bombing cities-to the point of insubordination on several occasions. Anyone else would have, and should have, been fired. The book doesn't address any of these issues. Contrary to what other reviewers have said, the Bombing Offensive was not "propaganda driven". Bomber advocates such as Harris, as an extreme example, felt that the sacrifice their crews were making would definitely shorten the war-maybe even end it without the need of invasion. Sadly, they held to these views even when events were showing that the offensive was not causing the damage expected, and a re-think of the entire bombing strategy was in order. Highly Recommended.

This is probably Martin Middlebrook's best-written account of an RAF Bomber Command Operation in the Second World War. Middlebrook wants the reader to believe that Air Marshal Harris, the commander of Bomber Command, was correcting in pursuing his night-time area bombing philosophy instead of trying to hit military or industrial targets with precision daylight strikes. Throughout, Middlebrook's sympathies and admiration for the brave RAF bomber crewmen that he knew from his youth are clear. Yet this book pushes a point of view that borders on religious or zealous faith, rather than a level-headed assessment of the facts. What pushes Middlebrook over the edge of reason here is the nature of his subject. While Middlebrook's other bomber books on Hamburg, Berlin and Peenemunde covered costly but successful operations (more or less), the raid on Nuremberg in March 1944 was an unmitigated disaster. RAF bomber command suffered its heaviest losses in one night of the war and inflicted negligible damage on the enemy.

Middlebrook begins with several very informative chapters that detail the bombing campaigns in Germany during 1939-1943, the composition of the bomber units that would take part in the raid and the German defenses. As usual, Middlebrook is very thorough and the order of battle is very detailed. However, shows a very profound bias toward area bombing throughout and it starts in assessing the three major raids just prior to the Nuremberg raid. Middlebrook makes a very important point when he states that, "even in non-cloud conditions the bombing results on Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Berlin had been poor ...bombing photographs indicated that not one aircraft released its load within the city's limits!" The point is that RAF Bomber Command did not have the capability to destroy cities because they couldn't hit them and that Air Marshal Harris knew this but continued on with an area bombing campaign that had degenerated into random killing. Wars are won by killing the right people at the right moment, not by killing randomly.

The pre-mission briefs to are covered in great detail and it appears that the intent was to deceive the crews about the nature of the mission, the strength of the enemy defenses and even the weather. The night chosen for the attack was poorly suited for infiltrating a 700+ stream of bombers across Germany due to the illumination from the moon and lack of cloud cover, but Harris ignored these facts and the crews were filled with overly-optimistic estimates. It is also significant that Harris chose an aim point in Nuremberg well away from the MAN tank plant (Middlebrook fails to mention that it was producing 100 Panther tanks per month at that time) and the SS barracks in the city and instead placed it in a residential area that he expected would burn well. The crews were told that the target was the tank plant and SS barracks.

Middlebrook follows the take-off of the massive bomber stream, all the supporting operations designed to help the raid and the massive German interception in great detail. Although the front of the stream made it past the German defenses, the Germans had perfected the "Tame Boar" method of intercepting streams before they reached their target and ripped apart the center of the stream. Visibility was excellent and the bombers were leaving contrails due to unusual conditions. About eighty British bombers were lost in a ninety minute period. The Germans had a very good night; Middlebrook notes that over thirty bombers were shot down by just eight night fighter crews. Two German lieutenants shot down seven and six bombers in one sortie! The flak gunners also had a good night - one battery shot down three bombers in five minutes with only twenty shells. All the while, the British crews watched in horror in the moonlight as bomber after bomber went down in flames. Nor were the British aware of the German "schrage musik" attacks from underneath with specially-modified cannon that fired into the bellies of the British bombers. It was one of the great aerial slaughters of all time. Nevertheless, the bravery of the British crews to press on to target in the mistaken belief that their actions would contribute to victory is sobering.

Compounding the heavy losses, the raid itself was a total failure. Nuremberg was heavily cloud-covered and most of the bombs fell well outside the city; only 60 German civilians were killed in the city, including 24 women and 8 children. Even worse however, was that 107 bombers missed the target by 55 miles and bombed Schweinfurt by mistake (and only succeeded in killing one woman and one child). A total of 110 German civilians and 19 Luftwaffe personnel were killed in the raid and about ten fighters were lost. Contrast this with British losses of 108 aircraft (96 bombers were shot down, the rest were crashed or damaged beyond repair) and of the aircrew, 545 of these brave men were killed and 152 captured. Middlebrook notes these cold-blooded facts but then concludes that the raid succeeded because it carried the war to the German people and "it was the German civilians who cowered for their lives in cellars and shelters while the English slept safely in their beds". Aside from this being an asinine "aim for the RAF", it ignores the German V-weapons campaign that was pounding England in 1944 without risking aircrews.

Finally, after all the excellent post-mortem analysis Middlebrook brings the reader to an emotionally biased watershed. Instead of realizing that the Nuremberg Raid clearly demonstrated that night area-bombing was not a cost-effective way to win a war, he launches into an impassioned defense of Harris' beloved area bombing. Middlebrook writes, "The morale of the German people never broke...but this does not mean that the theory was wrong: only that it had not been proved. What might have happened if Harris had been given the 4,000 heavy bombers [that he wanted]?" This completely ignores the fact that RAF Bomber Command could barely find major cities in the dark, except for the few targets in the Ruhr within range of OBOE. How would more bombers have changed this fact? More bombers missing the target still does not add up to victory. Even when RAF bombs hit cities, they tended to kill women, children and the elderly, not people likely to contribute much to Hitler's war effort. Middlebrook's assertion that the bomber raids caused the Germans to allocate thousands of anti-aircraft guns, searchlights and flak crews to home defense is also specious. First, anti-aircraft guns and searchlight cost a lot less to manufacture than four-engine bombers, and few of them were destroyed in battle unlike the 8,325 bombers the RAF lost. Second, the flak crews were often teenagers, women and Russian volunteers, all of whom required far less training than RAF bomber crews. Thirdly, Middlebrook ignores the huge investment that Britain had made into air defense of the UK and the fact that Britain did not have a free ride in this area even in 1944. Actually, it is apparent that RAF Bomber Command diverted far more resources from Britain's war effort than it did from Germany's.

This is a well-written and detailed account of one of the fiercer air battles of the Second World War. It should be on the bookshelf of anyone seriously interested in the air war in 1939-1945. However, the emotional bias of the author colors his assessment of the raid and serves to offer up a false conclusion. It is no disservice to the brave RAF crewmen who died on the raid, they did their best and they were heroes, but the raid was idiotic in intent and execution. Commanders like Air Marshall Harris would send brave men to their deaths for no reasonable purpose should not be excused for "having a bad day" or making a mistake. Unfortunately, the author cannot bring himself to this condemnation and it is up to the reader to make a less biased conclusion.

There was such wisdom here, that while reading it I'd bought my mother a copy, and now I'm rereading my copy again a year later.

Lindahl does an excellent job of guiding us through a 'cultural tour' of the Nordic mindset toward health. The info is organized well, into chapters covering physical fitness, a proximity to and relationship with nature, relaxation, and diet. Through each of these, she illustrates how it's different from the frenetic life of a business professional (which she'd once been), and give practical advice for those of us whose lives are still frenetic.

While reading On My Swedish Island by Julie Catterson Lindahl, I noticed I had a myriad of feelings towards it. At times, I was bored reading about herbs that are apparently capable of making your life more enjoayble, but at other times, I perked up upon reading about Sweden's "Every Man's Right" law. The book was well organized and easy to read through. I felt as if I could do some of the things Lindahl mentioned and create my own Swedish paradise inside my New Jersey home.
To begin with, Lindahl suggests various ways to achieve inner peace. The Swedes are big on being outdoors and this value shines through in the writing. Although Lindahl is British, she married a Swede and appreciates and respects their values. She used to run on the treadmill everyday but ditched this habit and began going outside to run and cross country ski. "..I live in part of the world where the overwhelming majority of people perceive going out into nature as an integral part of life. A 1995 study showed that 80 to 90 percent of Swedes and Danes...spent recreational time in forested and natural environments or parks." (Lindahl 49-50) It's hard to get out and enjoy nature when no one else around does and too many things are going on. I appreciate how much the

This has become one of my top favorite 5 books because of the wisdom the author shares. Everything from simply living spaces, simple food, the outdoors, being content with less and more observant about the world around us. Call it Scandinavian zen or simply wise living.

The author hits the nail on the head when she shares how our choices can make our lives better and that these choices often have to do with being still and observant and not allowing big business or hurried people to sway us from taking the path less traveled.

Its a book that I read and then set down, then pick up and read some more, and set down. I savor the lessons I have learned from the book and have recommended it to simple living group friends who like myself try and live a self sufficient lifestyle void of so many of the 'must haves' that American society pushes.

Living here in the Sierras I also appreciated the authors wonderful stories about what the outdoors offers. Be it walking for fitness, or enjoying the fresh fish and vegetables it offers.

So much to be learned from the author and cannot recommend the book highly enough.

The suggestions in this book are not expensive. It is always good to get back to the basics. This book has sent me back out doors to enjoy my own little slice of nature. I don't think she is suggesting others to recreate her experiences but to consider your own. This book is a very good buy.

I thought the book was entertaining,enlightening, comprehensive, and useful. It made me dream of my very own 'away from everything' cabin in the woods living with nature. The references were especially useful and I am already using some of the products mentioned in that section. A very good book for anyone who cares about health and keeping our planet as it should be.

Accessibly written by Gary Lee Kraut (winner of FracePress' Prix d'Excellence for work on France), Paris Revisited: The Guide For The Return Traveler is an excellent travel guide to exploring the splendors of France's grand capital, whether you are returning for revisit or are experiencing Paris' cultural, historical, and architectural grandeur for the very first time. Covering both famous and infamous historical sites, grand museums, prime shopping locals, choice hotels, extensive adventure and gastronomical delights in the restaurant scene, and so much more, Paris Revisited is a superbly organized and enthusiastically recommended reference for enhancing one's travel experience.

Very usable guide to your personal tour of Paris. What Parisian visit are you looking for....this time? If it's casual, or romantic, or historical, or the great cafes, or quick highlights, this is the book to have in hand. Mr. Kraut out does himself in this addition to his books on Paris. As a long time American in Paris, Gary Kraut walks you through the most beautiful and interesting and tasty parts of Paris.

A friends passed me this book--and after finding it so useful I've passed it on to others. It's not a typical guide book...and it is. What's great about this book is that it gets you off the beaten path a bit, and it's fun to read. Lots of info, and like a standard guidebook it has all the relevent information. As a more intimate guide, this author isn't afraid to tell you what he thinks or how he thinks--but the bottom line is always Paris in all its beauty and complexity. It's a good read, as well as a great guide. And for first time travelers, it might be ok, too.

A friend gave this book to me just before my recent visit to Paris and it turned out to be the only one I used. There were extensive descriptions and background for places I'd never heard of before, the guidance intrigued me, and all of the ones I visited turned out to be little gems (and not overrun by tourists) that made my visit more memorable. The major sights are all covered also, but with more of an eye toward appreciation of their charms than a must-see checklist. A great resource.

Most of the mainstream travel books don't fit my personality or have listings that fit my pocket book. This one is for the traveller that wants to see the city - not just other tourists. It's easy to read, has opinions that you can agree (or disagree) with and encourages you to see things, not just for the first time but in a new way. You can tell the book was written by someone that loves the city and he makes you fall in love with Paris too. If you're going to Paris alone, or with someone you're fond of, you'll be delighted. I'm ready to go back.

"çà, c'est paris"! is a popular french song from WWII period. Parisians sang it when Paris was delivered by US and french troops. This is the song I started whislting when I read the first pages and table of contents of this book. It's good to read paris guide books where you're not obliged to go through 50 pages of historical descriptions before you understand what paris is all about. This book is not dull. It is well documented even if this documentation has nothing to do with "classical" culture. It belongs to a tradition in French publishing business: collection of essays written by famous writers about a specific place. In this case, I do not know the writers (I am french)and am not influenced by their past works. One could imagine to publish the same kind of books with texts from Victor Hugo, Ernst Hemmingway and other famous writers.

I took one of the Traveler's Tales books on my trip to Paris, and bought this one when I got back. One of the stories made me miss Paris so much that I wept. I'm doling the stories out slowly to make them last. If you love Paris, this book will keep your psychic connection alive.

If I had not already been Paris-bound, this book assuredly would have had me calling the airlines. What a wonderful, eclectic collection of essays! The piece on Ste. Chappelle, for example, actually manages to convey the jaw-dropping, heart-clenching, breath-taking sheer beauty of the place. Other pieces, such as SOS Medecin, captured utterly the blend of whimsy and solemnity that is Paris. You don't have to be headed for Paris to love this book; you don't even have to be a traveler.

Ahhh Paris. As a graduate student fortunate to be studying in Paris, I found myself falling into the dull routine of class and studying. I was failing to appreciate one of the prettiest cities on earth. This book opened my eyes to the multitude of interesting "trucs" around me in the Latin Quarter. Although some of the stories are more interesting than others, there is genuinely something for everyone's taste in this book. I now often study at the "Deux Magots" cafe due to its history and popularity with Jean Paul Sartres and Simone de Beauvoir that I read about. This book is wonderful for anyone interested in Paris, wanting to take a mental journey there, or a seasoned traveller who thinks they already know Paris. Anyone armed with "Paris Traveler's Tales" can discover the "Joie de Vivre" en Paris!

Like TT: France, this book is a perfect way to prepare psychologically for entering La France. Its collection of essays on living or traveling in Paris has passionate tales and historical accounts.

A book like this is an excellent way to give you pointers on Paris city life. I would never have thought of experiencing the Turkish bathes of a Paris without the wonderful story in TT: Paris. And many would find it maudlin to go exploring Pere Lachaise cemetery, until reading some stories of the experience.

Rick Steves' travel guides do a good job of highlighting particular things to see. Travelers' Tales take the experience to a deeper level.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1892145529/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title
The Patisseries of Paris: Chocolatiers, Tea Salons, Ice Cream Parlors, and more
With only nine days and a FULL program for my Paris vacation I won't have time for mistakes of 'so-so' restautants and patisseries. The book seems to be very thorough and well researched, many reviews agree with other 'foodies' opinions. I have 'tagged' the 'must visits' and 'possibles' and will give you my full review after I will have come back (April 2009).
Again, very well organized, well researched and easy to follow.

This book was everything I hoped it would be - exquisite photographs, evocative of a trip I'll never take, yet seems to be lingering in my brain. Love it ... hope there'll be more, just like it.

My sister and I recently returned from 2 weeks in France. While in Paris we visited several of the recommended patisseries and totally enjoyed the wonderful offerings. We actually planned some of our sightseeing and shopping around the location of a few of these. Good idea for Paris!

I love that this book is devoted to Paris' Patisseries, chocolate shops, and tea shops. When you go to Paris, these are special treats for the eyes and taste buds. Even if you are not traveling, it's a luxury to read the description of each shop's specialty and salivate at the photos.

This book lists the vendors by Arrondissement; and there is an index by business type and alphabetical listing. There are beautiful photos and a description of each shop.

Since the book is small (pocket size), the prints are tiny, I wish they used a bolder font. Also, you have to read through the text to find out what the author liked the most about each shop. The reading is great, but if I'm in one Arrond. and trying to figure out which shop to visit, it would be great to have the special dishes highlighted under each shop, to make them easier to find. Maybe make more use of a sidebar to highlight that info?

This cocoa-dusted treasure hits that mythical sweet spot between practical, trusted travel guide and gorgeous, dreamy (if petite) coffee table book. Full of the kind of beautiful photos and evocative lyrical prose that you'll never find in any guide and jam-packed with all of the actionable, expert advice that's missing from all those exquisitely photographed gift books, this one has it all. Organized by arrondissements, you're meant to flip to the neighborhood you're visiting to find the author's recos for the best macarons, tartes or baguettes nearby. If I were visiting France soon, that's just what I'd be doing. Cramming bookmarks between the pages, grabbing a map and taking off before the sun came up. But for now, curled up on my couch in New Jersey, I'm literally reading this like a romantic novel. Cover to cover. Dreaming of Paris...

Set in a Swedish village long ago, Per and the Dala Horse is the charming tale of a young boy's quest to recover a golden chalice stolen by trolls. When an old farmer dies, he leaves all his worldly possessions to his three sons. The eldest inherits the farm. The middle son receives a fine riding horse. But Per, the youngest son, receives only a beautifully carved and painted wooden horse. The two elder brothers laugh at Per and his seemingly worthless wooden horse; but Per cherishes it, sure that it will one day prove useful. When the trolls steal the golden communion chalice from the village church, Per's two older brothers try unsuccessfully to rescue it. It is Per, with the help of his magnificent Dala horse, who is able to rescue the cherished stolen chalice. Yvonne Gilbert's stunning colored pencil illustrations are more vibrant than ever in this new edition of Per and the Dala Horse. Rebecca Hickox's spirited text makes this an enchanting picture book.

Illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert

This really is a must for anyone of Swedish heritage - especially for boys. The story is suitable for around 3-8 years. The illustrations are probably the most gorgeous I have ever seen in any child's book. The author has combined the best of many traditional Swedish stories. Consequently the book has a very evocative, almost primal feel. Anyone with Swedish blood will relate to this story in a very deep way. This is a magical book and it really should come back into print - publishers, why are you wasting time! Reprint this book!

My heritage is 100% Swedish. It is difficult for me to find books about Swedish culture in general, and close to impossible to find Swedish stories to which my seven-year old son can relate.

I believe each cultural has its own beauty and much to offer the world. I often encounter people assuming that because we speak English and are Lutheran, then our cultural heritage is the same as Britain's (we're are not Anglo-Saxons, the Church of England has nothing to do with Scandinavia, and our native tongue is Swedish) or since Swedish is a Germanic language, then our culture must be like the Germans'. Like every other society that has evolved on its own, the Swedes are proud of who they are and how they came to be.

I remember Dala horses all over my grandparents' homes and in my house growing up as well. I want very much for my son to enjoy the richness of where his family comes from, and why we still remain so close to our relatives in "the old country." This is simply a wonderful book that has aided in giving my son his own cultural identity.

I am very grateful that this book is so Swedish. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new perspectives about the smaller European nations.

Set in a Swedish village long ago, Per and the Dala Horse is the tale of a young boy's quest to recover a golden chalice stolen by trolls. When an old farmer dies, he leaves all his worldly possessions to his three sons. The eldest inherits the farm. The middle son receives a fine riding horse. But Per, the youngest son, receives only a beautifully carved and painted wooden horse. When the trolls steal the golden communion chalice from the village church, Per, with the help of his magnificent Dala horse, is able to rescue the cherished stolen chalice. Yvonne Gilbert's stunning colored pencil illustrations are more vibrant than ever in this new edition of Per and the Dala Horse. Rebecca Hickox's spirited text makes this an enchanting picture book. Ages 4-9. Paperback.

This book so captured our imaginations that I had to purchase a little wooden Dala horse for our son. The artwork is beautiful, the story is culturally sensitive, the scenes are exciting and the language is rich. I've been reading this book to my son since he was two. He's four, now, and still loves it!

And for that matter, how can you not love Lloyd Alexander? I have yet to read a book of his I didn't like.

In the Vesper Holly books, Alexander has created a fun, spunky heroine who's as smart and resourceful as she is beautiful. In contrast is her ever-patient, loveable but not-as-sharp guardian, Brinnie, who finds himself in impossible life-or-death situations - thanks to Vesper.

The whole series is a great, fast-paced, fun adventure in the style of Indiana Jones. But I have to say, of all the books, the Philadelphia Adventure is my favorite.

For one thing, while all the other books in the series are set in far-off, imaginary, exotic locales, the Philadelphia Adventure is set in - well, Philadelphia, PA, in the good ol' USA. The characters Vesper and her friends encounter are true historical figures, as is the Exposition that supplies the backdrop for the book.

The plot in this book is also tighter and more realistic than previous Vesper Holly titles. While I do love the other books, you have to wonder how Vesper just happens to come to the right conclusion every time (when there aren't many clues given to the reader or narrator). And, it's just a startling coincidence that in several of the other books, Vesper's nemesis Dr. Helvitius just "happens" to be in the area, versus in this book, where he actually launches a scheme against Vesper while trying to take over the world.

Vesper shows a more realistic, human side in the Philadelphia Adventure, often second-guessing her actions, wondering what the best course of action is. While she comes out on top every time, it's nice to see that, in this book, she's still an imperfect person - it makes her choices and the final outcome that much better.

Overall, a great series for kids with a literary character they can truly look up to.

I'm 21, and I must say I love the Vesper Holly books as much as I did when I first discovered them at age 10. I read them over and over again through my teen years. They're like a cross between Indiana Jones and the Adventures of Tintin, with an added bonus--an original female heroine! As a little girl I admired Vesper and all her intelligence and pluck; she's a great role model for smart, ambitious girls who want to make discoveries. The Philadelphia Adventure was always my favorite of the series; the humor and action that are the hallmark of the series are at their peak here. I sniffled when I got to the end, because until last year, this was the final installment. I was delighted to discover that Lloyd Alexander has recently written a series finale (Xanadu Adventure).

Vesper, with a heart as big as her brain and her endearing knacks for mathematics, historical puzzles, and banjo music is a truly trailbrazing heroine in young adult literature. Thank you, thank you, Lloyd Alexander!

The ever delightful Vesper Holly is back in this fifth chronicle by one of my favorite master storytellers. Vesper's resourcefulness, bravery and wit are ever-present while she falls in love (innocently) yet again. Her red hair, fiery personality, orphaned status and love for a certain fat cat conjure up another favorite heroine of the historical fiction world, exotic Nefret Emerson from the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Each of these books packs a lot of punch considering how short they are, making them perfect for any young reader.

This was a wonderful book, with characteristic Lloyd Alexander wit and humor, along with his deft story-telling. People of all ages will enjoy this latest escapade of Vesper Holly!

Unlike the other books in the Vesper Holly series, this book takes places in an actual place, Philadelphia (as you might have gathered from the title). The World Exposition is going to be held there, but the opening keeps on being delayed, problems of plagued it from the start. President Grant goes to Vesper Holly's home and pleads for Vesper to rescue the kidnapped children in the care of the Brazilian King. The stage is set for some grand Vesper Holly action with her guardian Brinnie, Smiler and Slider (from the previous books), and a new character, Weed in toll! This is a fabulous book!

I really enjoyed this book. It is by Lloyd Alexander, author of The High King winner of the Newbery Medal. One reason I enjoyed was that it kept on surprising me until the end.
It is not based on things that really happened, although it has people who really existed, such as President Ulysses S. Grant.
The adventure begins when Ulysses Grant comes to Vesper Holly's door asking for her help with a kidnaping of two children. The kidnaper is using the children to ransom the emperor of Brazil.
The kidnapper hates Vesper Holly, so he made it clear that bad things would happen to the children if she did not deliver the ransom. That way he can put her in danger to get revenge on her.

This lovely portfolio book was born out of a love affair with Italy that has spanned many years, and that has been nurtured by numerous personal visits. On one of those trips the authors, Joe Bauwens and Marybeth Flower, visited a different hill town every day. Spending most of their time in the piazze of these towns, they came to appreciate how the piazza is an expression of the unique cultural life of each community. No one had used photography to tell this story in the way that Bauwens and Flower came to know it. Challenged by this awareness, they undertook a year of rigorous training from professional photographers in various workshops. Armed with this education, they returned to Italy for five months, traveled to many of Italy's towns and cities, took thousands of photographs, spent endless hours selecting the very best, and wrote captivating text to go with them. Piazza--Italy's Heart & Soul is the result. Clearly, these two amateur photographers transformed themselves into amazingly skillful photojournalists, and in so doing realized their dream of communicating in photographs and words the vitality of Italians and their beloved piazze.

The artistic and vibrant quality of this work is an inspiration to those who aspire to tell other stories in a similar manner. In chapter after chapter the authors succeed beyond measure in capturing the beauty, joy, action, passion, color, and fashion found in the piazze of this wonderful Mediterranean country. Those who already know and love Italy will want this book to enrich their memories. Those who do not, but who see this book and open it, will want to make the journey in order to know and love Italy.

Wow! We gave Piazza to my Italian husband for Father's Day and it was a hit with the whole extended family. The photographs captivated all of us-- by either taking us back to Italy in our memories or inspiring the desire for a first visit. Piazza excites and inspires through the very last photo. We can tell the authors/photographers are in love with their subject. This is truly and exceptional book!! Debra Romano

After flipping through the pages of this award winning book, I instantly called to make airline reservations to Tuscany! The authors/photographers images are so vibrant and exciting you feel like you've traveled and experienced the moments with them! Not only is this book a must have but a great gift for even the non-traveler!

Joe Bauwens and MaryBeth Flower love photography and Italy! The results are incandescent. I yearn for Italy most days of the week and this book makes me especially nostalgic for this gorgeous and delightful nation! This is my favorite coffee table book and I have 30 or so that I love! This is a fabulous gift!

Italy has long been at the top of my list of countries to visit if ever given the chance. Sadly, budget and vacation time are currently prohibitive factors for such a trip. That's the beauty of books such as Joe Bauwens' and MaryBeth Flower's PIAZZA: ITALY'S HEART AND SOUL - they can transport you to places you've dreamed of, through the splendor of their photography and the descriptive footnotes teaching a bit of that region's cultures and traditions.

When you open the book, you are immediately captured by the colorful flags born by the sbandieratori of Gubbio, and can almost feel their movement as they run, proudly bearing their flags.

You can feel the press of the crowds when you turn to the depiction of the Ceri Marathon. Then a castle in Vernazza seems to be carved from the seaside bluff it tops, rather than being built upon it by mere men.

As exciting as some of these photos are, still others convey a solemn peace and stillness, such as the picture of the Santa Maria della Salute church in the dark of night, with lights spotlighting its majestic dome.

Mr. Bauwens and Ms. Flower miss nothing, including pictures of citizens in traditional costume as well as people in modern dress. We find children laughing and playing, and other people from all walks of life, who through the very normalcy of their pictures, depict everyday life in Italy more surely than mere words. From the pink-haired woman on her cell phone to the pony-tailed man on his unicycle, we experience it all.

I can almost taste the rich cappuccino when I see the pictures of this dark treat decorated with whimsical chocolate designs atop the foam. I can imagine sitting at an outdoor cafe quietly watching all of these sights go by as I sip my own cup, careful not to burn my mouth.

But the creators of this coffee table book don't rely on just pictures to deliver the Italian experience - they draft prose as picturesque as their photographs to completely immerse you in the details of the event, the town, the feel of the place.

I'd expected PIAZZA: ITALY'S HEART AND SOUL to assuage some of my wanderlust, but instead I find I want even more fervently to wander through the rainbow town of Burano. I want to coast through the watery streets of Venice in my own gondola, with a gondolier pointing out spots of interest in a thick Italian accent. I want to dance in the street to the beat of the street musicians on the Ligurian shore.

Italy is a country steeped in history and this beautiful tome clearly shows this in everything from the architecture to the people to the traditional celebrations. It's the next best thing to being able to visit Italy yourself. For a taste of Italy sure to fuel a few daydreams, pick up a copy of PIAZZA: ITALY'S HEART AND SOUL.

**Courtesy of Wild on Books**

This book would appeal to the young person who has the time and a little money to tour Ireland staying at hostels and trying out pubs. It's a fun book to read and you do learn a little about Ireland too.

Have yourself a Guinness while reading this book, it is a great pairing. The book is a smooth read and will inspire you to by the "mothers milk".
It's a craic in itself. luis

This book was fun, interesting and very well written. To read a book about Ireland that does not have the troubles as its main subject matter is refreshing. The author does a great job of relating Irish culture to the reader. The author even goes as far as to write the peoples dialects into the book, so that when you are reading the book, you can get a sense of the softness of the language.

I would recommend this title to anyone that wants to learn a bit about Ireland. I would especially recommend this to all those of Irish decent.

The subtitle of this book tells you what this Irish travel book is all about. And that is what drew me to it.

Contents:
The first round
Dublin on tap
Beer and politics
Blood is thicker than Guinness
Love at first pint
Pub town
Heading north
The holy mountain
A land of pubs and poets
Last drinks

Australian, Evan McHugh, travels to Ireland to meet some friends. On the ferry over to Dublin from Wales, he and his travelling companion "Twidkiwodm" (the-woman-I-didn't-know-I-would-one-day-marry), aka Michelle, have their first Guinness. It was not a very good experience (but it sure was funny to read). Debarking, they are told that the Guinness served on the ferry is about the worst in the world. Their friends take them to a couple of pubs in Dublin, including the Guinness Factory Tour. Whilst sitting in a Dublin pub, they are told that the best Guinness is found on west side of Ireland. Off they go, looking for the best Guinness and the result is Pint Sized Ireland: In Search of the Perfect Guinness.

Travelling cheaply, hitchhiking and sleeping in hostels, McHugh provides a wonderful travelogue of Ireland. That he is looking for the "perfect Guinness" makes this even sweeter. Travelling from town to town, asking about the best Guinness, experiencing some of Ireland's best (but maybe not so well known) sites, and picking up books from local writers (Yeats is one). Interspersed throughout the book, McHugh includes words from the writers to explain some of his experiences. It adds a lot to the book.

This book really makes me want to visit Ireland. No matter where he goes, be it Dublin, Westport, Sligo, or Belfast, the people are friendly, kind, and humorous. At each stop, either the barman or someone in the pub tells McHugh where he can find the best pint of Guinness (hint: it is always somewhere else). It is in a pub in Belfast, his last stop, where a patron begins to tell him where he can find the best pint. Stopping the man, McHugh tells him where you can find the best Guinness in Ireland. He drank for free the rest of the evening. Yes, the answer was that good, that true. And after reading this book, I agree (if you ask, I will tell you where).

An excellent travelogue, especially if you love "moother's milk."

Slainte!

A friend of mine tipped me to a book that immediately caught my interest... Pint-Sized Ireland: In Search of the Perfect Guinness by Evan McHugh. Having spent a little time in Ireland for a software conference, I find myself drawn to the country, people, and customs. Evan McHugh made me feel like I was right back there. And I haven't read something this funny in quite awhile...

Contents: The first round; Dublin on tap; Beer and politics; Blood is thicker than Guinness; Love at first pint; Pub town; Heading north; The holy mountain; A land of pubs and poets; Last drinks

So the framework of the story is that Evan and his traveling companion (who was to become his wife) decide to travel over to "Oirland" to meet up with a couple of friends. Knowing that there would be plenty of drinking (it *is* Ireland!) of Guinness, he felt that it was necessary to acquire a taste for the dark beverage. On the ferry over, they start their training. It does *not* go well. His description of "moother's milk" leads you to believe that mother is none too well. As expected, a stop at a pub is the first order of business once they meet their friends. This Guinness goes down better, which starts the discussion as to where you can find the "perfect Guinness". So as they travel the island via train, hitchhiking, and hostels, the question is always asked... where can I find the perfect Guinness? And it's always "somewhere else". Along the way, you meet traveling companions, colorful locals, and more pubs than you ever imagine existed. And at the end, McHugh does find the answer to where the perfect Guinness can be found. And it's a classic...

While it sounds like this book is all about beer, it's really something much better. It's a travel diary of sorts, written by someone who has a real knack for capturing the color and flavor of the culture. In many instances, he writes the Irish dialogue as it sounds. So when they are visiting their first pub, he tells his friends they had a Guinness coming over on the ferry. The reply is classic. "Oh, you shouldn'ta doon that. It's fookin' shite, that's why. Now get that into ya. We've a lotta poobs ahead of us." After spending time with my friends over there, I know that would have been the EXACT reply I would have received, using the EXACT same words. :)

If you're at all interested in Irish culture, this is a must read. Think of it as a way to understand the openness of the Irish people, and how in a "poob" you're never a stranger...

I bought this book after reading the reviews of others who said that this book was chock full of info...and they were not kidding! I did find out things I did not know before about Poland and have enjoyed reading it, though I have hopped from topic to topic rather than reading the whole thing straight thru. It is more like an encyclopedia on Poland than a cover-to-cover read...a very useful resource!

I found this book to be very helpful, not only for travelers to Poland, but for business travelers also. The author has brought it all together in a format that is easy and interesting to read. Cheers for the helpful Polish translations.

"Poland: A Unique Country and Its People" is not only a history book but an encyclopedia of information. This book teaches the history, geography, government, economy and culture of Poland. It's huge, there is more information here than I even thought I wanted to know. There's so much interesting stuff, my favorite parts are: Folklore & Legends, Unique Polish Customs, Social & Business Etiquette, Distinctive Food & Drink and the Polish Recipes. It's great for people with a Polish family history or those who just want to learn more about Poland.

Whether your interest in Poland is for business, pleasure or genealogy, start with Alicja Deck-Partyka's book, Poland: A Unique Country and its People.

The true value of this intelligent book is its fascinating scope and breadth. The reader will know something about everything Polish; from the history, customs, fine arts, sports, and famous Poles to the 24 authentic recipes towards the end. For those who need more detail, the author includes an impressive 7 pages of bibliography that would endear her to any researcher. This book is an insider's guide to the current realities in Poland.

The business traveler would find this book particularly helpful because the customs and social economics of Poland are well presented for the outsider to grasp. The reader is brought up to date about the government, leading industries, transportation, and the current topics of the day.

The genealogist researching family history would benefit from learning the historical and cultural setting the ancestors lived in. I recommend this user friendly book to genealogists researching Polish records to get oriented to names, places, and events that shaped family heritage that reaches back to Poland.

After reading this book, a polish descendent will buy an airline ticket to Poland for sure.

For any traveler who wants to know more about Poland before you get off the plane, this book would make your homework a pleasure. If you can't do the homework, read this book on the plane. Have a great trip.

In this impressive volume Alicja Deck-Partyka has captured the heart of Poland's culture, people, and history. The book covers a span of history, from the Slavs who occupied the Vistula River basin at the end of the Neolithic Age to the newly organized Independent and Democratic Poland instituted in 1990.

The author has detailed the country's turbulent past. Poland is a country between the East and the West of Europe. Every conflict in Europe has had an impact on Poland, killing people and destroying the country. Significant events in Polish history, wars, battles, and recovery are described. Poles have suffered more than any other nation in the world. Poland has a rich history.

"Poland" is an enormous effort, and an outstanding guide to a better understanding of this heroic country. Extremely well written with thorough and extensive well documented research, the book is divided into five sections: History, geography, government, economy, and culture. Written with both breadth and depth the reader gets an all-inclusive panoramic view of Poland's rich history and people.

I was surprised to learn of Poland's abundance in natural resources, the numerous National Parks, and diversity of wildlife. Deck-Partyka covered the scope of changes in government and the impact these changes have had on Poland's economy.

I particularly enjoyed the section on Polish culture with detailed descriptions of their traditions and customs. A chapter dedicated to Polish proverbs captured some unique wisdom: "A guest sees more in an hour that the host sees in a year." And, "Friends in need get to know each other."

The fine arts, museums, sports, folklore, religion, holidays, social and business etiquette, women's issues, and architecture are among other interesting topics covered by the author.

Another feature Alicja included was an appendix with a biographic glimpse into the lives of some memorable Poles, some Polish recipes, background information on Polish Saints, and a listing of common Polish first names.

Alicja Deck-Partyka has provided the reader with a comprehensive, easy to read captivating glimpse into the country and people of Poland. I highly recommend "Poland" to every American of Polish descent, and to history and social studies readers, teachers, and students everywhere.