Italy Books

A friend sent us the second edition,before travelling to Rome and Florence in 1999. My husband and I thought the book was far superior to the other travel books we used.It had a real personal touch, plus the suggestions were wonderful. The book was amazing. Every restaurant that Doug recommended was terrific. We are returning to Italy next year, and I just purchased the 5th Edition . Plus, I have emailed the author and he has responded to my questions in a timely manner.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is planning a trip to Italy.

We have been thinking about traveling to Europe. We read the Tuscany & Umbria Guide on Italy and our choice of country was decided.
Since Mr. Morris has lived in Italy, he has the knowledge of the country.
Thanks Mr. Morris for a fantastic book.

Donna & Mike Lareau, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Concise easy to read guide. Organized by the different regions of Italy. Included are itineraries, maps and most importantly the "sidebars" which are shaded areas of a page with hints and facts that other guide books don't offer. Also a included are blank pages for travel notes. Agreat value for the money.

This book is packed with info. I lived in Italy for four years and was looking for a good reference for a trip I plan to take as soon as I have both the time and the money...yadda yadda. Anyway, parusing this book brings back the memories and offers little "insider" vignettes not only about the different places you can explore, but also about the culture, food, tipping and even explains how to get your car towed... (Hey, you never know...) It's obvious that this writer has spent some time in Italy and has written a comprehensive book. This is not your generic guide book that covers just the basics. This one goes in depth. Note that the author does not have books on any other country... he seems to be a specialist.

As an experienced traveler who has lived all over the world, I am always grateful when I find a travel guide that helps me integrate myself into another country easily. Morris' volume helped me find the best sights, stay in the best hotels, and eat at the restaurants and cafes that the local frequent. Use this book and you will have a great time in Italy.

Great book for anyone! A wonderful historical and spiritual look at a man who captured the hearts of Italy and then the world. A real pleasure to read!

Reading this book has been one of the most beautiful gifts that a human being
can receive. I was delighted reading it from the beginning to the end. The whole time I read it, I was overcome with thoughts of Padre Pio throughout my day. The book was beautifully written. It made me cry and it made me laugh. Padre Pio is the most loving man, priest, a true holy and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. What a life Padre Pio lead. It is amazing the relationship he had with Jesus and Mary, even with his Angels. Reading this book has been a healing, a transformation, and kind of a retreat for me, allowing me to see life with true faith, hope and love. Somehow it humbles you and brings you a feeling of peace; I even felt Padre Pio's presence while I read this book. Renzo Allegri deserves the Nobel prize for having taking the time to accomplished all the documents and information to write this wonderful book. Indeed he did a great favor to those who want to learn from Padre Pio. You will not be sorry to read this book. This book changed my life.

Padre Pio is a modern day saint. With the exception of Mother Teresa, no other person in the religious life has commanded so much respect in recent times. Rather than focusing on the controversies, Renzo Allegri focus on the man in Padre Pio: Man of Hope. It is truly an inspiring read.

Padre Pio is the most recent man to bear the stigmata or wounds of Jesus Christ. The mystery of the stigmata alone makes Padre Pio's life compelling. Padre Pio lived the life of a monk in Italy. Even in his youth, Padre Pio experienced visions which made his relationship with God different. With the stigmata came the pain the that he suffered in his unique relationship with the Lord. The pain of this burden was also a blessing. His relationship with God allowed him to perform miracles and healings that are documented in the book for skeptics. To witnesses and believers, this is testimony to the power of God.

This is truly an amazing story. I would hope believers and non-believers alike are inspired by this book in the same way I was. Knowing of this amazing man, I will think of him in my prayers and works. I will hope Padre Pio would guide me in my work.

De todos los libros que he leido sobre el Padre Pio, este es de los mejores. Está escrito en un lenguaje muy sencillo, y fácil de entender para aquellos que no tenemos el inglés como primer idioma. Contiene hechos de la vida del Padre que desconocía, principalmente de su niñez y adolecencia. Es una excelente herramienta, tanto para los que conocemos sobre la vida y obra de Padre Pio, como para los que quieran conocerle por primera vez. Lo recomiendo a ojos cerrados.!!!

This book will fill your heart with astonishment, respect and true love towards a 20th century Saint. If more people were to read this book, a significant change in faith would occur. Man of Hope may become a personal discovery of God or for those that have already discovered God, the discovery of a true Saint

Like peeling the layers from an onion, the reader unravels the mysteries of Mennulara's life after her death. Through a series of narratives from different persepctives, the story reads like a fine mystery novel. The author has a wrting style for the descriptive and the narrative that makes it hard to put the book down. I'm anxious to start her second novel.

I found this novel in a stack at a half-priced book store.
The lovely cover caught my eye, and the title was intriguing.

What a wonderful, intricately-woven tale. Once I began, I could not put it down. I started it in the morning, and I took it with me that afternoon to the stables where my daughter was riding. Unfortunately, I left it there by mistake and could not retrace my steps to reclaim it. I was already half-way through the book, and I was furious with myself for losing it. I went out that same day and bought another copy - and finished it before falling asleep that very same evening.

Despite the unfamiliar names and the large number of minor characters, I found this to be an easy and pleasurable read. It is a mystery, a love story, a family saga all rolled into one well-written and engaging package.

Who was Mennulara, the almond picker and recently deceased servant/administrator of a wealthy Sicilian family? Through snatches of conversations, village gossip, secret letters, snippets of memories, and whispered confessions, we eventually learn ~ piece by piece ~ the story behind this mysterious figure.

It is a well-crafted story. I believe that there were references and connections that I missed the first time around, and I plan to read this novel again in the near future.

This novel is by far the best I've read in the past 6 months. It's an adult-version fable full of legends and morality. At first I was a bit overwhelmed by all the characters that swamped in in each chapter, but later I learned to keep in mind only the very key names, which in turn made my reading a lot more enjoyable.

Like one of the other reviewers, I too came upon this book on the shelf at the library and was attracted by its slight size - as I ride the train every day, I love to have small, light books I can easily carry in my purse - along with it's lovely cover. The description on the inside flap sealed the deal for me. I am particularly drawn to generational family stories - especially those that involve intrigue, deception, and potentially explosive secrets.

This book did not disappoint. I found it very easy to read with very well-drawn characters and a plot that had many suprises without making it feel overly complicated or ridiculous. The author's style was quite straight-forward and clean but brought the people and their town to life beautifully.

I enjoyed it so very much I think I read it in 3 days or less. If you are looking for a charming, entertaining, and interesting story, I highly recommend this one.

Would I have picked out this book on my own? Despite its pretty cover I probably wouldn't have. But it was the current selection for the book club I'm joining so I dove in.

To me, the first few chapters were a bit dry -- somehow reminding me of Jane Austen -- lots of characters and background stuff. But somewhere around the the third chapter or so, I was involved. I was living in this little Sicilian town and observing the nuances and mannerisms and relationships involved.

The story was delightful -- at times a "morality" piece and other times just plain good mystery. All in all, it's the first book I read straight through in a few sittings since high school -- when I used to read simply for pleasure. It took precedence over work, TV and even, on one occasion, a dinner out.

If you want to escape to a different time and place and find intriguing people -- pick up this book and dive in. You won't regret it!

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey

Often I have said my gender cannot write. Louisa is an exception. I bought her book because the ancient black madonna interests me very much. The famous gothic cathedral of Chartres in France is dedicated to her. In this book you see the veneration for the black madonna come to life. The author keeps you in suspense as the story line unfolds, and I find her style of developing the characters and plots very charming. She presents wisdom of life and humor, that made me laugh out loud. The reason I read is to be entertained, and I was truly entertained from start to finish. I even learned a thing or two.

My mother grew up in the area where this book takes place. I bought her this book, and she was said it was wonderful and brought back many memories. The sites mentioned are all real, and some of the people remind her of those she grew up with. If anyone is nostalgiac for that area and era, this is a must-read.

What a terrific group of people to "meet" and easily get to know. This story takes place in the row houses in Little Itlay in NY. The author does a great job of making the reader feel like part of the "family" of neighbors and tight-knit family. Reading this book was like sitting on the front stoop with these characters catching up on the neighborhood gossip. There are the old world Italians that are actually from Italy and this particular group stick with old customs and beliefs and don't wander to far from Little Italy. Then there are the young, new Italians born in Little Italy but tend to wander out of the neighborhood and meet new friends not from Little Italy or even Italian. We get to meet the overbearing, Italian mother of a son who has a hard time being independent or even wanting to be independent. This story made me laugh at times. I wouldn't call this a comedy, I'd call this a look at a different ethnic culture but also being able to recognize someone familiar. This was an excellent book and story with a lot of people to enjoy. A fun education of "the old ways".

I loved this book. I read it during a 20-hour bus ride, keeping my above-the-seat light on well into the night. Not so much to see what would happen (although you really don't know that until the last pages); more because I just wasn't ready to say good-night to the characters. This is the best part: Unlike many books I read, the ending was just as good as the beginning. I'll read more of her books.

"The Black Madonna" is loaded with stereotypes -- the overbearing Italian mama, the rich Jewish family; however, this book is so hysterical that political correctness must, thank God, go by the wayside. Filled with scenes of life in tenement housing in "the old neighborhood," Louisa Ermelino has written great atmosphere with colorful, memorable characters. There is no deep plot, just a delightful splash of life, love, religion, friendship, and aging.

I have read many personal accounts of WWII combat and this is one of the best.

It was a bit hard to believe that this book wasn't written in first-person. The author did an excellent job in writing down someone else's words. Usually, retellings are not as vibrant or as engaging. But this was a pleasant surprise.

This is an awesome book! I was originally disappointed because based on the title I thought it was about D-Day. Well it's not. It's about the invasion of Sicily. Let me say it was one of the best mistakes that I have made. I could not put this book down. It is fantastic and easy to read. I read 86 pages the first day and I am usually a slow reader. It was impossible for me to put the book down.

Do yourself a favor - buy this if you have an interest WWII and or paratroopers.

Combat Jump tells the tale of the 82nd Airborne (specifically the 505th Parachute Regiment) as the prepared for and jumped into Sicily in WWII. In the tale, Mr. Ruggero tells of the forming of the 505th, their charismatic young commander (James Gavin), veterans of the unit that made the jump, and the veteran's tales of what happened during their assault on Sicily. Mr. Ruggero gives excellent background information on the different veterans, including their occupations prior to joining the Army, what they did in the Army (including in their time with the 505th), and their remembrances of this event.

The early part of the book is excellently crafted. I was seriously looking at this as being a 4.5 star book, but when the jump was made, several problems occurred with his telling; first, the stories jump all over the map. Mr. Ruggero's following of the invasion of Sicily is as scattered as the 505th was! I really wish he'd followed a little more structure with things. If he had, I'd have found the book much more pleasant to read. Having said that, I really wish he'd had a few maps included so readers were aware of where he was talking about on Sicily. Maps really help with history books (publishers, please pay the extra nickels to have a few maps in the books. It really makes the books more buyable!). Finally, Mr. Ruggero needed to have a nice wrap up of what happened to the 505th after their initial jump. Instead, Mr. Ruggero closes with the unit being relieved...

My rating... as said earlier, I was really hoping for 4.5 stars, however after reading the later parts, I have to rate the book 3.5 stars overall. I rounded it up to 4 stars for Amazon.

Ed Ruggero's "Combat Jump" is a wonderfully written and engaging piece of story-telling! Based mainly upon interviews with veterans of the 82nd Airborne Division (most specifically members of the 505th PIR), Ruggero has crafted a real page turner that takes the reader from the initial theoretical ideals of American Airborne forces to the first major combat - the Sicilian invasion of 1943 - seen by the fruits of the imaginative "fathers of the Airborne". Particularly interesting is the description of how initial concepts of the US Airborne Army were brought to fruition, and how a young West Point Captain, James ("Slim Jim") M. Gavin, played into these early events. Gavin is of course central to the entire story of the 82nd as he was a company commander in the 503rd PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) during training at Fort Benning, later regimental commander of the 505th PIR on its jump into Sicily and combat through Italy, and finally division commander of the 82nd Airborne (promoted to this post in August '44). While initially not of rank and stature to play a significant role in pushing the Airborne concept into reality, "Slim Jim" was certainly a major player in keeping the Airborne on the map - this is exemplified by his leadership of the 505th in the Sicilian campaign, which is so eloquently relayed here in "Combat Jump". It is the strong and steadfast picture of Gavin as a commander leading from the front that comes shinning through in "Combat Jump". It is no wonder that the US Airborne Army succeeded (in spite of many perceived tactical failures and let downs) with man like Gavin at the helm! Ruggero should be commended for bringing to life again the larger than life character that was Jim Gavin.

From the standpoint of precision of presented historical facts "Combat Jump" suffers in a fashion not uncommon in similarly presented second-hand "oral histories", such as works by Stephen Ambrose. Mr. Ruggero has no doubt taken the relayed oral histories of veterans at face value (in fact Ruggero essentially conveys this message in the last paragraph of his Author's Note at the end of the book) as historical inconsistencies are present in the text. One glaring example is the common reference to battles with numerous Tiger tanks during the first 3-4 days of battle in Sicily. No doubt lightly-armed paratroopers fighting as essentially as foot infantry without support of mechanized forces and little by way of supporting artillery would "see" any German tanks as the dreaded Tigers. In reality just 17 Tiger 1 tanks were actually present on Sicily at the time of the invasion on July 10, 1943, and were essentially rendered non-combatant by pressing US Naval Gunfire. Moreover, by D-Day+3 ten of these tanks were destroyed by the Germans themselves to avoid their capture (six of the remaining seven met a similar fate in the days that followed). It therefore seems almost certain that many of the "Tigers" fought by the 82nd on Sicily were in fact Mark IV or Panther tanks. This in no way diminishes the valor and bravery of the paratroopers who took on multi-ton armored vehicles, often with little more than adrenalin and a carbine, it merely points out that soldiers fighting in the field seldom see the events historically, but rather from the real perspective of life or death. To the trooper in the field any tank might as well be a Tiger when he was exposed without shelter and on his own. Neither Ruggero nor the veterans relaying their experiences can be particularly faulted for such errors. It is only pointed out here to illustrate the point from a "purity of history" vantage point.

Despite errors in precision of historical facts, "Combat Jump" is a wonderful read and worthy of attention as a tribute to the men who fought with the US Airborne, not just those of the 82nd Sicilian campaign. A solid read, not quite 5 stars but definitely 4 and three-quarters!!

Both of my parents came from Calabria. I was surprised and delighted to find so many recipes that my parents made. This cookbook is a treasure to me.

I really like this cookbook because my ancestors are from Calabria and it outlines many of my family's favoriate Italian recipes.

This is the 4th time I've bought this book Loved it & makes a great gift. Not only good recipes but interesting facts re: Calabria

This cookbook helps me to reconnect with my father who passed away in 1984, he was from Calabria Italy. He loved every ingredient in this book. I was amazed to see zucchini flowers breaded and fried. My mother and father used to make them and every kid in the neighborhood loved them, I thought my father was crazy to cook those flowers, but now that I saw them in this cookbook it makes me realize how much of his heritage was in them. This cookbook is for anyone who wants a truly authentic cookbook!

I enjoyed a number of the recipes, and for the most part they keep in the spirit of cucina povera, but I was looking for Calabrian dishes that are strictly from Calabria. For example, parmesan and Parma ham are both Northern creations and a description stating that the latter is a Southern creation seems ill-informed.
Overall I feel a bit guilty having to give this three stars but I felt a bit misled by the other reviews. By all means buy this book for good, authentic modern Italian, but for distinctly Calabrian recipes, I would look elsewhere.

The Italian sugar cookies are neutral tasting and more shortbread in texture than crisp. I wouldn't want to make these again.

I do not pretend to know much about Italian desserts, but I have baked enough cheesecakes to know a good one when I bake one. I am basing my evaluation of this cookbook on one recipe alone, the outrageously good crustless Sicilian Ricotta Cheesecake on pages 220-221. You can stir up this light concoction in minutes. You don't need to beat this one, unlike American cheesecakes. It is the easiest cheesecake I've ever made and qualifies for the "quick and easy" category of cooking. The cake is light and airy, almost like a souffle, and probably has fewer calories than the usual ones heavy laden with cream cheese. Your guests can eat this delicious cheesecake without guilt.

There are literally dozens of dessert recipes here in chapters on yeast-risen pastries, fried pastries, puff pastry, cream puff pastry, plain cakes, cakes with fruit, layer cakes, biscotti, ices and frozen desserts, etc.

I have tried many of Mr. Malgieri's dessert recipes from his other cookbooks and have never found one that didn't work. I would therefore try any of these with confidence.

Nick Malgieri is, without a doubt, one of the best dessert chef-teachers in America today. In "Great Italian Desserts" Maligieri adds ethnic passion and the energy of fond memories to his enormous skill, resulting in a magnificient work. Nowhere else have I found such an array of Italian desserts presented with such simplicity. This book is a "must have" for any cook who would like to create an authentic cannoli or discover an array of Italian desserts. The methods presented are straight-forward and presented with a simplicity typical of Malgieri.

Italian desserts are both delicious and artistic. This great contribution would have been even more significant were it better illustrated. With the exception of the book jacket, the work totally lacks color illustrations of these marvelous creations. Though the book is populated with crude preparation sketches, those not familiar with the look of the final products may feel a bit frustrated in bringing these wonderful desserts to life.

I think Malgieri is by far the best book on Italian desserts. Probably its main strength is that it explains carefully which ingredients have to be used. I had gone through many failures preparing Italian recipes here in the States, usually because the American products are different (for instance, ricotta cheese or marzipan). Most books do not adjust for that, and simply translate the Italian recipe, or, even worse, they Americanize it (use of vegetable shortening, or cream cheese instead of ricotta, and other horrors). Malgieri, instead, explains carefully what to use. In addition, the book contains almost all the famous recipes, in their true Italian form.

Enjoyed the desserts when Nick was at World Trade Center, NY. The cookbook helps us recapture the quality without the airfare!!! This is a clear, step-by-step format and produces what it promises. Baking takes more time than does making soup. This book helps make the the use of our time most efficient.

This is a wonderful introduction to Italian Renaissance art, completely accessible and scholarly at the same time. Not to be read in one sitting though. An hour at a time is enough. Good for use as a college text as well. Don't feel you have to read every page. If your interest flags, go on to another section where you find the art more appealing.

Gave it to my husband for Christmas. He likes it very much and he is very fussy about books.

Its a subjective opinion "Good as New" - I would not give this description to the book I received. It was in Good condition, but definitely NOT "Good as New" - The book looked well used but not abused - Oh well, its a great book and will be well used again and again and again.

Frederick Hartt wrote the original book The History of Italian Renaissance Art however, he is now deceased. David Wilkins, Professor Emeritus Art History, University of Pittsburgh and recognized expert on this important period of world art, has authored the recent History of Italian Renaissance Art books.

I don't give 5-star ratings very often. I reserve them for only the best, and this is indeed the best Italian Renaissance book. I received my undergraduate degree in art history and this was the text used in my Italian Renaissance class. Now, I am completing my master's and we are using the same text, updated edition. It does not read as a textbook for those considering leisure reading. It reads like art history books by Marilyn Stokstad. It is written in easy to understand language, with chapters being grouped by years. There are a TON of pictures! I would say 50% of the book is pictures and 95% of those are in color. There are a few B&W pictures but they are of obscure sculptures or paintings. The book was originally written by Frederick Harrt who was one of the 'Monument Men' in World War II who went around Italy documenting art, missing, damaged, or otherwise. He has passed away but David Wilkins has kept up on the new editions with the current scholarship being done in Renaissance Art. Whether you get this as a textbook for a class, or leisure reading, a coffee table book perhaps, or even a Christmas book for a hard-to-but-for relative, it is well worth the money.

I group this book with Eric Newby's "Love and War in the Appenines" for unsentimental and direct views of the corrupting power of war that use Italy as examples. Liberation seems such a romantic idea that one can hardly resist it, and yet here we can easily read and understand that true liberation takes a lot more than military objectives and shouting in congress.

Lewis's eye was remarkable in one so young. I hope that both these books have found their way to the library at West Point. It is perhaps too much to ask that they should be read anywhere inside the beltway.

Can a foreign military "successfully" occupy another country? Where can we look for historical lessons to our clusterf**k in Iraq. What are our boys reading in West Point? Is there large scale prostitution and venereal disease..Are there markets openly selling stolen U.S. military items.. Where are ordinary Iraqi's getting $ to survive with their economy is shambles? Lots of questions.

Naples 44 is a beautifully crafted account of allied occupation in Naples. Norman Lewis describes, with his usual gentle irony, the unique lifestyle of Neapolitans and how they survive abject poverty.
He has an eye for the absurd whilst retaining his compassionate love of humanity.

When I was younger I knew an Italian-American veteran who spent time in Naples at roughly the time covered by this book. His stories while entertaining always seemed a bit exagerated to me. Now, after reading Norman Lewis' account of those days I owe my long departed friend an apology for having doubted him.
This is a remarkable account from a gifted observer. Lewis as a British intelligence officer assigned to the Area occupied by American forces immediately following the expulsion of the Germans was in a unique position to observe many aspects of the struggles and adaptations of the locals under these extraordianry conditions. The ingenuity and superstition of the Italian people is displayed from a point of view that is neutral in it's judgements while sparing the reader nothing of the darker side of the stuggle to survive at the same time.
As somone who has read extensively about WWII I was surprised this one got by me for so long. I stumbled on it while browsing Amazon and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the War ,Italy or just a good entertaining read.

Lewis left us with a fascinating account of this small but very human part of WWII. And gathered some very interesting details that otherwise would have been lost forever.

I was looking for a complete pasta cookbook and I found it in this one. It has color photos of every recipe and the lay out is user friendly. Much better than I expected.

All recipes are fast and easy. Yet, for pasta, they are the best I have found

This book is one of my favorite cookbooks. The dishes are elaborate, yet easy to follow and always end up tasting delicious. In addition, the book is presented in such a way that each recipe is accompanied by a beautiful picture, allowing you to wet your appetite before you begin cooking. The cookbook not only offers wonderful recipes, but also gives a great general sense on how to cook Italian food.

Truly, if I could only own one cookbook of pasta recipies, this book would be the one I'd want. There are countless books available on the subject and yet none I've seen present pasta cooking in such clarity and with such excellent results.

If you want to know how to make all the basics, and make them right, you'll find the answers here: Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic, with Marinara, Pasta Primavera...they may seem simple but if you follow the directions here, you can't go wrong. Handy details include pasta noodle suggestions as well as alternatives that work well, and variations on recipies depending on what ingredients you have available as well as how you may want to experiment and mix things up. Many recipies in this book have become staples of my cooking, and favorites include the Pasta with Chick Peas and the perfect Putanesca. This cookbook gets my highest recommendation.

I picked up this about two months ago and have been making two or three recipes a week ever since. So far every one was been a keeper.

The recipes are clearly written, all ingredients are listed at the beginning (no surprises lurking in the last line of text) the directions are clear and easy to follow. Each recipe is illustrated by a large photograph, and indicates which type of pasta is best suited for that particular dish. In addition many recipes have variations offered.

Besides the recipes there is lots of other information concerning various types of pasta, proper preparation techniques, hints on stocking a pantry and storing ingregients and cooked dishes. Also there are a couple of meal planning charts, one based on ingredients and the other by suitability (summer, cold weather, for children, for parties etc) that come in handy when looking for a particular recipe.

I highly recommend this cookbook, even for a cook experienced with Italian cuisine this one has much to offer.