Has anyone run across books on the geology, flora, and fauna of Italy? when I search online, I find only textbooks so far.

Nobody has mentioned The Reluctant Tuscan, another one of those well-written and witty views of Italy.

Dinsdale,
Try Songbirds, Truffles, and Wolves: An American . I've had and have read it. I recall enjoying it. If I remember correctly, they follow a pilgramage trail of St. Francis of Assisi.

For a book about living in Italy that offers a much needed counterbalance to the books of Frances Mayes and company, I would suggest Tim Parks' "Italian Neighbors." In addition, it's well and humorously written.

I'm all over the map with my Italy reading right now.

Recently finished a feel good, old fashioned, romance by Peter Pezzelli "Home To Italy".
Older 1st generation Italian/American is widowed after many years of marriage to an American, and goes home to Italy to his boyhood town and falls in love with the daughter of his closest childhood friend. ISBN 0758207689

Just before that, I read the most delightful food/sex novel. "The Food of Love" by Anthony Capella. An American college student in Rome who is food obsessed, falls in love with a womanizing waiter after he tells her he is a chef in a famous restaurant. It is really his roomate and friend (a Cyrano character) who is cooking the food. ISBN 0670033227

Right now I'm plowing my way through "Lucrezia Borgia" by Sarah Bradford. ISBN 0670033537
I love Italian history of this period, but I must admit that I'm having a little trouble concentrating. Bradford's exhaustive research and detail can make for some thick reading. Still, I'm learning a lot -- if slowly.

On my nightstand, waiting it's turn is. E.R. Chamberlin's "The Bad Popes" IABN 0880291168
A 1969 scholarly discussion of the eight most corrupt popes in the churches history.

Also by E. R. Chamberlain...Has anyone read "the Fall of the House of Borgia"?

The coffee table book "The Best of Italy" was purchased from Barnes & Noble. It's a compilation from VMB Publishers. Check www.whitestar.it

I am now reading THIS BOOK my son-in-law gave me for Christmas. It contains very helpful information.

Just stayed up to 4 a.m. finishing "La Gioconda di Leonardo "opera de facti e precepti" (Edizioni Kappa) Enrico Guidoni's fascinating new discoveries on the Mona Lisa- a must for serious art fans, as is his book on Bomarzo that was presented in Palazzo Orsini, Bomarzo: "Il Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo nella cultura europea" (Davide Ghaleb Editore) .
For Dinsdale: the books by Alberto Cattabiani "Florario","Lunario" and "Volario" are perfect if you read Italian.

quote:

Originally posted by caplanco:
Check out Michael Dibdin's books. Fun reading, especially if you read them while in Italy.

I love Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen mysteries too! He's a great writer even if you're not normally a whodunnit reader (which I'm not). I've read Cosi Fan Tutti (set in Naples) and Dead Lagoon (set in Venice) - both were great.

I also recommend Ginsborg's books on modern Italian history (I've forgotten their titles).

This is a great thread....I wonder if Slow Travel needs a book review section (to go along with vacation rental, hotel, restaurant reviews, etc.....)

Thanks to Slow Travellers, I've become hooked on the Donna Leon, Michael Dibden and Andrea Camilleri mysteries (and I think I've bought 'em all if anyone wants to borrow some)

I'm also reading Alexander Stille's Sack of Rome right now but finding it rather slow going -- I had such high hopes for it because I really enjoyed his Excellent Cadavers: The Mafia and The Death of the First Italian Republic. So, for a bit of change, I'm about to start Bassani's The Garden of the Finzi-Continis and see how that goes.

I must say, de Blasi's A Thousand Days in Venice really irritated me; I'm not exactly sure why, but it kind of gave me the creeps. Maybe it was her husband's Lido apartment that she apparently had to muck out, against his wishes. He sounded so controling and unpleasant...

But I like the sound of Tim Park's Italian Neighbors, described by Eloise. That's going to the top of my list!

Sandra

quote:

So, for a bit of change, I'm about to start Bassani's The Garden of the Finzi-Continis and see how that goes.

I have that book on my night stand waiting to be read. Did you ever see the movie? I saw it a long time ago. I don't remember it real clearly, so it's probably a good time to read the book.

-Krista

quote:

Originally posted by sandrac:
I must say, de Blasi's A Thousand Days in Venice really irritated me; I'm not exactly sure why, but it kind of gave me the creeps. Maybe it was her husband's Lido apartment that she apparently had to muck out, against his wishes. He sounded so controling and unpleasant...Sandra

I am so happy to know that there is another woman that feels the same about that story/woman/whatever. There is someone I know that has read the book twice and tries so hard to hook with someone in Venice and live happily thereafter. She is even trying to 'steal' my friends there, playing the 'good girl'... but ready to everything, even leaving her husband and family, and she is not a spring chicken... Well, anyone can dream, I guess...

I received a book, for Christmas, titled, "Lost Hearts in Italy" by Andrea Lee....Any reviews?

quote:

The Garden of the Finzi-Continis

I have this movie in my collection--I love it. I think I'll pull it out and watch it today! Thanks for the reminder.

Sandra, I think your idea of a book review section--based on the same structure as a vacation rentals--is fantastic. I would be there adding and reading and then buying ( ) like crazy!!!!

OK, not a book, but I gave my wife tickets for "Light in the Piazza" for Christmas. We got dressed up and went to the Kennedy Center on Wednesday to see the play.

Without hyperbole, it was one of the worst shows (cast, story, characterizations, music, lyrics, voices, orchestration, sets, lighting....what am I leaving out?) that we've ever seen.

Large numbers of people left at intermission and many of those who stayed bolted for the parking garage as soon as the lights dimmed after the final number. The exodus was in full flow before the cast was done with their bows.

In the days of standing ovations as a matter of no consequence, a grand total of 3 people stood at the end of the show (guess the accurate statement would be "three people who were probably relatives of someone in the cast stood and stayed to applaud" as opposed to those who stood and did everything but leap over the seat backs to get out of there).

quote:

Originally posted by Marlene:
Great topic; I'll bookmark this one. I'm reading "April Blood" - good prep for another trip to Florence. ---Marlene

Same here, Marlene. The Medici family would have made a hell of a present day "reality" show; I know I'd watch it.

Anyone who loves Venice will enjoy the novels of Donna Leon set in Venice. They are well written, easy to read,and evoke that unmistakable atmosphere of "La Serenissima" that makes us long to return there as soon as possible.

And Clodia, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only person who was kinda creeped out by de Blasi's book! I really fear sometimes I'm getting too cynical...

DogMom, I've heard about the movie version of the Garden of the Finzi-Continis and have thought about trying to rent it somewhere, but I think I'll read the book first. I find that often, if I see the movie version of a book first, it leaves such a visual impact that I can't enjoy the book! I recently became hooked on the BBC's mysteries series about Insp. Thomas Lynley and now that I've started reading the books, they just seem all wrong. (Sorry, I'm digressing from the Italian book topic!)

Sandra

quote:

Originally posted by Alpinista:
"Light in the Piazza" ......it was one of the worst shows (cast, story, characterizations, music, lyrics, voices, orchestration, sets, lighting....what am I leaving out?) that we've ever seen.

I couldn't agree with you more. We saw this at the Ahmanson in LA this month.
I simply don't understand how this received 6(?) Tonys, including best score??

quote:

Originally posted by Debra:

quote:

Originally posted by Alpinista:
"Light in the Piazza" ......it was one of the worst shows (cast, story, characterizations, music, lyrics, voices, orchestration, sets, lighting....what am I leaving out?) that we've ever seen.

I couldn't agree with you more. We saw this at the Ahmanson in LA this month.
I simply don't understand how this received 6(?) Tonys, including best score??

Me three - we saw this on Broadway a year or so ago and I was sure I'd love it. After all, it takes place in Italy, what's not to love?

Well, where shall I start? Oh yes, to quote Alpinista: ". . . cast, story, characterizations, music, lyrics, voices, orchestration, sets, lighting . . ."

It was a big disappointment.

Has anyone seen the (non-musical) Yvette Mimieux movie that it was based on? Light in the Piazza I'd be interested to see that....

I haven't seen it, but I was thinking of ordering the book from audible.com until I read the reviews -- pretty much everyone found the book dull. - gedlin

PS I, too, am reading April Blood in anticipation of a Florence trip at the end of the month. Interesting book, but the writing style is forced and sometimes difficult to follow(e.g. figuring out to whom pronouns refer). I gave it up once before, but this time am finding the story worth the effort. Plus it is the only book in my Florence collection I haven't read at least twice and I am TRYING to kick my amazon habit.

quote:

Me three - we saw this on Broadway a year or so ago and I was sure I'd love it. After all, it takes place in Italy, what's not to love?

Thanks for the reassurance. I was afraid that I was just not appreciating something that made this play so award-worthy (I once walked out at intermission at the Broadway showing of My Fair Lady, but my excuse then was that it my high school senior class trip to NYC and a cheerleader named Melinda had reminded me that the chaperones would be staying for the entire show). Ever since then I've stayed in my seat, but often wonder why.

On books, however, I am working my way through "Venice, Lion City" a 15th/16th century history and am also reading "The Merovingian Kindgoms" a history of the successors to the Gallo-Roman rulers of the Frankish kingdom (found out a long time ago that majoring in medieval English literature and history meant that no one ever stole any book that I left lying around untended).

Wow. I just finished (finally!) Prince of Foxes. What a terrific movie it would make!!! So, I went online to find out that, sure enough, in 1949 a movie was made with Tyrone Powers and Orson Welles (as Cesare Borgia). Fantastic!!! On to Netflix...but alas, no listing of this movie. Half.com...nothing. Amazon.com...niente.

I'll continue to search--but if anyone out there can steer me to a place to purchase or rent it, I sure would appreciate it!!

For the book, I give two !

Now, I will go back over this thread and pick out the next one to read. Many of your recommendations are sitting unread on my bookshelf....I really should buy stock in amazon and half.com!!!!

quote:

Has anyone seen the (non-musical) Yvette Mimieux movie that it was based on? Light in the Piazza I'd be interested to see that....

I saw it. I would give it a

"Songbirds, Wolves and Truffles" is by noted American naturalist Gary Nabham. It's worth the read. It devolves boringly into a wee bit of weighty post-divorce self-absorption, but just a bit. Mostly it's a fascinating tale of a meander through country with people at its heart. There is almost-unstated reverential awe for St. Francis.

I will read the Donald Spoto book "The Reluctant Saint" as suggested earlier.

Also, I know it's not fiction, but how can a discussion about books be complete without mention of "Treasures of the Italian Table" by Burton Anderson. It is my Italy food bible. It is not a recipe book. Anderson is a journalist by trade. The book is great. I've read some chapters (truffles, Parm-Regg, culatello) at least 30 times.

Ditto to recommendations about Alexander Stille's "Benevolence and Betrayal." We have to know who we are capable of being before we can comprehend completely where we might go as humans. That is to say that history of such a horrible time as the holocaust must be replayed if only to keep us awake, and Stille does the deed in a unique way that puts faces on all sides of the story. (In that same vein, Susan Zucotti's "Italians and the Holocaust" is a seminal work on the topic.)

Then to Tim Parks to perk up the optimism some.

Cheers

I'm currently reading On the Road With Francis of Assisi by Linda Bird Francke. She retraces Francis' travels, which were pretty extensive. I'm about 100 pages into it- it's got 232 pages - and it's not quite doing it for me. But we shall see.

Happy reading everyone.

quote:

Prince of Foxes

Dog Mother - a copy just sold on ebay for $27. You might like to put a watch on for it using the "Add To Favorite Searches" function.

Leslie,

Hmmmmm...I thought I had finally discovered that Prince of Foxes had never been made into VHS or DVD. And that the only way to see it is on TV when the cable stations show it on classic movie stations. I wonder if it was a copy made off the television and still sold for that price. My oh my. But, thank you for the tip. I'll watch ebay for it.

Today, I've come down with a cold--it is getting worse as the day progresses. But between naps, I've read half of Waking Raphael by Leslie Forbes. It has been gathering dust on the bookshelf, sounded interesting, and I am hoping it will be worth the read. Can I put it down? Yes. Do I look forward to picking it up? Yes Don't know yet though if I would give it a or a .

quote:

Originally posted by Dog Mother:
I'll continue to search--but if anyone out there can steer me to a place to purchase or rent it, I sure would appreciate it!!

You can buy the movie HERE!!! and you better hurry up because it looks like that it is the only place where you can get it from.

Clodia,

Thanks!!! This person's feedback, although low in number, was 100% positive. So, I purchased one of his 5 copies of the movie.

This group is great!!! Thanks so much for your help.

Claudia (I get called Clodia a lot. Also, Clodhopper ... )

Here is one on geology, well, the history of geology: http://astore.amazon.com/excellenteurope-20/detail/0525.../002-3052525-8171221 The Seashell on the Mountain Top that chronicles the life of the "father of geology." It is about the times and life of Nicholas Steno who figured out the origins of fossils in contrast with prevailing views. With the opposition of the Church that had so recently imprisoned Galileo, he found refuge in his religion. Real insight into the times. He is buried in San Lorenzo church in Florence. The last time I was at San Lorenzo, I wanted to pop in and see the tomb, but with five minutes before closing, I asked the ticket seller if it was possible and she denied the existence of such a tomb. Has anyone seen his tomb there?

quote:

Originally posted by dinsdale:
Has anyone run across books on the geology, flora, and fauna of Italy? when I search online, I find only textbooks so far.

Here are a couple of pictures of the marker for the tomb of Nicholas Steno in San Lorenzo in Florence. However they don't appear to be the same in both pictures.





One of the web sites does say that no guidebooks have any information about its location. Good luck on your next trip.

Laroma: Got your message, but there seems to be a problem with my membership. If still have my e-mail, do send there. ---Marlene

I just finished the novel, "I'll Steal You Away" by Niccolo Ammaniti (who also wrote "I'm Not Scared") It is the story of 12 year old Pietro's difficult adolescence, and Graziano's mid-life crisis set in a small village in rural southern Italy.

The "coffee table" book Santa brought me is "Dreaming of Tuscany" by Barbara Milo Ohrbach. It is beautiful, and has wonderful chapters on "Perfect Hilltowns, Splendid Palazzos, Rustic Farmhouses, Glorious Gardens, Authentic Cuisine, Great Wines, Intriguing Shops, Astounding Art, Luscious Hotels, and Hidden Discoveries". There are useful websites listed.

I finished Tim Park's Italian Neighbors and An Italian Education a few weeks ago. I prefered Italian Neighbors, but I agree with the earlier posts...he does a great job of explaining pieces of the Italian character, not to mention the convoluted bureaucracy. He's my favorite so far in my "Italian pile." And yes Sandra and Clodia, de Blasi is creepy! What did it for me was how she always referred to her husband as "the stranger." I've temporarily detoured to France for Adam Gopnik's Paris to the Moon, but I've got a large stack of books on Italy crying out to be read. I think Falling Palace (about Naples) will be next.

Two very good books no one mentioned. One a classic and a must read for Italy lovers- Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi (also made in to a movie, which was pretty good). The other is a newer book by the British Journalist Tobias Jones- "The Dark Heart of Italy." A fair and realistic account of how things really work in Italian society including attitudes toward religion, politics, law, sports and relationships.

About a year ago I read Secret of Santa Vittoria, and really loved it. This week I purchased the VHS of it--with Anthony Quinn and Anna Magnani. We watched it last night. OMG, it (the place, the hill, the Roman cave) looked almost exactly how I had pictured it in my mind as I read the book. Just wish the movie had included all the details and characters that were in the book--but, it would've made for a very, very long movie. (Ok!!!) I recommend reading the book first.

Second, I have only read de Blasi's Tuscany book. I enjoyed reading about the village, the townies (citadini), and customs. But I was put off by her dysfunctional husband/relationship. NOW, I wonder.... if the book had been fiction, would I have had the same reaction? Maybe not. Guess I felt sorry for the poor dab being written about so publicly, knowing he is real and they are a real couple.

Third. I have read The Dark Heart of Italy. I recommend waiting to read it until after you've fallen head-over-heels in love with the country. (In other words, I am glad I didn't read it before my first trip to Italy.) But once you have been smitten, it is extremely helpful to understand the country and people who hold this strange and precious hold on your heart.

Oh! what lovely books! My husband just gave me a post-Christmas present - Harry's Bar The Cookbook (Arrigo Cipriani). I am hosting my book club next week and we will be discussing City of Falling Angels - not a great book but I enjoyed the beginning about the fire which destroyed the opera house, the section concerning Henry James, the palazzos and just being in Venice. And now, with the help of Harry,I will serve my friends prosciutto e melone, cape sante alla bellini and meringata al limone (my specialty but in my house called lemon meringue pie). Cheers, Jessie May

We've enjoyed many of the books that have already been mentioned - I'd like to add 3 books that are really fun reading.

-Cafe Life Florence: A Guidebooks to the Cafes and Bars of the Renaisssance Treasure by Joe Wolff.
This book is so much fun to read. It's not just a list of cafes and artisanal gelatarias - it tells about the people in great detail, and gives a lot of local history. We enjoyed it so much that we bought it's companion book-

-Cafe Life Rome also by Joe Wolff

-Berrie Kerper's The Collected Traveler Central Italy - Tuscany and Umbria.
This is an anthology, or collection, of articles published in magazines and selections from literature. Her lists of resources are phenomenal. She has two other such Collected Traveler books that I've enjoyed- Paris and Provence.

Linda

Diana,

Don't give up on "On the Road with Francis of Assisi" as you will be rewarded in the end. Both my husband and I read the book and realized that even though we went to Assisi, we saw, but did not fully understand. We are going back in April using the book (which we then purchased) as a travelogue to follow his steps.

For a book on a different vein, has anyone read Daniel Silva's thriller, The Confessor. Setting is the Vatican, Venice and Munich and deals with Vatican-Israel relations during WW11 with Israel master spy hunting down terrorists.

My all-time favorite is a long, beautifully written book by Mark Halprin, The Soldier of the Great War. World War 1 setting in Rome and Northern Italy.

Leone

I'm learning a lot from a book on Italian wines called "Vino Italiano The Regional Wines of Italy by Joseph Bastianich & David Lynch . I love the way its organised and written- its helping to demystify wine for me. Its a broad overview- which is exactly what I needed since I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject.

quote:

I have read The Dark Heart of Italy. I recommend waiting to read it until after you've fallen head-over-heels in love with the country. (In other words, I am glad I didn't read it before my first trip to Italy.) But once you have been smitten, it is extremely helpful to understand the country and people who hold this strange and precious hold on your heart.

My mum brought me The Dark Heart of Italy over from Australia while I was having a really tough time in Italy. Things weren't going great for me. I was having problems with beauracracy and the menefregismo mentality was driving me mad. I was at a point where I'd been in Italy for so long that my "love" for the country was turning into a "love/hate". Reading The Dark Heart of Italy helped me articulate all the things I was feeling about Italy, and it made me feel that I wasn't alone.

I thought it got a bit heavy when he went into great detail about those drawn-out and inconclusive trials, but I just skipped those pages.

Also loved Italian Neighbours. Read it while I was visiting my cousin in Verona.

Currently re-reading Federico Moccia's teenage cult classic Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo. Just can't get enough of the book or the film! I wish they'd translate it into English, as I think it would do really well.

I just started reading Journey to the South by Annie Hawes. So far it hasn't totally grabbed me like Extra Virgin did, but then I've had loads of guests and have been traveling around so haven't gotten too far with it. I have a bit of a problem with the southern stereotypes being rehashed though I suspect she is doing this to build up to that being broken in her mind? My favorite book about southern Italy is Under the Southern Sun by Paul Paolicelli. Very well done, as was Dances With Luigi.

I received Reluctant Saint for Christmas and will start that next. Looking forward to that.

I think I've read all Donna Leon's books and pretty much everything else on Italy that came down the pike! I'm a little want for English language books here, though.

This thread's been going on for so long that I've moved on to a new book: Between Salt Water and Holy Water: A History of Southern Italy by Tommaso Astarita.

It basically spends one chapter to get from antiquity to the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century, so there's not a lot of detail on the earlier periods, and then narrates the history of the region through the 20th century. Reviews have been mixed, largely accusing the author of focusing on Naples and Sicily at the expense of the rest of the south, but it seems worth a try. So far, so good, anyway!

Leone, Mark Helprin's A Soldier of the Great War is my husband's favorite all time book. I haven't read it in years, long before I ever got into visiting Italy. You've inspired me to reread it. I remember that it was indeed a beautiful book, and was strongly flavored by its Italian setting.
Linda

I am rereading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I read it before I took my first trip to Italy last Sept. Since the story in in and around Rome, I thought it would be fun to read again. But thanks to all of you, I have purchased some of the books spoken about on this thread. What a great subject. I would love to see this as a regular topic or reference. So as my pile of books on Italy, is growing. I had better get busy reading. I miss Italy so much, at least reading these different books, brings back so many memories.

Anyone who has traveled in Italy and specifically,Florence will enjoy Italians Dance and I'm a Wall Flower--Adventures in Italian Expressions by Linda Falcone It is a series of vignettes about the idiosyncrasies of Italy that we have all learned to recognize, accept and enjoy. An excerpt may be the best way to explain:

" Il conto, per favore." That's how you ask for the check in Italian. And now that you know, you might as well forget it. It's not worth your brain space. I mean, you can ask for the check in restaurants in Italy, but, most likely, no one will bring it to you. Why? Because around here, checks are brought at midnight....

Or the chapter "Prego---Prego is the multipurpose solution to every linguistic need."

If you want to laugh, commiserate, and just have a good read, this book will give you all of that. It's just fun.

Jane,
Linda Falcone's book sounds great! You wouldn't happen to know if this is the same book? I can't find it under the Italians Dance and I'm a Wallflower title.
Thanks!
softdrink

St. Jones,
I will read any and all of Mark Helprin's books. His short stories, Pacific and other tales (I think I have the title incorrect, but Pacific is in it) has quite a few stories taking place in Italy. His story on the opera star was just exquisite.

If you follow the British Royal family and their antics, Helprin's take on Charles and Diana in Frederick and Frederika was priceless. However, if your not interested in the Royal Family, the book would be lost on you and be a bore.

Leone

I read "Angels and Demons" and was entertained by the story.
The poor usage of Italian, however, in terms of grammar, spelling and (in some instances) use of Italian that doesn't exist annoyed me so intenesely that I almost couldn't finish the book.

If authors are going to use a foreign language as part of the dialogue or text for goodness sake can't they please have it proof read by someone who can actually speak Italian!! And by this I don't mean the little Italian who lives next door - someone professional!
To not do so demonstrates contempt for the language and the reader.