Reviews (3)

Lives up to the Pirate Soul Museum!
Croce's Pirate Soul book is an amazing achievement in that it captures a large part of the history, interactive entertainment and pirate lore residing within Croce's one of a kind Pirate museum in Key West, FL. This is no small feat given the quality and scope (over 500 authentic artifacts) of the museum and is a testament to Pat's emerging presence as the foremost pirate expert. Whether you wish to relive your Pirate Soul museum experience or get a taste of the world's largest collection of pirate artifacts, this book is a must read!

the perfect pirate book!!
this book is a major WOW!everything you'd ever want to know about the golden age of piracy while making the trip so fun and hands on.i just keep going back through it and finding more and more "stuff"!i love just leaving it out on my coffee table -- no one is shy about playing with it and talking about it. a great gift this holiday season for all pirate lovers.

Brilliant interactive adventure and wonderful learning experience
Croce has introduced a whole new way of learning about Pirates that children and adults can enjoy.This book makes the experience of reading to your child truly enjoyable.The numerous 3-D representation of Pirate artifacts is a great way to tell the story.The playing cards, fold-out map and the Henry Every's "Wanted" poster are brilliant additions to this book.My children (all ages 6 and below) were fascinated by the history and Pirate culture.There are many imitations, but this book is the real deal!!!!!Buy it for you, your child (as a treasure/keepsake) and for a relative!!!!Worth every bit of the price!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Maritime History    6. Navigation    7. Reference    8. Travel writing    9. World history: c 1500 to c 1750   

Reviews (60)

A book to appreciate
What an exceptional book this is. I very much enjoy the outdoors--fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking for long stretches of time in the wildest places I can find. If you like similar activities, you may come to love this book as I do.
Interesting
Flipping channels a couple of years ago, I came across a show on PBS about a man building his own cabin, with no power tools, in the Alaskan wilderness.I was mesmorized watching this program.It was one of those shows that stuck with my thoughts and emotions for several days.I was awestruck with some of the things he was making with his hands.I wanted to be there myself.Wanting to get more out of this, I bought the book.I would describe the book as interesting, not riveting.It held my interest and does inspire me to start and complete the task at hand, whatever that may be.To me, the description of the cabin building process was a little too tedious, but the rest of book seemed to flow right along.I'm glad I read the book, but I think this is one of those rare instances where I liked the video better than the book

Easy read, inspirational story
This book is a good read for those who feel inspired by someone who follows their "dreams" (trite, but true!).The book reads like the subject is talking, simplified but descriptive.The Alaskan wilderness plays a big part in the story, although I would've thought that life on your own would have been slightly more difficult - the subject almost makes it seem easy. The idea of someone making a life on their own from nothing (building a house, obtaining food) is tempered somewhat by the fact that the subject had supplies flown in on a regular basis.Still, living on your own for 35+ years is an interesting topic.A nice addition to an "outdoor adventure" library.For those that have seen the companion video, this book may be less important. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Alaska    3. Alaska - Local History    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    5. Diaries    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. General    9. Photo Techniques    10. Photography    11. Pioneers    12. Proenneke, Richard    13. Travel - United States    14. Twin Lakes Region (Kodiak Isla    15. Twin Lakes Region (Lake and Peninsula Borough)    16. United States - Pacific - Alaska    17. United States - State & Local - General    18. Wilderness survival    19. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

In the world of contemporary travel writing, Bill Bryson, the bestselling author of Read more

Reviews (192)

Not one of his better works
This collection of short essays he published in an English paper (and meant for an English audience) seem to miss the mark for American readers.It's as if he published this because he needed money.There was nothing original in this book, nothing really funny and what few authentically funny parts there were seemd trite and at times exaggerated.
A minor work of collected news columns
Not particularly interesting or funny. None of the ridiculous turns of language of a Dave Barry column, no elder-statesman crabbiness like Andy Rooney's. Just routine bitching about airlines, office supplies, and so on. Save it for "A Walk in the Woods" or "A Short History of Nearly Everything"

Good, but Bryson can be preachy
Bryson has been one of my favorite authors for years now - the first thing of his that I read was a magazine article comparing American weather extremes with those in his beloved England.This collection of his writings on things American has me confused.Most of it, as his wife points out, is griping about this and that.Bryson has a tendency to talk down anything that doesn't fit into his view of how life ought to be and a maddening myopia when it comes to understanding why things are the way they are in this modern world.Balancing that though is his self-deprecating humor and his beautiful writing skills.There is a piece on global warming in this book that all ought to read.So, basically, even though he is preachy, and a bit gripy, he is laugh-out-loud funny and writes so very well that I will keep reading him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Anecdotes    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bryson, Bill    7. Description and travel    8. General    9. Literary    10. Social life and customs    11. Travelers    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Travel writing    16. USA   

Editorial Review

If you enjoyed Read more

Reviews (20)

Beautiful memoir!
Through this well written memoir you get to learn a lot about Africa, specially about Rwandas history. Rosamund's life story is very interesting, the choices she made, the oportunities life offered to her and that she took. It's great to see all the good deeds she made and the things she achieved inspite of all the caos Rwanda has gone through in the last decades. She takes care of lots of orphan kids and shelters them at her property. She does her best to help these kids become the best they can be even they live surrounded by danger. I enjoyed the book very much and learned more about Africa and about humanity as well.

50 years are artfully packed into this memoir
What a well-written book! It reads like the memoir that it is, and memoirs require special storytelling skills when they cover an entire 50 years.And this is what the book does--covers 50 years of the author's life and Rwandan history.
Fascinating look into Rwanda's history
My interest in Rwanda was spurred by watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and reading "The Poisonwood Bible" (which is set in next door Congo).This book follows the life of a young woman that marries an African adventurer and goes there at a fairly young age.She winds up spending practically the rest of her life there, and provides a unique and interesting perspective on Rwanda's history.Watching "Hotel Rwanda" gave me only a snapshot - leading me to think that Hutus were crazy blood thirsty savages going after Tutsis.Well, many of them were, but this book gave me a little of the background as to why the Hutus are so crazy and militant.Rwanda certainly has had a turbulent history.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Carr, Rosamond Halsey    6. Central Africa - History    7. Country life    8. Description and travel    9. Ethnic Cultures - General    10. Historical - General    11. Rwanda    12. Social life and customs    13. Travelers    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. Biography: general    17. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

The late Bruce Chatwin carved out a literary career as unique as any writer's in this century: his books included Read more

Reviews (51)

Best of the best
This is the kind of writing/reflecting many people do while travelling and is not a "how to" type of travel guide.I've recommended this book to several thoughtful people, given it to many thoughtful teens as they begin to self-discover, and re-read the book twice.VERY nice writing, good thoughts, great ideas about humans.

The Songlines
As i never wanted to go to Australia, i have to say that after reading this book i have not changed my mind, but it is not a point. It is not a book about traveling in Australia. It is more a book about walking, for example. As i like walking, i have found in this book so many great examples of what the walking is about, it is not just moving from one point on the Earth to another, it is also philosophy. And so on...this book is highly recommended for those who knows what the word "travel" means. In present time many people travel, but just a few ones deserve to be called "traveller". Bruce Chatwin is among them.

Read before you go!
I wish I had read this book prior to our traveling to Australia.
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Subjects:  1. 1940-1989    2. Aboriginal Australians    3. Australia    4. Australia & Oceania - Australia    5. Chatwin, Bruce,    6. Description and travel    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. General    9. History - General History    10. Politics/International Relations    11. Social life and customs    12. Travel    13. Chatwin, Bruce    14. Ethnic studies    15. Journeys    16. Social Science / Anthropology / General    17. Travel writing   

Reviews (18)

Praise For Lono!
Once again HST delves deep into the dark side of the human mind. Whether it's fishing for drugs in an airplane toilet or running over stray dogs in a drunken stupor, Hunter takes his reader on a wild ride through mysterious Hawaii. If you want to take a trip without the airfare (or the acid) crack open this oversized volume and enjoy.

Amazing visual collectors item
This book is so big that it won't fit on my flippin' book shelf, and the reason for that is because of Ralph Steadman's full size color pictures throughout. As a matter of fact, there's more to the pictures than to the actual writings of the good doctor. It's an interesting read, all in all, but the book itself is only 200 some odd pages and a little less than half of these pages are dedicated to Ralphs artwork. The actual read only takes about an hour, and during the read, one can't help but think that there is whole chapters missing from the text. Anyways, I consider this an essential "collectors item" from the king of Gonzo, but not quite essential reading. Just because of the unique book design and layout (and artwork) it is a real treasure to own, but it is not the "Fear and Loathing in Hawaii", as some have called it. It is worth the money (36$)and if you find one cheaper (not hardcover) I would not buy it. This is an essential hardcover buy, and if it was reduced to anything less than it is, I would have been disappointed.

great release
this is a fantastic release of one of HST's least known works. not as crazy as fear and loathing in las vegas or as well written as the rum diaries, but still a fine read. ralph steadman's artwork infull color and at the large size they are printed in for this book are simply amazing ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    4. Individual Artist    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Hawaii    7. Travel writing   

Reviews (21)

This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind
The author "Ivan Doig" introduces Montana through his youthful eye and shares his rememberances of growing up in Montana. If you have yet to read any of Mr. Doig's excellent books or are already a fan; this book is not to be missed.

Enjoyable
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.The clincher was the realism and affection written into the characters.The work shares a time and place long since gone in this country.It makes one wonder if their own generation can live up to the character and accomplishments of the ones in the book.

This House of Sky, Tim Gauthier
The House of Sky was a good book because Ivan Doig talks about his experiences he went through in the town of White Sulfur Springs. He talks about his fathers experiences while he was growing up and how he dealed with them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Doig family    6. Doig, Ivan    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Literary    10. Meagher County (Mont.)    11. Regional Subjects - West    12. United States - State & Local - General    13. History / United States / State & Local / West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)    14. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

When Rita Golden Gelman traveled to Mexico during a two-month separation from her husband, she hoped to satisfy an old craving for adventure and, in the process, rejuvenate herself and her marriage. Little did she know it was the beginning of a new life, not just as a divorcée, but as a nomad of the world. Since 1986, Gelman has had no permanent address and no possessions except those she can carry. She travels without a plan, guided by instinct, serendipitous opportunities, and a remarkable ability to connect with people. At first her family and friends accused her of running away, but Gelman knew she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and a way of life that is inspiring and enviable.Read more

Reviews (89)

Anti-American arrogance
The author leaves a rocky marriage and her twenty-ish year-old children and sets out for frugal nomadic adventures around the world.While in Mexico, she litters with the locals, trying not to offend and to fit in.In Nicaragua, she finds out that the American journalists had it all wrong.The Sandinistas are the people.The war is "Reagan's War," and she feels anger towards his policies.Although raised in a Jewish household, a trip to Israel stirs up no spiritual feelings.In the Galapagos Islands, she lucks out on getting a cut rate on an expensive cruise, but the boat breaks down, resulting in her booking a more economical cruise, so she reminisces about a past boat trip, where everyone (including herself which she fails to mention) can afford the high price.Unfortunately that was with ugly Americans of which one-third tended to be especially irritating.The mostly European econo-tour environment is better.In Indonesia, she drinks from the skull of a sacrificed neighboring tribe member and feels the taste of...cannibalism???She foists herself on the busy, arrogant orangutan studier, Dr. Galdikas, but ultimately loses out when the doctor treats her poorly.The book she insists on writing with and for the doctor is never published and you can feel the sour milk of her words.A wonderful prince tells her he's done the things in life that he was meant to do and is ready to die and that (even so) he will teach her and show her Bali from the inside.She arrogantly claims that his words mean that her education is his final duty in life.
Inspiring!!
I read this book quickly because I was fascinated with the adventures of this bold woman. I liked her narrative voice and felt like she was someone with whom I would want to travel.

This story is movie worthy
If you've ever been interested in traveling the world, this story is a must read.I met Rita as she made one of her 'pit stops' to the United States.She came to our school on the Navajo Reservation to present her children's stories.She is authentic, and even her visit to the rez contained a story worthy of the many you find in this book.I am waiting for the second volume to this amazing tale, as she continues to travel the world.You must read this! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Travel    4. Travelers    5. Women    6. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    7. Travel writing   

Reviews (4)

Great Gift
I got this beautiful book for two dear friends, brilliant musicians, who will be traveling to Italy soon.They were entranced, and have thanked me several times, saying the book makes them feel "as if we are already in Italy."

Italy Coffee Table Book
The book is beautifully photographed.It has pictures of some out of the way places that some of the other brochures and books don't touch on.If you are looking for information, this is not the book for you.

Discovering/ Revisiting Every Corner of Italy:THE Book To Read Before Travel
This is one of those books that defies description.Formed as a joint project between the Italian Tourism people and the New York Times, this generously illustrated volume covers all of Italy, not only photographically but also with immensely readable and helpful articles about the regions, the people and their idiosyncrasies, the culture, the history, the sights not to be missed, the foods, and an ebullient flow of gentle humor that makes this the first choice of reading in preparation for a visit to this popular country - or an invaluable memento for perusing once home from the pleasures Italian.
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Subjects:  1. Continental European    2. Description and travel    3. Europe - Italy    4. Italy    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Europe / Italy    8. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

First published in 1982, William Least Heat-Moon's account of his journey along the back roads of the United States (marked with the color blue on old highway maps) has become something of a classic. When he loses his job and his wife on the same cold February day, he is struck by inspiration: "A man who couldn't make things go right could at least go. He could quit trying to get out of the way of life. Chuck routine. Live the real jeopardy of circumstance. It was a question of dignity."Read more

Reviews (99)

On Maps Where There Are Large Red Highways And Little Blue Highways, He Took The Blue Roads To Discovery
A generation ago writer William Least Heat-Moon, getting away from the tangles of his own changing life, bravely undertook a road trip that crossed the quiet places of the American landscape, and on his journey he met a number of wonderfully unique men and women, all people of depth and individuality, and he learned their stories. Describing in this slow-paced, pure-spirited book a disappearing aspect of (rural) America most of us will never know or even be aware of, this writer crafted a non-fiction classic that is both a time capsule and a recounting of a modern-day human-centered pilgrimage of growth. The lesson Least Heat-Moon learned that sticks out above all in my mind is how he found time and again that it is the people who possess the least in their lives who are also the most generous and welcoming. An inspiring, interesting, moving sort of book about a time much longer ago than a mere quarter-century, and about places that most likely have already given way to change. I read this book in college and have found it unforgettable.

Tedious
Not at all as interesting as I hoped it would be. The back roads of USA should be able to offer a much more colourful and interesting web than this.

A Gift
William Least Heat-Moon's Blue Highways is referred to by many as a "cult classic".If so, it's a shame this book is not better known.It is 1978 and William Least Heat-Moon is 38 years old.Upon the near-simultaneous loss of his college teaching job and his marriage, he needs to get out of town, to leave places of sadness, futility and routine, to clear his mind and renew his soul.William leaves Missouri driving a '75 Econoline that he also intends to live in for the next several months; the truck has been named "Ghost Dancing".He has determined that he will drive only the blue highways, the old map color for single-lane rural highways and county roads, the roads that lead to all the small places in America, lost and forgotten by time, faded in economic or historic significance.He will travel and look around and listen, meet new people and learn new things and new ways of thinking.Most of all he will think, taking an inward journey as well.
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Subjects:  1. Description    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Heat Moon, William Least    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Journeys    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    12. Travel writing    13. USA   

Reviews (113)

History is fun!
A look at the history of U.S. presidential assassinations.Part history, part comic commentary, Ms. Vowell extensively documents her visits to sites (official or not) associated with these events.The history of the assassinations alone is interesting and details are often overlooked (or not looked at at all - e.g., Garfield, McKinley) when these events are presented / captured in popular forums.It is a quick read that will shed light on and insight into these assassinations that you never considered before.

I will buy this book from you if you don't like it
I read this book aloud to 5 pre- and teenagers on a grueling road trip down south over Easter. Not only did it hold their attention the entire time it was an incredible coincidence to pass an important site in the book at the EXACT time we were reading about the capture of John Wilkes Boothe. Because of the author's exacting description we were able to arrive at the exact site she describes in such detail and VOILA, nearly living history. (Of course, being uncouth Northerners we allowed our dog to pee on the shrine in question and one child left eggs from his Easter basket on the marker).This book compelled me to read three or four more books about Lincoln, Booth and assorted others Vowell writes about. She captures history in such a remarkably approachable manner, I've since bought copies for every history teacher in our school district. Every American should read this book and even if you think you know about our first assassinations, you will learn something, and laugh while learning it. Spectacular.

Move over Bill Bryson, there's stiff competition
Assassination Vacation is one of the best books I've read this Summer. Ms Vowell should take up teaching American history. Her brilliant and expert knowledge of her subjects (normally written about in stententious and serious tones given the subject matter) is quite impressive. But, it is the wit and humor and unusual angle of expression and personal observations that is the most captivating. I was amazed to learn so much more about the Lincoln assassination and conspirators (despite more than 35 years of reading and research on the subject) and view it from a different and less reverent angle. But even more, I was entranced by the Garfield and McKinley coverage - which added huge amounts of information to my very limited knowledge of either of these presidents or their assassins and the events surrounding them. Garfield came off so much better than I ever knew - which was very little. And his hilarious "disappointed office seeker" far more ambitious (Ambassador to France?) and political (Stalwart for Grant) than I ever knew. Don't know how one can make an account of assassinations hilariously funny? Read this book - and don't assume that it isn't historically accurate, because it is. This one is a real keeper and I am thinking of buying it on tape - just so I can listen to it while stuck in traffic, so that fellow travellers can see someone who is having fun while in the midst of DC rush hours.Have fun with this book and share it with everyone you know who loves history and has a good sense of humor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assassination    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Homes and haunts    7. Murder - General    8. Presidents    9. Presidents & Heads of State    10. Special Interest - General    11. Topic - Political    12. Travel - General    13. U.S. President    14. United States    15. United States - General    16. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    17. Crime & criminology    18. Travel writing    19. USA   

Reviews (164)

Disappointing!
I wasn't too into this one. I'm a big fan of Steinbeck's fiction, but this memoir is rather dull. I was looking to hear what he had to say about the zeitgeist of America at the time he wrote it. But as an older man (as he even admits) he isn't as inspired to talk to or rub shoulders with people whom he crosses paths. The ones that he does writeabout come across as a bit uninspired. Nothing much happens on his journey and it almost seems like he doesn't have too much to say.
Travels With Charlie, by John Steinbeck
Favorite memories of this book come from years ago when I could not put the book down as I read of Steinbecks travels with his poodle.For those whose minds wander and wonder about the roads, towns and people of the U.S., I highly recommend this book.I am purchasing it to read again.

A great travel book, for awhile....
Great travel book. Imagery was good and the descriptions were more than adequate. I more than once thought I was right there and that's a good thing. However it sort of lost steam at the end and I truly believe Steinbeck got homesick during the travels, and tired of writing near the end.
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Subjects:  1. 1902-1968    2. 1960-1980    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Description and travel    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Journeys    8. Literary    9. Steinbeck, John,    10. Travel - General    11. U.S.    12. United States    13. United States - General    14. Biography & Autobiography / Literary    15. Biography: general    16. English    17. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -    18. Steinbeck, John    19. Travel writing    20. USA   

Reviews (10)

Hey Ranger is a Good Book to Read
I have always wondered about the job of a National Parks Ranger.It was very enjoyable to read about experiences.It was also nice to read a little about the National Parks where the author worked.

Ah....The Memories!
Like a great song from years ago, Jim Burnett's stories hit you (and your funny bone) with nostalgia that takes you back to another time and place. My father was a Park Ranger for many years and the stories he told around the supper table keep in time with these (though I never remember laughing as hard as I did when I read about beavers gnawing on boat props!). Thanks for spinning some funny yarns about the outdoor-impaired! Now, if we could only get a reality show called..."So, you want to be a Park Ranger..."

Laugh and Learn
We saw this book while on vacation in Shenandoah National Park and decided to take a copy home. It was so much fun that we took turns reading it out loud in the car during the drive back. Our family has been campers and hikers for years, so we didn't have trouble believing some of the dumb things people do in parks, especially when it comes to wild animals. The author includes some really good tips for anybody planning a trip to the outdoors, but most of the learning is well disguised in the humor. This is a fun book for just about anybody. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accidents    2. Anecdotes    3. Form - Essays    4. General    5. Humor    6. National parks and reserves    7. Outdoor Life    8. Outdoor Skills    9. Parks & Campgrounds    10. Satire And Humor    11. United States    12. Travel / General    13. Travel writing    14. USA   

Reviews (42)

Amazing and inspiring read!
I was a fan of Angelina's prior to buying this book, but after reading it, I gained more respect for her as a humanitarian worker. This is a fascinating insight into her work with UNHCR as she traveled through several countries and kept a journal. These are her journal entries as she was working within the countries. I couldn't put the book down and learned so much about UNHCR and other orgranizations working within countries. It is well-worth reading and I gurantee that you will learn a tremendous deal about UNHCR and gain respect for the refugees as well as admire Angelina for her work with the agency.

Incredible & Horrifying
I admire Angelina Jolie for leaving behind her Hollywood sanctuary to become a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR and taking the trips as she describes in these journals. The stories she tells are so real and scary, it's a sad reminder of what goes on in other parts of the world. Don't expect exceptional writing, but stark reality as noted during the events that Jolie witnessed.I would love to see another set of her journals from trips in later years.

Inspiring Book
I've always liked Angelina Jolie but had sometimes had doubt in her charity work as more than a publicity ploy. Once you read this book it is impossible to doubt her sincerity. It is a quick and easy read but still a very good one. As someone wanting to work with NGOs and be a International Social Worker this book just reinforced that going down that track was not only a great idea but much needed. I think everyone should read this book if for nothing else it helps you to realize just how lucky you are. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1975-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Jolie, Angelina,    6. Nonfiction    7. Refugees    8. Travel    9. Women    10. Aid & relief programmes    11. Biography & Autobiography / Women    12. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

"On any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow thegift of loneliness and the gift of privacy." So begins E.B. White's classic meditation on that noisiest, most public of American cities. Written during the summer of 1948, well after the author and editor had taken up permanent residence in Maine, Read more

Reviews (18)

A Love Letter to New York City
HERE IS NEW YORK is a truly spectacular 1948 essay that originally appeared in Holiday magazine.Written by E.B. White and named one of the ten best books ever written about New York, this is a quick read that will leave you years later savoring White's timeless observations.
Style, Truth, Prescience
Early to a party, I was looking at a friend's bookcase and pulled this slim volume from a shelf.After reading the first sentence, I knew I had to have it.
Small Treasure
A tightly written prose essay.An appreciation of the city that was and is. Memories and images of things past and things enduring. The city of E.B. White. If you live her, love her or even dislike her this memoir will evoke strong recollections.
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Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Description    3. Description and travel    4. Essays    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. New York (N.Y.)    7. Travel    8. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    9. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    10. White, E. B. (Elwyn Brooks), 1899-1985    11. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works    12. New York    13. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)    14. Travel writing    15. c 1945 to c 1960   

Editorial Review

In this memoir of her buying, renovating, and living in an abandoned villa in Tuscany, Frances Mayes reveals the sensual pleasure she found living in rural Italy, and the generous spirit she brought with her. She revels in the sunlight and the color, the long view of her valley, the warm homey architecture, the languor of the slow paced days, the vigor of working her garden, and the intimacy of her dealings with the locals. Cooking, gardening, tiling and painting are never chores, but skills to be learned, arts to be practiced, and above all to be enjoyed. At the same time Mayes brings a literary and intellectual mind to bear on the experience, adding depth to this account of her enticing rural idyll. ... Read more

Reviews (415)

Lemon Tree
The cover of mine was decorated with the actress from the movie so I expected it to be the tragic romance with a happy ending on the DVD. Instead I got a description of a couple of college proffessors who cash in their investments to buy a million dollar run down house in Cortona Italy in which they only planned to live in 3 months out of the year.
Beautiful Tuscany
Frances Mayes and her boyfriend Ed are college professors in San Francisco.Since her own college days, Mayes has rented houses in Italy, and dreamed of one day buying a home of her own in Tuscany.After looking at endless houses, ranging from ruins to the opposite extreme, they finally came upon Bramasole, a country home long abandoned and surrounded by terraced hillsides with old olive trees.As other reviewers pointed out, Mayes has a lot of money and whines about spending it.She does not become one of the locals, and when school starts she flies back to her apartment in California.But her descriptions of working on the house and the land around it really appeal to me.I enjoyed a story she told about rebuilding the falling stone walls with a team of Polish workers who worked for her contractor and stayed at the local church.She does love her new home and the land, and the layers of history she and Ed discover as they work on the house.She writes descriptions of the wonderful local produce and cooking, and you can feel the warmth of the sun, a visit to the weekly market, or the drama of a thunderstorm in her writing as if you were there.

Drew me in!
Long having toyed with the idea of retiring in the south of France, my interest was piqued when friends told me about this book.They were ready to lend me their copy, but seeing that this was a topic close to heart, i.e. the buying of a house in Southern Europe, I decided to go out and buy it.Admittedly, the narrative started off slowly for me.However, once Mayes started to recount the tale of actively looking for a house, and ultimately finding one, I was hooked.Since I am a bit of food-lover, the recipes were of interest as well.In all, I read the book in two sittings, it's that interesting once you get going.If I could proffer some criticism, I would point out that the book has little insight for those hoping to find a true cultural observation.The author and her boyfriend deal with the locals in various capacities, from notary to carpenter, but they befriend too few to really get at the heart of the real Tuscans.Of course, given that friendships in Europe develop at glacier speeds this is normal.Nonetheless, my hope is that all the years spent in Italy Mayes will be able to address this lacuna in her next book...the one I picked up today.All in all, Under the Tuscan Sun is an eloquent, worth-while story about a fascinating part of the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography    2. Cookery, Italian    3. Description And Travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Europe - Italy    6. Mayes, Frances    7. Social life and customs    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. Tuscany (Italy)    11. Biography: general    12. Italy    13. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    14. Travel writing    15. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

Bill Bryson follows his Appalachian amble, Read more

Reviews (361)

"Que Sera Sera"
I checked this out of the library and read it on the way to Australia to visit my daughter during her study abroad semester in Brisbane. She read it while we sailed the Whitsundays and dove on the Great Barrier Reef - well, not when we we actually in the water. Before whe started reading it, in conversations I regularly sited Bryson having commented on many of our topics, by saying something, "Just like in the book," or, "Bryson talks about that in the book." A little like Seinfeld having done so many topics, that we live parts of them in our daily lives. Anyway, we left the book on a plane. So, I'll buy a copy for the library and one for me - money well spent. It was a great introduction and punctuated much of the trip. A bus driver in Brisbane was actually whistling "Que Sera Sera," which,I think, was mentioned in the book. I'll find out when I read it again. I'd read Bryson's Sort History of Nearly Everything a couple of years ago. It's also a good read.

Audio CD review: His prose is annoying when spoken aloud
You get your money's worth here--there are a ton of CDs in this audio book. Unfortunately, I found Bryson's prose (which I enjoyed a lot when reading silently, as I have done with his other books) to be greatly irritating when spoken aloud. To me, he sounds kind of 'affected' in parts, and sometimes there is a sort of "moist" sound when he pronounces words. Hard to describe until you hear the CD, but trust me on this one. I think a lot of the positive reviews on here are for the book, and not the CD. I would stick with the written word on this one.

Why I read it twice...a review in two parts.
I took this book with me on a recent trip to Central America and absolutely loved it.While there is less narrative flow than, say, A Walk in the Woods, reading Bryson's thoughts on Sydney harbor, Australian-rules football, former Prime Minister Harold Holt (peace be upon him), forever walking through Canberra, and his near run-in's with a seemingly endless list of nasty (and apparently deadly) native animals was engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.He does this all the while encountering some pretty terrific and endearing folks, drinking many Victorian Bitters, and relaying an impressive and affectionate recounting of Australian history.There really is a lot to like here.So much so that upon finishing the book while still in Central America, and realizing that I committed the unpardonable sin of only bringing one book with me to read (you try finding a decent bookstore in Central America), I turned to the first chapter and started all over again.And it was equally engrossing, witty, and informative if not more-so.I can think of no higher compliment for a book and I recommend it whole-heartedly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Australia    3. Australia & Oceania - General    4. Australia/Oceania - Australia    5. Bryson, Bill    6. Description    7. Description and travel    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. United States - General    12. Humour    13. Journeys    14. Travel / General    15. Travel writing