Customer Reviews

As the Romans Do: An American Family's Italian Odyssey

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I just moved to Rome with zero knowledge of the city. I found the book a useful intro, but not very erudite. One of the most glaring errors is the claim that the Renaissance started in Rome. It did not, it was Florence. He also calls punks skinheads, which shows a lack of understanding of subcultures. In fact, you will get little sense of the politics or subcultures of Rome, but an obsession with woman's fashion. I think like many Americans disenchanted with their hypercapitalist homeland, anything that is not American will seem quaint and nice. As a result I find many of the observations very romanticized and generalized, and coming from a rather bourgeois perspective. For example, the claim that men don't wear tennis shoes is wrong. Still, I think this book was a better orientation than no orientation. I don't think it's fair that reviewers attacked his writing style. Yes it's simple, but for many that will be just fine.

I read this book having just moved to Rome myself. Epstein's observations about "La Citta Eterna" are accurate and entertaining. If you've ever visited Rome, every chapter will make you smile and nod: maybe you recognize the fierce loyalty of Romans for their soccer teams, or the way Roman women are always so perfectly put together, or perhaps you simply have an appreciation for an incredible city with a fantastic history. Epstein has nicely blended historical perspective with his own adventures. A pleasant read for those who enjoy all things Italian!

I actually got 2 great reads out of this book...before and after my semester in Rome. It's has chapters on lots of important aspects to life in Rome as seen through the eyes of an American. And although he paints a lively and beautiful picture of Rome and her people he doesn't fail to include the reality of things...the inefficiency, some of the challenges of everyday life in Rome, etc. I especially enjoyed it because it is snippets of all sorts of topics so that the reader never becomes too bored with one area of Roman life. He isn't pretentious and he really seems to want to inform his readers about Rome, interspersing his writing with Italian words that really are much more beautiful than their English counterparts. It's a great read for before AND after a trip. The first read found me curious to experience life in Rome myself and the second read found me chuckling to myself about the truth of his observations. Great for anyone who wants to reminisce about their time in bella Roma!

Alan Epstein takes you in his book on a wonderful and enchanting journey to The Eternal City of Rome. I can relate to Alan and his family. I was in Rome in 1999 and fell deeply in love with this wonderful city and the infatuation hasnt left me ever since.This book is one of the finest about Rome. Alan takes you into the heart of what daily ecnounters are like in Rome. Among the people, the beautiful style of the women of Rome, how the bambini are cherished in Rome, and most of all the wonderful food of this magnificant country. Beware once you read As The Romans Do you will be quickly taken and find yourself rather quickly booking yourself a round way ticket to Rome. Great job Alan! This is for sure my favorite book on my favorite place of Rome. A great tribute to the Eternal City!

We have been to Rome four times and after reading this great book,
we can't wait to go again. It is a must read.

Had I read this book before moving to Italy, I wouldn't have believed all the details...living here now and having enjoyed this reading I find it helpful to know Italy is as I am experiencing it. A fun and entertaining book, well worth reading. Alan Epstein allows you to feel and enjoy the charms of living in Italy as an Expatriate. I highly recommend it to anyone moving here, anyone who knows someone living here, anyone curious at all about living in Italy, and wrapping this up-that should leave out...no one.

From cover to cover, I was gripped by this enchanting account of Alan Epstein's life in Rome. I have no idea why many of the other reviewers are so bitter and sarcastic, but put it down to jealousy. So what if Alan and Diane had a little $ to spare to furnish their apartment beautifully? They earned it, didn't they? I say "Good for them!" The book read to me like a novel. Having spent some time in Rome myself, I can relate to virtually everything Alan has written...the classic beauty of the women (and men) and their ability to make even jeans and a T-shirt look chic, the remarkable "culture" of food, the simplicities and complexities of everyday life. I particularly enjoyed the writing style and found this book far less egotistical that the rash of Provence and Tuscany books out there. (If you want ego...read Mayle.) Thanks Alan and Diane. I hope there are more "Rome" books in the works!

I'm beginning to think that most travel essay books lately are written by wealthy men and women who have decided to sell their expensive homes and quit their well-paying jobs to move with their families to (insert location or around the world/country trip here). This book feels like one of those books. While Epstein gives some insights here and there about places and his observations of the people and daily life, sometimes it drags and it's more about what the Americans in Rome are doing vs. what the Romans do themselves.

For those who have experienced the seduction of Rome and then dreamed and acted upon building a lasting relationship, Alan Epstein speaks for us. His words paint a beautiful, yet honest, picture of the Eternal City, its charming and challenging inhabitants, and its diverse and lively neighborhoods. He has obviously fallen in love with a place and its people, and he describes the joy of food (like waiting in line for the best bread at a specific bakery), wine, conversation and sharing one's life with those who know what really matters in life. Italians love children, and Mr. Epstein recognizes this in a reverent way, while building his own family bonds in his new home. On my recent trip, I followed his Sunday morning jogging route and now understand why it is almost like finding religion. His deep respect for the rich history of Rome is felt throughout the book. For today's traveler, and especially for those who love Rome beyond reason, this is the book for you! Sorridete! La vita e bella!

This book, unfortunately, seems to be trying to cash in on the lucrative trend for travel essays and tales of temporary ex-patriots. The author presents un-connected chapters, each containing musings about some aspect of Rome, but none has much of an idea, theme, or point. Reading this book reminded me of why I don't like to be invited to a slide show of somebody else's trip-- you had to be there. Amateur photography and amateur writing just do not convey the essence of a place very well. The writing in this book is undisciplined and the author makes the mistaken assumption that one's stream of consciousness without intellectual rigor will be interesting to someone outside his circle of family and friends. Not recommended.