Rating: 
Summary: The Art of Travel
Review: Having enlivened our understanding of literature (How Proust Can Change Your Life) and speculative thought (The Consolations of Philosophy), de Botton turns to travel and no doubt gives it an edgy twist.
Rating:
Summary: The Philosopher As Poet
Review: I came to this book, reluctantly, through recommendation. A few strikes against it: the 'fancy' binding, the author's 'continental' name, the fact that his earlier Proust title sounded 'cutesy'. What I discovered, however, very early into the reading, was not only that Mr. de Botton is a skilled and perspicacious philosopher of actual living, but that he is a prose stylist. Would that contemporary novelists -- popular or 'intellectual' -- had his skill and depth! I admit with chagrin that my first prejudices led me astray. Mea maxima culpa. This is a 'must read' for anyone with a sense of fineness or a desire to experience it in words. By that, don't think I undercut the substance of what he writes to honor merely his style. The philosophy goes beyond 'intellectual category' and pulls into itself the routine experiences each of us undergoes at one time or another. A lasting work.
Rating:
Summary: The Philosopher As Poet
Review: I came to this book, reluctantly, through recommendation. A few strikes against it: the 'fancy' binding, the author's 'continental' name, the fact that his earlier Proust title sounded 'cutesy'. What I discovered, however, very early into the reading, was not only that Mr. de Botton is a skilled and perspicacious philosopher of actual living, but that he is a prose stylist. Would that contemporary novelists -- popular or 'intellectual' -- had his skill and depth! I admit with chagrin that my first prejudices led me astray. Mea maxima culpa. This is a 'must read' for anyone with a sense of fineness or a desire to experience it in words. By that, don't think I undercut the substance of what he writes to honor merely his style. The philosophy goes beyond 'intellectual category' and pulls into itself the routine experiences each of us undergoes at one time or another. A lasting work.
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I found it interesting, and a good read for travelers. I think it's probably one of the best travel style books I've read since Geneva Nights. Worth buying.
Rating: 
Summary: Exploring the art of travel
Review: I had never before read any of de Botton's work. (Nor heard of him for that matter, no offense intended.)
This is one elegant little book! The structure of it, with each chapter's theme complimented by a "host" (literary figures, artists, etc.) and location, is unique. I'm enjoying the book very much.
Rating:
Summary: Not "Where" to travel "Why" to travel...
Review: I love de Botton's works, I've read and thoroughly enjoyed "How Proust can change your life" and "The Consolations of Philosophy". I was schooled as a philosopher (did three years of PhD-level grad school), and I envy the use to which de Botton has put his education.
This book continues de Botton's success in the "self-help through Art and Literature" tradition. A must for anyone who loves to travel and/or to ponder.
Rating: 
Summary: One half interesting, the other half excruciating
Review: I somewhat enjoyed Mr. de Botton's philosophical meanderings of past thinkers, poets, artists, etc on the subject of travel. But I sure as hell would never travel with the guy! What a geek this guy is! Describing his travels to the Bahamas where he gets into a fight with his significant other over dessert was bad enough. But by the time I got to the passage about how he was afraid to dine alone in such an amazing and vibrant city as Madrid, lest he be mocked by the locals, it was too much for me to read on. His credibility as a travel writer is gone. I am now trying to sell my copy on this site. Maybe I'll attempt to read his book on Proust someday.
Rating: 
Summary: A Review Worth Reviewing
Review: I wanted to point possible purchasers of this book to a fantastic review in the London Review of Books August 22, 2002. Christopher Tayler has some powerful insights into the author's style and motivation.
Rating:
Summary: A great travel book
Review: I was traveling for business when I read this book. The book inspired me to be aware of people, culture, food and re-evaluate my expectations of moving into unknown territory and getting away from my safety zone. It is a beautiful book of philosophy integrated with art and psychology for understanding oneself and human nature through traveling and living without predetermined notions. As De Botton suggests, wherever you go, you always have yourself to travel with, happy or sad. I strongly recommend it to all Alain De Botton and travel lovers.
Rating:
Summary: Feeble
Review: If you want your travels informed by head-up-the-wazoo literary pretension, this milquetoast is your man. Excerpt: "The result was a rich green foliage in an almost perfect circle, like an archetypal tree drawn by a child."No matter where this guy goes, he harks back only to his library and museum-dwelling. There is a dearth of first-person social interaction described in any locale of which he writes. Read travel books instead by those who can soak up the local color, and interact with real people, and be transformed by the experience. This guy could ruin any trip.
| 
