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 [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 feel this book can be a bit scary to children. My 4 year old was frightened after reading this book because he learned germs were everywhere that he felt used to be safe, his school and home. True, germs are everywhere and we do need to teach children to wash their hands, but I don't think it's necessary to get into detailled descriptions of germs that cause headaches, earaches, fevers and throwing up, and that even after washing their hands, the germs will come back. Children need to know about handwashing and germs but they also need to feel a sense of security and well being in school in order for it to be a positive experience.

Although I have to add to it, my kids really love this book! I had to discuss what invisible meant (that big ten foot bunny in the corner!), and give a visible demonstration afterward (paint or glitter in my hand that I "sneeze" into, and then offer to shake hands and touch other things in the room. We talk about sneezing into your elbow and tissues to keep us safe from germs. We use funny voices for the different germs to make it more "kid friendly." My kids have it almost memorized, and beg for it to be read. Really helps explain germs, even to my 2 yr. olds, without being too "boring" to my 5 yr. olds. Hope that helps!

I first heard this story from my daughter's preschool teacher, and it stuck with ME so much that I had to get it when I got my own preschool class. It does a super job of making germs real and to be avoided. My preschoolers ask me to listen to the germs screaming as they go down the drain. They remember this story for a long time! Super investment to your library!

To Love and To Honor is a collection of four stories.

The first story is Bargain Bride written by Stella Cameron. Love blossoms between a headstrong English miss and a dashing knight who rescues her from an unwanted marriage. But has a secret plan of his own. Funny and sensuous!

The second story is The Bride of Wildcat Purchase written by Judith E. French. A half breed Colonial sends for a mail order bride but his request turns out to be a sensual woman who turns his world upside down. Watch the sparks fly!

The third story is Store-bought Woman written by Linda Lael Miller. A young lady sets out for America after being jilted at the altar. She agrees to marry a total stranger only to find herself strangely attracted to her intended's brother. A sweet and heartwarming story!

The last story and my FAVORITE is The High Sheriff of Huntingdon written by Anne Stuart. The story centers on a convent bred daughter of an earl who is wed quite unwillingly to a handsome somewhat wicked lord. Some say that he is the spawn of a witch and the devil. Men who have angered him and women who have not pleased him wind up missing never to be seen again. Yet, despite these warnings, Elspeth remains and slowly begins to unravel the mystery surrounding The High Sheriff of Huntingdon. The chemistry between Elspeth and Alistair was electrifying. He is the epitome of a brooding, tortured hero and she is a perfect balance for his darkness. Elspeth was funny, courageous and loving. Quick - RUN and buy yourself a copy!

This is an OK book with only one character, Nell, to redeem it. The rest is just not good enough. The whole tie-in with Elizabeth II of England is not inspiring although a message that everyone wants to be special is a nice touch. If the author focused more on Nell and her mother, then the book would have been better. I also felt that the author was too removed from the action. She was writing about them in such reserved manner that it was impossible to "escape" reality with this one. The writing talents of Judith Saxton need to be re-evaluated although her plot development is quite gool.

I really liked this book alot. I felt really drawn to Nell and her mothers story the most. Actually I wish the whole book was all about them. I think I'll read it again!

This book is designed to create a bleak,desolate tone (a la Wuthering Heights), and it does so by describing the heroine's graduallyincreasing suffering and oppression. The novel, like so many of Arthur Conan Doyle's SherlockHomes stories, exposes the vices that can flourish in the lonely, isolated British manor. The hero'ssufferings come as a blast of fresh air and relief in the novel: Orlando goes to fight on the Britishside in the American revolution and ends up wounded with several Indians in a rather inaccuratelydescribed American landscape. There is a sort of sequel, The Wanderings of Warwick, which tells what happens to two of the characters who disappear for a huge portion of the novel. The heroine is rather pathetic for a good deal of the novel, but she gets a burst of feminist courage at the end of the novel as she sets out on her own and finds a job.

Covers many aspects of menopause including sexuality, cancers, hysterectomy; summary information followed by re-presentation in Q&A format makes information easier to follow. Not heavily biased for or against ERT/HRT. Presents more than one treatment avenue, behavioral response. I've read several menopause books but this one gave me the information I wanted in a way that I could take to my doctor for more discussion. I would recommend this book to anyone: men, women, health professionals, young, old. It's filled with information, not all of which I have easily found elsewhere.

I think this book, is very wonderful. If you need some information about him, or just want to study about him this is the book for it. This BOOK is very GOOd.