The Rhine
Categorizing this handsome volume presents a challenge. While  definitely an excellent pretrip resource for those planning a  visit to Germany along the Rhine River, it is also a complete  and scholarly treatment of the art, architecture, history,  landscape, and geography of the Rhine, from its origins in  Switzerland to its final destination at the Rhine delta in  Holland. Recht (art history, Marc-Bloch Univ., Strasbourg)  starts with a discursive history of the development of the  culture along the Rhine and also offers a useful discussion of  the Rhine's place in European and especially  British imagination. He then discusses main historical  attractions along the Rhine in such cities as Strasbourg,  Colmar, Cologne, Worms, and Heidelberg. The magnificent color  photographs of the landscape, artworks, statuary, churches,  cathedrals, and castles document the rich legacy of the area.  Ancillary materials include excellent indexes of people and  places, ground plans for the main churches and cathedrals  described, and comprehensive maps. Definitely recommended for  larger art history or travel collections as well as collections  specializing in German culture and history. Olga B. Wise, Compaq  Computer Corp., Austin, TXCopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.