Italy Books

A work of art! You don't need a plane ticket to see what's inside some Italy's great churches and museums. Chock full of interesting details and artifacts, I was given a wonderful tour of Italy's "hidden treasures,'' many off the beaten path. As one who once lived in Italy, I would say this book is an essential guide for anyone who plans to visit one of the world's most beautiful countries.

Artful Italy is a wonderful book. I checked out Florence and Venice first because those are the cities that I really know. I was daring Artful Italy to come up with something I didn't know. And it did.. The Stibbert Museum which sounds like a delight I missed entirely. But the thing I really regret is not knowing about the Bomarzo Gardens, a bit of a trip from Florence; as a teen I was always after the odd, hidden statuary that you turned a corner and came suddenly upon.. Both sound like winners and make me eager to return to a place I thought I knew well.
Artful Italy's prose hits just the right tone, conversational without being condescending, funny without that guidebook jokiness that can be so off-putting. And it sometimes can take your breath away. When the 17th century architect , Borromini is compared to an origami master, suddenly we see again how Mannerist architects have turned stone into paper - to give just one example. And you have a nice discursive air that proves always to have a real point to it. The book is unique and a pleasure. It will make those who know Italy start looking for cheap air fares, and even those making a first trip to Italy will find the book valuable.

This book is for all visitors to Italy-even the jaded few who feel they have seen it all. Ann Brandon has covered
so much art that most of us have neither seen nor heard of. I was totally captivated by just reading the book, Ms. Brandon has great writing style and wonderful detail covering all of the pieces. What I found most exciting was visiting sites that I hadnt been to before-expanding upon the content. This book isnt just about museums!!-

I am recently back from a visit to Venice, where I used this outstanding new guide. I found it the ideal guidebook: highly readable, gets you off the beaten path to a combination of less mobbed attractions and some quirky fun places, and (my favorite) includes lots of fascinating historical and personal backgrouind on the sites and artists. This book is sure to enrich greatly your visit to Italy's major art destinations. And it's fun to read even if you are just dreaming about visiting Italy.

Even if one never travels to Italy, there'd be no harm in reading this book. It is well-written, entertaining, and loaded with fun and interesting facts. I disagree with the notion that this is a tour or travel guide; what it is in fact is a semi-scholarly appreciation of Italy off the beaten path. (It is meticulously researched and documented, to boot.)

Ann Brandon must be a kick at a cocktail party. Historical examples trip off her tongue and add just the right humor, import, and context for each bit of art appreciation. Reading this book is not a necessity for travel planning; the volume is a standalone orchestration of Ms. Brandon's love affair with Italy.

I have a few qualms with the book, but they are merely intellectual disagreements with some of its premises. First, I would not focus so much on art, but on the whole invisible lifestyle of the Italians, the life that "turisti" probably never see. I would also go beyond visual arts, and talk about music, as well as the culinary and design arts. Even in the visual arts there is so much architecture that one could find off the main trails. But Brandon promises more books in this vein, and will no doubt address these topics.

Second, I do not feel that the Parco dei Mostri qualifies as a hidden treasure. I consider it an excellent yet run-of-the-mill tourist attraction. A lot of people go there.

Finally, I disagree with the glowing assessment that Vasari's "Lives of the Artists." I have always considered this book at best uneven. It apparently draws its inspiration from Diogenes Laertius' "Lives of the Philosophers," which suffers from a similar spottiness in insight and accuracy. If I had to recommend a book that does what Brandon purports Vasari's does, it would be Burkhardt's "Civilization of the Renaissance."

All these quibbles aside, anyone who wants to learn about Italy should buy and read this book. It does not disappoint. I learned so much from this book, and it was as if Ann Brandon was telling me what I learned in a personal conversation. So warm is her style of writing that it just makes for a quick and delightful read!

I loved Mirella's first book and was looking forwards to reading her second novel. And she didn't disappoint me as her second novel is just as great as her first. Set in Italy aminst the harsh times of a family fued with murder, betrayal and love that seems to survive it all. The opening scene is one of the most touching scene I ever have read and the story that unfolds from that drama is just as gripping... a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps you reading till the end. I am already looking forwards to Mirella's third novel as I want more of this!

This is the Gothic romance novel lover's Gothic romance novel!

The atmosphere is dark and claustrophobic, reflecting the emotions of the denizens of Bloodstone Castle. The characters never disappoint, from the compellingly arrogant hero to the strong willed heroine whose body has other ideas than resisting, to the desperately scheming villain. The tempral setting allows for both the allure of the Roman and the passion of the medieval.

When you finish "Bloodstone Castle" you will sit back and sigh, sated and happy, having feasted well on all you were served.

Review by Anita Davison
Historical Fiction Author

Based in Medieval Italy, the story begins with the birth of Morena and her dying mother's gift of the legendary bloodstone which holds a clue of a long forgotten Roman treasure said to be buried beneath Bloodstone Castle.

Eighteen years later, Duke Amoro Dragone races home to Genoa to be with his mother, Caterina. His father Duke Bartolomeo Dragone, is dead, killed in an ambush by brigands. His dying wish is that Amoro end a feud and marry the Contessa Morena Monterossa of Portovenere.

Amoro is more concerned with seeking revenge on his murdered father, and is reluctant to marry a woman he has never seen and cannot love. He breaks the news to his mistress, but Laria had harboured hopes he would marry her and surprises him with her grief when she swears she will fight to keep him.

Amoro goes to Bloodstone Castle to claim his bride, but his task is made more difficult by a rival, but Morena herself. Enemies gather, each of them is taken to the depths of despair and degradation until they come to realise the life of the other is more important than their own.

Can they save themselves and make a future together, or will their enemies defeat them both and will they lose the ancient treasure which is Morena's birthright?

No sweet love story this, Bloodstone Castle is an uncompromising tale of love, murder and betrayal, where the lives of the main characters are taken through a devastating chain of ordeals.

If you like your heroes bloody but unbowed, Mirella Patzer's novel will be exactly the kind of historical story you will love. Its characters will provide you with a roller coaster read with its array of twists and turns which plunge to the depths of ruthlessness and a love which refuses to die.

Mirella Patzer brings to life the 12th century in her historical romance, Bloodstone Castle.
The author knows the period well and weaves a brilliant story together that keeps the reader interested and wanting to turn the pages.
The love story of Morena and Amoro will delight the reader as they negotiate the rocky path that leads to true love and happiness.
I highly recommend Bloodstone Castle to those readers who enjoy well-researched historical romance novels, with engaging characters and intriguing plots.

[...]

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3O071P5YXML3C I am pleased to introduce my latest novel, Bloodstone Castle. Beneath Bloodstone Castle's hidden corridors and dungeons is an ancient Roman treasure sought after by many. Murder and intrigue, danger and love, abound in this medieval romance set on the lush shores of the Ligurian Sea in Italy. This is truly an extraordinary romance.

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Bloodstone Castle

Always the most thoroughly informative of the sources I use for preparation. I could not do without them. This is one of the best.

I was very pleased with this book but I ordered an used book about shopping in Italy at the same time which had pages missing. I returned that book (I believe it was through Warehouse - something) and am still waiting for my refund. I think in the future, I will buy only Amazon products and not order "used" things.

I just returned from a trip to Italy which included 4 days in Umbria and 8 days in Tuscany. I found the Blue Guides for both regions outstanding. Not surprisingly, both are quite worn (the best sign of a useful guidebook).

What makes this guidebook stand out is the incredible breadth of coverage of all tourist sites in Tuscany, making it quite thick, but not particularly heavy. (The only guide that I have seen that even comes close in terms of coverage is the Michelin Green Guide for Tuscany.) Each chapter represents a tour which covers either a town and its vicinity or a driving circuit. Within each tour, every conceivable tourist destination is identified, including small towns, churches, squares, public buildings, museums, archeological sites, etc. For significant museums and churches, the guide directs you through the works in a logical order. For the most part, individual works/objects are listed but not discussed, but notable works are identified with asterisks. Particularly remarkable works, such as Cathedrals and great fresco cycles, are discussed in more detail.

If you are interested in Italian art, architecture, and ancient history, then this book tells you where to find it in Tuscany, and provides brief descriptions. The guidebook does not teach you the history of art and architecture in Tuscany, nor should it. For this, you will need to do some additional reading.

Fine maps and a brief history are provided for each significant town. Parking advise is provided for most towns, and I strongly suggest you follow this advise. (I learned this the hard way.) Also pay close attention to the opening hours, which are quite accurate. The guide's hotel and restaurant recommendations seem quite good; they overlap significantly with the Michelin Red Guide and Frommers. Unfortunately, no descriptions or prices are provided, so most people will want another guidebook for this use. Some of the site closure information was out of date, but I expect this to be updated with the 2000 edition.

The Blue Guide series focuses on art. If you are looking for hotels, shopping, restaurants, or for entertaining reading, rely on something else. If you're looking for a serious guide to history, art, and architecture, both the well-known and the quietly tucked away, a list of hours and days open for musuems, holidays (often to be avoided!), as well as addresses of libraries and research insitutions, the Blue Guides are for you. They cover almost every artwork in the various regions, and do so accurately. The books guide the reader systematically through churches and museums and include accurate floor plans. Towns are grouped into touring areas, as are neighborhoods in the large cities. Town maps, even for little places, are plentiful and precise, even for the winding streets of Siena. City maps, such as Florence, are equally precise and inclusive, but they are split among several pages, which can make them harder to follow --- a minor flaw. I use Blue Guides as a textbook for my college students, and I never go to Italy without at least one!

If you really want to see Tuscany, this it: this book will take you to places you wouldn't find any other way, from charming villages that are way off the beaten track, down colorful streets and staircases to hidden piazzi that you would have walked right past, into courtyards, and out to ancient country churches with masterpieces on the altar. The Blue Guide to Tuscany is 510 pages long, plus two indexes: the author, Alta Macadam, has apparently combed every city, town and hamlet in Tuscany, traveled every road and lane, wangled her way into every locked church and described its treasures, and surveyed every provincial museum. She includes practically everything of any interest at all in the entire province of Tuscany, including the provenance of every work of art and the programs of the frescoes and carvings in every church and abbey, and notes on the contents of every museum. She gives extensive information on the architecture of Tuscany's buildings, including many floor plans, and good notes on local history. It is organized geographically, with town and city tours, and lots of maps. I heard many guides giving their talks on our visit, and very few of them had more to say about anything that Ms. Macadam or were more informative; many of the places she described exhaustively had neither guides nor tourists besides ourselves, which in Tuscany is unusual.

Her directions can be a bit cryptic at times, but if you read carefully, you'll get used to them. As in all of the Blue Guides, she is prone to understatement: when, for example, speaking of the old town in Certaldo, she says that "the upper town has considerable charm", what she means is that it is ravishingly beautiful, will charm your senses and lift your spirit, and your friends and family will envy your photos and your vacation forever.

Caveats: some people will find this guide to be overwhelming. Because it is so dense and exhaustive, use it to plan your trip before you leave or you'll be buried in minutiae and miss things you'll have wanted very much to see.

First, the book is very well written and presented. It was entertaining to read. There were some amusing quips.
Second, the hands are excellent. There are a large number of double squeezes, so if you look for them, you can maybe find some of them. Of course these were made at the table under pressure.
Third, the book will make you think about what the hands will look like after a certain number of tricks have been played (i.e. a suit run)

I was a bit surprised at some of the poor defense plays. Perhaps top level card play has improved in 40 years.

Fun, enjoyable book to read. Highly recommended.
If you are not familiar with Double squeezes and Criss Cross squeezes you probably wont get much out of the book. Study for a while and come back in a couple of years.

This is a classic book that everyone should read for the sheer genius of declarer play and defence. Remember these hands were played at this elevated level AT THE TABLE against world-class opposition. It is a shame that Amazon doesn't have this book. For people desperate to read this and who don't want to pay high used prices, it is available new at Baron Barclay's for about twenty-five dollars.

This book deserves us to read it more than three times. Which level the best bridge are? You can find it in this book.

I agree. This is a large collection of hands that were played double-dummy AT THE TABLE. Many themes and combinations come up including squeezes, deceptive plays and defense.

It is too bad Amazon take so long to ship this book. It is widely accepted in the bridge-playing community as one of the best collections of bridge hands, if not THE BEST! The amazing thing is that all the hands described in this book were actually played in real life by the Italian Blue Team. They are not ready-made concoctions. Certainly this book is one of my favorites.

Belmonte's book should be require reading for all Anthropology students as well as those interested in Naples life, before graduating college. As an ethnography, Belmonte writes an excellent detail account of life in poor Naples. He makes you "see" Naples through the eyes of the people in his book and not by those glossy travel brochures.

I have this book in a socialsience method class, and for that i am realy glad! This book is writen with such understanding, and such respect. He could have choosen an easy way and just written what he saw and assume about all he doesn't see or know. Like about the family he get's to know, he even mentions it himself, that he could have just assumed that all familys in Naples in this area and in other poor areas, are the same, and that the family structure and habits and behaviours are the same, but he doesn't, he tells you all he sees, and all he gets to know, and he tells you what he doesn't know, he uses other peoples work and what they have found to compleet his own. I undrestand why we have it on the book list!! cause it is so valid, he has done an amazing job. Also this book is so well writen that it's almost like a novel, i sometimes caught myself in forgetting that this has happend, its none fiction. This book is really worth a read! it's worth both your time and money... and the thoughts you might sit with after wards! Kudos To You MR. Belmonte, this is one WELL writen book, with insight, understading and truth.

Belmontes field study of Urban poor of Naples Italy makes great reading. Belmonte writes as a chemist would, capturing the kind of graphic detail that puts you right at the head of a Neapolitan famly's table at Sunday dinner. Watch that knife! Belmonte's Naples is filled with unforgettable people in an unforgettable place.

Thomas Belmonte brings the reader into the book. He doesn't simply write a sob story about those in Naples, yet he writes about the bare-truth and amazingly highlights the implications for the poverty. A must read for anyone who needs an understanding of unfair world systems.

Thomas was my cousin. He was always an amazing person to be around. He died a few years ago from a disease called AIDS. He was a very brave man. He was not a man dying with AIDS, he was a man living with AIDS. Throughout his lifetime, Tommy was a very devoted man. He was a caring generous person. He is greatly missed.

This book is a very nice explanation of what it must have been like for one man whose body was found buried at Pompeii during the volcanic eruption. How people probably had very little understanding of volcanos and how dangerous they could be. People in Pompeii were used to earthquakes so they didn't become as concerned as they should have before the full eruption took place. When it finally became clear how bad it could be, people had a choice of leaving their homes and trying to flee under horrific circumstances or being somewhat protected inside their homes and buildings. Those who fled successfully survived but many died fleeing and everyone died who stayed.

I read, The Buried City of Pompeii. It told the story of the ancient volcanoe Vesuvious through the eyes of Eros, one of the skeletons in the stewards quarters of The House of the Menander. The auther writes about Eros' day, as well as what happened after the city was buried. It has good pictures. There are some ancient artifacts, some old photos, and some new ones of the area after the erruption.

Omigosh, this book is fantastic! I cannot say enough good things about it! This brings history to life like nothing I've ever seen. Combining photographs of the ruins with detailed paintings of the fictitious characters, I Was There takes you back in time from the first page. My 6-year-old was completely captivated by the story of Eros and his daughter, which not only gives a very plausible suggestion for the findings at real-life "house of Menander," but also explains much about ancient Roman life along the way--from baths to markets to clothing and food. This is a MUST for any young student of antiquity or future tourist of Italy.

The pictures were really great. I really liked the painting of Eros when he went to the baths, and the photographs when they were digging for Pompeii. I really liked Sylvia, Eros' daughter. She is my age (six). They have found the remains of a priest's lunch (berries and nuts) and five REALLY old eggs. I'd like to find Sylvia's ring when we go to Pompeii this spring. (Hey, that rhymes!)

No one nows what to do.Mt.Vesuvius is erupting!Ash is buried on the city of Pompeii.A boy named Pliny see's the black cluod coming out of Vesuvius.My favorite book...........The buried city of Pompeii.

As the author of this book I would like to point out that I am not the same person as my namesake who writes homoerotic novels such as "To Serve Two Masters". "Buying a House in Italy" belongs to a different genre altogether.
Perhaps Amazon could follow the example of their UK branch and put a C in front of my name on their listing to differentiate between the two Gordon Neales.

We bought a house in Cortona Italy 12 years ago only after a long hard search. IF ONLY we had Gordon Neale's book with us on that first trip hunting for the perfect house. His detailed knowledge of the intracacies of house buying law in Italy is infinite and we would have had fewer grey hairs if this book was available then
. Apart from that it is a wonderful guide from a very sympathetic student of the history, language and humanity of the Italian nation. In concise chapters he will give you the benefit of his long study and experience of the regions, their differences and special charms. The stuff this man has learned would take the casual visitor more than a life time to obtain. Here is his knowledge for you to savour at the cost of a paperback. This is not just a book for aspiring house buyers, it is an invaluable asset to anyone travelling in Italy. IF ONLY, we had had this book all those years ago, but we have it now and it brings even greater pleasure to our life Bella Italia

This book was well worth the money There are some serious mistakes when dealing with history. other then that a very usefull book.

I was sent this book for Christmas since I had stayed in Tuscany and am interested in buying there. Wow! This book is like a Whole Earth Catalog for Italy. Beyond the details on how to buy a house, it's got material on living there in a way that puts you right in the middle. I loved how the author interspersed Italian words and phrases throughout the book and had various glossaries for buying a house and even gardening and dealing with builders doing renovations. I find that I can recall the words easily because of the way he put them in the context of how I would actually use them in conversation to get something I want. The wit and wisdom sidebar on Berlusconi is a real gem. His listing of things like Italian TV and radio, I mean, I can see myself living there, important in the actual determination to buy. Also, he's got Web Site addresses throughout for additional information like real estate agents by region. This is a terrific book that's fun to read and dip into. I recommend it, highly.

An excellent guide. I loved the sections on the history of Italy and the one on gardening.
The book is packed with information which is clearly written. It is a joy to read and a must for anyone contemplating buying a house in Italy.

Clowning in Rome is a must have for anyone who is serious about seeking the face of God! I am an avid reader and there are honestly only 4 books total that I can recommend as highly as this one. The vocabulary is unique (ie. solitude, celibacy) but if you can look past it to the virtue Henri is alluminating I promise you, you will be forever changed.

While this is perhaps the oldest of Nowen's mainstream published works, it is still worth reading today. Written in the late 60s (some of the psychology is dated) Nouwen explores some of those basic human issues that rest at the center of relationship. The focus is clearly geared toward seminarians and religious, but the text offers much for layperson as well.

Like most of Nouwen's work, this is a very approachable. His writing style is engaging and this little book will take no time to finish. It's style, an adaptation of presentations, allows for the reader to take in a little at a time and rest with it, intellectually digest it. A good book to reflect on.

This book may never hit the top of the charts or appeal to the general christian populace, but if you want to develop your spirit-man so as not to offend the gentle dove of the Holy Spirit, this book will stir you to contemplation and quieting the noise of your flesh so that your spirit may hear deeply. Though it is small, this is not a book to be read quickly. Allow it to seep into your spirit and gradually change your heart.

Excellent book that brought a lot of closure to certain episodes in my life. Nouwen had a great gift for being able to write in very easy to understand ways about topics such as celibacy, solitude and contemplation. He gave wonderful insights into why these virtues are so wonderful and necessary for those wanting to grow in holiness. His section on celibacy was very enlightening, especially in this world where it is so misunderstood. I'm thrilled the book is now available again to buy!

This is one of my favorite Nouwen books, along with Compassion (which I'm about to read again) and Return of the Prodigal Son.

I think that what I appreciate and enjoy most about Henri Nouwen is his taste for the paradox, the upside-down-kingdom perspective on things that must be under a lord who declares that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. And that sense of upsidedownness is probaby in its finest form in Clowning in Rome -- hence the title. In his quiet yet confident voice, Nouwen speaks of profound paradoxes -- how solitude is the foundation of community, celibacy the key element of a good marriage (or any intimate relation), and silence the basis of conversing with God.
I am learning how to read Nouwen's books as well, and it is something like the prayer life he talks about. I have been frustrating by the somewhat repetitive content of them in the past, but in some way, it is good and true that he sings the same tune repeatedly, with different variations. Somewhat in the same way of the Gospels -- it is good that there are four, though the story is basically the same. I am learning to quiet myself when I read Nouwen's books, not to read them quickly or intellectually or academically or even necessarily for content. It is amazing to me how often the Spirit speaks to me while reading these books: sometimes directly related to the content, sometimes not related at all. I am thankful for Nouwen's willingness to be a vessel for the Spirit through his writing, and for the environment these books help create within my spirit -- one in which I am especially attentive to the Spirit's whisperings.

I strongly wish that more people would read brother Nouwen's books, and hope that others find the same gold in them that I do. I strongly, firmly believe that it is Christianity of this sort -- this quiet, irrelevant, powerless spirituality -- that has the power to profoundly affect the world: indeed, that it is this kind of Christianity that has changed the world in past centuries.
(...)

This is a scholarly analytic type book that investigates not only the colliseum building itself,but the spectacles that took place inside.The book also describes why the Colliseum was built as well as how it was bulilt.The Colliseum according to my read of the book was an important propoganda and public education tool of the Roman rulers.It showed the populace that not only had Rome conquered,but that all the beasts and "savage peoples" of the world were Roman possesions for amusement.The building may have also served as a warning,"you too could end up here" and was an outlet for high risk takers to make a name and a fortune. Also alot of these gladiatorial spectacles were actually public executions of criminals,the sword of a gladiator maybe no worse than the electric chair or gas chamber!Unfortunately no work on the Colliseum has covered the gambling on an immense scale that must have gone on at these events.For one I have always thought that the Gladiatorial helmet that is always used in movies and art appears awkward. It seems as if the fancy ornate designs and rims would block not just the peripheral view but about every other one as well.The author points out that these helmets that were found in the buried ruins of Pompeii may have actually been "parade helmets",used for the pre-fight spectacle to identify and give status to the Gladiator.In the arena he may have found such a helmet in fact a great disadvantage. That's the kind of research contained in this book.In regard to the wild animal fights the author spends alot of time breaking down and analyzing the industry that was involved in transporting "wild beasts" of all descriptions from various parts of the world. It must have been a great part of Rome's GNP.The author also questions alot of the traditional source material for acounts in regard to the Colliseum and its spectacles.It seems in times past that writers may have been as prone to exaggerations as they are today.You'll leave this book with a good knowledge of "the Games" and realize that alot of them were anything but "fair contests" between men and beasts.Rather alot of stage theatrics and "smoke and mirrors".Could it be that the the Roman popes banned these spectacles not only for the brutality,but because they were just plain boring.In fact these games were continued on well into the Roman Christian era,so there may not have been an initial Christian "moral outrage" when Rome was Christianized under Constantine.Anyway,I got my tickets to my first(and last) game from a scalper who had "copped them" free from a "charity organization"On the final page I seriously believed that the Retiarius Gaius was using steroids,and someone had spilled their greasy nacho cheese on my"Gladius" t-shirt.I also had to move 2 seats over because I believed the man next to me was coming down with a case of "bubonic plaque"That's how real this book is.

This is a rather specialized account of the Colosseum, and any student intending to visit the structure should read it. It debunks some myths about the place, but shows that it is a fascinating world wonder which deserves the attention of all visiting Rome. The research seems impeccable.

All the reviews here so far were written on the tourist side, not the scholar's. The great merit of this book, in my view, is that it fits both audiences in a very nice manner. Scholars would of course expect a more exhaustive treatment, but it's striking that there are almost no other academic books devoted to the subject of the Colosseum. Many studies on this building and other amphitheatres concentrate on technical, architectural issues, but this book offers concise and clear analyses on social aspects of gladiators, the interpretations of the Colosseum through the ages (a fascinating part!) and other varied issues. Profs. Hopkins and Beard are two leading authorities in Roman History, but their text is lively, fluent, good-humored and very pleasant - I wish all scholars could write like this! Therefore: for specialists, it's not a thorough book, but very welcoming all the same.

As for the occasional interested tourist, as others here have also said, this book is as useful, appealing and enjoyable as it can be. Having been to the Colosseum myself, though, I don't agree with the advice of getting there one hour before it closes (last entrance allowed is at 3PM). Packed crowds of tired tourists with noisy kids are better to be avoided if you want to take your time inside, so get there as early as you can. Also, like the authors, I strongly recommend a visit to the nearby Palatine - but get a good guide, so that you can understand the ruins you're seeing (use Oxford Archeological Guide, Coarelli's book, or even Blue Guide Rome).

Small though it may be, this wonderful book contains a wealth of information on the Colosseum. The authors - scholars in this field - very ably guide the reader along this amazing structure's long journey through the ages up to the present, debunking myths along the way. Although details on the formidable challenges faced by those who built the Colosseum are relatively few, its history and archaeology, as well as snapshots of the lives and times of those who used it and performed in it, more than compensate. Occasionally, the authors challenge the "generally accepted" interpretations of some of the often-sparse archaeological and historical evidence and offer alternative views. Near the end of the book, useful advice for the potential visitor is provided, followed by an extensive bibliography. The writing style is clear, friendly, authoritative and quite lively. This book can be enjoyed by anyone, but especially by those fascinated by ancient history and archaeology.

The Colloseum in Rome is arguably one of the five most famous buildings in the world but there are very few books about it. At least I have found that to be the case, as I have always had a fascination for the place. May this is the macabre side of me coming out. But it is not just the gladiatorial contests and many other blood letting contests that went on including wild animals fighting both humans and one another or the naval battles that were fought there. Yes naval battles, with real ships and the arena flooded with water. I readily admit that I find these interesting and have done for many years.

However the main attraction of the Flavian Amphitheatre, to give it its correct name is its architectural beauty. It is a building that we would be hard pressed to replicate today, even with all the modern building techniques that we now possess. A building that could fill with people and empty at the end of the games quicker than most modern football stadiums. A building that has stood the test of time. It is only vibration and pollution from modern day traffic that is now affecting the building more than the last two thousand years ever have.

A building that had more happening underground than ever happened above ground. Gladiator quarters, infirmaries. Lifts and hoists moved by an intricate network of pulleys and cables, that allowed wild animals to be brought up to the arena level.

This book tells you everything you need to know and more. It is well written And has some illustrations, but these are secondary to the excellent text.

I've been a vegetarian for many years and this is one of the first cookbooks I used. The recipes are amazing and authentic Italian. I wish they would reissue this book as I would like to buy a bunch of copies to give as gifts.

I'm not much of a cook, but I was delighted to receive this book from my friends Paola Scaravelli and Jon Cohen some years ago, and have occasionally turned to the recipes here when all other ideas fail me. It's a fantastic collection of meatless meals and other delights, and will be sure to please vegetarians, health-conscious cooks and anyone who's simply curious. A great book, even for those of us not known for our kitchen expertise.

A book I constantly turn to for ideas after I've looked in the vegetable bin or my orto in Tuscany to see what is available for dinner. It almost never lets me down. Imaginative, reliable and practical.

I have tried out dozens of recipes from this charming book, none have failed. Although the recipes here are all meatless, the book rises above the genre of vegetarian cooking; my carnivor friends have not even noticed the absence of meat. There are, after all, only two kinds of cooking, bad cooking and good cooking, and this book is about good cooking.

I love looking and cooking from this book. The soups are wonderful and have spent endless reading and cooking from this gem!