Rome's ancient streets are filled with shops that reflect its centuries-old culture and world-renowned artistry and design excellence. The Civilized Shopper's Guide to Rome includes information that makes shopping there a pastime to be savored by travelers interested in knowing the history of a certain street, the traditions carried on by craftspeople, and the heritage that influences designers. Even the “flexible” business hours of shops can be traced to the way time was reckoned in ancient Rome, a method explained by the authors, who are both Fellows of The American Academy in Rome.

Some shops are included because of their traditional merchandise: micromosaics whose roots reach back to the nineteenth-century Grand Tour; classical plaster based on Roman motifs; jewelry based on Etruscan designs and methods; or jewelry featuring nineteenth-century designs.

Many other shops have served famous Roman figures throughout the decades (artists Balthus, Morandi and DeChirico bought their supplies at G. Poggi; Confitteria Moriondo & Gariglio was the chocolatier to the House of Savoy; Vincenzo Piovano’s restoration skills still serve clients such as the Capolitine Museum and Villa Borghese; and La Tavernelle was a favorite of Nobel Laureate Enrico Fermi).

The authors also explain that some shops are situated where they are or are called by a certain name because of the architecture of the locale or a historical event that occurred nearby. For example, “The origin of the unusual street name, Via Panisperna, has been debated for centuries…(one theory) claims that ‘Panisperna’ is a corruption of the words palis and sterno or ‘back’ and ‘front,’ and that they relate to the story of the martyrdom of San Lorenzo, who was roasted alive on a gridiron. According to tradition, San Lorenzo endured his ordeal with equanimity and reportedly announced to his executioner, ‘You may turn me over; I am done on this side.’”

Many of the shops merit inclusion in the guide simply because they offer unique, one-of-a-kind handmade articles that are becoming increasingly hard to find in a modern world focused on international name brands, or are from other cultures that reflect Rome's history as an ancient trading center where East meets West.

The authors also explain certain unique culinary terms: differences in types of coffees; the history of confetti; and a Jewish confection found only in Rome.

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