Here are recommended guide books for Rome, one of the most popular travel destinations in Italy. Today's Rome is a vibrant and lively city with reminders of its past everywhere. In Rome you will encounter Ancient Rome, medieval and Renaissance buildings and fountains, great museums, and a modern Italian city.
National Geographic Traveler's book includes photos and detailed maps, mapped walking tours, and visitor information.
Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides have lots of suggestions about what to see, where to go, and what to do in Rome.
Rome the Second Time, part of the Curious Traveler Series, has 15 itineraries that don't go to the Colosseum. If you've been to Rome before and want to see something more than the usual tourist sites, this book has detailed suggestions.
Cafe life is something you will want to experience in Rome. Joe Wolff spent some time visiting cafes in Rome, looking for small, friendly places to recommend. His book is more than just cafe recommendations; he goes into great detail about each cafe, its owner, history, and nearby sites to visit. Great black and white photos, too.
Frommer's complete guide to Rome includes sights, walking tours, accommodations and restaurants, Italian phrases, and a pull-out map.
Rome is the largest archaeological site in the world. If you plan on visiting many ancient Rome sites, this is a great companion book. The book covers 12 main archaeological areas in central Rome and four in outlying areas and includes maps and diagrams.
Small and lightweight, this book makes an easy companion guide to carry with you while traveling around Rome. There are nine chapters covering different neighborhoods of Rome and one on daytrips. It has good maps and a small section of Italian words, mainly food. I've used the older version on several trips to Rome.
A small book that's easy to carry, this book includes chapters on Accommodations, Dining, Diversions, Getting Outside, Shopping, and Entertainment. Each chapter has a list at the end with important details and includes maps.
Rome With Kids is a great book for anyone traveling with kids with lots of suggestions for entertaining children in Rome.