Review:I consider this book very informative, and believe it or not, enjoyable! However, the writer has a very high intellectual writing style, and if you have problems with reading definitions, you may want to have a dictionary ready! I love the old writing style! Read more

Review:I quite enjoyed this. I found it readable and instructive. One thing I've always done in the past when I wanted to read an account of Roman history is I've always chosen books that were too scholarly and got bogged down in niggling details such as the precise difference between various public offices or laws. This book doesn't make that mistake: it's readable and never boring.

My only complaint would be that since this book was sort of rushed to press (I'm guessing) to coincide with t... Read more

Review:The Shadow Land is, first of all, a mystery wrapped in a troubled history. Young American girl inadvertently gets caught up in an expose of one of the worst periods in Bulgarian history, the gulags. Willing to suspend my disbelief about Bobby playing Holmes to her Watson, Bobby is an interesting character, but for me, their chance meeting is pushing the limits of disbelief. So is the dog they eventually befriend, who also has a history and part to play. The story of the Bulgarian work camps duri... Read more

Review:An interesting light-hearted read with lots of likeable characters and fairly predictable outcomes. Good for reading on kindle while waiting for the train or travelling on a long trip. Provides some cultural insights too. Read more

Review:I adore this book and have read it multiple times. From the time I read this book I searched & waited for more books to be written by Peter Mayle and have read almost all he has written. I love the visual picture I get from his discription of the characters and landscape of France. I would encourage you to read this fun and entertaining story of their transition from England to Provence. Read more

Review:I read Bella Tuscany, by Frances Mayes (she of Under the Tuscan Sun fame), while on vacation. This is the kind of armchair traveling that I love. Mayes writes of Tuscany in language dripping with both adoration and vibrant description. She writes of food, of gardens, of little side trips she and her husband take. It's an easy, quick read, with some recipes sprinkled in here and there that I will probably try. Worth looking in to.

And now I feel that I have to go to Italy in the spring. He... Read more

Review:Loved this book! Loved the snippets of Italian language, the colorful descriptions of landscape and people, and the yummy-looking recipes sprinkled throughout. I've read most of it in one sitting--only had to stop to make dinner: fettuccini and pecorino. Thank you, Frances, for sharing your love, your life and your wonderful gift of writing and taking me back to Italy today. Read more

Review:A charming, funny read. We met Jenny at Poliziano and it's clear why she and Italy are a match! Her observations are spot on and her love of all things Italian (perfect and imperfect) is evident. She's adopted Italian 'ways' and will help you do the same! Read more

Review:Those of us who've been captivated by Frances Mayes and her take on the world have been given a real gift. And if you're a Southerner, expect alarm-bells in your memory. I was counting the days til Under Magnolia was delivered to my Kindle, and I wasn't disappointed...just wish it was longer! Ms Mayes, if you read this, More Please. Read more

Review:The novel opens in November 1939 when Hitler, having narrowly escaped an assassination attempt after delivering a lecture at a Munich beer hall, is on a private train traveling to Berlin. Following his meeting with his war generals at the Reich Chancellery, Hitler falls onto his bed. Not having slept for two days, he is once again in a dreadful emotional state, and yet again begins to think of his deceased mother. To overcome this weakness or fear as a friend put it and on his suggestion, Hitler... Read more