Italy Books

For a long time, I have studied Marconi since I am an amateur radio operator. I have visited his two stations on Cape Cod and even wrote a short web article about the first message he sent from Cape Code to England. Yet I found much new information in this book. Some of the comments tied loose ends together for me. If you are interested in early radio or Marconi, I suggest you read this book. It is paperback book size, but has a vast amount of information and pictures written by someone who knew him well.

I was held captive by a book that is a generous tribute of a loving daughter to her Father, Guglielmo Marconi. Degna Marconi allows us an insight into a chapter in her family history, and introduces us to the science behind her Fathers' inventions, his passion, his single-mindedness, his genius.
Marconi grew up in Bologna, at the center of his Mother's world. Without formal schooling, bright and gifted Guglielmo was allowed to develop at his own pace. Inspired by a book on Benjamin Franklin, his imagination was fired up, and he started experimenting with electricity and passing signals across distances. Later as a young adult in Great Britain, Marconi together with a small group of dedicated and passionate men and scientists made his ideas a working reality. The rest is history, and we all are beneficiaries.
Last summer when I stayed at Cape Cod, I took a detour and a walk at South Wellfleet. Marconi Station is no longer there, but the display tells us of messages that were relayed for the first time over great distances, between Great Britain and America. One of the early demonstrations of importance of communicating over long distances was when the signals were received, informing the world of the tragedy of the maiden voyage of Titanic.
While most of us still grapple with understanding the way signals travel, the ideas and inventions of Guglielmo Marconi have become a life transforming reality. As a mother living in Melbourne, Australia, with a daughter in New York, and a daughter in London, I bow to the genius of Marconi. His work made it possible for us to remain close, it made the "tyranny of distance" more bearable.
This book is more interesting than any fiction. Degna Marconi writes with literary skill that is outstanding.
We are closer to understanding Guglielmo Marconi, the man, when we read his own words: "genius is gift of work continuously applied"
Recommended reading!

This book by Mrs Marconi was extremely touching; we know so much about Marconi the inventor, the public figure but what makes this book so original is that it was so clearly written by someone who knew him well and loved him even more. Set side by side are descriptions of his scientific breakthroughs and very intimate glimpses of him as a person, many of them humorous and understanding.

The book is also very well written, interesting but at the same time readable and enjoyable. I have lent my copy of the book to many of my friends.

Review: My father, Marconi

What magnificant reading this is! This book is a must for those who would agree that a good biography is incomparably more valuable than even a great work of fiction. Degna Marconi has succeeded in recording her father's life with both scrutiny and filial affection. She has maintained a very high level in every aspect: what she tells us about scientific evolution in its historical context is witty, precise and fascinating whereas her personal touch never errs on the side of biased family pride. She is as good an author as her father was a man of science!
This portrait of Marconi and his times at the beginning of the era of global communication is all the more interesing right now a hundres years after it all began.
"My father, Marconi" should be on the shelf of anyone who prefers reflection to mere consuption.

Susanne Regehr

If I had to pick the one book (and there are many out there) that best describes Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of wireless communication, this would definitely be it. This book, written by Marconi's eldest daughter, Degna, is one of the best biographies I have ever read, in part because of the enormous charisma of the subject and in equal part because of the obvious respect and affection with which he is treated by Degna Marconi.
With only a vague idea of who Marconi was and fearing a book filled with technical jargon I picked up this book with a little suspicion at first. What a wonderful surprise! Degna Marconi's story was engaging from the first few paragraphs and rivetting up until the end. I quickly became engrossed in this fascinating story of a young man who, instead of going to university, spends his days experimenting with sending radio signals across his parents' garden, using homemade equipment and information gathered from scientific magazines, and then his tireless struggle to improve and promote his inventions which takes him first to London, then Canada, and the U.S. Degna Marconi presents the historical and scientific facts in a clear and concise manner without sacrificing detail. The work is both rewarding for those interested in science as well as those of us after a good read. Indeed, the charm of this book is that it reads like a real page turning novel. Loads of little anecdotes and commentaries colour the story without obscuring it. The reader gets a wonderful insight into a world of wealth and luxury, cut-throat competition and scientific innovation.
The book describes the novelty and excitement of Marconi's first experiments and then moves on to describe Marconi's struggles to patent his inventions, circumvent his ever more numerous competitors and expand the range and use of his technology. In fact, Marconi emerges not only as a brilliant scientist but above all as an energetic and resourceful entrepreneur. This account of Marconi's work to establish radio as a practical and useful alternative to other more established technologies (such as the telephone) is thrilling to read and is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. I especially enjoyed reading about the heroic radio operator who continued sending S.O.S. signals from the sinking Titanic and about Marconi's long, lonely and often frustrating struggle to establish radio contact across the Atlantic.
Marconi's private life was no less exciting and tumultuous. The book's description of Marconi's love of the beautiful Beatrice O'Brien, his efforts to win over the undecided Beatrice and their wedding is entertaining and often humorous. The strain of Marconi's ever increasing work and fame on his family, the tragic divorce that neither he nor Beatrice really wanted and Marconi's complicated relationship with his children, especially his son Giulio, are all described with subtle and touching insight. Degna Marconi is also able to convey Marconi's charm and subtle sense of humour. Highly recommended.

A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome was published in 1992 and replaced the 1929 Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome which had become dated (the text of that is in the public domain). The book gives an excellent introduction to all of the monuments in the city of Ancient Rome.It has appropriate diagrams etc and an excellent bibliography. It - along with the Oxford Classical Dictionary - is a must for a library of those interested in Ancient Rome and is suited for both classical students plus interested lay readers.

I have lived in Rome for 12 years and have become an avid enthusiast of ancient Roman history. History is inextricably connected to physical locations. The Topographical Guide has proven to be invaluable. There is not one location in Rome that I have looked up that I did not find. The who, what, when, where and why of the location is concisely and clearly presented in a very easy reading style. I consider it a must for any student or enthusiast of Ancient Rome.

There is a wealth of fascinating textual information in this book, together with about a hundred illustrations, mostly architectural plans or fragments of the ancient marble plan. The author states that it was a deliberate decision not to include drawings or photographs, since these are available in Nash's Pictorial Dictionary of Ancient Rome -- but that work is very rare and expensive. His decision is understandable, but it is harder to account for the complete absence of maps. A couple of flyleaf maps of the ancient and modern city would have been very helpful in orienting the reader.

This is definitely worth the money. It is a very, very detailed work with many references to things I'd never even heard of. I've successfully used it as a reference for several papers, and recommend it to anyone-- especially classicists who're interested in the finer points of Rome's architecture, geography, and history. This is an excellent way to learn more about less common aspects of Rome, as well as the big things like the Pantheon, etc.

All in all, it's an excellent reference and a great read as well-- I highly recommend it.

With this magnificent work in hand one can read the ancient historians and understand what you are reading, street by street, site by site. New information and research has been presented in the 60 plus years since the last dictionary of ancient Rome, and it makes this new topographical tome so exciting. If you are going to Rome and have a strong arm as well as a strong interest in what was where and when, then this admittedly heavyweight book will not be too much to take along. Perhaps most fascinating are those wonderful maps which present past and present on sites long lost to the avid Roman visitor. You may not see what was there by looking at the present site, but you can understand what was there better with this book. For the college student who may be planning a career or a deep interest in classical Rome, this book will be worth the price many times over! Best of all is the list of all the classical references for each building, site, or even, in some cases, statues or adornments. This book is more than a gift of scholarship, it is a gift of love of the history of Rome and for all those who will come along in the future to study it.

I found the book easy to read and the selection of names was extensive with many suggestions for further reading. A great help in my research into our family history.

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.

This is THE best of my collection of cookbooks! The day I recieved this book, I whipped up a receipe, and dinner was a delight!! Very informative, easy to follow, and delicious dishes. Shipped fast, and in mint condition.

Beautiful pictures, step by step recipes and good food. The pasta bible is worth every penny. I will be using this book alot.

My wife is an accomplished "cook" in her own right and although she has a myriad of cooking books, she always refers to The Pasta Bible for new recipies or simplified techniques and variations on her own pasta recipes taught to her by her family.

The layout of the book is simple and as such easy to follow. Jeni's description of the different types of pasta makes it easy to prepare the menu and mood of the meal be it for a dinner party or just a family pasta evening meal.

Regional location of how, why and where the pasta originates from has actually given some insight to why some combinations in preparation and content do and don't work, not to mention some ideas for experimentation in flavour and presentation.

A preamble of the dish is provided with every recipe followed by the ingredients list, short sharp and nothing left to the imagination, makes it simple to check the pantry and make up the "shopping list".

The 1, 2, 3, step-by-step approach with insert photos again adds to the simplicity in the preparation and making of the pasta dish. The more involved dishes, like the making Ravioli, maintain the same step-by-step approach.

Now I know how to make Spaghetti with Anchovies & Olives with out over doing the Anchovies.

A good read, for the Beginner and the Proficient. Also makes a great present!!

I live in Italy, and the recipes in this book are true to the Italian cooking I've experienced. Most are easy and fast--meaning you can make the sauce as you boil the water and cook the pasta. Obviously, some recipes are more involved than that. Most of the ingredients required are fresh vegetables and cheeses--just as a true Italian would cook. I LOVE this book and always receive compliments on the meals I make from it!

I received this as a gift when I first began to cook. It is wonderful!! Receipes vary from easy to moderately difficult. There are clear instuctions and every dish has a picture. There are many dishes that I use as my "stand-by" receipes for guests because they are simple, able to be prepared ahead and delicious. I highly recommend this to all cooks who love easy and delicious Italian meals.

This cookbook has turned out to be a favorite of ours, and my husband frequently says Why don't we try another recipe out of "Pizza Bread book"....we have enjoyed ALL the things we have created from this wonderful book! I think any new bride who has a bread maker should have this book! thank you Lora Brody for your wonderful recipes!

Being stuck in Dallas without a large quantity of great Italian food is not good. With this book my husband has learned to make great crusts. With some fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella and pancetta our friends say, "I think that this is the best pizza I've ever eaten!"

I bought this book because I absolutely love focaccia, but am forever spoiled by the ease of the bread machine. This book brings the two together beautifully! I made the Pesto Focaccia first, because I make my own pesto every summer and freeze it, and this was a great way to make use of it. It turned out really well, and it feels good to hear "Oh my gosh, this is great!" when you try something new! I can't wait to try some of the stuffed pizza recipes, they sound wonderful. The recipes are well written, instructions are clear, and there are a couple of very helpful sections in the beginning that go over equipment, ingredients and "Secrets for Success". There are also lots of hints throughout the book, in fact, there is one after almost every recipe. I also liked the fact that the book is spiral bound, yet hardcover. It lays flat for easy reference, which I found convenient. The only drawback is the lack of pictures. I am a sucker for a cookbook with LOTS of pictures, and I really missed them in this one.

The Rustic Sourdough Focacia is great (though I make it in a baking pan instead of a cookie sheet - it's just too loose and thin otherwise)! Add some camelized onions to the top to make it even better.

This cookbook has turned out to be a favorite of ours, and my husband frequently says Why don't we try another recipe out of "Pizza Bread book"....we have enjoyed ALL the things we have created from this wonderful book! I think any new bride who has a bread maker should have this book! thank you Lora Brody for your wonderful recipes!

Wrapped in authentic Pucci fabric with stunning images and text, Kennedy's Pucci: A Renaissance in Fashion takes one on a trip through the designs of Emilio Pucci and the Pucci clad international jet-set. This is a book that would be a must for any design maven, fashionista, or any individual fascinated by the exotic world of the international sixties as told from a latter twentieth century perspective. A definite keeper.

I am extremely pleased with the Pucci book that just arrived. It is a gift for my sister and Louise sent it as quickly as she got my order. The condition is perfect, just as she described and she was extremely accomodating to my needs (the product arrived in 2 days). A true pleasure to do business with and I give my highest recommendation. Thank you.

For the past decade, this has been deemed the definitive book on Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci. Long out-of-print, the tome is in high demand and with good reason. You can judge this book by its cover - an actual Pucci fabric adorns the front and back hardbound covers.

Inside, 200 pages are graced with text, black-and-white, and color photos of the man himself and his brilliant, psychedelic, colorful creations. Shirley Kennedy does an admirable job of tracing his fashion designs back to the days when Mussolini's daughter was his lover in the 1940s. The book is an ideal mix of a novel -- giving the details of Pucci's life and tales behind his fashions - and a highly illustrated repertoire of his designs. Photographs include celebrities wearing his creations: Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Isaac Hayes, Marisa Berenson, among others. There are Pucci's designs for the limited edition of the 1977 Ford Continental automobile, the famous Braniff flight attendant uniforms, his unique conical hats of the 1950s, vases, ski outfits, and much more.

This book is highly recommended for Pucci fans of all levels, from new fans to diehard admirers of his gorgeous designs.

Although a rather rare and pricey item to purchase, Pucci-A Renaissance in Fashion is definately worth the price if you are a hardcore Pucci collector, or even someone with money to burn who has just stumbled upon Emilio's colorful world. Printed and bound in Japan with a Pucci patterned cover, this book is collectible itself. As for the contents of the book, they definately do not fail to please even the most knowledgeable Pucci-head. Written by an obsessed fan, this book is a loving tribute to all things Pucci. It features Emilio history, descriptions and histories of the company and its many products, charming anecdotes of other collectors all detailed with millions of glorious photographs. These photos range from Pucci candy promos to full color full page ads. Here is your chance to stare for as long as you want at all the things you'll probably never be able to see or afford! All of this eye candy will have you drooling for hours. Despite the price, the euphoria you'll get is worth it.

Although a rather rare and pricey item to purchase, Pucci-A Renaissance in Fashion is definately worth the price if you are a hardcore Pucci collector, or even someone with money to burn who has just stumbled upon Emilio's colorful world. Printed and bound in Japan with a Pucci patterned cover, this book is collectible itself. As for the contents of the book, they definately do not fail to please even the most knowledgeable Pucci-head. Written by an obsessed fan, this book is a loving tribute to all things Pucci. It features Emilio history, descriptions and histories of the company and its many products, charming anecdotes of other collectors all detailed with millions of glorious photographs. These photos range from Pucci candy promos to full color full page ads. Here is your chance to stare for as long as you want at all the things you'll probably never be able to see or afford! All of this eye candy will have you drooling for hours. Despite the price, the euphoria you'll get is worth it.

This is the kind of book that makes you wish not only for a follow-up book, but that you already had it so you could jump right in.

The story, the characters, the setting and the writing are just superb. This is what I picture when I see or hear the phrase "a good book." That's just what it is, a really, really good book. I can't even imagine how you could possibly be disappointed in this book.

One of the little gems of this mystery novel is the realization that there are really 3 mysteries - 2 normal and one more "meta." The first is the whodunit? murder mystery. The second is whether (and how) anyone will discover the secret about the narrator of the book, the apprentice.

The third mystery appears when the author so perfectly captures those moments of belief from the Renaissance ("his humors were out of balance") and the modern reader has the intriguing puzzle of figuring out what's really going on with modern day understanding. They don't detract in any way from the book, but add a wonderfully neat set of minor little, "Hmmm, that's what they used to think back then, but today that'd be..." that reoccur at least 3 or 4 times throughout the story, and just add all the more to enjoyment.

I highly recommend this book, and like all the reviewers to date, hope this is only the beginning of a series.

From the parenthetical (a Leonardo da Vinci mystery) it seems clear that the publisher and author of this book intend to make it into a franchise. I certainly hope so, because the writing sparkles and really brings to life Renaissance Italy. The book is set in the period of Leonardo da Vinci's life in which he was the chief engineer and artist at the court of Milan. Events are told from the point of view of one of Leonardo's young apprentices, Dino, who has the misfortune to find the dead body of the cousin of the Duke of Milan when he goes missing during a living chess match which has been staged by Leonardo for the entertainment of the court.

Leonardo and Dino interview suspects and search for clues, and we are taken into the world of northern Italian nobility, artisans, and peasantry, as the two investigators turn the castle, the Sforza family crypt, and the town of Milan upside down trying to find the murderer before he or she can kill again. In reading this book, besides being enormously entertained, I learned about the history and strategy of chess, how art was created during the Renaissance, how clothing was made in the Renaissance, how Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked and a host of other things that made the time period come alive for me, which is all you can really ask of historical fiction. I would definitely have given this book 5 stars had the ending not gotten a little too complicated for its own good. And since I fully expect and look forward to reading more from this author a small note to her -- try not to introduce so many paragraphs with the words "So saying..." it was the one distraction in what was otherwise absolutely beautiful writing. I can't wait for more in this series.

A captivating mystery novel that unfolds in the magnificent Sforza castle of Renaissance Milan. The fast moving plot is filled with surprising twists and turns, making the book hard to put down. Besides the suspense and intrigue, one feels drawn into a colorful panorama of castle life filled with vivid characters from high ranking nobility to skilled workmen to humble servants. Of greatest interest is the unique life of the genius Leonardo da Vinci with his young apprentices, with details of their everyday tasks of mixing paints, preparing frescos, making brushes and the like. This book is not only a marvelous mystery but also a rich and entertaining cultural experience.

At the court of the duke of Milan, the royal painter and inventor is Leonardo Da Vinci. He has his own studio and apartments in the palace and his apprentices reside there including Dino. Leonardo may be a genius in many things but when it comes to Dino he doesn't have a clue that he is a female. She chose to run away in order to learn from the master himself how to be the best artist she can be at a time when women were nothing more than ornaments.

The French ambassador is in Milan for a treaty signing and the two men vie for a painting by Leonardo. They decide the winner of a living chess game will possess the painting. During a break in the game, the Conte de Ferrara walks away and doesn't return. Dino finds him with a knife in his chest and when Leonardo gets the Duke, he is told that the Conte was the new ambassador to France. The Duke of Milan charges Leonardo with finding the killer a Herculean job because there are hundreds of people staying at the palace and the motives of those that want him dead range from the personal to the political. Dino risks her life to help her teacher.

Fans of historical fiction and historical mysteries will find THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT to their liking. Leonardo Da Vinci comes alive in this tale as a true renaissance man who hunts down criminals, invents a wrist watch and is a great teacher who shows his apprentices the intricacies of painting. Yet in spite of the deep look into the life of the grandmaster, Dino steals the show as she proves to be an able assistant while trying to hide her gender from those close to her.

Harriet Klausner

My assumption about a mystery series featuring Leonardo da Vinci conjured up visions of the wise and white-haired Leonardo using his vast years of knowledge and genius to wrestle with mysteries and solve crimes. However, I was delighted to find instead in this book a fresh look at Leonardo as he was in his handsome, russet-haired prime while employed as court engineer to the Duke of Milan.

The book's narrator is Leonardo's young apprentice Dino, whose master is charged by the Duke to solve a murder that occurs during a living chess game that provides the book's motif. Dino is tasked by his Master to undertake various assignments and don several disguises to help Leonardo gather clues, spy on suspects, and uncover dangerous secrets. Along the way, we also learn a surprising secret regarding Dino's true identity.

The narration colorfully evokes Milan during the Renaissance, contrasting the pageantry of court life with an apprentice's lowly station. We follow Dino's unfolding tale through a labyrinth of colorful characters who reveal their all-too-human strengths and failings. As Leonardo is viewed through Dino's eyes, he retains an important element of mystery himself, though we are given enough of his personality and genius, his powers of deduction, and his amazing inventions to make him come alive in this intriguing tale.

My hope when I read any historical mystery is for the setting to be fresh and vivid, to experience the story through appealing characters, to enjoy a page-turning plot, and to learn something fascinatingly new. In all these ways, this well-written book succeeds and provides a delightful read.

Buzzati has a gift for writing allegory and fun-to-read tales. This slim book provides lots of entertainment and insight. It offers fun and insight for all ages. I compare it to Hans Christian Andersen or maybe Ovid. My complaint is the price. This book is out-of-print; why hasn't the publisher kept it in print? At the moment of this writing, this novel costs $45 for a 120 page book; surely, this is not reasonable.

"Deep inside Tibet a native guide offered to accompany me if by chance I wanted to see the walls of the city of Anagoor. I looked at the map, but there was no city of Anagoor." Thus begins Dino Buzzati's "Walls of Anagoor". Buzzati was a journalist and so he writes very succinct sentences which have a matter of fact feel to them. His stories are quite often no more than 4-5 pages long and even though his stories often veer into the uncharted terrain of human desire and fantasy you feel like you are reading a newspaper article and so the events and the characters actions seem perfectly plausible, perfectly within the realm of the possible, even ordinary. And that is Buzzati's style: to make the extraordinary sound ordinary. Even though they are each very short the stories are impossible to paraphrase because Buzzati chooses each phrase so carefully that paraphrasing would be misrepresenting his stories. He might be compared to Kafka but Buzzati writes like no one else. Generally speaking if you categorize Buzzati he would fit in with Kafka or Camus or Borges and if you are familiar with those writers and you come to Buzzati you will be reminded in subtle ways of those others but you will also notice important differences. Kafka often used fantasy in a negative way--to emphasize the dehumanizing nature of modern life. Buzzati uses fantasy to allow his characters a bit of release from the everday world. Even if the fantasy proves to be only an illusion Buzzati shows how people use fantasy to cope with existence. In this way he is not nearly as bleak as Kafka can sometimes be. Buzzati has a lighter touch than Kafka or Camus. You don't get that heavy sense of dread in Buzzati that you get with Camus, instead you get a sense of reality as something that each individual must construct for themselves and no reality is complete without an element of fantasy. Buzzati seems aware that just as children need to to be told stories which challenge their imaginations and allow them to wonder so too do adults need the same thing otherwise existence becomes dull and pointless. Thus when the unnamed protaganist in "The Walls of Anagoor" hears from his guide of a place which may or may not exist he has no choice, he must go.

There are 23 stories in this collection involving everything from Einstein making a deal with death to allow him to continue working on his theories to girls falling from buildings just for fun to a crew who decides to go on building the Eiffel tower until they have risen so high they can see the Alps. O and one particularly brilliant story about a beloved doctor whose death inspires an investigation that he may not have been who he says he was -- an investigation which grows and reveals that perhaps no one is who they say they are.

Buzzatti's terrifying, often self referential surreal tales of disappointed human expectation and the futility of most human hope strike an uncomfortable chord in all but the dullest reader. In the tradition of Beckett or Kafka (with a little Marquez), Buzzatti employs the fantastic in the service of philosophy. Unlikely situations abound (such as the one in which each prisoner serving a life sentence is given the opportunity to make a speech to the public which, depending on the crowd's reaction, will set him free or keep him imprisoned for life) and in some of stories the name "Dino" is even used directly, as though the author were writing directly about himself. Buzzatti is also obsessed with the Devil (who, in the peron of a dark angel of death, gives Albert Einstein the congrats for his groundbreaking work.) This is great stuff, an odd mix of the nihilistic and the imaginative.

Why don't more people read Buzzati? Perhaps because he's always associated with Camus, whose philosopy-laden novels are forced on all students. Buzzati is existential, but he's a much better storyteller than anyone else burdened with the "existential" label. Restless Nights is a great collection of short stories that should have won awards for its publisher. There are touches of the surreal here, but his style is too clear and concise to fit in with Breton et al. There are many sci-fi and Twilight Zone effects as well, yet with a more profound and, yes, existential, theme. Think of this as Kafka with a good sense of plot, as if Franz were forced to write half-hour tv scripts. I consider this one a classic. Much better than the other DB collections.

This collection of stories by the versatile Italian writer, Dino Buzzati, bears a curious resemblance to the stories of Jorge Luis Borges. Borges's argument - and Buzzati's - appears to be with the nature of man.

Like Borges, Mr. Buzzati employs a relative simplicity of language to reveal and conceal the circularity and ineluctability of time and destiny. The longest story in the collection, ''Barnabo of the Mountains'', deals with the fate of a young man who funks his duty as forester and then lives on to the critical moment of reprise, only to discover that the honor he sought to recover has been absorbed in the undifferentiated wholeness of experience.

Another Borgesian device is the assumption that people and events are as well known to the reader as they are to the author. ''The inventor, the famous Aldo Cristofari'' is an invented inventor introduced with an air of universal familiarity.

Preoccupied chiefly with conscience and social decorum, the 14 tales could be described as parables, being short on narrative and long on moral suggestion. A middle-aged man flirts dangerously with the fantasies of childhood. Another story proposes that human imagination has as much to do with reality as any case-hardened fact. A story about a literary doppelg"anger once again demonstrates that one must be careful what one wishes for. And so on...

I was amazed at this book! If you are planning a trip to Rome this book is for you! I think it is great for Kids of all ages, that includes Moms Dads and Grandparents, I loved the format. Rome can be a little daunting at times, And this book can help in keeping everyone happy intertained and well fed! Just a great book!

My daughter (11) and I loved planning our trip to Rome with this book! It ended up being the only book we carried with us as we toured the Eternal City. The information was great with wonderful tidbits to keep the interest level high. There are terrific pictures throughout although without a frame of reference for size, we were always surprised to find out something was MUCH bigger than we thought it was going to be! That was always good for a laugh.
Since we were staying nearby, the recomended gelato stand between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona became our regular nightcap and it is the best in the city! Great tip! We even sent another family there.
We homeschool so this was our field trip and this book was invaluable for our needs. Our copy has been our notebook and is full of written notes, highlighting, post-it notes, and drawings. Thank goodness the printing is such great quality. We wouldn't part with it for anything!
Ciao!

Rome With Kids is a guide to making the most of one's visit to Rome, the great seat of Western civilization, written especially for parents with children in tow. Color photographs and maps enhance the step-by-step itineraries, recommendations for kid-friendly activities, advice on viewing the finest museum collections before the kids burn out, tips on where to shop or rent bikes, and much more. Written by mother and former Rome resident J.M. Pasquesi, Rome with Kids is enthusiastically recommended to parents for its attention to detail and ease of use.

This is truly an amazing book. Very unique, not only informational but enjoyable at the same time. I have followed the author's advice throughout Rome and had a fantastic trip. I wouldn't go to Rome without this book.

"Rome With Kids" is just as important for your trip to Rome as obtaining your passport. This book is written for PEOPLE going to visit Rome. Children are people, too. This book will enhance the visit with the author's expert advice and insight on history, culture, food, shopping,and above all where to buy the best ice cream.
"Rome with Kids" has everything you need to discover the delights of Rome at your own pace and the pace of the children.
I have lived in Italy , on and off, for over 30 years. As I read this excellent book I found new and interesting things to see and to do.
I give it 10 stars.

After using the excellent Rough Guide map of Barcelona, I purchase
Rough Guide maps when ever they are published for my destination. What I love
about these maps is that they are complete, accurate and very
tough. You can carry them around in your pocket, bend them and
sweat on them and they still remain as usable as ever.

This map has Florence on one side and Siena on the other (there
is a certain historical elegance for this choice). I did not
get a chance to test the map in Florence, but I did use it
during the five days I spent in Siena in April of 2006.

Siena, which competed with Florence for centuries, was finally
crushed by Florence and it took centuries for the city to recover.
As a result, Siena never developed the way Florence did and
much of the character of the old city remains, including the
original walls and the twisty streets with four or five story
brick buildings. This gives the streets of Siena the feeling
of a maze, since you can rarely see landmarks like the Siena
Duomo (cathedral). I constantly found myself going the wrong
direction. Even though Siena is small, I constantly used the
Rough Guide map while I was there.

I take small groups of people to Italy and I am very picky about maps. I have searched hard for the very best map(I have looked at over 30 and comparing for 2 years) for Florence and for me, this is it and I give it all members of my tours. Here is why
1) It contains Florence, Siena and San Gimignano so we have 3 in one and the zoom in of central Florence is especially good
2) Very good use of colors which are crisp, well defined and very helpful in making the map easy to read. Buildings of significance are in purple, gardens in green, pedestrian only streets in yellow, etc.
3) All of the street names are present and they are easy to read
4) It is very durable and waterproof. Mine has been to Florence 7 times and it looks great and has been folded and stuffed.
5) All of the extras clearly marked - Parking, taxi stands, one way street directions, bus route numbers - all of this and still easy to read for even my poor eyes
If you plan on wandering the streets of Florence or Siena this map is a gem for never wasting a minute getting lost or finding a place.

Used the Rough Guide maps for Venice, Florence, and Rome and found them to be top notch. They have far more detail and accuracy than the maps handed out by hotels and local TI offices. The paper is coated so that it withstands serious abuse, fold, refold, stuff it in your pocket in a wad, it always comes out with all the print intact. The coating adds negligible bulk, more than worth it for the durability.

The Rough Guide map of Florence and Sienna was easy to use. I could fold it anyway I wanted and when finished, fold it back to its original position. Rain made no impact. After lots of use, it still looks brand new.

This was the best map of Florence for our trip. It's waterproof and rip proof. The sleeve it comes in is also really helpful to carry it around in your bag or pocket. I used it in conjunction with the Florence and Tuscany (Eyewitness Travel Guides) and was extremely satisfied with both.