Favorite Travel Books?

[soliteyah]

I love reading other travelers' stories, especially before I go on a trip myself! What are some of your favorite travel books, or books about living in a foreign country (a la "Under the Tuscan Sun")?

In addition to "Under the Tuscan Sun," another one I loved was Rita Golden Gelman's "Tales of a Female Nomad", about a middle-aged woman who just takes off and travels around the world, living for months at a time in different tiny villages in developing countries. Amazing, amazing stories.

Anyone have any others to share?

[Host Ciao]

Hello,
I would have to recommend H. V. Morton and Kate Simon. Though some of their books were written some time ago, I thoroughly enjoyed their books on Italy. I feel they gave me interesting information and insight before I traveled there. I have Morton's books to reread before next trip there.
I have also purchased his book on London and plan to read it before I go there in April.
I also love Georgina Masson's book "Companion Guide to Rome." I used it as a guide for three weeks in Rome about 20 years ago. It has been revised to update some of her information in 1998. It served me very well with the descriptions of her walks. I believe that, big though it is, I will take it with me next time.
These authors stand out for me because I love Italy and have traveled there nine times.
I enjoyed Polly Platt's "Savoir Flair!" It gives "211 tips for enjoying France and the French." I will reread it again before I head to Paris after London.
Of course, the DK series books are beautiful, but I find them pretty heavy to carry with me. However, I do find them invaluable for identifying some of the far-too-many pictures I take when I am organizing them. I have also copied some of their pages with block by block diagrams.
This sounds like a very interesting thread.
Sincerely,
Host Ciao
Italy Board Moderator
Independent Traveler

[ongmont]

Riding the Iron Rooster; by Paul Theroux (railroad journey through China - not recent, but great reading).

The Fatal Shore : The epic of Australia's founding; by Robert Hughes (not a travel book per se, but excellent preparation for Australia travelers).

Death in Venice, by Thomas Mann.

O.