The potted history is good and so of course are the politics. Do take time to find and read at least one other book. My initial suggestions, out of countless worthy books of all genres would be, Umbria by James Bentley, or Iris Origo's, The Merchant of Prato, War in Val D' Orcia or Caroline Moorehead's biography of her for Tuscany. Any of these will give you good contextual background. Umbria, Le Marche, and San Marino by Christopher Catling is also an invaluable resource and one of my personal favourite guide books.
Out of print but a marvellous book about Florence, is Christopher Stace's City of The Lily. Who could fail to have their trip to Tuscany enhanced by reading Ross King's Brunelleschi's Dome or his latest book about Michelangelo?
The list is endless. Buy the new edition of this Rough Guide when it comes out this Spring but don't expect it to cope with the many wondrous layers of art, culture,architecture, gardens, history and beauty on it's own!!! Certainly I recommend it if you are making a first visit but if you really want to get to know some of Tuscany and Umbria's secrets you need to start making your wish list now. Excellent companion books are the D K and Cadogan Guides to Tuscany and Umbria.


The definitive guide - look no further   February 4, 2001
 39 out of 44 found this review helpful

I have read most of the guides to Tuscany and Umbria and used several. None of them come anywhere near the Rough Guide for comprehensive cover. Where the others describe only the big tourist attractions, the Rough Guide gives ample detail on those plus a wealth of information on smaller, out-of-the-way and less visited places of interest.

I have used it for 3 visits to Tuscany and Umbria now and it has never let me down. Because of much renovation work and because this is about Italy, you can never rely too much on whether places are open or the opening times. I believe it is worth buying a new version of this guide every couple of years to make sure the information is as accurate as possible.