[.ca] Knopf Guide: Rome (ISBN 0375711090)

Pretty and interesting, but not particularly useful:
On a recent trip to Italy, we used four Knopf books (Italy, Venice, Rome and Florence). Each was lovely and beautifully illustrated. While they contained wonderful historic information they were pretty much useless for our travels. They contained little in the way of useful and practical information. I'll try Fodor's or others for future travels.

Guidebook for the mind:
Excellent historical and cultural introduction to the fountainhead of civilization. Great information on self-conducted walks filled with photographs, dates and erudite summary. The perfect companion to the intelligent visitor, or even resident! The only drawback to this atypical guidebook is precisely that; to those looking for where to eat, and which nightclub to go, look at the LetsGo.

Best comprehensive Rome travel book:
As I stated in the review to the Paris Knopf guide, this set of books, for cities, is the best. This book has good maps of the Forums, and the Coliseum areas, and incredible amounts of historical information about almost every nook and cranny of the City. As I stated for this book-set before. 1) Go get a Michelin or other similar urban map, or buy one when you get to the City. 2) Dont use the hotels/restaraunts section of the book. Info is dated, but this is to be expected. 3) Get Rick Steves for tricks and shortcuts, the Knopf book wont give you these. Enjoy!

An Excellent Book, but Choose Wisely:
This book is an excellent SUPPLEMENTAL guidebook to Roma. I've been twice now, and I'm about to go back again (this time with my wife!). The first time I went I took a Let's Go guidebook, the second time both LG & the Knopf guide. The Knopf guide is far superior in terms of background and relevance for the sites you will see, but if you're making reservations yourself you'll need another resource. I suggest Lonely Planet. (That Let's Go attitude only works so long - I've become disenchanted with the entire series, and have jumped ship to Lonely Planet - they're much more adult in presentation and style. I would not recommend Let's Go to anyone, even college students.)