Any college-level arts library collection including classes or studies in stained glass will want to include this specialty history, which examines the collaboration between draftsmen and glass painters in southern Germany and Switzerland from 1480 to 1530. While Albrecht Durer is the focus here, others are examined for their contributions to the stained glass field and Painting on Light is packed with drawings and color examples of their works in a unique, appealing presentation.

This is a very handsome book of mainly black and white photos of the Swiss modernist's work. There are some small color photos but I would have preferred to have seen more. The Architectural Review did a recent spread on the Baths and the blue of the stone used was very evocative. Still this is a beautiful book on a very impressive architect.

I recently had the opportuity to travel to Switzerland on business. Before my date of departure, I purchased a copy of The Railfan Guide to Switzerland by George Drury, to get an idea of what type of train trips I could fit into the limited free time I would have. While reading the book, I was pleased that in addition to the wealth of train information it contained, it also included other advice and information that a traveler to Switzerland would need to know. Although this book is definitely intended to be a major reference source for the rail enthusiast such as myself, I think it is also a good guide for the international traveler that wants to travel within Switzerland. Major cities, currencies, dining tips, handy german phrases, tourist railroads and local attractions are all covered in the book. The information it contained, enabled me to get the most out of my limited time in Switzerland.

When I was planning for a wine trip to the Rhone a few years back, this was one of the many references I used. And it turned out to be the best. For travellers who want to visit the most interesting vineyards, stay at comfortable hotels, eat in excellent hotels, without robbing a bank, don't leave home without checking out this book first!

Since then, I have used books Hugh Johnson and Hubrecht Duijker for other forays to different appellations around the world. And I am still having a whale of a time ...

Meir Wagner's The Righteous Of Switzerland: Heroes Of The Holocaust focuses on one of the aspects of the Holocaust that is as heroic as the atrocities of the Third Reich were horrific. Non-jews of Switzerland who risked their opposition, hardship, danger, and even death because they refused to remain neutral in the face of Nazi crimes against humanity. Their combined and determined efforts were to result in the saving of thousands of Jewish lives from Nazi pogroms and death camps. While some of these courageous figures are known, most are relatively obscure and "unsung" -- but their lives and deeds must not be forgotten. In addition to their individual stories, Meir Wagner's The Righteous Of Switzerland is enhanced with the recorded speeches of Yitzhak Mayer; Andre von Moos; and Federal Councilor Joseph Deiss. A notable memorial to individual and collective heroism in service to humanity, The Righteous Of Switzerland is a welcome and ardently recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Holocaust Studies reference collections and reading lists.

If you're interested in the end of the Roman Empire,
especially fictional treatments of the era, this is the book
for you. It will stay with you for a long, long time. But,
good luck finding it unless someone reprints it.

As one of the early mountain climbers, Whymper was not only a dedicated climber but also an astute observer of human nature and the natural environment. His writings reflect a strong will and great intelligence. The artistry of his mountain scenes vividly illustrate his book and combined with his witty prose make for a mountaineering classic

This book presents a comprehensive overview of work from a two-person graphic design team based in Switzerland. Siefried is a self-taught designer which I believe makes it even more interesting. A lot of their work has constructivist roots and shows good design process. The range of work is over a long time period and the designs have a certain timelessness which is a quality indicator in my view. I would love to see a new book by this team.

The mystery of Swiss wines uncovered at last

By way of introduction to this book review I will start out with some brief comments about how I came across "The Surprising Wines of Switzerland", the background for preparing the review, and some observations about the author John Sloan.

Like John, my interest in Swiss wines developed after being transferred to Geneva as part of the international expatriate community. Unlike John, I stayed. In pursuit of my passion for fine wine, and to further develop my knowledge of Swiss wines in particular, I became a member of the Swiss wine association, the "Jeunesse Viti-vinicole de La Côte". La Côte is a Swiss wine region in the Canton of Vaud that extends some 45 km along the shores of lake Geneva (actually lac léman to give it's true name), from the border of Geneva towards Lausanne.

Being the only computer professional in this group of wine professionals, I assumed responsibility for establishing and maintaining the Internet web site for the wine association. The web site now includes a section devoted to books, magazines and other publications dealing with the subject of Swiss wine. In researching the available titles and sources of information to be included in the web site I came across this book by John Sloan. John is a Canadian diplomat who served 4 years at the Canadian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva and is now based in Tokyo. His book, "The Surprising Wines of Switzerland", first published in 1995, is the only authoritative book on Swiss wine currently available in the English language.

Before giving my own comments on the book, let me provide some comments made by leading wine critics and journalists :

"Switzerland is producing a far wider range of wines than the casual visitor to the ski slopes might imagine.... The problem for outsiders is finding more information.... Canadian Diplomat John C. Sloan has written and published an admirably thorough ... guide, The Surprising Wines of Switzerland.... Jancis Robinson THE FINANCIAL TIMES

"The book is in no way a compliant tourist brochure. In 280 pages, he addresses the various facets of Swiss wines, from their history to their vinification processes via a description of the vineyards, the grape varieties, a selection of the best producers.... He should, by default, become an ambassador to the English speaking world." Cristian Bernet JOURNAL DE GENÈVE

"John C. Sloan describes Swiss wines in their broadest context; their history and the landscape, the science of wine making, folklore, little-known facts and tasting notes are all reported as thoroughly as those who make our wine could do. Criticism, where appropriate, is not missing. I can recommend this book with confidence." Hanns U. Christen (-sten) BASEL ZEITUNG from the German

To the above "expert" reviews I would now like to add my own personal comments. To start with I will refer back to the title of this review - "The mystery of Swiss wines uncovered at last". Why the title? Because, when reviewing other available wine books such as Sotheby's Encyclopaedia of Wine, any reference to Swiss wines is usually limited to a few lines that state something to the effect that the majority of Swiss wines are usually comprised of Chasselas, a white neutral wine, lacking in distinctive taste, rarely exported, and designed to accommodate local Swiss taste as an aperitif or to enjoy with Swiss cheese fondu. This does not exactly stimulate the informed wine connoisseur to seriously pursue the exploration of Swiss wine. However, John Sloan, through his extensive research, interviews, and visits with wine makers throughout Switzerland, has prepared the first comprehensive and authoritative work on this subject which is reflected both in the title of the book, and the accompanying sub-title "A practical guide to Switzerland's best kept secret".

What are the secrets? There are so many that only reading the book will reveal all. But just to give some insight, few people know that Switzerland is host to the highest commercial vineyards in Europe located at Vispertermin in the Canton of Valais. Here you will find wines made from the Heida and the Rèze grapes. Heida has been grown since the middle ages and there are references to this wine dating back to 1586. The Rèze is another one of the oldest and increasingly rare speciality wines of Valais. It is used as a foundation for the sherry-like "Vin des Glaciers". Then there are the wines made from the Petit Arvine, the Amigne, and the Findling grape which is a Müller-Thurgau clone found in Geneva. The wide diversity of grapes provides the reader with an abundance of opportunities to explore and enjoy some of the unique wines of this remarkable wine producing country. Even the much maligned Chasselas, which in France is enjoyed as a table grape, provides wines that are as distinctive as the wine regions that produce them. The neutrality of the grape enables the wine maker the opportunity to express the "terroir" (soil and climate) of the region, and even the vineyard, that it is grown.

I heartily recommend this book. The reader will not only discover Swiss wines, but will also learn a great deal about the Swiss wine regions, the grape varieties, wine making styles, future trends for Swiss wines and not forgetting the "Fête des Vignerons" which seems to be the world's largest and oldest wine festival. The "Fête" held every 25 years in Vevey near Montreux, has continued without break since the 1700's. The wine festival is celebrated in music, dance and parades, plus wine tastings of course, involving up to 40'000 participants seen by some 500'000 visitors over several days.

In closing I can do no better than echo the words of John Sloan from his introduction to this book. Swiss wines are generally not well known beyond the borders of Switzerland. They certainly deserve a wider, international appreciation. Wine lovers, in their never-ending search for fine wines which are novel, uncommon or singular can profitably investigate the varied offerings from Switzerland's alpine vineyards. "The Surprising Wines of Switzerland" is a welcome addition to the library of all wine enthusiasts.

philipweights@yahoo.com Geneva April 3, 2000

Our entire family devoured this book together - the beautiful interactions of the brother and sister in this book, the correctness of the mountaineering technique, the edge of the seat adventure in such healthy relationships was all so refreshing and delightful. We're off to Iceland now in the next book in the series!