Italy from a Backpack [Paperback]

Mark Pearson (Editor), Martin Westerman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006 | Series: From a Backpack

Real Stories from Young Travelers

If you've ever wanted to backpack in Europe... If you want to relive your adventures... If you love good travel writing... Better than guidebooks, these first-person accounts paint vivid pictures of a traveler's experience in Europe. Like familiar music and favorite scents, they'll awaken a taste for adventure in those who have yet to travel, and bring back memories for those who have. Romance, surprise, discovery and wisdom all bubble through these authors' inviting pieces. At last, a collection of first-person eye-witness adventures that will keep you laughing, wondering, and walking with the well-traveled story tellers who take you inside Europe's must-see places. Sneak past Vatican guards to see Michaelangelo's Pietà. Break out of a locked hostel to catch the morning train to Rome. Find a surprise romance in the fresh sea air of Cinque Terre. Meet your cheek-pinching, food-loving Sicilian relatives in the old country.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An inspiration and a springboard." -- Rick Steves

"The work is intended to go deeper than a typical travel guidebook." -- The Boston Globe

"They're riveting because they are real" -- Seattle Times

"What you learn is that travel puts you in situations you could never imagine." -- The Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Mark Pearson is an avid reader and traveler. After studying art history in Rome and backpacking around Europe for four weeks, Mark decided to compile a collection of the best backpacking stories he could find. So, he created the Europe From a Backpack series. He also publishes other non-fiction books through Pear Press. Martin Westerman, who has lived in and backpacked around Europe, is the author of How to Flirt, Easy Green, TheBusiness Environmental Handbook and hundreds of articles. He lectures on communications and sustainable business practices for the University of Washington Business School in Seattle, Washington, where he lives with his wife, two sons, and edible garden.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pearson Venture Group; First Trade Paper Edition edition (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974355240
• ISBN-13: 978-0974355245
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,684,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall, enjoyable read, December 4, 2011

By 

Horselady - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italy from a Backpack (Kindle Edition)

I had hoped to get a glimpse into Italian culture thru the eyes of young people. I wondered if young folks still do the cliche thing and take some time off from studies to travel in Europe. Apparently, they do. This is a book of short stories written by different authors so you get a mix of perspectives and adventures. None of the stories goes into depth into any one experience. Started out mostly with what seemed to be irresponsible behavior and mishaps by young adults, which could be set anywhere and had nothing to do with Italy. But as the book went on, it did get a little better and I got some feel for the Italian culture. Amazing that everyone in this collection of stories went to Italy without knowing how to speak the language. A good many of the stories left me wanting to know more, a few were just boring. Overall it was a light, enjoyable read and I am considering getting the book before it called Europe From a Backpack. I think if you are of the age group 18-29 it would be alot easier to relate to these stories. Being a bit older than that, it was a bit difficult for me at times to relate--tried to put myself back in that age group--would I have done some of the things that these authors did? It was a nice escape.