Italy Books

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.

This is a great book to take along if you have a day to spend in Pompeii and prefer self-guided tours or want to explore the ruins unaccompanied. It describes three routes through the city, each covering different sections. We were easily able to identify each stop described in the book, and to identify important artifacts from the photographs in the book. The book also provides concise historical information for each artifact - it was easy to read a little interesting background information about the artifact and then move on to the next.

This book is an excellent visitor's guide. It is full of high quality pictures and maps that will guide you to the important sights. The text is rather dry, but this is only of concern in the somewhat long introduction that deals with the history of Pompeii. After that the book follows a pattern of a photograph or other picture on each page with a detailed legend explaining what is being shown. Even if you don't visit Pompeii you will know what you would have seen if you did.

I purchased this book as a gift for friends who were going to Pompeii. I wanted them to be prepared to really understand what they would be seeing. The book seemed very complete and contained pictures to further help them get a glimpse into the history of the city. They were very pleased and used the book to enjoy their tour.

This book is great for anyone planning a trip to Pompeii. The maps and pictures are great. The guide is organized around 3 itineraries so that you can more easily plan your time to maximize what you can see. Pompeii looks vast, so that organization like this could be important in spending your time at the site wisely before you can't walk anymore. I wish there was a book like this for when I visited Ostia last year. The maps are great and accurate enough so that you can mark in extra sites that you might want to visit that you get off the web and integrate then into the planned itinerary for that day.

later after the trip to Pompeii
It's a good idea to buy this book becaseu it has all kinds of pictures of the interiors of houses you won't be able to see when you go to Pompeii. The pictures inside are exquiste. What you don't know is that a lot of the houses that are described in the book on the 3 walks that are outlined are either not open to the public, being 'restored", or are only open on Saturday and Sunday and you have to make an appointment online to be able to see to see them. Once you get to the gates of Pompeii (even on sat or Sunday), you can't get into either the House of the Gilded Cupids or the House of Menander. The House of the Vetti, lupanare, and the House of Julius Polybius are also being restored and god know when that will be done. The House of the tragic Poet can't be entered and you have to view the mosaic from the other side of a gate. You can't see the frescoes of Vestorius Priscus either; they were locked up and unable to be viewed. i can say the same about several other houses that Dr Guzzo did not mentione in the book, but could have been substitutes fo what was being restored. In fact a lot of the houses were locked up and the interesting stuff that you could view form 10 feet away can be more easily viewed in books (and at considerably less cost).

Since we live in the southwest, but don't particularly want to decorate SWestern ..I like this book because it uses the same materials found here but in a different way... Wood, stone, tile..flagstone for the patios..
They use simple uncluttered lines in their decor inside and out..
There is a type of tranquility built in. Something we look for in this complicated world.

While this book may look more like a coffee table piece - and it could very well be - I read it cover to cover. The stories were very informative, telling of the beauty and the challenges of restoring one of these fine homes. After each of the functional sections there was a great write up on the details of the topic, such as; roofing, swimming pools, heating, etc. Naturally, you can tell I loved it and would recommend it to anyone interested in fine Italian home. I hope the author reads this and realized what a great job she did. ....

After our house burned in San Diego county, during the waiting time for the insurance company, the architect, the engineer, and the city approval, we purchansed MANY books on Tuscan design and architecture, as that is the style we want to emulate. Restoring a Home in Italy provided may examples that helped us though the selection process.

What a great book! The author Elizabeth Minchilli has done has superb job in creating this wonderful book. Although she's not Italian, she now lives in Italy after marrying an Italian architect. Her love and passion for Italy is obvious and the wealth of information that she has gathered is priceless to anyone thinking or planning to buy and/or restore a home in Italy. Her informative writing is beautifully coupled with fantastic photos from the well known photographer Simon McBride. The setting of some of these homes is spectacular! There are many books out there on Italy, but this is truly a must for any fan of Italy or old rural architecture. I highly recommend this book even if you don't have any intention in restoring a home in Italy.

Used this book and all the maps to see Rome for the first time this March. Was easy to use on the go, not cumbersome like full size maps. Easy to read and follow. Used Knopf map for Paris as well - extremely helpful in such a large city.

About eight foldout pages, depending on how you count pages. It would make an okay addition to a full travel guide such as Rome, The Millennium Edition (Eyewitness Travel Guides, DK Publishing). [That book is indexed by Amazon.com as Eyewitness Travel Guide to Rome (Revised).]

folks, this is the best idea for a tourbook/map that i have stumbled across yet. i'm not prone to raving, but this will garner praise from me until the cows come home (bearing foot & mouth) no doubt.

so, why is this so great? first of all, it's simple and well designed. the city is broken down into sections. you turn to those pages and there is a brief description of places to eat, shop, etc. the pages then open up into a map of the section with a description of major sites in the area.

brilliant! no fumbling around a big map trying to find your street. no squinting to figure out where you are. it's easy to find landmarks, metro stops, etc.

the card stock is nice and heavy and has lasted well even in my back pocket. the descriptions have been helpful without being too lengthy. and at this price, it's quite competitive with other maps while providing much more.

perfectly sized for travelling on the run! if you're in town for a short period of time and want the express route to everything, you must buy this book! the guidebook splits Rome into six sections/mini-maps highlighting places to eat, shop and visit. the opening front section gives you an overview of Rome and includes places with great views, green spaces, guided tours, churches, religious festivals, museums, shopping districts, restaurants, concerts/shows, summer festivals, tourist info, and websites to visit. the last section is a complete map of Rome's subway and rail lines with complete transport and hotel information for your holiday suggesting a handful of hotels at different price ranges. Rome airport information is handy and all public transport options are expained clearly.

all the tourist hot spots are well documented including important information regarding hours of operation, map location, entrance fees and other notables. the pictures are updated and the maps are very thorough. a little bigger than a palm pilot; with it's expandable fold-out maps, it's hard to beat this guidebook!

the book is not very thorough in detail (think of it as a cliff notes for travelling; you get the gist, but you miss out on the details). if you want historical information regarding a museum or monument you'll need a supplemental book--or just visit the place and learn all you want first hand!

while planning my Rome holiday i purchased several other Rome guidebooks but found that they stayed in the hotel while this one was taken everywhere.

Titus Livius, (Livy) 59BCE-17ACE, born in Padua he was a popular and much admired writer in his day. His history was a favorite of Caesar Augustus who reigned during the time of the writing of the "History of Early Rome". His facts are not the most accurate, but like Plutarch, he believed that; "if history were not morally instructive, it was nothing." "History of Early Rome" is a valiant effort at recalling and preserving the memory of the noble deeds of the Romans. The history opens with the Trojans wandering into Rome to found a new city around 750BCE. It traces the history of Romulus the founder, the period of Roman kingship and then the Roman Republic era. Livy has a wonderful description of the "rape of the Sabine women" in which Rome's men conduct to increase their population. Wonderful telling of the life and acts of the noble and humble Cinncinatus who many of George Washington's contemporaries believed modeled himself after and held many of the same virtues. It contains an in depth look at Coriolanus, which was the source material for Shakespeare's play "Coriolanus". "Shared danger is the strongest of bonds; it will keep men united in spite of mutual dislike and suspicion."

Machiavelli loved reading Livy's histories and wrote his most important philosophical work from it, "The Discourses", in which he glorifies republican Rome as a model of good government. Thomas Jefferson wrote to his nephew that there were three books every gentleman had to have familiarity with; Plutarch's "Lives", Livy's "History of Rome" and Virgil's Aeneid. In fact, all the founding fathers of note had read Livy and learned much from his history of Rome.

If you are truly interested in obtaining a classical education, put this book on the top of your reading list! I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in political philosophy, and history.

This volume contains books VI through X of Livy's monumental 120+ volume history of Rome. It covers the time between the sack of the city by the Gauls (c. 396 BCE) and Rome's emergence as the single most powerful state in Italy (c. 293 BCE). Like other Penguin classics, the translation in this volume is just a bit dated and stuffy in tone, but the warmth and vitality of Livy's style shines through nonetheless.

One of the benefits to being interested in ancient Rome in particular is that the Romans were such a literate people, and so taken with their own perceived greatness, that they wrote a great deal, and much of this writing has survived down to our own times. Not only does this provide an invaluable window onto the remote past, it also makes for good reading. Livy (and a number of other Roman era authors) can sound remarkably modern in their sentiments, and even casual readers should be pleasantly surprised by the vigor and readability of Livy's prose.

Livy, a contemporary of the Emperor Augustus, devoted his adult life to the writing of his HISTORY OF ROME. The entire work was probably intended to comprise 120 books. Subsequently it seems he was prevailed upon to add a further 30 books covering contemporary events, of which he completed just 22. Only 35 of the total of 142 books Livy wrote survive to the present day. They come from among the first 45 and cover most of the period from the founding of Rome to 167 BC. This volume, ROME AND ITALY, contains Books VI through X, covering the period from 386 BC (the aftermath of Rome's defeat by the Gauls) to 292 BC. During this 94 year span, Rome rose to become the dominant power on the Italian peninsula.

Most of the events Livy describes happened long before his lifetime. Because of the sparse written records, especially from Rome's early history, he had to rely on traditional information, the writings of other historians, and public records (i.e. inscriptions, statues, lists of consuls and triumphs). On occasion, when faced with conflicting accounts, Livy notes his difficulty and presents the different possibilities along with comments on what he believes was the most likely course of events.

Two common themes run through the histories presented in this volume. One is the continual warfare between Rome and its rivals, most notably the Samnites and the Etruscans. Livy's description of these events is episodic, giving the reader little sense of the larger conflict. There's an uprising here, another there, but little indication of the broader objective as Rome extends its power and dominion ever farther. It always seems that the city is threatened and has no choice but to respond.

The other recurring theme is the political battle within Rome between the dominant patricians, determined to hold on to their monopoly of the most powerful state positions, and the plebeians, who aspire to a share of leadership. Livy, a believer in the virtue and superiority of the old ways, but sympathetic to the talents and abilities of many of the plebeian leaders, seems personally torn on this issue. At times he seems to support the propriety of one side, at times the aspirations of the other.

Livy is probably not the most rigorous historian ever, but remember that he intended his HISTORY for a popular and contemporary audience, and not with future ages much in mind. He wanted to inform, and to promote what he saw as the traditional virtues of Roman society to the populace of his own era, which he viewed as corrupt and decadent. Even now, however, his work makes for interesting and informative reading. Some of what he relates is mythical in nature, some possibly sensationalized, but he was writing for a popular audience and sought to entertain as well as inform. His work still does exactly that. It's an opportunity to look at events through the eyes of a man who lived more than two thousand years ago. I found this book fascinating. It's classic history. Don't pass it by.

This book, was very interesting! It gave wonderful insight into Roman life. Whether you study Roman History, or if you just like to try something new, this is a good book for you to try (even if you dont speak latin).

This book has extraordinary photographs of all the great works of art including Early Renaissance, the Golden Age, continuing through to the Twenthtieth Century. If you are planning to visit Rome or you want to remember the great architecture that you visited, this resource is for you. Also included is the history of early Christian Rome, Middle Ages and too much more to mention. FIVE STARS!

This is a large book, printed on quality paper. The progression is chronological, right from the beginnings of Rome, to modern times. In terms of architecture, the book seems to concentrate on a few select buildings, and show these using stunning photographs of both exteriors and interiors. The emphasis is very much on the details of masonry and sculpture. As for the art, there are countless clear representations of the masterpieces of the city. Having been in the city a few times, this book adds so much value, firstly by showing me reminders of the places and objects I have seen, and secondly by exposing the interiors of buildings usually closed to the casual visitor.

The reason why I rated this four stars instead of five, is because the book could have covered more buildings of Rome, and all in all, the architecture side seems a little poorer than the art side. Further, the contents of the Vatican museums are not given enough justice.

Overall however, this is the sort of book one would expect to find in the reference section of a top class library, and yet it is a bargain. It is an excellent overview of Rome, and a good starting point for those who want to go further in their study of the topics covered. At this price you will not be disappointed, and I recommend this work.

You may have to reinforce the legs of you coffee table to hold this book but it will be worth it. Incredibbly beautiful photography of the city and its treasures. Close up views or art works and architectural details that few books cover. (This book is remainder priced at certain bookstores.)

I loved the pictures! The text was very helpful even for a seasoned traveler.