Valda,

I feel the same way about travel shows--in particular, Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa. Everytime I hear Rick Steves say Me-DI-ci it sends chills up and down me (and not in a good way).

Hi Claudia,

Don't even get me started on mispronunciations of place names or how "bruschetta" should be said!

Valda

Rudy M says "San Jimmy-Yano" in one episode.

Really, they need a professional to "proof-hear" and correct them.....

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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

I just read the description of the book on the link you provided and in it the other title is used and so it is the same book. They made it rather confusing--I must say. Enjoy a good read and some laughs.

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ciaofornow
Thanks--what a special gift you give. I wondered how I was going to keep track of all of this. Grazie Mille

ciaofornow, What a great idea to compile the list. It is nice to know what the cover looks like when looking for a book,( of course they often change the cover too.) I love having this list. I copied it and will highlight the ones I want to read. I hope there will be more additions to this list.

This is truly fantastic--thanks for sending to the group!! Grazie, grazie.

ciaofornow:
What a wonderful thing to do - compile the list of books members have recommended.
molto grazie!
Laroma

Mille grazie! This is fabulous.

here's another one for the list -
"italy out of hand - a capricious tour", by barbara hodgson.

this little book is an absolute gem. hodgson states that she searches out the stories and images that contribute to italy's flamboyant character. she draws on long-accepted truths and legends.

this book is not a guidebook - it basically concentrates on oddities, long-lost facts, strange personalities, and unorthodox behaviors over italy's nearly 3000 year history.

its filled with quotes, ancient maps, and wonderful drawings.

it is truly a most unusual, but wonderful book.

and, let's not forget - "italy: instructions for use", by nan mcelroy. the best little how-when-what-where-&why book out there! i give all my tour travelers one!

ciaofornow - THANK YOU so much!! It was so kind of you to compile this list!

Lisa St Aubin de Teran's "Elements of Italy" is a great collection of short pieces by various authors. It's a great book to have on hand for when I don't have time to get immersed in a novel.

"This is Rome, A Pilgrimage in Words and Pictures" is the story of how Bishop Fulton Sheen's nephew saw Rome on a visit in the late 50s. The text is by H. V. Morton and photographs (all black and white) by Yousef Karsh. It is a most unique viewpoint of Rome. (I found it in a used book store though and my copy is from 1960 so not sure if it's still in print.)

Haven't got much time to read, busy lifestyle. But i just finished reading “An Italian Education” by Tim Parks. Now I am reading “Tuscany Interiors”, beautiful…got lots of aspiration from that book already.

Ciaofornow, I also want to say thanks!! Great idea! I really appreciate all your work!

I have three to add: Stravaganza: City of Masks, Stravaganza: City of Stars & Stravaganza: City of Flowers, all by Mary Hoffman. These books have been brought up a couple of times in other threads. They are actually "young adult" books but have gotten great reviews on Amazon for adults also.

ciaofornow, fantastic web site with the Italy book list. Thank you.

Wow! The response here is truly amazing! I am always impressed by the great group of people here on the Slow Trav forum.

Ciaofornow: great job on the list, that makes it so convenient and now it's an excellent general resource for books on Italy.

I recently started "Gomorra" by Roberto Saviano (in Italian) which recently hit shelves and became an instant bestseller, as it is based on real-life accounts of behind the scenes with the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia. It's caused quite a stir and now Saviano has a full-time body guard (see articles here and here. It's slow-going but very interesting and not about gratuitous violence but more like a sociological examination of the problem...I'm worried I won't get through it all b/c it is long and not the easiest topic int he world, but I am plugging along!!

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Now that the list has become a catalogue (thanks, ciaofornow ), I've gone back to my Italy bookshelf to see what hasn't already been mentioned.

Some good ones:

Venice:
J.G. Links, "Venice for Pleasure" - good walking tours, just a little dated

Jan Morris, "The World of Venice" - somewhat dated, but probably my favorite book on Venice

Mary McCarthy, "Venice Observed" - even more dated and not as good as The Stones of Florence, but still worth a read

Florence:
R.W.B. Lewis, "The City of Florence: Historical Vistas and Personal Sightings" - easily my favorite book on Florence, very well written

Emily Wise Miller, "The Food Lover's Guide to Florence" - I'm always surprised that this book isn't mentioned more on ST as it provided us with a lot of great information on places to eat and shop in Florence (a great supplement to the reviews on ST)

History:
Frances Stonor Saunders, "Hawkwood: Diabolical Englishman" - an excellent survey of the period, ostensibly a bio of the famous mercenary captain, it's really more of a history of the period and all its fascinating players

Inis Origo, "The Merchant of Prato" - it's often mentioned on ST but haven't been listed on this thread. I haven't read it yet, but it's on my to-read shelf

ciaofornow,

Question. I have a very long list of books (many are repeats from this thread--but many are not), that I would love to place on the website you created. Can I add them? I am guessing it is password protected for you. What would be the easiest way to add my list?

Claudia

Hi Claudia,
Gasp! I didn't create the website, only the list.

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Uh-oh--I didn't explain myself very well. Sorry. I should have said the "booklist" you have created, rather than the website you have created.

I was wondering if I could add my books to the list you have already started, so that our whole group could access the list with my (and other people's additions, too) books. I know I could ask you to add to the list, but I didn't want to impose on you.

My favourite Italian book is probably "The Dark Heart of Italy", which has been discussed earlier.

I really enjoyed the previously mentioned Tim Park's books as well, but my preferred Parks book is "A Season With Verona". Many Slow Travellers might be put off this book as it primarily about football (soccer), but this aspect only acts as a framework for many other aspects of Italian life.

Peter Moore's "A Vroom with a View" is a pleasant book about an Australian trying to get from Milan to Naples ofn a 40 year old Vespa. It is very readable (I started at 9pm and the next time I looked, it was 4am).

TimW

I have to add a very enthusiastic recommendation of "Basilica" by RA Scotti. It is the story of the building of St. Peter's. Published a year or so ago, it is non-fiction but reads like a novel, full of famous names like Michaelangelo and Raphael, good Popes, bad Popes, their personalities, conflicts and achievements.

It may sound like a dry subject--this was a Christmas present and I wasn't sure I would like it--but I couldn't put it down. What drama! Everyone who goes to Rome, goes to St. Peter's. This book will make you see the building and its place in art, history, and religion with new and amazed eyes.

In April, I'm going to Rome for the first time. I didn't think it was possible for me to be more excited about my trip but this book has done it for me.

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Maria de Blasi's new book about her life in Orvieto, Umbria, The Lady in the Palazzo , will be released Jan. 2007.

I had an advance order in for this book and just finished it. I loved it as much as her two previous books on Venice and Tuscany.

I am reading The City of Falling Angels now by John Berendt.

Cracker

I'm finally getting around to The City of Falling Angels. Next up is Images & Shadows by Iris Origo. I was moved by her War in the Val D'Orcia.

Sharon