The Companion Guide to Rome

The Companion Guide to... #6

by Georgina Masson, John Fort

This classic guide to Rome begins at the Capitol, 'rising as it does like an island of peace out of the strident roar of the Piazza Venezia in the heart of the city, leading us backwards by degrees through the centuries to the time when Rome first emerged from a collection of pastoral villages set upon seven hills... And at night it is not so difficult to picture the stately ranks of colonnaded temples crowned with gilded statues and the basilicas rearing their great bulk against the night sky, or to imagine the faint glow of the sacred fire warming the marbles of the Temple of Vesta, and above them all the vast palace of the emperors on the Palatine overshadowing the whole scene, as it then dominated the civilized world.' From this seductive start, the glories of Rome are unrolled; Masson's home was in the grounds of the Villa Pamphilj, on the outskirts of Rome, during the years when she was writing this book, and she knew Rome intimately. She has been fortunate in her reviser John Fort, resident in Rome for thirty years - in the Palazzo Doria Pamphillj, who has brought this latest edition up to date.

Genres: Travel, Italy, History, Nonfiction

698 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Crystal King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, one of the best books on modern Rome that I've read. It's not your typical guidebook though. True, there are walks you can follow but there isn't any info on times, prices and other information related to access to sites. Instead you'll get in depth details on the architecture and history of all the marvelous things you may see on your walks--far more so than you could imagine getting out of Rick Steves or Fodors. Best of all, if you are a Rome lover, this book stands on its own as a work of literature that is accessible, interesting and pleasurable to read.

[Andrej · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a history freak, no matter, ancient, medieval or modern, this guide with numerous walks is the BEST for discovering the wonders of Rome.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely detailed guide, limited (as is proper) to the city within the Aurelian walls, leaving only to visit the catacombs, major basilicae outside the walls and the Tre Fontane abbey - excellent focus and well-described walks through the city. There is, however, a constant leaning towards and dwelling upon ancient art and architecture (the earlier, the better, to the disregard of much of the work of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, for example) and the prose style, using 'we' and 'our' to guide the reader through the author's personal opinions, is slightly annoying. My copy is a bit dated, having been printed in the early 80s, but there is a more recent update. Rome, anyhow, doesn't change very much. This has been a most interesting read and I recommend.

[DMae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to use this book from the moment I heard about it. It was several years and several trips to Rome before I found a used copy I could afford.

This is not the book I ended up taking to Rome, and this surprised me as I had waited so long to get it! I use it for reference, for planning excursions in Rome, but it has never traveled with me to that city.

[Erik]

Included in the "Miscellaneous" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hefty pb, worth the mass on the flight and the ground in Rome. Descriptive, well-written prose offering context for the 'you are here' moments, sweet b/w crisp maps.

[Niki Costantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un altro gioiello introvabile, un altro regalo prezioso.