David Macaulay's bird's-eye view of modern-day Rome follows the journey of a homing pigeon released by a woman in the hills outside Rome. The pigeon decides to take the scenic route on her way to deliver a message. As the pigeon travels, she flies over a city where ancient ruins, historic sites, and thoroughly modern life coexist. Macaulay reveals all three in his distinctive black- and-white drawings that fill the oversized pages. The pigeon's path through the city is marked by a bold red line that loops and curves, zips and arcs across the otherwise colorless pages. A droll narrative gives insight into what the pigeon is thinking ("She firmly resolves to syay on course, at least until she reaches this piazza") in addition to documenting her adventures and mishaps. This wholly original book includes information about the sites the pigeon sees: each building or ruin is labeled at the bottom of the full-page illustrations, and a brief description of each one is provided at the book's end. And as for the pigeon message? She delivers it at last, to an anxious man in Rome. It is one word: "Yes." (Ages 9-12)

A pigeon carrying an important message takes the reader on a unique tour through Rome. As we follow the path of this somewhat wayward bird, we discover that Rome is a place where past and present live side by side. Every time a corner is turned there is a surprise, just as every turn of the page brings a new perspective. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern, as seen with David Macaulay's ingenious vision, gives the reader an imaginative and informative journey through this wondrous city.