Well, I agree with Fiona it's a good travel book. I liked Beattie's explanation re: the derivation of Budapest's name. The obvious combination of Buda and Pest occurring after the Magyars took over from the Romans and renamed Aquincum. Chieftan Buda being the name of Arpad's brother,the twin founders of Hungary and Pest coming from the Slavic word Pec. Don't ask me why but the combination reminds me of goulash, spicy. I agree with Fiona that there should be more illustraions: in particular, photos with captions and maps. Overall, a helpful introduction and am looking to supplement it with Danube: A Journey Through the Landscape, History and Culture of Central Europe by Claudio Magris and translated by Patrick Creagh. ( )