When in Rome by Robert J. Hutchinson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of When in Rome
Book Review: Fantastic, very funny book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever wondered just what goes on "behind the scenes" in Vatican City? Well, wonder no longer! When in Rome reveals many innermost and often-hidden secrets buried deep in the depths of the Vatican's cellars. It's an absolutely superb book. The few negative reviewers missed the humor... and concentrated on a few insignificant details. Most of them appear to be ultra-conservative Catholics who won't tolerate the least bit of criticism (even when meant in fun) by the author.In fact, the author tells his first-hand investigative tale with passion, insight and a great deal of wit -- so much so that he had me bursting into laughter chapter after chapter. Hutchinson pulls no punches and is one of the few honest writers about the Vatican to go directly into the bowels of this treasured city. He plainly loves and admires the Vatican, Italy and even the Italian language -- which he said time and again he wished he knew better. When in Rome is truly a great read to be enjoyed by people of all faiths. It's such a light-hearted, yet fascinating book. Highly recommended.
Book Review: When in Rome....be sloppy
Summary: 1 Stars
One wonders why a writer would go to the immense trouble of moving himself and his family to another country in order to write a book about an ancient institution headquartered in that country and not bother first to learn the language spoken there. Mr. Hutchinson's complaints that Italians have not bothered to learn to speak HIS language in order to make HIS work easier are reapeated thoughout the book and by the end, become quite tiresome. Even the Pope, polyglot that he is, does not escape criticism because once he spoke in four languages and English was not one of them. And the Italian woman who could not understand the word "bank" is to be blamed, too. Why did the author not learn to say "banco?" But I find that his assertion that Italians, in general, do not speak English hard to believe. The contrary is true, for I often complain that when in Rome I am hardly given the chance to speak Italian, since there are so many English speakers there. Facts go unchecked in this book. Just to name two: Mary Tudor, half sister of English Queen Elizabeth I died in her bed, of cancer. It was Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, who was executed by orders of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. The author confuses the two. And the "Chair of Peter" which the author declares to be inside the bronze throne by Bernini, was removed from there 25 years ago when it was discovered to have been the work of a Medieval artist. Then there are the outrageous, unsupported statements such as the startling one on page 40 where the author declares that the Pope "plainly would have rather be in bed watching reruns of "The Beverly Hillbillies" on TV"...rather than be "forced to listen to a boring oratorio for two hours." The author is writing about The Messiah, by Handel, which the Pope is widely know to enjoy greatly, almost as much as he enjoys being with people. Where did the author get information such as this? He calls the Order of Malta sinister.Why? But the Order of the Holy Sepulcher is less sinister. No explanation. By the way, the Order of the Holy Sepulcher was created in 1849 and not in the 11th century. The old order also named of " the Holy Sepulcher" entered into decline and disappeared 500 years ago. Then the author gets things turned around: During "ad limina" visits it is the visiting bishop who is likely to receive from the Pope an envelope stuffed with cash and not as Mr. Hutchinson writes. The reason is of the 2,453 dioceses in the world, more than half suffer from chronic deficits or barely break even. The Pope, who is known to keep himself very well informed about every diocese in the world (witness the nine fax machines turned on day and night in his office)presents the visiting prelate, if there is a need, with an envelope containing cash. This money comes from the fund supplemented each year, on June 29th, the day of Sts. Peter and Paul, by donations from Catholics around the world. It used to be called Peter's Pence. In order to make a point, that the Vatican bank looks weird and outerworldly, like something out of the television program "Start Trek," the author fails to mention that ALL banks in Rome have those tube-like glass doors. Frequently, Mr. Hutchinson makes assertions in one chapter that he contradicts in another. He writes that the Vatican is a vast bureaucracy. He even quotes someone who agrees with that. Then he informs the reader that the Vatican civil service consists of less than 2,000 people, including janitors, museum guards, repairmen, vigilanza and 114 Swiss Guards, and that the people who actually run the Church number less than 20. Which is it? The author, who calls himself a practicing Catholic and who tells us he was educated by the Jesuits, writes that he never heard of St. Sebastian! And he goes to the Vatican to write a book! Mr. Hutchinson, St. Sebastian...the arrows...Get it?Book Review: somewhat entertaining but poorly written
Summary: 2 Stars
Well, I just got back from a trip to Rome and read this book on the plane. Yes, at times it was funny --- as the other reviewers have noted. Yes, I learned some things about the Vatican I didn't know before. But the book is also disjointed, repetitive, poorly edited, and written in a style that was wordy, manipulative of the reader, and with barely veiled sexism in his repeated references to the physical appearance of the women he sees or meets. I had the impression the author was just trying to fill enough pages to make it book length. It was not a pager turner.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: I really enjoyed this book.
Summary: 5 Stars
For starters, it's hilarious. I laughed out loud many times. And while the author is irreverent, he's never offensive. He's a loyal Catholic who's not afraid to air out some dirty, and usually hilarious, laundry. The book is also fascinating. I often didn't want to put it down or was sorry to see a chapter end. And most of the chapters left me wanting to learn more. I especially liked his amazing account of the discovery, loss, and rediscovery of the bones of St. Peter. And his historical account of the outrageous shenanigans of some past popes was both entertaining and amusing.
I also found myself wanting to visit all the places the author visited - and even to meet some of the fascinating characters he came across.
If you like to laugh and you're at all interested in the secrets of the Vatican, you'll love this book, even if you're not Catholic and never plan to visit Italy.