The Companion Guide to Rome (Companion Guides)

A bit dull reading but historically adrquate

As a repeat visitor to Rome and owner of countless guide books to Rome,,, I was delighted to receive this updated version of Masson's"Companion Guide to Rome".This book is not easy ,,, and must be digested slowly... Having said that ,, it is chock full of details, history, back ground information that is lacking in other guide books....There are no hotel/restaurant recommendations in this book... but instead a series of walks , though all parts of the city ( and beyond)... Additional guide books to consider adding to this are Michelin Green Guide to Rome, Terroir Guide to Food in Rome and Rick Steve's Rome... which all offer food and lodging recommnedationsIn previous visits to Rome,,,I felt that I was missing out ... i.e. I would pass a ruin or monument and could not locate any information in my guide books.... Thankfully Masson and Fort cover most all of the various sights.Even if you do not take the outlined walks, this book is valuable.. For example, I was near to Capitoline Hill,,, so I referenced this location, using handy index and found all sorts of nearby sights.... This books provided the information about the "unveiling" at the Gesu Church, ( daily )... and this is truly one of the great sights in Rome...This is "The Guide Book " to Rome..Arawakoff

This is an excellent guide to ancient through 18th century Rome--but not to the contemporary city. I'm rating it 4 stars instead of 5 because the Amazon description is misleading. The 9th edition was published in 2009; it was reprinted (not updated) in February 2014. The maps are quite functional as itinerary guides, but they do not provide the level of detail (or color) as other guides (e.g., Eyewitness). However, none of the other guides can match it for depth and loving detail.

If you are looking for some walking tours with intensity- this is the book for you! FULL of information. I loved the book and it was exactly what I wanted on a return trip to Rome. This book represents years of knowledge and scholarship on Georgina Masson's part and it is great to know that while reading this book, one is in good hands.

But I have not been to Rome to test the purchase! But on reading in it I could find until now, things totally back in the original book of Georgina which I also have. The museums etc. are finely reworked.I think this is the nicest way of going through any city, the "citywalk" type, so this count also for Rome. You can always find extra info on a subject, for complete info if nec. etc.

I spent a marvelous week in Rome many years ago following the suggested and well described itineraries of Georgina Masson, It has always been my favorite guide book. I purchased the revised version for my son who recently visited la bella Roma. Apparently, he confirms that this updated edition continues the tradition.

The places of interest are numbered on a map in each chapter, and the place name appears by the number in a tiny box. These numbers are not cross-referenced in the text, the referenced place name is only marked by bold face. One has to read and count the bold faces text occurrences until finding the one looking for, or prepare for the trip by writing the numbers at the line end of each occurrence of the place. Or search through the index!

I have an earlier edition which I used to discover some of the neighborhoods of historic Rome; I am looking forward to using this update on my next trip to Rome.

This is like having an art history tutor take you on a guide of Rome's Classical, Medieval, and Baroque past. If you want to *understand* Rome's history, read a history book (which this isn't). If you want to *feel* Rome's history, take this with you and walk through the city.The book is arranged in walking itineraries, such that it can be read en route. It's well written and clear. However this layout does mean that, from a usability point of view, if you're going 'off piste' from the suggested itineraries, you might find yourself hopping around different parts of the book. So maybe buy some post-its to use with this.There are also no restaurant or bar recommendations in this book - but hey, we've got Google maps these days.

Reads beautifully. All the facts and more. Perfect if you can read it cover to cover before you go to Rome..

Fantastic, great quality- good value for money

Very good read

No guide book on Rome can match this revised edition.