No comments about The Canadian Museum of Civilization/Le Musee Canadien Des Civilisations.

5 comments about Rome Is Love Spelled Backward (Roma Amor): Enjoying Art and Architecture in the Eternal City.

1. This book allows you to take a walking tour of Rome and read the fascinating background of the sights in front of you. This book made me understand Rome's depth.
   
   a day in Rome + this book = unforgettable experience (for me).



2. This is an excellent book but at 42 smackers, the question is "Is it worth it?"

   Well that depends on the user.

   I spent 8 days in Rome and carried this book with me to many places. It was especially handy when tours were unavailable or inconvenient. Testa blends interesting tidbits into a thorough, yet concise, summary of each subject. If you're not rushed for time and have a relaxing 15 minutes to sit outside of St. Peters, or the Colosseum, or one of the other 35 places/topics included in this book (or even later in the hotel), then I would recommend it. This is indeed where the book proves its value.

   If, however, you are rushed for time or deeply interested in one particular topic, other more general (Eyewitness, Rome's Top 10) or more specific books (for all sites covered there are probably many books to chose from) may better suit you.

   Other travel guides are best used for planning purposes. Leave them in the hotel. They're too heavy to carry. Though not billed as a travel guide, this book works really well as just that. This is true *only* if you are the type of person who will take the time to read it. Otherwise, save your money for the gelato.

   Finally, and this is my only criticism of the book's content... or the lack thereof, I was a little disappointed at the breadth of coverage. It seems (again considering the price) more subjects could have been treated. For instance Santa Maria del Popolo was not among the subjects included.

   But this opinion may be a product of how I used the book. It is apparently intended to be a survey, not a comprehensive guide. My review however, is written with the traveler in mind. (If you're just interested in a general survey of Roman art and architecture, I've only read this one. It seems adequate enough.)




3. In Rome is Love Spelled Backward, by Dr. Judith Testa, an almost insurmountable mountain of enthralling history is condensed, controlled, and lovingly compiled into a volume that is not only very readable, but maintains the excitement, and vitality, of the most awesome city in the world. Clearly, Dr. Testa knows and loves this Eternal City.
   Not until I read Testa's, Rome is Love Spelled Backward, and A Traveler in Rome, by H. V. Morton, did I come to understand and agree with the quote, "The ancient ruins are all around you, . . . . This is the center, and all the rest of the world is the periphery." Judith Testa's book is the only book I carry with me while wandering around Rome, year after year. A pre-Roman holiday must read!



4. In Rome is Love Spelled Backward, by Dr. Judith Testa, an almost insurmountable mountain of enthralling history is condensed, controlled, and lovingly compiled into a volume that is not only very readable, but maintains the excitement, and vitality, of the most awesome city in the world. Clearly, Dr. Testa knows and loves this Eternal City.
   Not until I read Testa's, Rome is Love Spelled Backward, and A Traveler in Rome, by H. V. Morton, did I come to understand and agree with the quote, "The ancient ruins are all around you, . . . . This is the center, and all the rest of the world is the periphery." Judith Testa's book is the only book I carry with me while wandering around Rome, year after year. A pre-Roman holiday must read!



5. In Rome Is Love Spelled Backward [Roma Amor], Judith Testa (Professor of Art History at Northern Illinois University) takes the reader on a fascinating and informative historical survey of the art, architecture, personalities, and wonders of the Eternal City from it founding down to the present day. The five sections around which her commentaries are organized and presented include: Ancient Rome; Early Christian and Medieval Rome; Late Medieval and Renaissance Rome; Baroque Rome; and Modern Rome. A scholarly, highly accessible work, enthusiastically recommended history, Rome Is Love Spelled Backward is enhanced for the reader with extensive notes, a bibliography, list of illustrations, and an exhaustive, nine page index.

No comments about Elektropolis.

1 comments about The Grand American Avenue 1850-1920.

1. This is a very good book on a most deserving subject. I especially liked the section on Galveston's Broadway, but all of the avenues are most derserving. I really was not familiar with some of the avenues like Cleveland's Euclid, so it was fascinating to see how grand this street was and sadly how much it has changed, that I think is the most resonating image you get from this book is how sad it is that we did not perserve these grand American streets as we should have. Having said that, that fact does not diminish the enjoyment of looking at once was. It is refreshing to see that Americans now appreciate the past more and have a better appreciation of the craftsmanship and skill that went into these neighborhoods along these great avenues, but sadly so much has been lost and what made some of these streets so enchanting will never return, but this book at least allows you to look back at what once was and is no more...sic transit gloria.

No comments about Best of British Architecture 1980-2000.

No comments about Building Canada;: An architectural history of Canadian life.

No comments about Early Printed Books Catalogue 1478-1840.

No comments about European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture 2005: Mies Van Der Rohe Award Premio de Arquit4ectura Contemporanea de la Union Europea.

No comments about Shaping Communities (Perspectives in Vernacular Architecture).

No comments about U S Capitol: Designing & Decorating A National Icon (Perspective On Art & Architect).