When in Rome: A Journal of Life in Vatican City by Robert J. Hutchinson Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.81 You Save: $12.19 (64%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of When in Rome: A Journal of Life in Vatican City
Book Review: A lot of fun!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are many light 'travel' books intended to give a personal account of some aspect of the author's experience in a foreign country or city. This book fits into that category with a particular emphasis on the Vatican. Anyone planning a trip to Rome should consider some of the 'traveler' books along with the many excellent travel guides that are available to help you understand the city. The "traveler' books are generally much more interesting to read.
"When in Rome" is a lot of fun. Robert Hutchinson provides great insight into the Vatican and how it works (or at times doesn't!) I am reminded of the question once asked of Pope John XXIII: "How many people actually work in the Vatican?" Answer: "Not Many!"
I have been to Rome many times, but this book was still informative for me and is highly recommended for those planning a first trip to Rome, and even for the experienced traveler.
Book Review: Adventures in the Vatican
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not meant to be a guide book but the story of the author as he finds out all he can about Vatican City. Mr. Hutchinson gives us an interesting look behind the scens of the Vatican, places where I never have been and probably never will be. I must disagree with him, however, when he says the Italians are grumpy, sour tempered people who don't like speaking anything but Italian. I have found things to the contrary. In fact, I wonder how the Romans put up with so many awful tourists and remain unaffected. As to the pizza sold by vendors on the streets, I found their wares to be not too bad, not cardboard anyway. However, I tend not to be less fussy about what is on my pizza, and after a big dinner the night before it was welcome to have something lite and quick.
I am more than willing to let pass the error about Mary Stuart etc. How it got by a reader I don't know. So, I can give the book high marks because it is entertaining, informative and written with a sense of humor.
Book Review: An excellent publication!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is one of the best I've read and is very informative about life inside Vatican City. Interspersed are excellent descriptions of various sites, including the Necropolis (City of the Dead). I am quite well-informed on Rome and I could not put this book down. It is No. 1 in my library of books on the subject of Rome!Book Review: Are all the editors dead?
Summary: 3 Stars
Are all the editors dead? If you can get past the typos, try'n figure out the goofus history, e.g., Elizabeth I whacked her own sister? I suspect, as any 5th grader knows, he meant Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Just plain sloppy and a shame, too. This work could have been both fun and accurate.Book Review: Entertaining, informative and more importantly funny!
Summary: 5 Stars
Being a Catholic, but decidedly out of practice and an Italophile this book promised much. I was not to be disappointed. This book combines the travel guide and the history book. Some of the stories about the Popes were, to say the least, revealing! I think the book is quite mischevious in it's representation of the Holy See, but never disrespectful. My impressions prior to reading this book were that the Vatican was a dry humourless place, while to some extent this does prove to be the case, with the exception of some wonderful characters , the book never is. Entertaining, informative and more importantly very funny now who would have thought that about a book on life in the Vatican City.