The Companion Guide to Rome

The Companion Guide to... #6

by Georgina Masson

Rome is a city with over 2,500 years of history, with buildings and art treasures representative of much of that time; as Augustus Hare wrote, the fascination lies in the discovery of `ancient cloister and sculptured fountain, of mouldering fresco and medieval tomb -of mosaic-crowned gateway and palm-shadowed garden -and the gradually acquired knowledge of the wondrous story which clings around each of these ancient things'. Georgina Masson's book provides the perfect companion to this voyage of discovery, including both the great sights - the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican Palace and many more -and the smaller corners of Rome's squares and streets; she guides the visitor equally skilfully though the maze of the Roman past. And she evokes the reactions of earlier travellers to Rome, who, like the author of the twelfth century pilgrims' guide to the marvels of the city, have been equally entranced by the city's classical monuments and its Christian heritage. Her book has long been recognised as a classic, and is now presented in a fully revised and updated edition.

Genres: Travel, Italy, History, Nonfiction

541 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Crystal King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, one of the best books on modern Rome that I've read. It's not your typical guidebook though. True, there are walks you can follow but there isn't any info on times, prices and other information related to access to sites. Instead you'll get in depth details on the architecture and history of all the marvelous things you may see on your walks--far more so than you could imagine getting out of Rick Steves or Fodors. Best of all, if you are a Rome lover, this book stands on its own as a work of literature that is accessible, interesting and pleasurable to read.

[Andrej · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a history freak, no matter, ancient, medieval or modern, this guide with numerous walks is the BEST for discovering the wonders of Rome.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely detailed guide, limited (as is proper) to the city within the Aurelian walls, leaving only to visit the catacombs, major basilicae outside the walls and the Tre Fontane abbey - excellent focus and well-described walks through the city. There is, however, a constant leaning towards and dwelling upon ancient art and architecture (the earlier, the better, to the disregard of much of the work of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, for example) and the prose style, using 'we' and 'our' to guide the reader through the author's personal opinions, is slightly annoying. My copy is a bit dated, having been printed in the early 80s, but there is a more recent update. Rome, anyhow, doesn't change very much. This has been a most interesting read and I recommend.

[DMae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to use this book from the moment I heard about it. It was several years and several trips to Rome before I found a used copy I could afford.

This is not the book I ended up taking to Rome, and this surprised me as I had waited so long to get it! I use it for reference, for planning excursions in Rome, but it has never traveled with me to that city.

[Erik]

Included in the "Miscellaneous" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hefty pb, worth the mass on the flight and the ground in Rome. Descriptive, well-written prose offering context for the 'you are here' moments, sweet b/w crisp maps.

[Niki Costantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un altro gioiello introvabile, un altro regalo prezioso.