Two Requests!

[tea]

My sister and I take off for the classical "youth backpacking around Europe trip" in (oh my God) 19 days, and I thought I'd make a very general request for useful/interesting books to read before then. We're going to be in Paris, Geneva, Cinque Terres, Rome, Florence, Salzburg, Prague, Berlin, and Amsterdam, FWIW. Be it your favourite travel guide, intro to a city, or travel book in general, hit me!

Second, I've been looking for a specific kind of non-fiction book about music theory: one that's written to be sat down and read, not a series of exercises or a textbook, preferably written with some sort of historical perspective. I can think of lots of science books written in this style, but I've never come across a music one.

Comments

[jadesfire]

I don't know if it's what you're looking for, but Stephen Fry's "Incomplete and Utter history of Classical Music" is a brilliant book. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

If you're looking for a good guide to Rome, Amanda Claridge's Archaeological Guide to Rome is excellent, and includes Byzantine churches as well as the ancient monuments. I'd also second the DK guide rec above - they're gorgeous books.

Have fun!

[edited to put link in!]

[tea]

Oooh, that Stephen Fry book sounds perfect - and it's Stephen Fry!

Thanks for the Rome rec - it's definitely one of those cities that demands some historical perspective.

[cloverdew]

Stephen Fry wrote a history of classical music? I MUST have that! ;) *goes to look it up*