Italy Books

I just bought this book and I am amazed by the wonderful details you can see in the reproductions of some of the most important frescos by Giotto.
You can see details that you cannot appreciate neither if you go to see them in person.
The only thing is that the pictures of the frescos are taken before the restoration that the Scrovegni Chapel went through in recent years.

The color reproductions in this book of the frescoes in the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel in Padua depicting episodes in the life of Christ (and the Virgin Mary) are among the most, if not the most, beautiful I've ever seen. Printed on textured and translucent paper, the effect is to allow them to glow with astonishing freshness. The more enlarged reproductions not only allow one to examine the artist's technique, but to appreciate the full expressiveness of face and form. Very moving.

A provocative and concise book on confluence of the people, politics and history that got the Renaissance started, before the 'trust-fund' offspring of the original Medici made art more about form and technique than statement. And it teases at the need for visionaries and revolutionaries in our own day. This book in particular highlights some 'must-sees' of Florence, beyond the statues of David, the Palazzo Piti and the Botticellis in the Uffizi.

(N.B. while only available used in the U.S., you can buy this in the Florence museum shops -- for example at the Brancacci Chapel in Santa Maria del Carmine for about ˆ20.)

This book is one of the best reference books available on Florentine art and the Medici. It is totally not boring, with John Lennon quotes and comparisons between today's ecological verses technological debate drawing valid comparisons between 2000 and 1400's. It is thoroughly original in text and although the prints are not the best reproductions the text is worth it. I bought this book whilst visiting the Uffizi in Florence back in 1998 and have since done an art history degree inspired by it...... and paid well over Australian $40.00 and have NEVER regretted it - A sterling purchase and if Richard Fremantle is still writing I would recommend any new editions to his marvelous repertoire.

I have acquired a number of "cocktail table" books over the years. The subjects cover places I have visited, places I would like to visit, artists that I am fond of, and even special books like the "A Day in California." All are expertly written and loaded with unsurpassed photography. "The Great Book of Italy' by Maria Laura Croce and Anna Sacerdoti is no exception.

Croce and Sacerdoti have combined two great works - "The Wonders About Italy" and "The Masterpieces of Italian Art" - into one "great" book for all who are passionate about this country of wonders. "The Great Book of Italy" with over outstanding 1000 photos (compositions and color printing are unusually good) explores the beauty and diversity of the Italian landscape from the highest European peaks in the north to the wild beauty of the south with its volcanoes.

There are over 2000 entries covering not only the landscape but also art, architecture, festivals, traditions, folklore and cultural events. Destinations including Rome, Turin, Milan, Lucca, Siena, Sicily and Sardinia are featured in greater detail. And Italian masterpieces - the sacred, portraiture, the Divine Michelangelo, Titian, and DaVinci - are given full page prominence in the section on Italian art.

This is a country with a multiplicity of landscapes; an ancient land with a history of different civilizations that have overlapped, united, and have been transformed; a country with diverse traditions and culture: and a country with a soul unlike any other. "The Great Book of Italy" captures it all.

Croce's and Sacerdoti's "Great Book" is a great book and is a must for any lover of Italy.

Great photographs along with information about Italy, history facts. Gives you a great image of Italy in all it's beauty.
Walking around in Italy is like walking in a history book, it's impressive. You'll all find it in this marvelous book

With this book you wo`n't get lost in Rome, buy it and go to Rome. In my last trip this was my guide...

I just came home from a short holiday in Rome, and my days there would not have been the same without this Eyewitness Travel Guide. The book is filled with colorful informations, with maps and pictures, and it is very easy to follow the streets of Rome using this book.
The chapters are divided into areas of Rome, and the book is perfect when you want to plan your days visiting the different areas. The book also has a very good informative section of where to eat, what to eat, where to stay and so on.
All in all a handy book you can hardly live without when you travel in Rome.

Britt Arnhild Lindland

This book is an incredibly charming read, made even better by the beautiful pictures. I enjoyed it so much that I have given several copies of this book to friends and family. When I grow up (?), I want to be an archaeologist!!

Thank you, Naomi Miller, for giving me many evenings of pleasure.

Amazon.com had a mistake in the listing (since corrected) which prompted me to write and take the opportunity to transmit what my friends say about the book (I, of course, would be too prejudiced to write my own review):

One of the people pictured in the book wrote to me: "Thanks a million for your wonderful book. I've just spent a while taking refuge from a grumpy evening by flipping through it, pausing to read about the parts of your life I don't know. How wonderfully generous of you to enshrine us like this, with such precise evocation of time, space, foolishness & purpose."

Another friend wrote:"Your lovely book of drawings and watercolors arrived yeaterday. [We] were immediately entranced by the images and text--such an amusing, informative down-to-earth description life on the dig. The watercolors are really wonderful, but I've always known that.... I had never seen the Shiraz bazaar or Malyan village scenes. Then there are all the pals: ...--they evoke such memories! Is that Dash, the Wonder Dog, on the back cover? Remember, he had a "thing' for you, invading your bedroom with his cargo of fleas! And there he is, wagging his tail at your photograph. Plate 16 is a sweet rendering of my favorite view of Yassihöyük. The Euphrates views are as close as I ever need to get to that old river. Finally, I love all the little sketches scattered throughout--especially the birds and animals. Thanks again for the originals, which I treasure, and thanks for the book. ..."

And another friend wrote: "...Your book is wonderful: your narrative is a delight to read and you know how much I admire your watercolors--each is exquisite w/ great sureness of line, balance of composition pacing & repetition that makes a whole of the multi-paneled ones, and of course great use of colors to die for. I love them! I am lucky to have seen many in incomparable person but there were some that were new to me--the luminosity of the originals and your wonderful backlighting were undiminished in reproduction. Of course we love best of all discovering new things in the plates with each reading.
Congratulations in getting your book out. I am so happy that everyone else will get to share in the pleasure of looking at them.
Thank you again, I am most proud to possess a copy so wonderfully inscribed!"

I won't bore you with the rest of the rave reviews!

First of all, it is a beautiful book. For anyone who already has visited the Villa, just the cover is truly moving, with the line of trees next the palestra, as moving is the Piranesi graffiti photo. The reader must also understand the book is about a ruin and accept some degree of frustration with descriptions and the current outlook of monuments, but MacDonald and Pinto are very sucessful in freeing our imagination to wander among the profound design and intentions of Hadria's Villa. A collection of monuments that is too the empire, the memories of a life and a message to the future. Even the authors seemed amazed, for instance, by the Maritime Theater plan or the use of landscape. It is a book to be read again and again.

MacDonald/Pinto assert that Hadrian forged a new and innovative architectural system which integrated buildings with nature and human use. Hadrian's goal was to create an arrangement of buildings which were functional and yet challenged the intellect to contemplate the unseen world. They also make a very strong case for the pervasive influence which this complex villa has had on archtecture from ancient times to the present. This book makes one realize that Roman architecture is indeed relevant to the present.

I was sent this guidebook by a friend before visiting Milan for a long weekend. It is an excellent guide to the city. Milan is not the place to be seen gawping like a tourist. This discrete little black guidebook is just the ticket to getting to know the attractions and the nightlife as a local. It is a must for all who enjoy travelling without the aid of a backpack and enjoy getting to know the more subtle side to this fantastic city.

This is a marvellous book, The only guide you'll ever need.
Everywhere in Milan worth going to, staying at or seeing is in here and anywhere that isn't, isn't.
The photography is excellent, the writing is sublime.
You don't have to bother going to Milan anymore, just get this book instead.

I never got this book, I keep receiving emails for "order update" where I am asked to confirm my order delay.
I expect this book to be great, but where is it?

This book is very short and tells a story that kids could understand regarding the painter and the royal court he painted for. Each picture has a short story as well as a descriptive explanation of what items are in the picture. This would be a great way to teach kids that items are and still have it be fun because the faces are so silly. I highly recommend this book.

Another outstanding volume in this series. It is chock full of information. The book is accurate and up to date on major subjects including History, Culture, Sites and Attractions. The maps are superb. It is a must for all travellers who, like myself, are interested in the history of the destination as well as its must see sites. I highly reccommend this book to all prospective travellers to Naples and vicinity.

I used this guide on a recent vacation in Salerno. It is by far the best guide book I have seen for covering the really interesting, small towns south of Naples. It is also very interesting and frank about Naples' fading allure as a tourist destination itself. Highly recommended.

This is a very useful guide when visiting the many hilltowns in Umbria. There are excellent maps of each town, and good written descriptions. Using this guide book it is easy to keep one's bearings. The size of the book makes it easy to carry as well.

guidebooks need to have both an overview and detailed descriptions of tourist sights. This guide accomplishes both purposes! In fact we bought one for our son-in-law and one for ourselves!