Rick Steves' Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler

I'm not even done with the book but it's really enjoyable. I bought another one for my husband so we can enjoy Europe together and not be mind-numbing bored at the museums (he really likes it too). They give you a nice synopsis of the history through the European ages without being too wordy or boring. They add quite a few jokes throughout which are hilarious, e.g. re. Caligula, an evil Roman emperor, they discuss his evil deeds along the lines of raping, incest, wanting to be treated like a god, all while parking his chariot in handicapped spaces. If you're a history buff who likes long reads and lots of details, don't get this book. But if you're planning a trip to Europe and want to understand the background of the art, museums, statues, architecture, cathedrals, etc. in one book, I highly recommend it. Nice glossy pages with lots of pictures too.

Art is a narrative of history; Rick Steves has championed the narration of history through art in this very readable tome. As a non-westerner and non-Christian, I was somewhat familiar with Christian themes and Graeco-Roman figures (both real and mythological) but it was all a big jumble; Rick created order within that topsy-turvy chronology. The book is very readable, and makes you quirk your lips quite a few times. Although read post-travel, (after my travels to Italy, Spain, Turkey and Greece) the accounts were engaging, and they made me relive my memories. The only notable Muslim mention is the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, which is a fourteenth century palace. Given that Spain downplays, and even excises Muslim history from it's official narrative, I suppose Steve's stance is understandable. Otherwise the European Dark ages, which he classifies as AD 500-1000, are the glory days of Spain, which brought advanced surgery, advanced astronomy, agricultural revolution, end of serfdom, musical instruments such as the lute, three course meals, modern hospitals, Arabic numerals, Algebra, Chemistry, schools, libraries, translations of Aristotle & Co., coffee, town planning and the wonder of wonders, the Arabian Nights to Europe. All this happened from 761-1050 AD. Overall, this is a five-star book! I vicariously enjoyed Parisian travel through it, and also relived beautiful memories of Mediterranean Europe through it. It was humbling to think that I had been to such monumental sights.

Although I haven't read it all, I can tell by the first few chapters that this is a great book. The history, along with the hilarious humor that is so Rick Steves, is making this book a delightful read!

Enjoying this easy to digest history with great color images. Really dislike the silly jokes and references throughout. Very distracting and so unnecessary! Keep it classy, Rick Steves!

History books in general can be a bit dry and boring, but this was a great read! I've been a fan of Rick Steves travel books and his television program for quite a while and his personality definitely comes through in this book. It does a great job of covering a wide range of European history at a high level. If you're looking for intense detail about Alexander the Great, for instance, this probably wont be what your looking for. This book is best used as a helpful historical guide for people who love to travel. Various site's, buildings, art pieces, etc. are given extra meaning and historical significance in this travel/historical guide. Overall, this is great read to gain basic historical knowledge for those of us that love to travel and learn about the places we visit.

Full of facts but easy to read, this book gives an excellent overall understanding of European history, art and architecture from 2000BC onwards. Quirky humor makes it a fun read and it pulls together all the different time periods, historical figures and art styles you've heard about, and gives you a clear understanding of when they occurred, why they occurred and where. A must read before heading to Europe to give you an appreciation of all the art and architecture you will come across. Knowing what you are looking at makes supposedly dull churches and galleries actually extremely interesting (go figure!). I wish I had read this before my first trip!

This is the #1 book I recommend to my friends and family if they are taking a trip to Europe. #2 would be any book written by Rick Steves and his assistant writers, on anywhere a person will travel to in Europe. I used to manage a few travel agencies, and worked for one regional, and two legacy airlines, and traveled to Europe between 1972 to 2013.

A background of European history and art that is made entertaining through Rick Steves written narration.

Absolutely fabulous book. It's also quite slow reading to take it all in.

It makes a good companion to the PBS series by Rick Steves, and it stands up on its own. A great overview of European history and art, written in an easy to understand way.

Gem of a book. Lucid writing. Never enjoyed such a way reading a art/history book before.

If you're traveling to Europe this book is a must. We bought this book and it's very well written with lot's of history and information. Recommended!

It packs the 2000 years of European history and art development in one sweet book. It's simplified and gives you enough gist to appreciate our sight seeings in Europe.