Italy Books

This book was given to me on the last day of High School in 1972 by a girl friend. I've kept this book ever since and it ranks up there with my all time favorite books even though I agree with one other reviewer that this is not the best example of Lawrence's work. However, with that said, this book also has a heart and tenderness that really meant something to me. I'm amazed no one has ever written a screenplay of this work since it's worth it. It was the only book Lawrence ever won a prize for, which says something about it. Take a chance and read it.

This book was beautifully and passionately written. It is a love story unique and philosophical. Do we choose our own fates? Alvina will tell you.

Just like SISTER CARRIE, THE LOST GIRL is about a young woman searching for her place in the world. Meaning, floucing from one man to another, flirting, playing, getting engaged then dashing away for fun. And just like JEANNIE GERHARDT, this old man gets herself in trouble.

But the most fascinating part of this book is it's glimps into her background. How she was brought up in a wealthy and rich household, only to try out different occupations against her father's wishes, then ends up as a lower classed female in life. Very tragic.

I recently got done reading this wonderful, yet forgotten novel of Lawrence's. Truly compelling in it's intricate details of a young woman trying to find herself. Literally. She goes on the 'universal' self journey and discovers that she was lost and finally finds her identity and sensuality in the man she loves. D.H. Lawrence has a wonderful way of not wrapping up the ending in a nice,neat little package. As always, Lawrence is the ultimate man of mystery, sensual needs and desires. A "must read" for those who love to read Lawrence and for those who never have!

I read The Medusa's Smile twice.
The first time rather fast just to see what really happened. But well before the end I was falling in love with the 17 year old Marina and the elusive sophisticated Marco Albrizzi.
I had also the feeling that I was missing something. That there was more than the story in the book. So I read it again, slowly. And then I was able to enjoy the atmosphere, the emotion, the restrained melancholy.
Is really more lasting the love that has not been totally fulfilled?
Is an old friendship the ultimate consolation?
Read the book and decide by yourself.

For everyone who has visited and loved Venice this intriguing novel will hold special delight and meaning.

The author's descriptions are breathtakingly real, sensitive and provocative. The juxtaposition of the heroine Marina's present and past life and the contrasting worlds of Venice in the winter and summer are compelling.

The story is particularly unique in the time-frame it spans. Italy of the 1950's and 1960's is captivating as it comes alive with the author's intimate knowledge and skillful writing.

The surprise ending holds pathos, tenderness, and the poignant reality of love lost and yet forever there. Readers of this novel will not be disappointed.

This is a novel of juxtaposition: Venice, shuttered in the cold light of winter and opulent in the heat and passion of summer--beauty, masking ugliness--innocence, becoming the handmaiden of guilt. Marina Renier Anderson,after the breakup of her 23-year marriage to a prominent American surgeon, returns to her native country, Italy. She goes to Venice and begins to relive events of a summer spent there when she was seventeen--events which culminated in a tragedy. In mythology whoever looked at the face of the Gorgon, Medusa, was turned to stone. That summer, the modern version of Medusa, beautiful and horrifying, turned hearts to stone. Marina is hoping for healing and release from her guilt. She must, however, learn to accept what cannot be altered. This novel is a tour de force, skillfully managed by a writer whose love affair with words brings to life a magical place and unforgettable personalities.

All good storytellers pull us into their world. Laura Brylawski-Miller lifts the veil to a Venice imbued with a shimmering air of unreality. Her narrator, Marina, returns for a winter visit during a time of marital crisis and reflects on a long ago summer at Venice's Lido beach in the company of wealth and glamour where much was illusion and deceit - "beyond the curtain of snow lies that summer at the Lido...blue and gold and bloody forever. "

Brylawski-Miller's descriptions are masterful. Her sense of place is only surpassed by her finely delineated characters. After my daughter-in-law finished reading the book in one gulp, she commented "I was really sad to put it down.. I am definitely going to look for her other novels because the characters in this one stayed with me for days - and I really missed them."

An engrossing coming of age tale - and so much more...

At the age of ten, I discovered the stigmatist, Padre Pio - a man of many wonders. To a ten year old, he was a super hero, a man of many powers. As an adult, he is still a super hero to me, but in another way. Padre Pio embodied all that is holy and was yet so human.

Meet Padre Pio is a wonderful book. We see Padre Pio as a human, not just a saint and a holy man. This book takes us from his early days as a child all the way to his death and beyond. We meet a charming man with a beautiful soul. We experience the first appearance of his stigmata and the many miracles that follow. Many of his relationships with friends and family are intimately revealed and show a very caring man with a wonderful sense of humor.

Whether you consider yourself religious or not, pick up this book. It is a wonderful read which introduces a marvelous man to it's readers. You can't help but smile when you read this book!

Patricia Treece gives us a well-written and easy-to-read insight into the life of Blessed Padre Pio. Though it is a short book, it nevertheless leaves you with an appreciation of this significant figure of the last century. I lived in Italy some fourteen years and came to hear about him (through Italian relatives who visited him), though I never met him. I now have met him through this book! The author handles the controversial aspect of his life well; and I do remember that. It is a book well worth reading and passing along to others.

If you don't know much about Padre Pio here is a great way to get started. Patricia Treece, author of numerous popular books about miracles and saints, has an engaging journalistic style vs. a gooey sugary style that might turn you off. Divided into paragraphs with sub-titles it lets you read as if it were such classics as The Little Flowers of St. Francis.
If you do know Padre Pio well, as I do, it is still delightful to hear about him again - like hearing a favorite love-song replayed after many years to a new beat.

Here is another book, about an extraordinary person, Padre Pio, by Patricia Treece, an extraordinary writer!

With clear, precise, telling strokes, Treece makes us see, and feel, who Padre Pio was and how he lived according to the divine light that infused his whole being.

As with other saints Treece has profiled, we are again amazed at how a person can live with great pain and physical frailties, and, because of them or in spite of them, reach incredible spiritual heights and demonstrate incredible spiritual powers.

The author?s words prove equal to the task and do honor to Padre Pio, as when she writes: ?God definitely toys with those He loves in games of spiritual hide-and-seek, or a kind of spiritual yo-yoing that is meant to make a soul utterly pliant in God?s hands.?

I found Padre Pio?s own words deeply thought-provoking, as when tells Padre Eusebio: ?Listen, my son, you think, like many others, that sin is the breaking of the law, but it?s not that but infidelity to love.?

Ultimately, it is not words, but a person?s life that matters, and the author has captured Padre Pio?s most instructive and inspiring life poignantly.

Rolf Gompertz, Author of 'A Jewish Novel About Jesus' and 'Sparks of Spirit'

I love this cookbook -- my hubby got it for me at an estate sale! IT is teaching me stuff my mom could not have taught me. I was raised with Iowa farm-style Americana fare -- with lots of shortcuts with prepared, frozen and canned food. Learning to cook with high-quality fresh foods has saved me money, and raised the level of yumminess and my excitement about cooking for our large family!

I have used this book for several years and cooked many of the recipes in the book. Everything I have made has turned out great, and a few of the recipes have become standard fare for our dinner parties including the lamb stew with marsala. One of my favorite recipes is the Osso Bucco which is a twist on the classic recipe with its use of red bell peppers. It does take some time to prepare, but it is well worth the effort! This is the main book I use for cooking and I recommend it highly!

We love this book so much, we wore out the first copy. This is our SECOND COPY! This cookbook from Biba is excellent. The recipes are actually authentic (at least from my childhood.)

Being from Italy I am very skeptical about italian cookbooks. When I found this one in a bookstore I thought it looked better than any cookbook I had seen. I have now owned it for about 10 years and have given it to countless friends as a gift. I have made a majority of the recipes and have never been disappointed. I am particularly happy with how simple most recipes are: as is the case with true Italian cooking, only a few ingredients and a little bit of time can make some spectacular dishes. Without question an excellent book for anyone wishing to experiment with Italian cooking, and even for Italians longing for some great recipes.

Gorgeous photographs. Most pieces of glass you would only see in a museum. I wish there were more.

Having recently returned from Venice, I wish I had this book before I left. Mr. Gable's meticulously researched volume offers so much valuable information, any glass collector or any tourist interested in a deeper perspective of the glass art of the city should read this book. The author's grasp of the nuances of the various styles is masterful and gave me a whole new appreciation of the experience I had in Venice.

"Murano Magic" is a terrific volume to own if you love collecting Venetian glass as much as I do. Or if you want to learn the ropes. This exhaustively researched (and yet surprisingly easy to read!) book tells you everything about the big glassmaking families and their works. (I especially liked the historical perspective the author gave to discussing the different glassmaking houses.) And the photos are outstanding. Many glass books I've seen just don't have enough photos to show examples of all the different kinds of Venetian glass (there are literally thousands of styles). "Murano Magic" has wonderful photos and lots of them. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in Venetian glass.

It is almost a crime that Amazon is listing this book with "No Photo Available," because it's a real eye-catcher of a volume, with stunning photographs on every page. But don't be fooled by its beauty; this is no mere coffee-table book. Rather, it's an encyclopedic guide, exhaustively researched and engagingly written. I have been fortunate enough to visit Venice several times, but Murano Magic made me see the city and its art with new eyes and a deeper appreciation. I would recommend the book to anyone, but especially to those who are planning a trip to Northern Italy.

This is a good book with engaging and thorough review of each of his operas. The reviews are so detailed that it would be outstanding study for any team planning to perform these operas. A moderate list of references is provided with references noted in the text. There is a good index. There is a recording with excerpts from recent performances. The thing I like best about this book is that all the CD, DVD and book references include very recently released works so this book is very up-to-date.

In part this book is a short biography of Monteverdi. And in part it discusses his place as the originator of opera as we know it today. But mostly it's about the three surviving operas that he wrote: L'Orfeo (Orpheus, 1607), Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland, 1640), and L'incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea, 1643). The stated purpose of the book is not to treat these works as merely a part of operatic history, but explaining the vital theatrical experiences that they are.

Each of the three operas gets a complete description including the history, the nature of the roles, and of course a summay of the story.

The book includes a CD that has significant excerpts from the three operas.

This book is part of a series called Unlocking the Masters that covers the work of our most important composers. The whole series is excellent, bringing us a concise yet complete story that is both informative and easy to read.

I love this series (besides Verdi, it has Wagner, Mozart, Haydn, etc.) Being able to hear the music as you read about it makes a huge difference, and the text is written in an accessible way. It breaks the stereotype of Classical music being staid and boring.

The author who is an Associate Professor of Theater at Marymount College supports his belief that "Claudio Moneteverdi (1567-1643) was the first great opera composer" by commentaries on his operas scene by scene. Ringer follows the narrative line (such as it is in opera) and profiles the characters while explaining the role and effects of the music and words on these. Introductory parts give a biography of Monteverdi focusing on his distinctive creative genius and viewing him in the context of the development of opera in Florence in late Renaissance Italy. The CD contains 13 selections from Monteverdi operas; which are annotated in back matter. Ringer's accessible treatment of this outstanding and influential composer is an ideal introduction and companion to Monteverdi's operas.

This is a reprint of a book written in 1949. Dr. Fucilla was born in Italy and a full professor at Northwestern U., who retired in 1965. My copy has a sturdy binding and no frills packaging. The entries are very clear and easy to follow. I was amazed by how many of the surnames I was interested in were covered. I have used it for years. This is a must have for anybody interested in Italian family history.

Joseph Fucilla was the son of Italian immigrants from a small village: his interest in his heritage led to in-depth investigations of the origins of Italian proper names - a field which contributes to genealogical pursuit in Our Italian Surnames. Originally published in 1949, this is still regarded as the authoritative reference on the subject, wit chapters covering botanical names, occupative names, compound names and more. Quite technical listings identify names under each category and add often extensive footnoted references: a must for any researching their Italian roots.

I am fascinated that this book was even put together. It will give you a better understanding of Italian surnames and various origins. I think its a must have for any italian genealogist.

Even though you might not find your surname listed, you will be able to find the "root" name yours derived from. I found it extremely interesting how some of our Italian name got their start. Also how some names are very specific to one certain area. A must for Italian genealogy.

I got the book in record time and in good condition. It was a great buy, too. I would heartily recommend this book and this seller to others!

This immense book showcases hundreds of high quality paintings from Venice - from the 15th century to 20th century, from the most traditional to modern. Religious, mythical, portraits, landscapes (and yes the canals), mostly full page and all in deep saturated color. Each painting is accompanied with a full-page in depth article on the artist/painting. This may be a large and pricey book, but it is a must-have for any appreciator of Italian art, and European art in general - as paintings from other European countries such as France and Spain currently housed in Venice are included here as well.

This is a gorgeous coffee table book, and that's just where it sits for us. I loved Venice, and am more of a traveller than an art lover. This brought back many of the images I saw on our recent trip to Italy, and was well worth the price.

PAINTINGS IN VENICE is a weighty volume (nearly 10 pounds!) in size and scope. Venice as the setting where these masterpiece paintings dwell is very much a part of this fine volume and the design and concept of the book make it an invaluable aid to scholars and art lovers and travelers alike.

Divided into four sections, each of four fine writers takes a period of time and includes Venetian as well as art history into account. Giovanna Nepi Sicre provides a fine overview of the subject and then discusses and shares Venetian painting of the 14th and 15th centuries with special emphasis on the works of Giovanni Bellini. Augusto Gentili continues the illustrations of Bellini's altarpieces to introduce the works of Carpaccio, Giorgione, and other artists who bridged the 15th and 16th centuries. It is in this division that the wondrous works of Titian and Tintoretto and the style of Mannerism is discussed and elaborately shown.

Giandomenico Romanelli takes us through the rather rapidly changing periods of Baroque and Rococo as he discusses paintings and scuplture of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The sections devoted to Tiepolo are particularly lyrical and in addition to the masterworks of Giambattista Tiepolo he also shows the later, harlequin obsessed Giandomenico Tiepolo! Philip Rylands completes this survey with 20th century painting in the public collections such as the Guggenheim.

As with all in depth scholarly oriented books, the authors provide extensive biographies of the artists as well as bibliographies and easily accessed indices of artists and works. In every way this is a first class art book that is well worth the rather steep price! Recommended, Grady Harp, November 05

Definitely small - about 8"x4" and 80 pages. And, as mentioned by the earlier reviewers, the print is very small. A map for each district and a couple for the entire city. Thumbnail sketches. Something I want to read - unlike the big books where I never have time to read it all. I keep perusinig this book. It includes a few (after all, how many can we try) restaurants in each district of varying price ranges. There are also details on traveling from the airport. It's clean and crisp which probably makes it easier to read than it otherwise might be. I'll be going to Venice in 10 days and it will fit right in my outside purse pocket. Finally, its price is undercut by no travel guide of which I'm aware.

We'll be cruising out of Venice in the fall. This guide is the perfect size for what we need - info on all the main sites, maps, travel information. It even has a small phrasebook in the back. I have the larger Italy Eyewitness Guidebook as well. This seems to give the same basic information, without all the historical background. When you are out and about, you really just need to know the sites and how to get to them. Many reviews say the text is small, but it's not that much smaller than the regular guides. It might be harder to read if your eyesight is poor...but it is fine for me. It's smaller than I expected, which is a good thing. They've really packed a lot of information into a totally portable guide.

Lots of pictures. Great concise descriptions. Maps. Small glossary of Italian. Organizes everything in a clear way. Perfect! Thought I was going to get another larger version of a travel guide for Venice but not anymore. It's all I need. If I do find something that it's missing I can look it up on the internet. The only thing that might be hard for some people is the small type. I have 20/20 vision and can read it perfectly. No problem whatsoever. But if you have vision problems you might find it somewhat hard to read. Its about the size of a Hershey Bar and jammed packed with information if that gives you an idea. I love it though!

I love to plan trips. I'll use 2 or 3 travel guides to get excited and think of the things I want to see. But I don't want to carry them around. This gives me a map and small descriptions to jog my memory all in a small, easy to carry book. The map is very clearly printed. What more could I want?

Engrossing account of author's visits to various sites around Italy connected with the poems of the greatest poets of ancient Rome: Virgil, Horace, Catullus, Propertius, Ovid, Juvenal and Tibullus. Highet visited the sites before Italy became swamped by modern tourism; his writing and translations of the best of the bests' poetry is extremely absorbing, often evocative, and always helpful to understanding what the poets were trying to say. This is a great book to read alongside your Penguin or Oxford classics and/or while reading/teaching yourself Latin, and would make a great companion on a trip to Italy. The only sad thing about this otherwise handsome Prion edition is it does not include the many fine black and white photographs included in most older editions since the book was published in 1957.

Makes me appreciate even more why all of those years of conjugating irregular verbs were worthwhile as was that traipsing around the Mediterrarean countryside.

Reviewer # 3 mentions the lack of photographs in some editions.
I own the Akadine Press, 1996 edition (see # 2 under "all editions") and can verify that this edition does include the black and white photos of landscapes, buildings, etc. -
48 photos total.

Short (25-40 page) biographies mixed in with photographs, poems and reflections on the parts of Italy the poets are most associated. Highet makes both the poets and poems come alive and made me want to book my tickets to Italy ASAP. Great book.