In preparing for a recent trip to Rome, a well-travelled friend insisted we read H.V. Morton’s timeless book about the Eternal City, A Traveller In Rome. The book, though written in the 1950s, is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to the city known in ancient times as Caput Mundi or “head of the world.”

Much has been written about Rome’s colorful past and present, but Morton’s personal account is in a class by itself. Neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street, the author’s eye for significant details and how they relate to the broad panorama of Rome’s history and culture is unexcelled. In an engaging, anecdotal style, Morton makes it perfectly clear why Rome has been dubbed The Eternal City. He concludes: “One never says good-by to Rome.” We agree.

The book is available in paperback from Amazon.com.