“Artists in Residence: A Guide to the Homes and Studios of Eight 19th-Century Artists in and Around Paris”
(The Little Bookroom; $19.95)
For some people, art doesn’t come alive unless there’s a tangible connection. “In Artists in Residence,” Dana Micucci finds that connection by visiting the homes of Claude Monet, Charles-Francois Daubigny, Vincent van Gogh, Jean-Francois Millet, Gustave Courbet, Eugene Delacroix, Rosa Bonheur and Gustave Moreau. All are open to the public and all are located either in or near Paris. Micucci describes the special relationship that existed between the painters and their paintings and the place they called home. Take, for instance, the village of Giverny. Monet discovered the small farming village while en route to Normandy. So enchanted was he with its half-timbered houses and barns, with its wheat fields and meadows strewn with poppies, that he decided to stay, renting a pink stucco house with an adjacent flower orchard. Here he painted what his painterly eye saw all around him. Another thing that makes this book stand out is its attention to detail. Thus we learn that Monet rose before dawn, when he feasted on a breakfast of roasted meat, cheese, bread, butter and marmalade, a cup of chocolate, tea and a glass of milk. Beautiful color photographs by Marina Faust add immeasurably to the book’s charm. Each section also includes information on how to get to the site, dining opportunities in the area, as well as descriptions of accommodations, museums and other cultural institutions associated with the individual artist. This is a highly unusual book, lovingly presented and quite sophisticated. The packaging too stands out: a compact paperback in a handsome protective slipcase. Anyone with an interest in French artists and their milieu is sure to appreciate all the effort that went into this book’s creation. (ISBN 1-892145-00-6)
TRAIN TRAVEL
“Heart & Soul of the Train: Personal Travel Notes From an Amtrak Attendant”
(Apollo Publishing; $9.95)
Train travel is different from any other kind of travel. Some people refer to the romance of the rails, to the spirit of joy and adventure that’s often associated with a journey, especially a long journey, on the “Iron Horse.” The heyday of the train is long gone, of course, but more and more people are discovering, or rediscovering, the unique experience that can be realized only by a train journey. Author Mauris Emeka has loved trains all of his life, even though he spent most of his career in other professions, which ranged from that of a military officer to a business consultant. At the age of 48 he was offered the opportunity to work as a train attendant on Amtrak. This slim book is the result. Clearly a labor of love, “Heart & Soul” offers an insider’s glimpse of what it is like to work on the long-distance train. Emeka writes about train derailments, about layovers in great American cities and other random thoughts. Sometimes he discusses delicate situations with great humor, such as the time when he received complaints about a customer with particularly smelly feet. Tact and grace saved the day. In addition to sharing his own experiences and relaying the stories of others, the author answers some frequently asked questions on train travel, such as: “How fast does the train go?” (About 79 miles an hour, on average.) “Why don’t more people travel by train?” and “When do train attendants sleep?” (ISBN 0-9640125-5-3; Apollo Publishing, P.O. Box 1937, Port Orchard, WA 98366)
TRAVEL LITERATURE
“Microcosms”
(Harvill Press; $13)
“The world is full of voices,” writes Claudio Magris in this luminous portrait–bits and evocative pieces really–of life in the borderlands of Italy. “Microcosms” is more than just a travelogue, though. Rather it’s a praise-poem to life itself. The Magris version of life consists of a subtle and elegant appreciation of the small miracles of daily living that many of us take for granted. By commemorating the minor and seemingly insignificant incidents of life he elevates the mundane to a higher plain, whether extolling the simple pleasures of passing away time in a Trieste cafe to walking in a public garden. In Magris’ rather impressionistic world, the present is very much alive. It is a pleasant place to linger, a place to delay the inevitable leaving. (ISBN 1-86046-769-5)
REGIONAL TRAVEL
“Travel North Carolina: Going Native in the Old North State”
(John F. Blair, Publisher, $17.95)
Nobody knows a state better than the people who actually live there. At least that is the guiding principle behind this fact-filled, anecdote-rich book. “Travel North Carolina” covers historic places, gardens, museums, cultural highlights, shopping, recreation, seasonal events, accommodations and restaurants, all filtered through the eyes of writers who are passionate about the place they call home. Indeed, what sets this guidebook apart from the rest is the passion and enthusiasm that goes into its writing. The authors who have contributed to “Travel North Carolina” care about their state, and it is that sense of wanting, that sincere wish, to share their knowledge with others that shines through. (ISBN 0-89587-232-3)
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Contact Resourceful Traveler in care of Toni Stroud, Chicago Tribune, Travel Section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60612; or e-mail tstroud@tribune.com.
