When in Rome by Robert J. Hutchinson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of When in 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: Of the many good books on the Vatican, this is not one.
Summary: 1 Stars
Here's what you need to know when deciding whether to buy this book:1. The author proudly proclaims his own ignorance and unpreparedness as a supposed asset in writing about the "real" Vatican.
2. He claims as his mentor -- as the person responsible for his views of and attitudes about Rome and the Vatican -- his translator, who is the spoiled, partially Americanized, previously unemployed and unemployable, and perpetually angry, twenty-six year old son of Italian diplomats.
3. He dismisses the "vaticanisti," local and foreign long term resident experts on Rome, because they follow substantive issues and don't spend their time shmoozing with the Vatican sweepers and drinking with the Vatican guards.
4. He spends a great deal of the readers' time complaining about the fact that the Vatican bureaucracy, which he discovers is much smaller than he suspected, won't quit their day jobs to do his research for him, i.e., won't spend their time gossiping with him as the sweepers and off duty guards will.
5. He spends even more time comparing himself favorably with P.J.O'Rourke, Mark Twain, and the centuries-long list of his travel-writing predecessors, with writers with real talent.
6. His sources seem to be other malcontents with whom he commiserated in various pubs in Rome. The Italians and Vatican insiders smelled this guy coming from a mile away and stonewalled him.
7. He assumes, because Italian women don't smile at him and Italians in general won't waste their time speaking English with him, that Italian women never smile and that Italians can't speak English. (Both of these assumptions are patently absurd.)
8. He thinks that Madagascar is off the southern tip of Africa.
If this gonzo jouralist is the person you want as your guide to the Vatican, spend you money and buy this book. Otherwise, type "Vatican" in the keyword search box on the left side of the screen and scan the list for good books on the subject.
In the interests of full disclosure, you should know that I am a former US diplomat (neither Italian nor a writer or member of the press) with spoiled but not angry kids of my own, I am living temporarily in Rome, I find the Italians delightful and thoroughly accessable, and, unlike the swarms of American writers who aspire to the title, I know that "gonzo" is an Italian word that means ignorant, foolish, and loutish.
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.Book Review: Recommended reading for anyone traveling to Rome.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a must for anyone (especially Catholics) traveling to Rome. The author gives you an inside view of the wall of secrecy that surrounds the Vatican. His delightful narrative will make you laugh out loud. If you want to know where the cardinals dine, or any other juicy tidbits, this book will tell you.Book Review: This book is as essential as a street map when in Rome.
Summary: 5 Stars
Mr. Hutchinson's book was reviewed in the travel section of the San Francisco Chronicle just before our trip. It is a delight. Written with wit and excellent journalistic inquiry, it opened for me the inner doors to this wonderful city and let me peek behind the scenes. While the author presents a somewhat irrevent picture he never compromises the faith...only the faithful! Even if you are not going to Rome, you will find this insightful little book great reading.