The Rough Guide series consistently keeps me pleased with their insightful, entertaining and accurate (given the changing nature of our planet) information. The listings are organized really well, so I was blissfully able to avoid tedious searching when I needed a quick point of reference. The Europe guide is clearly an equal to Lonely Planet, actually I find that I now prefer R.G. ....just as informative (practical info, social & cultural context), slightly less preachy, and definately more fun.

The Rough Guide reads well, and their price ranking system (1-5) for all locations is sharp, clear and useful. Their Ireland Guide is especially good. They provide well-researched information that puts each place they discuss in context, unlike the Let's Go, which simply lists one thing after another. This is more for 30-something middle class couples with a bit of money for bed & breakfast accommodation and evening jazz than for low-low budget travellers. Also does less to relate how to come closer to the local culture than Lonely Planet (though it's better then Let's Go).

Save the pictures for postcards (and your own photos). This all-text guide is very informative, with a particularly helpful hotel section. For example, only hotels that are relatively close to the sights, but free of Florence's (Firenze's) traffic noise are listed.

Use it!

This cleverly designed book provides a short description of each project (sometimes including a tidbit about the idea's pedigree), a full page (i.e., about 6.5" x 11") color photo, and a double page of thorough instructions with detailed drawings. Measurements are given in both English and metric systems. A few pages about tools and specific techniques are included at the end of the book.

I'm happy to have this book and expect to get good use from it, so why not five stars?

First, and this is important if like me you expect the cover of the book to provide a fair look at what is inside, the book does not include instructions for the obelisks that adorn the herb garden on the cover. There are, however, instructions for the low fence. But I _really_ wanted a plan for the obelisk and, although one project is for something with this name, it is not nearly as elegant as what is pictured on the cover.

Second, at least one of the projects (a wall cascade) probably requires professional-level masonry, unless you're keen to have this wall come tumbling down on top of you. I reasonably expected that someone of average handy experience would be able to tackle all this projects; this is one that I know I had better give a miss. It was a disappointment not to have other water feature ideas covered.

Finally, several of the projects for decorated containers are just about too easy for words; it surprised me that these are included as actual projects. In a similar vein, some of the projects are quite simple planting ideas (growing a rose through a tree, herb topiary, a knot garden). But the book's suggestions about plantings do not include information about hardiness. Watch out!

Still, there is much here to use and enjoy: a scented arbor, a chamomile seat, a raised window box, and much more. There is little advice about how to integrate any of these projects into a larger design, but if you have figured out the design you want, here are some plans to implement.

I bought this book at the same time I bought "Ticket to the Opera" by Goulding. As an introduction to opera, Goulding's book is better written and more objective; however, "Rough Guide" includes information on more operas and what's available on CD. This is a very useful source of information, but as other reviewers have suggested, investigate other sources before buying anything. Personally, I like to have more than one reference of this sort available, because like all art, evaluating opera is a matter of opinion; guidelines are helpful, but the individual listener or viewer is the ultimate arbiter on what he or she appreciates most.

This book has two great features going for it. There is a (brief) synopsis of probably every opera in the repretoire. Yes, they leave a lot out, but there's enough detail, I think, to prepare yourself before attending a performance or listen to a recording. Each synopsis is followed by the author's commentary, and a brief list of reviews on CD. (which is obviously highly subjective, so longer reviews would have been more appreciated. One paragraph is about enough to say, "this was a good/bad performance." Hardly enough to go on to choose a recording.) I wouldn't make a decision to buy (or not buy) a recording based on their recommendations, but at least you can get an idea of what is available.

The really great thing about the book are various stories about opera stars and productions, such as some hilarious performances of "Tosca" and "Otello". I just coulnd't stop laughing about those stories.

Their treatment of Wagner, I thought, was pretty balanced, portraying him as a composer of great music, but much less than a great man. However, their commentary on Parsifal was unfair, making it seem like a "pro-Nazi" work, which it emphatically is not.

This is a very useful guide, improved in the second edition over the first. It gives informed and opinionated summaries of the history of opera and its major composers and works. It also has a useful glossary of terms, and potted summaries of major 20th century singers and conductors. Not complete, of course, (eg. Frederica von Stade mysteriously is not included among the singers, though her contributions to varioius recordings are always lauded.) It contains a remarkably extensive survey of 2oth century opera (one is up to the Russian late 19th c. composers by the mid point of the book). The groupings are sometimes strange -- bel canto is tacked onto romantic operas --but it gives one of the best short critical and informed discussions of how opera has evolved with which I am familiar. The evaluations both of composers and of the selected operas are necessarily short, but still informative though I am not sure that the plot summaries really add very much. These bits are a great deal better than the typical discussion one finds in the booklets accompanying recordings or the contents of the program notes of most live performances. The recording reviews do give an indication of why the author made the first picks he did and some indication of what other recordings are available. On individual recordings, about as informative as (say) the Penguin guide. There is a strong liking for old recordings and the singers one suspects of Boyden's youth, and of recent operas. Overall, it is a great deal of fun. One doesn't have to agree with it to learn from it and enjoy it.

Black-and-white printing on uncoated paper make this paperback guidebook an ugly duckling next to its competitors. But the price is right, and the book is a useful guide to Venice and the Veneto region if you're on a budget. The fact that it's cheap may encourage you to tear out the pages that you want (or don't want), thereby lightening the load in your backpack.

Durant Imboden, Venice for Visitors, http://govenice.miningco.co

Up to the usual Rough Guide standards, this is a great introduction to Venice. It's restaurant and hotel suggestions are good, but it really shines in describing the city, and offering suggestions for many days' walks -- much better in fact, than several 'walking' guides we also consulted. Good maps complement a sensible layout of this maze of a city. The 'Brief History' does an excellent job, and prepares you for delving deeper with an extensive reading list.