Books : Search

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Rome, Ninth Edition (Blue Guide Rome)

by: Alta MacAdam

April 19, 2006
I would advise those considering purchasing this book to look elsewhere. Don't believe the hype that is generated around these guides. I purchased The Rome Blue Guide, because I had heard so much about it. I had avoided buying it in the past because of the cost. I decided to purchase it, and I was so disappointed. The historical sections of the book are excellent, but the travel guide sections are horribly written, far too judgmental and often inaccurate.

I was aghast to see cities, buildings and monuments described in such brutal terms as "ugly" -- this word is used many times throughout the book to describe locations in and around Rome. Read the section on Tivoli and tell me that the authors do not have something against ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Rome, Ninth Edition (Blue Guide Rome)

Used Price: $16.94

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Central Italy with Rome and Florence, First Edition (Blue Guides)

by: Alta Macadam, Ellen Grady

June 02, 2008
I would advise those considering purchasing this book to look elsewhere. Don't believe the hype that is generated around these guides. I purchased The Rome Blue Guide, because I had heard so much about it. I had avoided buying it in the past because of the cost. I decided to purchase it, and I was so disappointed. The historical sections of the book are excellent, but the travel guide sections are horribly written, far too judgmental and often inaccurate.

I was aghast to see cities, buildings and monuments described in such brutal terms as "ugly" -- this word is used many times throughout the book to describe locations in and around Rome. Read the section on Tivoli and tell me that the authors do not have something against ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Central Italy with Rome and Florence, First Edition (Blue Guides)

Used Price: $21.31

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Venice, Eighth Edition (Blue Guides)

by: Alta Macadam

May 14, 2007
I would advise those considering purchasing this book to look elsewhere. Don't believe the hype that is generated around these guides. I purchased The Rome Blue Guide, because I had heard so much about it. I had avoided buying it in the past because of the cost. I decided to purchase it, and I was so disappointed. The historical sections of the book are excellent, but the travel guide sections are horribly written, far too judgmental and often inaccurate.

I was aghast to see cities, buildings and monuments described in such brutal terms as "ugly" -- this word is used many times throughout the book to describe locations in and around Rome. Read the section on Tivoli and tell me that the authors do not have something against ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Venice, Eighth Edition (Blue Guides)

Used Price: $18.30

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Florence, Ninth Edition

by: Alta MacAdam

July 20, 2005
On his website, travel guru Rick Steves says that Blue Guides take "a dry and scholarly approach to the countries of Europe. They're ideal if you want to learn as much about history, art, architecture, and culture as you possibly can." This is basically true, though I much prefer a "dry and scholarly" tone to Rick's "nerdy and precious" style. He's great when it comes to practical tips, but he can't touch the historical, artistic and architectural content of the Blue Guides.

Blue Guides pack a tremendous amount of information into their pages, much more than any other guide I've used. They're wonderful for reading before and after your trip, but they're probably too dense to pack and take along for most people. Before leaving on my ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Florence, Ninth Edition

Used Price: $13.95

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Tuscany

by: Alta MacAdam

2002-05
Always the most thoroughly informative of the sources I use for preparation. I could not do without them. This is one of the best.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Tuscany

Used Price: $0.98

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Umbria, Fourth Edition

by: Alta MacAdam

2003-04
If you want a book with photos, choose an EyeWitness guidebook. If you want to reseach places to stay, purchase a Karen Brown guide to inns or hotels. But for in-depth information that focuses on the history, culture and arts in Umbria, Blue Guide Umbria is the best there is.

I lived in Perugia (the largest town in Umbria) for three months during which I traveled extensively throughout the region. The Blue Guide for Umbria was by far the most useful and most accurate of the 4 guide books I brought with me. Frankly,I should have left the rest at home.

While I wouldn't recommend Blue Guide Umbria for researching hotels, you can't go wrong with the ones listed. The restaurant lists are more than adequate and cover all price ranges. Most ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Umbria, Fourth Edition

Used Price: $24.50

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Northern Italy: From the Alps to Rome (Blue Guide)

from: W W Norton & Co Inc

1991-01
I miss these books most when I am in a country for which they are out of print (recently Spain) as other guidebooks provide little information on these topics. However, I also buy a standard guidebook for general (hotel, etc.) information as the Blue Guides are useless for that. If you are not that interested in more details on these topics (there is no reason you should or shouldn't be), then you'd probably be wasting your money buying this book. In that case I would give this book one star.

I think the previous review expresses the same point but in a different way. Perhaps it is partly in reaction to this type of review that recently there seems to have been a dumbing-down of the books, which is a shame. Now that is a snotty comment.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Northern Italy: From the Alps to Rome (Blue Guide)

Used Price: $0.79

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide: Florence: 4th Edition

by: Alta MacAdam

1988-12
I miss these books most when I am in a country for which they are out of print (recently Spain) as other guidebooks provide little information on these topics. However, I also buy a standard guidebook for general (hotel, etc.) information as the Blue Guides are useless for that. If you are not that interested in more details on these topics (there is no reason you should or shouldn't be), then you'd probably be wasting your money buying this book. In that case I would give this book one star.

I think the previous review expresses the same point but in a different way. Perhaps it is partly in reaction to this type of review that recently there seems to have been a dumbing-down of the books, which is a shame. Now that is a snotty comment.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide: Florence: 4th Edition

Used Price: $4.97

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Florence (Blue Guides)

by: Alta Macadam

April 04, 2005
I miss these books most when I am in a country for which they are out of print (recently Spain) as other guidebooks provide little information on these topics. However, I also buy a standard guidebook for general (hotel, etc.) information as the Blue Guides are useless for that. If you are not that interested in more details on these topics (there is no reason you should or shouldn't be), then you'd probably be wasting your money buying this book. In that case I would give this book one star.

I think the previous review expresses the same point but in a different way. Perhaps it is partly in reaction to this type of review that recently there seems to have been a dumbing-down of the books, which is a shame. Now that is a snotty comment.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Florence (Blue Guides)

Used Price: $29.68

Average Rating:

.Blue Guide Florence, Eighth Edition (Blue Guides)

by: Alta MacAdam

2001-07
If you are looking for a guide that will help you "narrow down" the choices of sights to see in Florence, this one is not for you. If you are looking for extensive lists and reviews of hotels, again this is not for you. Finally, if you're looking for detailed restauraunt information, you won't find it here. Basically, this guide is not a planning guide. I have used the Internet for most of my planning (e-mail me if you need some help finding some great sites MarySorens@yahoo.com).

What this guide does have to offer is an amazing amount of cultural, historic, and artistic information in a very packable sized guide. This will be the guide to read when you are doing your own tours of Florence. It will tell you far more than any tour guide would.

This ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Blue Guide Florence, Eighth Edition (Blue Guides)

Used Price: $5.99