Rome Alive. By Christopher Kininmonth.
(John Lehmann. 18s.) 4
This is a good piece of nostalgic topography. There are so many books about Roman Rome, Mediaeval Rome, Renaissance Rome, Baroque Rome, that it is pleasant to have one just about what it is like being in Rome now. Mr. Kininmonth makes historical excursions here and there as it pleases him, and it is easy to be pleased too. But more entertain- ing are his observations of Rome today. There is a particularly witty passage about the alarming swagger affected by Roman youths. Do they, wonders Mr. Kininmonth, in, some deserted place among the rubbish practise.it, and point out each others' faults ?
The photographs are good. By no means all are of the Forum and St. Peter's ; there are plenty of trattorias and pasticcerias and ferrotranvias and all the little bits of everyday life which you find in every city and which are so different in Rome . from anywhere else. For those who have been to Rome and want to go again but cannot afford it, this book is an excellent
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