Excellent Travel Primer
This is the #1 book I recommend to anyone traveling as a tourist in Europe. Let me repeat: this is the #1 book I recommend to anyone traveling as a tourist in Europe. History basically comes alive and is easily absorbed due to the writing style and presentation of facts and pictures by Gene and Steve. Knowing so much about the politics, religion, art, etc., makes it so much easier to absorb the mind boggling beauty seen in each museum and church and historical building you visit.
Also, the way all of the book is presented is like a conversation with a witty, fun-to-listen to story teller.
History basically comes alive here. Rick/Gene know Europe inside and out. They make reading about it fun!