Customer Reviews

ROME IS LOVE SPELLED BACKWARD: ENJOYING ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN THE ETERNAL CITY

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Rome of Judith Testa is one that speaks of her own "amor di roma." It is obvious that not every tourist attraction is included and some places unfamiliar to tourists are included. However, the author has provided an expanse of Roman history through its arts: fine art, architecture, sculpture. Each chapter touches on one of Rome's major artists or places of interest. The weave throughout each chapter provides a texture of artistic and historical information that brings to life the history of Rome and its great role in western civilization. Testa is a skilled writer whose style is instructive but charming; her prose is easy to read. Presented throughout each chapter are tidbits of information and items to see that one might never be aware of otherwise. Before you know it, you feel as if you "know" the place or piece about which she is writing. If you can read about the Pantheon or Caravaggio's paintings or St. Peter's before you go to see it, you will be well served. This is not the typical, all-inclusive, surface coverage of Rome; but rather, a novel-like approach with the characters being the artists and the works of art themselves.

This is an excellent book but at 42 smackers, the question is "Is it worth it?"

Well that depends on the user.

I spent 8 days in Rome and carried this book with me to many places. It was especially handy when tours were unavailable or inconvenient. Testa blends interesting tidbits into a thorough, yet concise, summary of each subject. If you're not rushed for time and have a relaxing 15 minutes to sit outside of St. Peters, or the Colosseum, or one of the other 35 places/topics included in this book (or even later in the hotel), then I would recommend it. This is indeed where the book proves its value.

If, however, you are rushed for time or deeply interested in one particular topic, other more general (Eyewitness, Rome's Top 10) or more specific books (for all sites covered there are probably many books to chose from) may better suit you.

Other travel guides are best used for planning purposes. Leave them in the hotel. They're too heavy to carry. Though not billed as a travel guide, this book works really well as just that. This is true *only* if you are the type of person who will take the time to read it. Otherwise, save your money for the gelato.

Finally, and this is my only criticism of the book's content... or the lack thereof, I was a little disappointed at the breadth of coverage. It seems (again considering the price) more subjects could have been treated. For instance Santa Maria del Popolo was not among the subjects included.

But this opinion may be a product of how I used the book. It is apparently intended to be a survey, not a comprehensive guide. My review however, is written with the traveler in mind. (If you're just interested in a general survey of Roman art and architecture, I've only read this one. It seems adequate enough.)

In Rome is Love Spelled Backward, by Dr. Judith Testa, an almost insurmountable mountain of enthralling history is condensed, controlled, and lovingly compiled into a volume that is not only very readable, but maintains the excitement, and vitality, of the most awesome city in the world. Clearly, Dr. Testa knows and loves this Eternal City.
Not until I read Testa's, Rome is Love Spelled Backward, and A Traveler in Rome, by H. V. Morton, did I come to understand and agree with the quote, "The ancient ruins are all around you, . . . . This is the center, and all the rest of the world is the periphery." Judith Testa's book is the only book I carry with me while wandering around Rome, year after year. A pre-Roman holiday must read!

In Rome is Love Spelled Backward, by Dr. Judith Testa, an almost insurmountable mountain of enthralling history is condensed, controlled, and lovingly compiled into a volume that is not only very readable, but maintains the excitement, and vitality, of the most awesome city in the world. Clearly, Dr. Testa knows and loves this Eternal City.
Not until I read Testa's, Rome is Love Spelled Backward, and A Traveler in Rome, by H. V. Morton, did I come to understand and agree with the quote, "The ancient ruins are all around you, . . . . This is the center, and all the rest of the world is the periphery." Judith Testa's book is the only book I carry with me while wandering around Rome, year after year. A pre-Roman holiday must read!

This book provides wonderful information on Rome. It takes the reader through the city chronologically. Your best bet is to read this before going, highlight the interesting tid bits and review them on site. The author presents some intriguing facts and items to watch for that one might normally miss. This is definitely a guide book that should be given great consideration.

In Rome Is Love Spelled Backward [Roma Amor], Judith Testa (Professor of Art History at Northern Illinois University) takes the reader on a fascinating and informative historical survey of the art, architecture, personalities, and wonders of the Eternal City from it founding down to the present day. The five sections around which her commentaries are organized and presented include: Ancient Rome; Early Christian and Medieval Rome; Late Medieval and Renaissance Rome; Baroque Rome; and Modern Rome. A scholarly, highly accessible work, enthusiastically recommended history, Rome Is Love Spelled Backward is enhanced for the reader with extensive notes, a bibliography, list of illustrations, and an exhaustive, nine page index.

I read this book before a recent visit to Rome and it was definitely worth it. It gives some great detail to the history that you'll encounter on your visit and it enriched my experience. I passed it on to a friend who's visiting in October and I'd recommend it to anyone going to Rome.

What a refreshing contrast to the usual, commercial guidebooks, where there are a few paragraphs (if that) devoted to the city's monuments, and many more pages given over to hotels, restaurants, shopping itineraries and "helpful hints." Not that there's anything wrong with a guidbook's offering practical information, but it's also valuable to find a different kind of book-- like this one--that gives you more than just a smattering of information about the marvels of Rome.

Spanning Rome's art and architecture from the pre-historic remains uncovered beneath the Roman Forum all the way to Mussolini and the post-war era, this book provides interesting, substantial essays full of information not only about the monuments themselves, but also (where known) about the people who built them. In the chapter about the Ara Pacis (emperor Augustus's Altar of Peace) we also learn about the emperor's "morality campaign," in which he tried, without much success, to persuade his fellow Roman to have more children. To this, the author appends the information that the ancient Romans, like the modern ones, were enthusiastic practicers of contraception. So in one paragraph, you learn something about both ancient and modern Rome that's not common knowledge.

There are also whole chapters devoted to individuals who had an impact on the Rome we see today--among them art patrons such as Popes Julius II and Paul III; the city-planner Pope Sixtus V; the architects Bernini and Borromini, and, as some will be surpsied to learn-- Mussolini. I agree with the author that knowing something about the people whose ideas and ambitions are behind Rome's monuments makes seeing them that much more enjoyable.

The book is very well-written, too. The prose is always lively, never pedantic, and on occasion touched with flashes of humor. There are some very touching moments as well, such as the description of the spontaneous celebration that broke out in Rome's Jewish community on the day the modern state of Israel was founded, a celebration that involved members of the community going under the Arch of Titus, for almost 2,000 years a symbol of Jewish defeat. And the final chapter, about the shrines dedicated to Rome's "modern martyrs," those who died resisting Fascism and the Nazi occupation, is very moving as well, and describes sites rarely even mentioned in commercial guidebooks.

In summary, this is a book for lovers of Rome. If you're planning on rushing through the Eternal City in two days, pick up Rick Steves or a Fodor's Guide to Italy. But if you plan to savor the marvels of Rome on a longer visit, this book will prove a terrific companion.

This book allows you to take a walking tour of Rome and read the fascinating background of the sights in front of you. This book made me understand Rome's depth.

a day in Rome + this book = unforgettable experience (for me).