Italy Books

On of Blackwell Publishers' outstanding "The Peoples of Europe" series, Grame Barker and Tom Rasmussen's The Etruscans is a complete and superbly presented history of the Etruscan peoples, a society and culture that flourished on the Italian peninsula before the founding of Rome. The city states of the Etruscan civilization were based in west-central Italy around the area of modern Tuscany. Etruscans were sophisticated and innovative, and dominated the region from the eight century to the fourth century BC, when they were conquered and absorbed by the emergent Roman Republic. Shortly after the Roman conquest, an understanding of the Etruscan language and writings were lost and not to be recovered until the second half of the twentieth century. Very highly recommended and accessible reading, The Etruscans incorporates the findings of extensive archaeological investigations which, combined with a clearer understanding of Etruscan inscriptions, has now made possible a full and engaging overview of the Etruscan economy, society, culture, and history.

When I took a survey course on the history of Western Art, the instructor passed over the Etuscans in about 15 seconds. I belive he showed us one slide of the elaborate tomb of an Etruscan man who was reclined in death on the lid of his sarcophogus. In the instructor's mind, the Etruscans formed a brief interlude somewhere between the Greeks and the Romans.

My second encounter with the Etruscans came when I read D.H. Lawrence's book on his travels in Italy. In this book, Lawrence includes an extensive section on his visits to the Etruscan sites in Italy. Lawrence viewed the Etruscans with sympathy, and interestingly, THE ETRUSCANS takes off from Lawrence's book. Each section of this history is introduced by a passage from Lawrence who felt the Etruscans had been badly described by the Greeks and the Romans.

THE ETRUSCANS is a history book in the series on 'The Peoples of Europe' and the third in this series of synopses on various European ethnic groups that I have read. I intend to read more. I am not interested in becoming an expert on every group, but these books provide me with an overview that allows me to determine which distinct groups I might want to study futher.

Barker and Rasmussen have taken a wholistic approach in developing their text. They eschew the boundaries of traditional discplines without destroying the integrity of each of these various appoaches. They use all "sources, whether written records, inscriptions, monuments or excavated data..."

The book is laid out by topic, and the discussions in each section are drawn from the work of scientists and historians who have deciphered text (tomb inscriptions and other preserved written material including the "histories" of the Romans and the Greeks) and subtext (geological formations, pottery shards; bone fragments from slaughtered animals; flora including petrified seeds; remains of metal implements, tools, jewelry, etc.; remains of various structures including houses, boats, etc.; disturbances in the terrain resulting from the construction of canals, roads, walls, mines, farms, and necropolises).

The tale Barker and Rasmussen piece together is amazing. Scientists and historians know much more than they did about the Etruscans owing to recent advanced work involving forensics type investigation. The authors suggest much more can be known if additional steps are taken in the study of preshistoric Etruscan sites, i.e. researchers need to adapt the advanced techniques used in other places like Israel.

The Etruscans apparently weren't great artists like the Greeks but they made a number of material advances the Romans simply incorporated and claimed as their own inventions. For example, recent archeological research shows the Etruscans were engineers who invented the means of moving water via canals and irrigation channels long before the Romans built their aquaducts.

The Etruscans created a civilization that lasted longer than many others formed in Western Europe (800 B.C. to 300 B.C) and even after they were "incorporated" by the Romans they continued to make substantial contributions to the surrounding economy.

Apparently, the Etruscans were an archaic people, native to the part of Italy where their remains can be found. Although their language seems to be unlike that of most other historic Europeans the discovery of a Phoenician/Etruscan rosetta stone has allowed researchers to untangle a number of words, including the names of many of those laid to rest in the ornate tombs I was shown so long ago.

There are thousands upon thousands of people who could use this information in America alone! Anyone who can provide easily understandable information and the hope of getting a handle on a person's weight will find an eager audience, not just in the U.S., but around the world.

The author is to be congratulated on a worthwhile effort to satisfy that need.

The manuscript flows well, and the author obviously knows the subject matter inside and out. It's also useful information, a sort of owner's manual of a person's emotional being.

This book, by David Freedberg, tells the fascinating story of Freedberg's discovery, on a tip from the notorious spy and brilliant art historian Anthony Blunt, of a group of amazing antique drawings stashed away in an obscure cupboard in Windsor Castle. The images, gracefully drawn and beautifully colored, depicted a bizarre range of flora and fauna: deformed lemons with claw-like legs, flamingoes, dramatic portraits of badger faces, strange plants...

The discovery marked the beginning of a great adventure told in the book--of Freedberg's search for and discovery of the source of the drawings: a 17th-century gang of noblemen and eccentrics based largely in Rome who took as their mission nothing less than the discovery, analysis, and visual record of all natural knowledge. They called themselves the Accademia Lincea, or Academy of Lynxes. This was the age of Galileo, who was in fact a member, and whose work the Lincea edited and published. With the aid of microscopes, telescopes, and other instruments, the Lincea and their peers began to develop a picture of the natural world in all its details that profoundly challenged traditional views of Heaven and Earth, supported by the Roman Catholic Church.

Freedberg's manner is at once learned and accessible. He tells a gripping story of a group of fascinating characters, some brilliant, some insane, and their grand projects, including a decidedly obsessive interest in bees. Lavishly illustrated in color and black-and-white, this is surely one of the most attractive, novel, and important works of history this year.

Rich in breathtakingly beautiful illustrations (83 color plates, 89 halftones) "The Eye of the Lynx" is a must-have for those with a penchant for science and its history.

We are told that author Freedberg, an art history professor and director of the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America at Columbia University, once happened upon a neglected cupboard in Windsor Castle holding hundreds of intricately precise drawings of plants and animals dating from the Old and New Worlds. He was acting on the word of Anthony Blount, an art historian and British spy. These drawings had been hidden and forgotten since the days of King George III.

Later, after coming across countless more throughout Europe, Freedberg discovered their provenance - a small 17th century scientific group. Based in Italy it was called the Academy of Linceans for Lynx-eyed.

This optimistic organization set as their goal the representation of all nature in pictures. The mighty task of the Linceans is recounted for the first time in English in this wondrous book. They, unlike their predecessors, focused on internal structures rather than external appearances.

For its time, one of the most outre ideas proposed by the Linceans was the microscope. They simply turned Galileo's telescope around and exposed a once invisible world.

Freedberg has rendered an enormous service in bringing to light this integral portion of the development of visuals as related to natural history.

- Gail Cooke

This book gives a concise history of Mussolini and the first Fascist regime. The book starts with an introduction by Adolph Caso describing his childhood memories growing up in an Italian village during the wartime years, his family's experience and his observations on moving to America.

The text proper summarizes Mussolini's early political associations, the state of Italy beginning some time prior to World War I and conditions following that conflict. The reader is introduced to the thinkers and activists who formulated the various doctrines that influenced Mussolini although eventually he adhered to none of them as originally conceived.

Mention is made of the other great dictators and `isms' of this period and the reader is reminded that bad as he was and although not hesitant to use violence to achieve his objectives, Mussolini did not engage in mass killings, nor did he institute the concentration camps or gulags of other regimes.

Mussolini formed a compact with the Vatican with which he restored relations and did not appear to be antagonistic to religion. He was not a racist although when he became a dependent and lackey of Hitler during World War II, he did promulgate anti Semitic laws. Prior to this Jews held prominent positions in his regime.

The author does a commendable job of laying out the conditions under which Fascism (or other `isms') arises and from time to time the reader may find some of the comparisons with our present situation disturbing. However, the book closes with a reassuring conclusion in this regard and points out how the Constitution and our system of checks and balances create a considerable obstacle to any individual or party seeking to establish a totalitarian regime in this country.
Dave Cohen

Put together a young serious historian and a "been-there; done-that" publisher, and you have an impressive interesting book entitled Fascist Italy: A Concise Historical Narrative. The book, written by 28-year-old Cristogianni Borsella, in my opinion, reveals a well-versed, knowledgeable, and dedicated author with an excellent writing and presentation style that allows readers of all ages and background to learn from him. In addition, Adolph Caso, publisher of Branden Books, brings to us in the Introduction¾ "Fascism, Italian Style: Reactions to memories and events," as a beautiful backdrop against which we gain a new and/or expanded understanding of Fascism.

Now you might quickly frown and say, "Now why would I want to learn more about Fascism?" I admit it! My first thought was, "Now what have I gotten myself into this time?" However, I was quickly dispelled of my qualms. Adolph's sharing of his memories of his early life under the regime of Benito Mussolini quickly made the book more personable. A simple little story about his mother having to give up her pots and pans, for example, emphasizes to each of us the struggles of those who have lived through those horrible times in the past. At the end of the Introduction, I was looking forward to learning more!

Just what is Fascism? "In the past 60 years it has been used egregiously as a synonym for totalitarian dictatorship and chauvinism." (P. 120). The writer continues, however, "Fascism is not just ring-wing bigotry, however; it is much more insidious. It is the merger of finance capital and state power. . .quite literally capitalism in decay. . ." (P. 120)

Now, does that make you curious? Finance Capital--Banks? State Power--the ever-present bureaucracy??? I must admit that by the time I was reading Chapter 11, "What is Fascism," I was beginning to wonder about how things are going here in the United States. Was this book relevant to me? Were we perhaps moving toward Fascism or are we already there? There's no way around it, in today's world, we are all asking questions, wondering about whether we are doing the right thing, whether we have gone too far in participating and even initiating actions against other countries.

As the title relates, Borsella has presented a concise historical narrative of the development, movement toward, and the evolution of Fascist Italy, providing both an historical accounting of Italy's place in Fascism as well as the relationship that was later developed between Mussolini and Hitler, as well as a comparative analysis with other ideologies such as Marxism, etc.

The narrative moves quickly and easily, building as is needed to gain the necessary historical background and knowledge and then moving with readers to allow us to consider how Fascism may have or is affecting us in the United States.

I leave you with a selection from 14 Characteristics of Fascism: (pps. 142-143)
Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
Rampant sexism
A controlled mass media
Obsession with national security
Power of corporations protected
Fraudulent elections
Rampant cronyism and corruption

Any of these sound familiar? Want to read more? Wonder about the rest of the characteristics? Wonder how the author sees the United States based upon his extensive study? I think this book goes beyond the basic research efforts of historians. Borsella has taken a look at significant historical facts and used them intelligently and effectively to allow us to expand our own knowledge as well as explore how and if we fit within Fascism. For surely you've heard us being referred to as a Fascist nation? Are we? If you have questions at this point, I highly recommend Fascist Italy by Cristogianni Borsella!

Finding Billy chronicles the author's search to find out about the circumstances of her uncle's death. Billy Wisner was a World War II pilot who wemt "missing in action" over Italy in October, 1944. That was all the information his family had for over 50 years, though his mother never gave up hope that she would see him again. Diana Dale's simple question on an internet veterans' message board (Does anyone remember my uncle?) led to the resolution of this family's story. Along the way, Dale's internet acquaintances become real friends, and Dale completes the puzzle in the way the US Army could not.

Dale uses family letters to paint a picture of Billy's life, and her emails trace the progression of the investigation. Her personality shines through the prose, as do those of the many people she meets, first online and then in person.

Not just for WWII aviation buffs, Finding Billy will appeal to anyone who likes the satifaction of a mystery solved, or who is haunted by the loss of a loved one. Highly recommended.

With the WW11 memorial just dedicated in Washington, Finding Billy is a must read! This memoir takes us back, gives us an intimate peek at history and the lives of brave young men involved in that conflict. We feel the love and loss of friends and family through the pages of Diana Dale's book. We particularly feel the determination of the author and the people she met through the internet to solve the mustery of her Uncle, Billy Wisner's disappearance over the Italian Alps in l944 while flying his P-38. You fall in love with handsome Billy through his endearing letters to his family and friends. Don't miss this glimpse into life during WW11.

There are a couple of genre whose excesses are apparent. One is cookbooks, the other is books about Tuscany. Indeed the very word Tuscany seems to have inspired dishware, linens; the list goes on. Given this plethora, it is a genuine delight to read this (or any) book by Nancy Harmon Jenkins. She not only serves up the greatest recipes, which is expected of any cookbook worth its salt, but her writing is charming and most intelligent. This is one book which not only gives the Flavors of Tuscany, but its people, its customs...its reality! Ms. Jenkins surpasses the usual and customary in food writing, she is a social historian who uses food to instill a genuine reality. Great food, even a better read!

I fell in love with Tuscan food years ago. This book has the recipes I love--I have never found a bad recipe in here, and many of the pages are so dog-eared and dripped-on that you can tell they're the ones used again and again. The wonderful comments, the simplicity of the recipes, the incredible food that results are an invitation to linger outside on a balmy summer night and, like the Tuscans, make dinner an EVENT that everyone enjoys for hours. A little wine, good friends, the setting sun, and good Italian food--Incredible!

Goethe's Italian journey came after ten hard years administering and working at Weimar. In these years his literary output contracted. The trip to Italy was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, a dream inspired in part by his own father's earlier journey and love of Italy. In Italy Goethe found yet another side of his multifaceted self . He opened to the world and the light and to sensuous reality. His connection with Nature is a fundamental theme of his poetry and in Italy he found a Nature which seemed imbued with organic form and Art , and an Art imbued with Nature. In a sense leaving home enabled him to come home to a central side of himself.
Goethe was a writer- scientist- artist whose central theme was his own inner development. This development took a dramatic turn for the good, and these journals of his Italian trip are a central part of ' the great confession' which was his work.

Those who love Goethe or love Italy or love traveling might have come across The Italian Journey, Goethe's late-in-life rendering of his experience "fleeing" Weimar and hopeless love to fulfill a lifelong dream of being in Italy. I can't say staying in Italy or visiting Italy or studying Italy because Goethe's quest was so much more profound and fundamental; in Italy Goethe hoped to BE. This diary and these letters, however, are Goethe's immediate impressions, un-editted and not reconsidered. These are his immediate considerations and his emotions expressed in the diary he wrote for Frau von Stein, the woman he loved more or less hopelessly for several years. I love both books, but this one, unlike Italian Journey, is not neatly refined and carved and considered from a mature viewpoint; this is full of the urgency and passion and longing that propelled Goethe across the Brenner and up the slopes of Vesuvius. It's just GREAT.

After going over many options for maps in my local bookstore, and several chain bookstores I choose pocket pilot. It is made from a tear resistant/water resistant material, its the perfect size, very readable and easy to fold.

I have about 6 of these and LOVE THEM! I used the Florence in Italy this year. Eveything I needed was there, Rail, Bus, parking. Plus all of the monuments not to mention the map of the city which is surprisingly accurate.

Small, lightweight, laminated, sturdy as heck. Worth every penny!

Florence: The City And Its Architecture by architect and architectural historian Richard Goy is an astounding, profusely illustrated coffee table book showcasing the architectural majesty of this proud Italian city. Filled from cover to cover with superb color photographs of some of Florence's most eye-catching, stately, and historical treasures of architectural excellence, the extensive and informative text takes the reader on a memorable tour through the city as well as its architectural history. Florence: The City And Its Architecture is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any academic Architectural History collection, and would make a superb choice as a Memorial Acquisition title for public library systems as well.

While spending a week in Florence in April, visiting many museums that do not allow interior photographs, I noticed this book in a museum gift shop. I copied the ISBN and purchased from Amazon once I arrived home so I could avoid carting books home and getting a very good price from Amazon. The book is beautiful and provided insight into a city that has evolved over many centuries.

I suspect this is out of print or buried in some backroom at Random House somewhere (despite Amazon's contention that it is simply unavailable), yet it brings historical Tuscan life, to--ahem--life. The recipes work. The artwork is delicious. The size, shape, tone are just right. Its hidden charms remain a loss to anyone planning a trip to Tuscany who is not able to tap them.

I found a paperbook copy of this book in Florence, but the publisher was Pavilion Books Limited (London) and not Random House. This book contains still-life paintings, descriptions of Renaissance feasts and other food related writings of the 17th century, and interesting recipes, with commentary.

Giovanna Garzoni's Late Renaissance still life paintings are beautiful. She was truly an independent woman, who earned her living by art. She had patrons all over Italy.

One could just sit and read this lovely book. Too bad it's out of print.