Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

An Italian Education
This is the second time I've purchased this book.I enjoyed it so much (along with the sequel, Italian Neighbors) that I loaned it to my friends and it was never returned.An entertaining account of the experience of marrying into an Italian family, with all its internecine conflicts and quirks, and moving to Italy with all its governmental and religious idiosyncrasies.Well written and funny.It doesn't take an Italian to recognize the eternal struggle to find a place in a strange society....and the Italians can be very strange. ... Read more

Book Description

Tim Parks' first bestseller, Italian Neighbors, chronicled his initiation into Italian society and cultural life. Reviewers everywhere hailed it as a bravissimo performance. Now he turns to his children -- born and bred in Italy -- and their milieu in a small village near Verona.

Customer Reviews (25)

Growing up Italian
I enjoyed this book (as I enjoyed most of Parks' others) particularly because it was an interesting look at parents and children, and especially how our childhoods create the adults who fit into a certain milieu.How does an Italian/British/American child grow up into an adult that can navigate the ins and outs of the particular culture to which it belongs?It's an interesting topic for me, especially as I'm an American who mostly grew up overseas, and I was interested in Parks' musings on how his children would grow up with radically different assumptions about how the world works than he did.

Unlike some reviewers, I didn't notice Parks being especially whiny, and for me the book captured my interest throughout.

Living in Italy/Italian life
I have read two of Tim Parks books and have even sent them to my daughter who recently moved to Italy. His books talk about real life things in Italy that she has also encountered.
It was enjoyable reading them in succession because I could see how he had been adapting to the new culture and different ways of doing things.
A must read for anyone thinking about moving to Italy and a pleasant read for anyone who wants to learn more about the "real" country of Italy. It's not the touristy stuff it's the regular people stuff and it's a fun read.

A Good Book to Put You To Sleep
I have read several books in this genre, and this has to be one of the dullest books on the market that deals with life in Italy.I've lived in Italy on two occasions for short periods of time and can't help but wonder - if Mr Parks dislikes Italy so much, why is he still there?He certainly comes across as disliking Italy and Italians.This has none of the humor or whimsy of other similar books.Very disappointing. I should have know better since I also read "Italian Neighbors" and was unimpressed by it.

Interesting read
I enjoyed this sequel to Italian Neighbors.Mr. Parks gives us a glimpse into the real Italian family and day to day life.

Expendable Italians?
Tim Parks writes remarkably well and can describe situations with painstaking insight. Yet, when he deals with Italy, he may become unbearably patronizing. I often wonder whether his books generally aim at explaining Italy or at reassuring English readers of their supposed superiority to the Italian comedy of questionable manners and corrupted politics.

In the past, Tim Parks has lived in the United States for long. Will he eventually have the courage to contend with American social mores with the same acerbic wit he employs with the Italians? ... Read more

Book Description
The remarkable story of the Renaissance's preeminent financiers. "A swift and brilliant synthesis of finance, politics, and history."—Ben Sisario, New York Times Book Review

Their name is a byword for immense wealth and power, but before their renown as art patrons and noblemen the Medicis built their fortune on banking—specifically, on lending money at interest. Banking in the fifteenth century, even at the height of the Renaissance, meant running afoul of the Catholic Church's prohibition against usury. It required more than merely financial skills to make a profit, and the legendary Medicis—most famously Cosimo and Lorenzo ("the Magnificent")—were masterly in wielding the political, diplomatic, military, and even metaphysical tools that were needed to maintain their family's position.

In this brisk and witty narrative, Tim Parks uncovers the intrigues, dodges, and moral qualities that gave the Medicis their edge. Vividly evoking the richness of the Florentine Renaissance and the Medicis' glittering circle, replete with artists, popes, and kings, Medici Money is a brilliant look into the origins of modern banking and its troubled relationship with art and religion. 14 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

AMAZING STORY AND STYLE
WOW! EXCELLENT! BRILLIANT!

Tim Parks' way of explaining things is so dexterous. As a failed reader of "The Rise and Decline of the Medici Bank 1397-1494," I was deeply impressed by this book.Even if de Roover's book is a must-read book on financial history, it's so hard to keep reading. But this excellent book isn't. I couldn't do anything until I finish it.
One of the merits of the book seems the sense of rhythm. That's why Tim Parks is a novelist. Unlike any other history books that Enterprise Series offer, this book has apparent musical rhythm between sentences/paragraphs. It is one of the pleasures that I enjoyed.

I love it!

A quality book, but not an earth shaker
Parks brings us 100 years of Florentine history, from 1389 to 1494 - it's the rise and fall of the Medicis, the invention of international banking, and the Renaissance.While it's a complex book, he does well by laying out a chronology, and a chapter of "The Big Picture" in the front of the book.This telling of what he's going to tell us keeps you from getting lost during the progress of the book.

Parks has two basic principles for his theme - first, loan money and you are a usurer and condemned to Hell, unless of course, your principal client is the Pope.Second, even jumped up little money changers long for the trappings of prestige, power, and entitlement of the aristocracy, and will do a lot of foolish things to get it.

Parks has an interesting non-grammatical style, one that is much like the verbal delivery of a good lecturer.To illustrate - "The trajectory, then, is clear enough.One hundred hears.Five generations.A vertiginous rise of fortune - first economic, then political - in the hands of two most able administrators.A brief hinge period presided over by a grumpy, middle-aged man in bed.Then two and half decades of political ascendancy predicated on a wealth that is rapidly disappearing...."

Econonerds will be intrigued by the invention and use of double entry book keeping.Political wonks will like the ins and outs of a tyranny disguised as a republic.Historical dweebs will like the close interaction between five Italian states plus a swarm of small little war lord holdings.Military tacticians will be intrigued by centuries of war that were purposely fought not to be won.

I would suggest this is an intriguing book, but not one for your permanent library.Best to go to the public library for this one.

Terrible
I was shocked to discover that this book was published by the Norton Press.Here goes my best at a Tim Parks inspired juvenile and/or hackneyed rhetorical question: "Have Standards Fallen so Low?"This is not a work of History, and it is not written by an Historian.It is anecdotal and unscholarly.The exploration of metaphysics does not warrant that word's presence in the title.It is poorly written, and moves in and out of tense haphazardly, notes are absent and sources are uncited, and finally and perhaps most egregious; Sentence fragments are the norm as opposed to the exception.Its astounding what gets published these days.So there is definitely a lesson to be taken from the business savvy here; this book is excellently marketed....beautiful cover, thought provoking title etc.Too bad its tripe.Way to go 'Enterprise', you got me.

The Birth of Renaissance
It is a very well-written book. Tim Parks has a golden pen, from which words flow easily and beautifully. The superb language makes it quite easy to follow the history of the Florentine Bank of Medici from 1397 to 1494.

And the history is thrilling. Medici is the most powerful family in Florence, one of the first modern states, with investment banks, international trading and a parliament. Parks focuses his analysis on the business and politics of Florence, and in particular on the different patriarchs of the Medici family.

The 15th century Florence was a keystone in the Renaissance, and the Medicis played an important role in the development. They were sponsors of new art and new architecture, at the same time translating the works of Aristotle and Plato to Latin. Some of the Medicis were important in defining the powers of the state and that of the church.

Parks story would be even easier to follow if the book had paid more attention to the chronology. I also missed a better bibliography. But in all: well worth the read.

Medici Lite
Entertaining, light-hearted summary of the Medici family fortunes at their height in Florence, in a most non-academic style. Definitely for anyone interested in the Renaissance and especially art patronage who doesn't want to plough through a heavy piece of work of the era. Also thought the book provided hints of other aspects of Florence and its personalities to explore, especially about business entrepreneurs turning their fortunes into art collections. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (10)

Good, easy reading book
I bought this book on the advice of my Italian language instructor and have enjoyed it. It seems to be an accurate description of what it's like to live in the northern area of Italy.
My daughter recently moved to the area and from what I have experienced while there this year Mr. Parks writes accurately of the local culture and special ways of the people. And he writes to include the humorous daily events and quirks of the inhabitants of his little condo building.
It's not a travel guide type of book but does provide an intersting look into the daily lives of the village and surrounding towns. I enjoyed the book and plan on sending it to my American daughter living above the village of Montecchio noted in the book.

Too similar to other books
I think I've over-dosed on the "Briton living abroad" sub-genre of the memoir. The flow of the text seemed to get stuck so often when Parks would go out of his way to point out how different he found Italian culture. I found it quite tiresome after awhile.

Helps you better understand the culture
This author lived it . . . and writes about it so well.I read this book after a trip to Italy.I wish I read it earlier.It makes my experiences traveling more relevant.I highly recommend it.

Captures the Incongruities of Italian Life
Even after having lived in Italy, I remained puzzled by some of my Italian Aunt's eccentricities.For instance, she would stop to pick bitter herbs she saw growing from about anywhere and would be seemingly unaware that this constituted bizarre behavior in America.Reading about how a character in the book named Lucilla would stop to do the same brought pleasant memories back and made it clear to me my Aunt's behavior was really about the incongruities of Italian life.The chapter entitled Discreto, Valido, Relativo best captures these incongruities.

Tim Parks does not describe an idyllic Italian paradise.He captures the beauty, and even some of the warts, of everyday life near Verona.His focus is not on restoration of a country home and learning to cook like a native, but on real life.His insights into Italian politics, baffling bureaucratic behavior, and combative neighbors are fascinating and are conveyed with a lightheartedness this subject merits.

Parks does occasionally show his political colors taking swipes at Margaret Thatcher (the book was written a while back) and showing an affinity for the Green movement.At least for me, those sorts of references are somewhat of a detour to the story that blurred the author's focus.

I felt like someone had shadowed my life!!
* I rented that apartment! (except in ours we found dentures...)
* I had those neighbors, that landlady! (we had different factions calling us on the phone asking details about which other faction may have taken furniture and warning us not to speak to the opposing factions!)
* We had not one but two hound-dogs tied up on the terrace below, in full cry 23 hours out of 24, and each utility bill was in the name of a different dead relative.

I can't think of another book that made me laugh to the point of tears! This is the REAL ITALY (at least, the real Italy as viewed by an Anglo-Saxon). Priceless for anyone thinking of making the move, or who is interested in a regular "slice of life" that isn't all sunflowers and wine, pasta and mandolins... Also worth reading is the continuation in "An Italian Education" but this one is fresher and funnier. ... Read more

Book Description
After 20 years of living in Italy, Tim Parks, whom Joseph Brodsky, has called "the nest British author working today," spent a full year following the fortunes-and misfortunes-of the Verona football-oops! Soccer-club. Here is his rollicking report. Fro Udine to Catania, from San Siro to the Olimpico, traveling with the fans and the players from the tip to the toe of Italy, Tim Parks offers a highly personal account of his relationship with a country, its people, and its national sport.The fans, as always are accused of vulgarity, racism, and violence.The police are ambiguous, the journeys exhausting, the referees unforgivable, the anecdotes hilarious.In a world stripped of idealism and increasingly bereft of religion, Parks suggests that soccer offers a new and fiercely ironic way of engaging with the sacred. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

not perfect but gripping nonetheless
Parksvividly captures segments of life on the road following a not-so-glamourous and not-so-successful football team in one of the more cryptic, corrupt and colourful leagues in the world. Overall it is superb reading. The narrative of the season is skillfully depicted. From the blow by blow description of the first away trip to the hothouse atmosphere of the final match, it captures the excitement and dreariness of the season and provides moments of humour as well as disgust. Some of these fans and their behaviour are truly abhorent. However, that is the nature of the game and Parks is obliged to describe them. Whether you think he is overly sympathetic is toward the hard core fans is up to the reader to judge.
Where it fails is in its more lofty ambitions of drawing a canvas of every aspect of life in Italy. The editing could have been more rigorous as the constant to-ing and fro-ing between football and non-football analogies is distracting, particularly in the middle third of the book.
No book written by a fan about fans can truly capture a global view of any game. This book certainly doesn't although it sometimes tries hard. For a more historical and analytical view of the game, I recommendFoot's book. However, if you're after something to give you an idea of the joy and bitterness of life on the terraces, read this.

Save your money....I have never thrown away a calcio book--until now
I have never written a review before; I have also never thrown away a calcio book. After reading this book, I can no longer say either.

If you get your kicks reading books about anything but calcio; if you get your kicks reading "Dio boia and Dio can" seemingly a billion times in the first 50 pages, and reading maybe 2 pages worth of calcio in the same stretch, then this book is for you. If, like me, you want to read about calcio...the game, the teams, the players, the true culture, then this is not the book for you. Save your money and buy "Calcio" by Foot, instead.

ultimately nothing profoundly new here
It's not that this isn't a good book but if you've read any of these "follow the club for a season" book, it really offers nothing new other than following a team in another nation. Yes, we find out that all supporters seem hung up on chldish racist/sexist comments/chants. I did like the fact he incorporated Web site BBS postings as many of those were a laugh.

I mean, I do get the whole group mentality male bonding deal that soccer fandom is all about but what i really wanted to know more than anything from this book was why Italian soccer is so popular yet so mindnumbingly dull to watch. How many 0-0, 1-0 matches does Italian Serie A produce? I wanted to find out why a vibrant and colorful culture of fandom (and food, art, fashion, politics, etc.) can somehow produce possibly the worst excuse for entertainment on the soccer pitch ever.

An Interesting Season
This is a very interesting book for a variety of reasons. The author, Tim Parks, is British, but has lived many years in Verona. He has developed a keen understanding of the passion of Italian calcio (football), along with the more negative facets: bitter provincial rivalries, racism, and the hard-core fan element called the "ultras." There are 34 chapters in the book to reflect the same number of game days in the Italian season. (Since the publication of this book, the Italian first division plays 38 games.)

This well-documented and detailed book takes on a different perspective. Parks is an acclaimed published author. He easily could have written a "safe" documentary about life with a professional team. But he chose a different route: he sat with the ultras during home games, learned their vulgar and sometimes racist chants, and traveled with them on long bus/train rides for away matches. With the exception of one away game when he was the official guest of the team, and another match when he reported the events from the press box. In essence, he was accepted by the most fanatical element of Hellas Verona supporters. Although this provided him with a rare insight, his objectivity may have been affected by such personal involvement.

Hellas Verona has a reputation for having some of the most racist supporters in Italy. Parks spares no details about this volatile subject, but he also explains the bitter historical club rivalries throughout the Serie A. His game summaries are intriguing, and full of local color to keep the reader interested. He is able to describe game action in an appealing fashion, along with the fan reactions that he personally witnessed.

He interviews the fans, as well as the actual team players and coaches. He finds himself being drawn into the lives of the ultras, along with their chants during the actual games. He also has a good understanding of the Italian psyche, whether it be on the field, or away from it.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

Life on the "curva sud" with a real fan
An English academic, living and teaching in Northern Italy for the past twenty years, Tim Parks offers a colorful, rich, detailed account of a year(2000-01) following his historic local football club, Hellas Verona. This is a week-by-week, blow-by-blow account, up close and very personal. He starts as an interested observer and becomes a believer.

Better that this is written by a man of letters than by a journalist or a sportswriter, Parks at times becomes perhaps literate in studying the passion behind the football fans who seem to live and die by the fortunes of their favorites. Best of all, Parks chose a season that provided a riveting conclusion to a season of ups and downs. Sadly, a quick look at Italy's Serie A standings in early 2003 finds Hellas mired in mid-level Serie B.

Hellas fans are, at times, boisterous, irreverent, profane, vulgar, and, among the hard core, loyal to a fist fight and to a fault. Seeing them week by week, after a crazed introduction on the first, mind numbing rod trip to the south, Parks offers the insight of an Englishman not unfamiliar with football hooligans but also willing to try to understand the mind and life of the devoted Hellas fan.

Enjoy the passion. ... Read more

Book Description
Patterson Park is an urban oasis, a sacred green space surrounded by red brick row homes and generations of diverse cultures and neighborhoods. For almost 180 years, Baltimoreans have picnicked under tall tulip poplars, strolled the deeply curved paths, and enjoyed the rich architectural design of this 137-acre East Baltimore park. Patterson Park is not simply beautiful landscapes, scenic vistas, and tree-lined pathways. This refuge is also an urban emerald with many facets. Patterson Park has served as the defenses of Baltimore during the War of 1812, a Civil War surgical hospital, and a picturesque home to herons, wood ducks, and painted turtles. Patterson Park has a free outdoor gym with tennis courts, volleyball nets, and an ice rink, as well as paths for relaxing walks around the boat lake. Since its beginnings in 1827, Patterson Park has been a prime example of how urban open spaces can complete and unify diverse communities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great memories
Another great photo history book of the area in which I grew up. I've recommended it to friends and several have told me they purchased it and are just as happy with as I am. My children and some of my grandchildren have also read and enjoyed it.

Baltimore's Patterson Park
An interesting background of an inner city park with a history. Local residents have brought the park back to an active community roll from several decades of neglect. The current multi-cultural stage still leaves room for improvement but progress is on-going. Wonderful photographs. A joy to read. Thank you, Tim. ... Read more

Amazon.com
In his essay "Maturity," Tim Parks, reflecting on that notoriously indecisive prince of Denmark, suggests that Hamlet's problem was "not cowardice, or even thinking too much, but rather that thought is his chief pleasure." Indeed, Parks continues, "It is perhaps this that our culture will have no truck with, the idea that the greatest pleasure might come, not from consumption, or action, or doing good or passion, but merely, wonderfully, from the mind's play with itself." Our culture may not appreciate the mind at play, but Tim Parks most definitely does. In Adultery and Other Diversions, he gives his own intellect free rein to cartwheel and skylark among a variety of subjects from the dangerous allure of adultery to the creative power of rancor.

With each essay, Parks begins by grounding himself and the reader in a concrete experience--a bus ride across Europe, for instance, or cleaning his daughter's room, or translating an Italian novel into English--then lets his mind loose to joyously observe, reflect, and comment on what it all means. In "Glory," for example, Parks recounts an arduous hike through the Italian Alps with his two young children and a family friend. Descriptions of the difficult terrain, his own complicated feelings about climbing a particular peak, his friend's preoccupation with the Tour de France, his children's games--all dovetail gracefully to arrive, eventually, at his real point, the nature of their endeavor:

Being an entirely mental quality, surfacing in nothing more concrete than a word, glory tends to be belittled, or viewed with some embarrassment in a world where technique and her accomplice, information, are assumed to hold sway.... And yet despite her new boots--Gore-Tex lined--and all the chocolate and mineral drinks, the creams for sores and plasters for blisters, young Stefi, I know, would never have climbed Monte Maggio on that third day had it not been for the flavour of certain words--Crest-Strider, Peak-Dancer.

Customer Reviews (5)

Oh how disappointing
Having lived in Italy for over 20 yers I am a great fan of Tim Parks.Italian Neighbors, are my neighbors.Down to the barking dog you plan tokill on the first moonless night. Italian Eucation is the story of mybeach and my beach club.Down to the jukebox mother! Adultery is justsuch a disappointment.None of the humor.None of laughing outloud.Justdull and overly trying too hard to impress. I have to say I disliked everyword of this book.Not vintage Parks

Interesting but too breezy, blithe
The English have a tradition of great essayists but modern practitioners such as Parks and Theroux do not have the scope or weight of their predecessors.

Parks is clever and he never rambles on. But his subjects--adultery, cleaning his daughter's room, the transforming power oflanguage expressed in a hike--do not carry the weight of an Eliot or Orwellessay. Maybe that's because most of Parks's pieces appeared in the NewYorker, which has pared back noticeably the length of essays itpublishes.

You may find that the essays do notcompell repeated readings as, say, Eliot's and Orwell's do.

A brilliant turn from a brilliant writer.
This talented novelist and essayist rarely disappoints, and this book of essays is as understatedly clever as everything Tim Parks write. Especially impressive and thought-provoking is "Charity," a devastatingconsideration of that famous Italian sportswear's manufacturer's infamous"consciousness raising" ad campagn. That essay alone is worthreading many times. One hopes these smart essays will lead more readers toParks's superb novels such as "Europa" and "FamilyPlanning."

a sassicaia 85 type of a book, complex ,sensual,has breed.
This is the third book of the author I have read.I run into the Italian Education accidentally,while perusing through the travel section in a bookstore. Later I have read the Italian Neighbours. I recommend thesebooks higly especially for those who are interested in Italian society andwho thought that Francis Mayes' Under the Tuscan Sun was a tasteless joke.This last book by Parks which comprises of a set of essays strengthened myconviction that,when it comes to making observations and passing judgmentson contemporary institutions and social norms he is as insightful andoriginal as anybody, perhaps he is a modern day Tocqueville. Theseseemingly disparate essays are held together by some common themes:limitsof rationality in guiding behavior,arbitrary nature of language,critique ofthe historical unlearning process which is underway,etc. What isparticularly noteworhy in the author's reasoning is that he can start outwith a convention or an assumption that reasonable minds will agree(such as "being charitable is a good thing"),then he debunks the widelyheld conventions by attacking their inner contradictionsbefore(sometimes)reaching a moral conclusion. Fortunately he does thiswithout a dash of pedanticism and with irony and sincere self-examination.The book also becomes a lot of fun to read under the Campania sun whenParks delivers a beautifully crafted personal attack against aliterary"giant" and you understand that the man must have been aforce to reckon with when he played football(Soccer)in his youth.

READ IT
All the joys of being a husband, friend and father are extolled in this book, yet they are rendered with a much deeper understanding of the human condition and the community of life. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the premier tourist attractions of the eastern United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretchesfrom Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. This volume relates the author's one-of-a-kind backpacking trip along the 469-mile road, along with his observations and recollections regarding the Parkway, the most visited unit of the National Park Service. Beginning with his experience as a summer college intern, the book also covers the twelve years he spent working as a ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Anecdotal history and accounts from some of the Parkway's earliest rangers complete this tale of one of our country's national treasures. The appendix contains a chronological, mile-by-mile re-creation of Pegram's 2003 trek, including the names of all the Parkway landmarks mentioned in the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I don't know when I have enjoyed a book more!
As skillfully as early landscape architects planned the Blue Ridge Parkway to "lie lightly upon the land," author Tim Pegram has crafted a delightful journey in words to pay tribute to his years as a National Park Service park ranger and his endeavor to be the first person to through-hike the linear park's 469 miles.I don't know when I have enjoyed a book more!From the time I opened the box from Amazon and first held "The Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot: A Park Ranger's Memoir" in my hand, it has been a constant companion.I have chosen to read, and reread, it at a leisurely pace, much like Pegram's 41-day walk, or a relaxed drive along the Parkway.That way, I can stop at all the overlooks, savor each person, place, view, milepost, story, and insight, and look forward to what lies around the next bend, on the next page.Written in a personable, engaging style, this book is sure to become a treasured favorite of everyone who loves the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Great read for Blue Ridge Parkway lovers
Tim Pegram captivates the reader with memories of his career as a parkway ranger, and his story of hiking the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.This is an extremely unique book that covers a subject on which few books exist.A must read for Blue Ridge Parkway lovers, hikers, fellow Park Rangers, and BRP history buffs. ... Read more

Amazon.com
The protagonist of Tim Parks's Destiny is a disillusioned, fiftysomething journalist intent on writing a book about Italy's national character. It's not merely intellectual curiosity that has led Christopher Burton to this project: as an expatriate Englishman, he's also desperate to figure out the inhabitants of his adopted country, and more specifically, his Italian wife. "You cannot marry a woman in one language and think in another," he muses, convinced that what he once found vehement and exciting about her has been revealed as shallow and distasteful. Mistaken for a German in Italy and an American in England, the narrator beautifully articulates the dilemma of living amid a confusion of tongues. "Language is national destiny," he concludes, which would seem to be bad news for his marriage.

Meanwhile, Burton and his wife are confronted with another, nonlinguistic catastrophe. During a three-month stay in England, the journalist learns that his only son has committed suicide in Italy. His first emotion is not grief but a kind of relief--after all, it was mainly Marco's schizophrenia that kept the couple together. As they travel back home, however, his flamboyant wife begins to unravel, and punishes him by lapsing into a "miserable and uncooperative mutism."

Destiny is an astute study of the inappropriate behavior that accompanies grief, as well as a blistering look at a marriage of equals--at love's endless loss and retrieval. The fractured, claustrophobic narration perfectly suits Burton's mood, as he lurches from ugly confusion to sublime lucidity, even (or especially) in the presence of his son's corpse. "Marco is less remarkable in death than in life," he notes, and then continues:

To my immense relief he was dressed. The corpse was dressed. My wife wasn't there. Dark trousers, blue sweater.... There were two or three heavy pieces of dark wooden furniture and a Sacred Heart on the near wall. A public space that apes the private, I thought, or the imagined private of a distant past. That saves you taking your late beloved home to lie under halogen light by the television.

Customer Reviews (3)

Not his best, but a great ending
I'm a big Tim Parks fan, and I've read most of his previous books and enjoyed them thoroughly. Unfortunately, I think Destiny was written more for the critics than the average reader. The book is pretentiously written, with numerous plots intertwined throughout each paragraph.I almost gave up half way through, but I'm really glad I stuck it out till the end - it has a great finish. Yes, it does define national character in a unique way. I'm glad to have read it, but didn't enjoy reading it.

Tim Parks Goes Deeper
This is my kind of novel. The disenchanted, urban, pan-European middle-aged protagonist is the only type of character that interests me at the moment. This book goes deeper into the kind of philosophical yet entertaining writing that Parks' readers have come to expect of him. Thenovel captures its protagonist at the riveting crisis point after a son'ssuicide, as he contemplates the breakup of his marriage.

If sowonderful, then why not five stars? Too much back and forth in thenarrator's head, time sequence confusion, the way we can't figure out ifwe're in the present or the immediate past or both sumultaneously. Thereare always at least two thoughts being conveyed simultaneously, because thenarrative strategy aims to mimic the jumbled thought processes during thehero's crisis. The author succeeds in getting this effect across, but itmakes for a roller coaster effect. One has to read passages over and overto get at the gems of insight, of which there are many. But I'm afraid manyreaders will simply not be willing to battle the rocky terrain. Too much ofthe writer's effort, and the reader's attention, are expended on this wildride, when I longed for information that would make the auxiliarycharacters more real to me. I still don't have enough of a sense of thedead Marco before his schizophrenia descended to feel a real sense of losson behalf of the narrator. And throughout most of the book, the wife Burtonis determined to leave seems more a larger than life symbol of Italiannational character than a flesh and blood woman. She only acquires a name,for example, in the last chapter.

It also seems a bit of a lameanti-climactic afterthought when, late in the book, Burton reveals, "Ican't forgive my wife for growing old." When remarks like these arethrown out, almost out of context, and a past mistress surfaces but is onlysketchily dealt with, I sometimes suspect that Parks uses these malefiction conventions not because they are true to character, but becausethey are simply male fiction convetions, a way of saying, "Yes, I'm aregular guy, a twentieth century adulturous man." The mistress ofalmost five years' standing seems tacked on -- if he loved the girl as hesays he did, why don't we feel it? Such tricks do not sit well with thephilosophical sweep of the rest of the book, seem lazy when the readerknows what depths the narrative is capable of plumbing. Some auxiliarycharacters, such as the wife's former lover, Gregory, earn their space, buttoo many appear as plot-driven, conscious creations.

Yet, these arerather minor faults. Parks offers something unavailable in mainstreamliterary fiction today, rising above the typical clever-cleverpostmodernist wordplay of most "leading" British authors, or theponderous political correctness of their American counterparts. How manybooks these days seriously explore ideas without sinking into preaching?

I applaud this book for questioning the current culture's over-emphasison blaming and explaining through simplistic pop psychology formulas. As inMartin Amis' Night Train, we have the aftermath of a suicide withoutapparent motive, people struggling to find meaning behind an apparentlymeaningless act. But the phenomenon is rendered both so much morepersonally and universally:" ... we all invent stories to explainthese horrible things to ourselves. We invent the past. When perhaps thereis no explanation." The central concept of destiny, rather thanpsychology, determining the course of people's lives also figures in someof Anita Brookner's novels. I wish the often too chaotic style of Parks'novel could have borrowed just a little of Brookner's calmness, in order tolet such concepts breathe.

The idea of going deeper into a marriage, intoan experience, rather than starting over is explored in this novel.Likewise, in the writing itself, Parks goes deeper into his own style --deeper into the workings of a human mind, deeper into faith, intophilosophy, deeper into meaning, or the mystery of its lack:" ...And it occurs to me now that the brighter the light, the more evident it isthat revelation is denied. The more clearly one sees, the more inescapableenigma becomes ... Whereas in a shady room ... It is just possible toimagine that mysteries will one day be revealed." Wonderful stuff.

Disappointing
I gave up halfway through Destiny, not because the writing isn't terrific-it is-and not because Parks has nothing to say-I find him to be a very astute commentator on a variety of issues (the trouble with marriage, national identity, etc.). But maybe that's the problem: Parks' is grapplingwith issues more than telling a story. Which is fine sometimes, but hereit's heavy-handed and dull. Maybe I'm biased because I read Parks' lastbook, a book of essays called "Adultery and Other Diversions"which touches on the same issues with much more success. His narrativeapproach in non-fiction is superior to the tact he takes in Destiny (someof the essays in "Adultery" read like short stories).I mighthave forgiven all this if the book was funny. Which it isn't. ... Read more

Book Description

Wild, spectacular Yellowstone thrills visitors with gushing geysers and free-roaming wildlife. Grand Teton entices with jagged peaks and glacial lakes. Packed with information for everyone from families with small children to hardcore outdoor adventurers, this guide takes you there.

• Thermal Wonders: From world-famous Old Faithful to gem-colored hot springs, Yellowstone's wild thermal features.
• Wildlife: Bison, elk, bears, moose, wolves, bald eagles - this guide tells you where to spot them.
• Outdoor Fun: The best spots for hiking, camping, rock-climbing, skiing, fishing, boating, and more.
• Insider Tips: Hundreds of places to stay, eat, and play, as well as how to find a wealth of hidden treasures.
• Beyond the Parks: From the Wild West bluster of Cody to the exhilarating ski slopes of Jackson Hole.

Customer Reviews (9)

Most helpful guidebook
Before my Yellowstone trip, I had purchased many books and maps and visited websites-you know the drill.This book helped with many insider tips-when talking with other visitors, they had consistently asked me how I knew these things, and I told them-the Lonely Planet guide.Even two park rangers wanted to know how I knew these lesser known tips-and they were impressed with the information.My favorites:how to get the best view of the Grand Prismatic pool (I'm not going to give that one away) and how to avoid bears on trails-which I'll let out of the bag-sing show tunes!Yes that sounds ridiculous-but when I saw a bear about 150 ft ahead of me on a trail and started singing Ethel Merman, well, bears are smart enough not to stick around for the encore!

Not The Lonely Planet I've Come to Expect!
Maybe it's because the author admits that he ventured off to complete this project only a couple days after getting married, leaving his bride behind.Perhaps a publishing deadline loomed large.I'm not sure what Lonely Planet's excuse is, but this book is the most thrown together, unhelpful guide I've ever seen in their repertoire! I've appreciated their "secret" tips and organized guides for many of my world adventures, and this one is just way below par. Abyssmal on any scale.

I did tons better researching on the internet on my own, which might be the best approach to these parks anyway, so that you're sure to get up to date information.This guide doesn't even mention the great guest ranch outside the park at which I snagged six nights a few months before my visit, how to make sure that you get tickets for special ranger-led, half-day back-country adventure hikes with 15 person limits, or that there are boat and kayak rentals/tours in Yellowstone from concessionaires.

The book literally gives you a headache, trying to figure out how to make sense of the vast amount of listings presented. A menage of maps and thrown-together tidbits are pretty meaningless without the necessary organization to figure out an orderly travel plan.It would have been a lot better if the book took you around each of Yellowstone's loops and through Grand Teton in a more logical format.

I alos found much of the information to be grossly outdated and inaccurate, and so many basic outdoor activities weren't explored in depth, and no real useful information or how-tos were given.I was thoroughly disappointed with my selection. With the vast amount of knowledge that I've accumulated through my own research, I could certainly re-write this guide myself!

You'll be lost without it!
If it's your first time in Yellow Stone or the Grand Tetons this'll be your bible .. the hikes listed in both places are well presented and with the maps included will help you plan you time in this wonderful part of the world .. The information on where you are likely to spot animals is really useful - Elk, Bison, Moose and Bear ... all accurate! The highlights and intineraries suggested helped with planning the trip.. but in addition to the traditional 'must sees' the book also suggests some wonderful off the beaten track experiences as well. Has info on where to stay and eat ..I stayed outside the park and would recommend either Teton Village or Jackson Hole as a good base with lots of top class accomodation. For European travellers Jackson Hole was the only place that I could get a mobile phone signal!

A Guide To the Tetons and Yellowstone
For one contemplating a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons this book will be a fine handbook and guide.It is very detailed in regards to information about the parks and offers the reader a fine source of information for things to do on your visit.

As a backup source
For general planning of our trip, this book provided some useful information but the book does not give enough detail for a day to day planner. ... Read more

Book Description
Veteran nature photographer Tim Fitzharris presents 250 breathtaking photographs of landscapes and wildlife in the top wilderness parks in North America. Tips for taking equally stunning shots accompany each photograph. This book includes detailed descriptions of 21 national parks, maps pinpointing photogenic hot spots, and clearly explained professional techniques about equipment, lighting, composition, and film type - everything the amateur or experienced shooter needs to capture the best of each park, from spring wildflowers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to bugling elk in Rocky Mountain National Park. National Parks Photography appeals to photographers of all experience levels as well as nature enthusiasts and frequent national park visitors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Great Tool for Nature Photography Enthusiasts
This book is so beautiful and so inspiring that, after reading it, I made a plan to visit 24 national parks over the next four years. (So far I have been to Yosemite... but I still have hope to get to the other 23).

Bottom line, Tim is a truly amazing nature and wildlife photographer. His images alone will inspire and motivate you to make a travel plan like I did. What's more, his ability to write far outshines the competition. The book contains useful instruction on general technique, as well as specific advice on when and where to go in each park. His text is filled with practical, helpful tips - the kind of information you would really use. I found myself jotting down notes again and again as I read through his advice and instructions.

If you are a nature lover and photography enthusiast... if you findyourself at your greatest place of peace and tranquility when you visit our national parks, you'll love this book. It's a true gem.

A Pleasant Surprise
I was prepared not to like this book.I mean, what could an automobile club teach me about photography?Then I saw that the author was Tom Fitzharris, a noted nature photographer, so I decided to give it a try.I was pleasantly surprised.

The book starts out with a chapter on photographic equipment and technique , and then proceeds with separate chapters on 22 of the major national parks.The book claims that it is aimed at both beginners and experts, but I'm always skeptical of such claims.Once again, I was wrong.

Consider the first chapter on Photography Essentials.The techniques described are indeed essential if one expects to take better than average pictures in the national parks.The beginner may indeed be a little awed by what the author considers essential, but he will learn where there are holes in his knowledge.I would recommend reading John Shaw's "Nature Photography Field Guide" if you want to get a better understanding of technique.More advanced photographers will use the first chapter as a checklist.

The author recognizes that many of the shots are classic shots that appear on calendars and postcards but says that the individual photographer's variations will make the pictures worth taking.He also suggests that the reader study the author's photographs for ideas on how to handle different subjects and I think that's good advice.

I was very interested inthe chapters on parks where I had photographed.I found that not only was Fitzharris quite comprehensive, but he even suggested some places to go to that I had not visited, and some approaches I had not tried, even in parks I thought I knew well.I wish I had had this book before visiting some of those parks.I also know I may visit a few parks because they are in Fitzharris' book.

I have a few minor quibbles.Fitzharris suggested visiting Yosemite before June and shooting early in the morning and late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.It's good advice but the last time I was there in May at 6:30 PM at Tunnel View, there were fourteen tripods set up with crossed legs by photographers making an homage to Ansel Adams.I suppose that's better than it would be at 3:00 PM on a July day, but some of the hot spots suggested by the author will always be crowded.

The author makes no reference to digital photography, but I don't consider that much of a problem.The book is aimed at getting you to the best spots in the major national parks, and creating the best composition.That doesn't change very much with digital photography.

My biggest complaint about this book was that it only covers 22 of the national parks.I wanted more coverage.

Bring this book with you on your national park trip
This is not a book to learn about photography.If you already know the basic of nature photography and plan to take photograph in national parks, this is what you need.It covers most of the more popular national parks.It shows you what to expect and what to photograph in each national park listed in the book, including best tripod locations and best time.Very organized and clear.The pictures and print quality are superb.

AAA National Park Photography
I bought this book for the beautiful photos and was overwhelmed by the great photography advice and information about where to go to take these pictures.I'm traveling out west next month and look forward to taking this book along so that I can go to these beautiful parks. ... Read more

Book Description
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Amusement Park Oddities & Trivia is an uncanny journey through the weird, wacky, and absolutely true world of amusement parks, rides and attractions!Tired of the traditional ho-hum trivia book? Rejoice, here's one that's unique, enjoyable, accurate AND edgy! With a bit of history, a bit of trivia and a lot of totally unbelievable facts, this is a first of its kind book for the amusement industry. With more than 350 Believe It or Nots! inside its pages, and 50-plus original illustrations by Ripley's official cartoonist John Graziano, nearly half of the book is dedicated to the bizarre, colorful and entertaining universe of amusement parks, rides and attractions. The other half features chapters on the Walt Disney parks, roller coasters, Ferris wheels, carousels, entertainers and park food! Nearly 100 different amusement and theme parks, waterparks, attractions, zoos and aquariums are represented in these colorful pages, not to mention the 14 pages packed with astounding roller coaster Believe It or Nots! A comprehensive index permits readers to quickly discover the oddities of their favorite park. ... Read more

Book Description
On Washington's Olympic Peninsula more than 1400 square miles of rugged mountains, richly forested river valleys, and pristine wilderness coast have been preserved as Olympic National Park. From rain forests with more than 160 inches of annual precipitation to arid rainshadow slopes, from rugged glacier-covered mountains to the wild Pacific coast, the park's varied ecosystems feature an extraordinary range of plants and animals, including many species found nowhere else on earth. This illustrated complete guide covers geology, wildflowers and other plant life, rain forest ecology, glaciers, wildlife, rivers, the Pacific coast, and visitor information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great guide to the Olympic Peninsula
This book covers just what the title promises - - the geology, rain forests, rivers, ocean, alpine regions, and other areas of Olympic National Park.It's a little jarring to see Indians included as part of the "natural" history, equivalent to Roosevelt elk or Olympic marmots, but McNulty treats white settlers and the National Park Service in the same way.

McNulty weaves together an overall story of the peninsula despite dividing it into habitats and the like.This makes it a good read from start to finish, but it would also be useful as a companion for a visit - - just read the rainforest chapter when you're in the rainforests, and so on.

McNulty also includes various personal moments, all well-timed and appropriate in length.This is not a personal memoir but these memories truly enhance the natural history that he presents. He also has an infectious enthusiasm, makes this book a lively read for a general audience.

It also has beautiful pictures.

In short, a great book if you're at all interested in the Olympic Peninsula.

A good overview to a spectacular park
Olympic National Park rangers often recommend this book as the best overall guide to this intriguing wilderness region.With environments as diverse as wavespept Pacific coasts, glaciated alpine country and lushtemperate rainforests, McNulty had his work cut out for him in capturingthe essence of the Olympic Mountains.All in all, he has done an excellentjob, hitting on these topics, as well as the humanhistory andconservation issues of the region.I was disappointed with his coverage ofthe rainforests, whose stunning grandeur really deserves more than thebrief chapter he gives them.To his credit,though, he concludes the bookwith an extensive bibliography that will satisfy anyone who wants to delvedeeper.All in all, I would say that this book earns a home in thebackpack or suitcase of anybody who plans on visiting this wonderfulNational Park. ... Read more

Book Description
“Let’s get lost together . . . ”

Lost in My Own Backyard brings acclaimed author Tim Cahill together with one of his—and America’s—favorite destinations: Yellowstone, the world’s first national park. Cahill has been “puttering around in the park” for a quarter of a century, slowly covering its vast scope and exploring its remote backwoods. So does this mean that he knows what he’s doing? Hardly. “I live fifty miles from the park,” says Cahill, “but proximity does not guarantee competence. I’ve spent entire afternoons not knowing exactly where I was, which is to say, I was lost in my own backyard.”

Cahill stumbles from glacier to geyser, encounters wildlife (some of it, like bisons, weighing in the neighborhood of a ton), muses on the microbiology of thermal pools, gets spooked in the mysterious Hoodoos, sees moonbows arcing across waterfalls at midnight, and generally has a fine old time walking several hundred miles while contemplating the concept and value of wilderness. Mostly, Cahill says, “I have resisted the urge to commit philosophy. This is difficult to do when you’re alone, twenty miles from the nearest road, and you’ve just found a grizzly bear track the size of a pizza.”

Divided into three parts—“The Trails,” which offers a variety of favorite day hikes; “In the Backcountry,” which explores three great backcountry trails very much off the beaten track; and “A Selected Yellowstone Bookshelf,” an annotated bibliography of his favorite books on the park—this is a hilarious, informative, and perfect guide for Yellowstone veterans and first-timers alike. Lost in My Own Backyard is adventure writing at its very best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

A great entry point for those seeking to get the most out of a Yellowstone visit...
I have been to Yellowstone. I have used numerous hiking guides. I have even, in my fascination, read some books on the history and geology of the park.

Having used the Lonely Planet Yellowstone as a primary guide for an overview, I was pleased to find that the man--Tim Cahill--who had written the delightful introduction to that book has written a small book of his own on some of his adventures in the park. More than just stories, this book is a resource on multiple levels.

This coming year, I hope to be taking a BUNCH of people with me on a road trip to our nation's great "backyard." When I think about trying to get people fired up for such an adventure, the stories and enthusiasm of this book help me to get a little more enthusiasm. It further helps me to know where to begin to describe the awesome VASTNESS of wonder to be found in Yellowstome.

More than that, this book, with its list of further Yellowstone resources in the back, is a gold mine for those looking for Yellowstone resources. When Christmas rolls around, I will be sorely tempted to give this book as a gift to many who are thinking of going on the trip next year.

Until then, you should check this book out. And more than that, you should REALLY check Yellowstone out. Theres is no place like it on earth!

A pleasant diversion but not a compelling one
This book is a series of essays prompted by walking trails in Yellowstone.Thus, the subtitle is a misnomer - - this book discusses a bunch of walks, not just one.The title is a misnomer, too, as he's never "lost" in a real sense.But this book does involve some "getting lost" in a metaphorical sense.Cahill also wanders off topic a lot, usually in a pleasant way, which is a more literary way to "get lost."

Cahill writes each essay after hiking a trail.Each is idiosyncratic - - sometimes he talks about people he meets, sometimes wildlife or other sights, and sometimes general issues about Yellowstone.For example, a day hike on Mount Washburn sparks a geology lesson about the park.It also leads to musings about how Cahill's younger self was much too cool to go to any of the obvious tourist attractions in the park, including the trail up Mount Washburn.

He wanders "off topic" in such fashion a lot.For example, his essay on the Norris Geyser Basin was originally prompted by a hike to the basin but ends up discussing the joys of driving the Grand Loop Road.(Talking about driving a road is a bit out of place in a series of books about walking, but there it is.)Other essays concern the history of the park, the geology of geysers, the role of fire in the ecosystem, wheelchair-accessible backcountry campsites, and brief discussions of wildlife from squirrels to wolves.

He also writes about three extended trips in the backcountry.These are closer to trip reports, and describe more of what he and his companions do on these hikes.You don't learn that much about the trails, but you already knew that you should buy a hiking guidebook for that.He does give some Pretty Big Clues about an unnamed waterfall that you could "discover" if you want to.Oh, it's about 30 miles from the trailhead, which might be an obstacle.

The essays are pleasant diversions but none of them really have a big idea or compelling point.The book is also quite short, and could be devoured in an hour or two on the beach - - or, more appropriately, after dinner while visiting Yellowstone.Cahill's a talented writer, so I enjoyed the read but was still hungry after the meal.

Not just another walk in the park
Moments after opening the cover, readers are pulled from mundane lives across the globe and transported to one of this world's most fantastic hotspots: Yellowstone National Park.Who better than Tim Cahill to serve as guide and hiking partner?

From a bizarre winking spire in the Hoodoos to falling asleep at a grizzly picnic, Tim never fails to weave a wonderful tale.Included in a selected bookshelf appendix, a list ofYellowstone books of every stripe and shade will enlighten the curious and transform the uninitiated. While you may be disappointed that this book is so quickly over, you won't be let down by its quality.

In defense of Mr. Cahill less than lengthy book, this Crown Journeys offering is just one of an entire series of walking books, all of them brief.I doubt Tim had the option to plow beyond a contracted word count.That's fine with me.If he had given us the natural history of every flower on Mount Washburn, or any other feature in the park, this diminutive read could have easily mutated from a collection of cool essays into a two score set of encyclopedia.

Take it from a guy who has worked in park.This book is a great, albeit brief, introduction to Yellowstone.

A wonderful meditation on Yellowstone
Cahill's "Lost in My Own Backyard" is a different kind of book: rather than commenting on the sights and smells, the first short essay, entitled "Mount Washburn," describes current theories of the historical development of Yellowstone in terms of a catastrophic volcanic eruption, and observes "we're all just potential puffs of steam anyway, and the earth is might beyond our imagining."The book as a whole most closely resembles a cross between a travel narrative and a guidebook.Though it contains elements of the common guidebook (such as describing specific trails and hikes), the perspective is most often completely different from a standard trail guide.In fact, Cahill includes an appendix of excellent books on Yellowstone (include trail guides) that he considers essential for enjoying the park.I agree; they would be an indispensible addition to Cahill's book for anyone looking to explore the backcountry of the park.
The first half of the book - nine short essays - discuss short to moderate hikes in Yellowstone National Park with a twist: rather than the usual discussion of trail markers, precise distances, and the names of various peaks and viewpoints, Cahill focuses on the geological, thermal and ecological wonder of Yellowstone.His writing is a wonderful blend of humor, meditation on the natural beauties of the park, and half tongue-in-cheek yet deadly serious warnings about the dangers of the park and its wildlife.
The final three essays of the book are longer and discuss backcountry journeys Cahill and some of his neighbors have taken through Yellowstone.These more closely resemble common travel narratives, though they still maintain their guidebook-like feeling at some points.
This book is clearly a winner.Though Cahill frequently protests (in the words of Ferdinand Hayden) that "No language can do justice to the wonderful grandeur and beauty" of Yellowstone, his writing manages to capture something of the spirit of the natural wonders of the park, as well as the adventure of backcountry exploration.His writing is crisp, clear, and not particularly long-winded, which makes it a joyful relaxing read.Be warned: Lost in My Own Backyard may inspire you to go and get lost in America's backyard as well.

Whimsical Yellowstone
Lost in My Own Backyard enhanced my brief stay in Yellowstone. It informed without being heavy-handed and gave me an idea of some of the areas within the park that I know I'll never get to. The realities are expressed with humor, ("Whenever a creature makes an appearance near the road...there will be a traffic jam of hopeless proportions"). Cahill points out some of the sites that are off the beaten track, such as the petrified tree, that can be fun to see.His description of the Artist's Paintpots, however, failed to inspire in real life.
Lost in My Own Backyard doesn't pretend to be a guidebook.It's rather like sitting down with a whimsical uncle and looking at his photo album of Yellowstone National Park. ... Read more

Book Description
Described by the late poet and essayist Joseph Brodsky as "the best British author writing today," Tim Parks is as prolific a journalist, critic, and translator as he is a novelist. In Understanding Tim Parks, Gillian Fenwick explores Parks's body of work and maintains that Parks is the epitome of the modern man of letters.

The novels that Parks set in his English homeland--such as Loving Roger, Home Thoughts, and Family Planning--are complex texts treading between tragedy and comedy. Fenwick asserts that Parks's heroes and heroines are real people who make readers empathize with them and their indecision.

Parks's writing crosses genres as well as international boundaries. Fenwick argues that Parks's Italian sojourn of the past twenty years has brought a richness to his work. Wanting no part of