delightful and satisfying travels

Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo by Tim Parks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This my second title by Tim Parks and I'm a fan. I love reading travel writing, but Prof. Parks includes so many of the dimensions that are seen only in the very best travel writers. I especially like his grounded, honest, approach to describing not just history and politics behind the places, but such thoughtful reflections on the people, places, and sights, including self reflection to give a special context to the journey. I loved Italian Neighbors (how was that NOT made into a film?) and this just adds more layers to the delightful and satisfying life story of Prof. Parks. I will continue pick up and read more of his canon, especially as i reflect on traveling to Italy, both before and after. Excellent account.

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a "manifesto" for travel

Rick Steves' Travel As a Political Act by Rick Steves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rick Steves' "Travel As a Political Act" is his "manifesto" for travel. In it, he shares many details of his most meaningful and life changing travel, and expounds on what was learned and how it changed him. The book shares a wide diversity of places, people, and experiences. In addition, through advice and experience, the author shows us how we can apply the same principles of travel to our travel experiences, in order to make ourselves better citizens of the world, as well as to connect meaningfully to a larger scope of humanity. Rick is a really cool person who lives what he publishes. This is a great read for anyone venturing outward, whether out of state, or across the globe.

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ditto, this time Florence

Rick Steves Pocket Florence by Rick Steves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent and concise overview, this time of Florence. Great maps, tours, and recommendations. All around great summary which will definitely go with us to Italy! Thank you, Rick Steves!

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Another excellent and concise overview, this time of Rome.

Rick Steves Pocket Rome by Rick Steves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent and concise overview, this time of Rome. Great maps, tours, and recommendations. All around great summary which will definitely go with us to Rome! Thanks again, Rick Steves!

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Excellent and concise overview of the Cinque Terre

Rick Steves Pocket Italy's Cinque Terre by Rick Steves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent and concise overview of the Cinque Terre and the surrounding towns. Great tips, recommendations, and i especially love the detailed walks in and around each town. I also appreciate the frankness in the reviews of sites and eateries. All around great summary which will definitely go with us to the Cinque Terre! Thanks Rick Steves!

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a fascinating, wonderful, and deeply human story

Italian Neighbors by Tim Parks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Italian Neighbors is a brilliantly written book about Tim Parks' initiation to life in Italy, and it becoming his home. The author details the wide variety of people and events over the course of a year, after setting up residence at Via Colombare, 10, Montecchia. The small town, the people, the customs, the religion and politics, the personalities, are always interesting and often eclectic and outrageous. Unlike many travelogues i've read, this book is about digging in and making a new place into a home. As the author says in his Afterword:

"If this book is anything, I hope it suggests how I passed that point of no return. Which is a process of immersion in details, whether they be pleasant or unpleasant. For details are sticky as spider's silk; you are very soon caught. And rather than a travel book, perhaps if there were such a category in the libraries I should call this an arrival book. For by the end, this small square handkerchief of Italy I live in has become home for me. I hope that for just a moment the reader will have been able to feel at home here too."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a fascinating, wonderful, and deeply human story. Highly recommended!



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