Rating: 
Summary: as the romans probably don't do
Review: A little put off by the fact that the author has written some perhaps less than inspirational self-help books, I often found myself wishing for more "flouishes" in the writing. It reads rather dryly for a book about such a vibrant city. His love for Rome only comes through occasionally. I could have used less about the "erotic encounters" he's had with Roman woman on the street and more about what it was like to make the transition moving from California to Rome. How long did it take for his wife to learn Italian? What were some of the other amusing (in hindsight) and challenging tales of adjusting to the Roman lifestyle? At times the book went in this direction, and then would go more in a tour guide direction and seemed unable to commit to either.
Rating: 
Summary: Why do as the Romans do?
Review: Alan Epstein chose to lave The USA and to move his family to Rome. He then tries to give us insight into the ways of the modern Romans. In the course of doing so, he tells us something about the great signs of human achievement that one can find in Rome. I found his "insights" to be rather trivial and overgeneralized -- many of them bordering on stereotyping of Italians. Name dropping just doesn't add to his accounts. And, who needs another description of the record of human achievement that one finds in Rome? Most disturbing -- if Epstein finds so many of the daily doings of Roman life to be so annoying and troublesome, why did he chose to move his family there? When he lived in The USA did he find even more annoying and troublesome features than he found in Rome. If so, he must have had a particularly tough time in The USA. I see this book as just one more addition to the stream of books written by USAns who find Italy so delightful, but somehow must force themselves to rise above the everyday annoyances of Italian life in order to partake of those delights. As one reviewer noted about another such book (a best seller) "the contents of this book should be taken as bragging." The writer wants us to know that he deserves to enjoy the unique features of Italian life, and that he deserves special credits for putting up with the vagaries of Italian life.
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant read
Review: Alan Epstein, despite his Ph.D. in European history, strikes me as an entertainer/celebrity, and this book is the sort of book that would be written by such a superficial person. What another refers to as his "wonderful" habit of sprinkling his sentences with Italian words is, to my mind, irritating, bad writing, and pretentious. A book should be written in ONE language, not two. I would find just as irritating a shallow book about Paris which couldn't make do without dropping twenty French words per page: "We went up to the _gendarme_ on a beautiful _soiree de Paris_ and he was _eh bien_ he was smoking _une cigarette_."
Rating: 
Summary: A superficial glance at Rome
Review: Alan Epstein, despite his Ph.D. in European history, strikes me as an entertainer/celebrity, and this book is the sort of book that would be written by such a superficial person. What another refers to as his "wonderful" habit of sprinkling his sentences with Italian words is, to my mind, irritating, bad writing, and pretentious. A book should be written in ONE language, not two. I would find just as irritating a shallow book about Paris which couldn't make do without dropping twenty French words per page: "We went up to the _gendarme_ on a beautiful _soiree de Paris_ and he was _eh bien_ he was smoking _une cigarette_."
Rating:
Summary: What a delusion!!!
Review: Although Epstein has lived in Rome for years, I think he actually doesn't really understand and know much of this city; his assertions are full of imprecisions, stereotypes and commonplaces. His insights are trivial and most of the times far from the actual facts; his knowledge of italian society is faulty (at least) and sometimes rather absurd: supermarkets that don't change money and other fantasies prove that Epstein don't know much of this city. I bought this book full of hopes and enthusiasm but in the end I was really disappointed by it. As a roman (a really one, not a pretended one as Epstein) who lives in Rome I found the book and his author quite annoying.Alessandro Cantonetti
Rating: 
Summary: . . .and New Yorkers Don't Do
Review: As a 100% Roman, brand new resident of the Big Apple and ex-upstairs neighbour of Alan Epstein, I just loved this book: not only it is well written, witty and full of heartly enthusiasm on Rome and its inhabitants; it really gets the "spirit";, the humour and some "crazy" (by US standards) habits of my former fellow citizens. It is obvious that Alan enjoys living in the Eternal City, and this book should be a "must" reading for any American planning to spend some time in Rome.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book on Italy: It Transports You There Immediately
Review: As the Romans Do is a delightful, charming book that I believe is the best of its genre. Epstein takes you around Rome and Italy as if you were his best friend and he wanted to give you the most memorable experience possible. He reveals the differences between the Italians and the Americans in a very humorous manner, and lets us in on his life and that of his wife and two young sons who attend Italian public school. Alan Epstein is a great storyteller, a gifted writer and has given me a new, refreshing perspective on the Italians. Now I can't wait to go back to Rome and have Alan Epstein escort me around the Eternal City in person. (I have heard that he gives the greatest tours of Rome).
Rating:
Summary: As the Romans Do - Love Them, Love the Book
Review: As the Romans Do is a treasure. Having just returned from a week in Rome, I was delighted to find this book. Alan Epstein has an easy-going way of telling people about life in Rome that allows you to feel as if you were talking with a friend about his vacation experiences, and gives you the chance to indulge in nostalgia as you remember your own. His love for, and pride in, the city is evident. I was waiting to see some of Diane's slides! For new readers who have already been to Rome, the book serves to validate the feelings that you might have in common with Alan. I, too, noticed how eager the Romans are to assist someone who is in difficulty, and how kind they are when they do it. For people who are looking forward to their first Roman experience, the book will aid you in understanding the wonderful people of that city, as well as in finding the perfect place to have lunch with a family of four. Alan conveys the beauty of the people of Rome, in addition to that of their awe-inspiring surroundings, and amuses the reader with recollections of entertaining times in the city with his wife and children. It is written with a sense of humor that continues to make me laugh, even after reading snippets to friends numerous times. It will help you to understand many of the cultural differences between Italians and Americans. The book makes some sense of many of the questions that I have had after my own experiences. It offers you the opportunity to avail yourself of Alan's expertise. It will be interesting to see if I agree with Alan's pick of the best pizza, a great route for a Sunday morning jog, or the best trattorie in town. I have been to Rome many times. Not to date myself, but the first time I went, I brought along Europe on $5 a Day, by Arthur Frommer. When I go back next month, I'm bringing As the Romans Do, by Alan Epstein. And, as always, I'll leave a little piece of my heart.
Rating:
Summary: Ciao Roma!
Review: As The Romans Do takes the reader on a trip, not just to Rome, but to the hearts and minds of the Roman people. Their lives of passion and gusto are wonderful to read about but they are also instructive. We all have much to learn about appreciating life and its simple beauty, as the Romans do. We need to learn from their focus on art, music, food, drink and sensuality. The book is a lovely read and is perfect for those who have visited Rome or for those who have never been but would love the experience. Read the book, enjoy the journey over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: He puts you there !
Review: Each time I open this interesting, enticing portrait of the Eternal City, I am immediately in Rome. The author's passion in portraying the passion and character of Roman life, offers the reader a passion to travel through this pleasurable book.
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