Customer Reviews

The Companion Guide to Rome (Companion Guides)

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As a self-professed 'Roma-holic', I was thoroughly absorbed by this book. It is probably the most comprehensive English-language walking reference for the city of Rome available. The authors truly love their subject and seem to be fully informed -- not just on facts and history, but also on the colorful side of myth, legend and hearsay that swirls through so much of this ancient city, like a sirocco wind. I'm very glad that I found it and will use it as a resource on my repeated visits to the city. But a word to the casual tourist: you would do better on your first trip to Rome to carry a less erudite guide; possibly the Eyewitness or Lonely Planet versions. Then if you find yourself hooked on Rome and return to explore its deeper layers, turn to Georgina Masson.

saying this is the best guidebook around doesn't do it justice, because quite simply it exists on a higher plane. consider yourself fortunate to have found this here; the book has long been out of print. snatch up this revised edition while you can--if you're heading to Roma you won't regret it.

I have used this book during a visit to Rome that has lasted several months. The late Ms Masson (and now Mr Fort, the gentleman who revised the latest edition) have done a tremendous job in distilling the complex history, art, and geography of Rome in 27 walks, each of which can be accomplished in a day (albeit a full day). The walks take up most (600+ pages)of the book, which is completed by further information on other sites, opening hours and so on.
This guide is excellent for the thoughtful traveler. I found it among the best (in English -- if you read Italian you have other choices). The beauty of the book is in the way the sites are both described and discussed. Most guide books do well one (usually the former) or the other. The sections on the Pantheon, Santa Maria in Aracoeli, or Santa Maria sopra Minerva are a few of many examples of such beautifully rendered writing. The sections on several baroque churches (which are, I believe, largely the precious contribution of Mr Fort) are a welcome addition to the previous edition.
This book gives you a lot. However, for best results (at least in my case) a little investement in your time will work wonders. Ideally, one would read the book leasurely before leaving for Rome, and then read again each walk the day before the actual walk. This will leave you time to look at the sights, study them, enjoy them during the visit, with the occasional scan to the text.
It is also important to note that this is a companion guide to Rome and that for items such as finding a hotel, a restaurant, or an internet point you will need another tourist guide, of which there are several good ones available.
I highly recommend this book.

I highlighted my copy of this and plan to use it as my walking tour guide when I visit Rome this fall. This is a glorious, delightful, magnificent book, and if I could pick only one guide this would be it. I only wish THE COMPANION GUIDE TO PARIS was still in print

Thus book remains a great achievement of travel writing, head and shoulders about other "walking" travel guides. The walks are thoughtfully designed to comprehensively cover the city; Georgina Masson's writing is cultured, individual and excellent, and the book is chock full of interesting background detail to bring the city alive. Rome is a unique and fascinating place and she definitely gets it! Wore out one copy of this book (earlier edition purchased in '78) and am now working on the second, unfortunately much heavier edition, also not the current one.

Not a book for the short-stay or casual visitor who just wants to hit the top sites, but if you want to do some in depth exploration, a tremendous resource (definitely a read ahead resource). Buy this book while you can - its gone out of print a couple of times so far!

This is the time of year that Rome starts getting gussied up for Easter. The Spanish Steps will become a sea of azaleas and the various stational churches and basilicas will get themselves all decked out in finery and flowers for their special feast days (e.g. San Lorenzo in Lucina awash in roses and orchids on Friday of the 3rd week in Lent). If you are fortunate enough to be planning a trip to Roma by all means avail yourself of "The Companion Guide to Rome" by Georgina Masson. It's in several editions but I prefer the earlier ones without the updates by Mr. Fort. My current favorite is a 1966 edition. This book is in a class all it's own in the mass of publications about the city of Rome. It is probably not a book to drag around all day as you tramp the streets of the Eternal City but then why not (it doesn't weigh much more than a water bottle). But it is certainly a book to have in your hotel room to read about the neighborhood you are about to visit or the one you visited the day before. Ms Masson gives lots of details about museums, churches and architecture but it is as much poetic-literature as it is a guide book, she is one with her city (she lived there for many years) and wants us to feel that along with her. For me she succeeds admirably! Earlier this year when I was longing to be in Rome but couldn't be I picked up the Companion Guide then read each chapter with great care and observation as Ms Masson walked me through the tangled streets and lively piazzas, in and out of churches and museums and to favorite little escapes, unknown to most people, but waiting to be discovered guided by the adventerous, creative spirit of Georgina. Highly reccommended.

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.

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 recommnedations

In 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

Back in the 70's my parents lived in Rome for several years and to this day my mother swears by this 'guide'. It's not exactly portable but according to her it is the most in depth book (((ever))) published on Rome. It says a lot coming from an Italian Art & History lover and bibliophile.

I used this book extensively when we lived in Rome in the late 1970s. It is for the person who has some time to wander around Rome, not necessarily hitting the major tourist sites. I'm replacing my copy before my next visit - the old one has literally fallen apart with use.