Italy Books

I haven't gotten this book, but I was just at Ralph's which I and 4 other people found by accident while vacationing in the area. This is probably the best Italian food I have ever had. I don't know if I can duplicate the incredible food with the cookbook, but I am going to try. I had linguine with crab meat sauce which was so delicate and sweet. Another person had the veal parmesan which was beyond fabulous. Another had the baked lasagna which I took an extra order of it home to Detroit where I shared it with a few people who found it extraordinary. The restaurant is wonderful; the staff amazing and I'm so glad there's a cookbook because they don't deliver!

I've lived in San Francisco and spent time in New York, but you can't find a better red sauce than Ralph's in South Philly. The book captures the personality of the Philadelphia institution and delivers some of the best and most authentic Italian recipes.

The illustrations and text treat this sad but uplifitng story with great tact and artistry. I recommend this book for children who need to learn about the realitiy of the Holocaust, but also need to know that good people can help to prevent atrocities. This book, and all of Ann Burg's books, are on my 'to buy' list!
Lawrence Besserman

Ms. Burg presents a very touching and inspirational story about a young girl and her mother during a very difficult time in history. Her beautiful words are further enhanced by the striking illustrations - a perfect pairing of author and illustrator.

A must read for adults and children alike.

I enjoyed this book very much. I originally picked it up because I am interested in the mafia and wanted to find out more about its origins. The book is very useful for this, and describes how the mafia started in Sicily's struggle for freedom. It is very well-written, I read it in a couple of days, and has a lot of interesting stories. I especially liked the description of Garibaldi in Sicily and the stories about how some of the Sicilians who fought on Garibaldi's side later became capimafia. Thew author is also interested in the relation of violence and crime to revolution. I wasn't looking for this when I started the book, but I think it is an interesting subject. If you look at a lot of recent revolutions, it's clear that the question of what is revolution and what is crime comes down to the question of which side you're on. If you like it, it's revolution; if you don't like it, it's crime.

I had to read this for for class, and it was by far the best historical account I've read. It keeps you interested in the big picture the entire time, while not leaving out the details. I know everything about the origins of the mafia now that I could need to know. I'd reccomend this to anyone studying Italian history, the mafia, or rebelions in general.

If you're interested in the life of Edward John Trelawny, you'll have to look elsewhere. Suffice it to say that Tre' (as his friends knew him) was a privateer, a scoundrel, a lover of poetry, a freedom-fighter and a loyal friend of the most prolific literary talents of the romantic period. 'The Last Days of Shelley and Byron' is an account, not of Trelawny's extraordinary life & adventures, but of the two men that helped make that life so extraordinary. In his own words, he tells of the secret lives of Byron, Claire Clairmont and the Shelley's, their romp through sunny Italy and the tragic death of Percy off the coast of Spezzia. The tale continues as Tre' follows Byron to the civil wars of Greece, where Byron too dies. To his credit, though, it is never "Trlawny's tale", but "Byron and Shelley's tale" as told by Trelawny. It is a deep, insightful book that shows the poets as only a close friend could. Yet throughout, one can not help but love Trelawny himself: the man who supported the impoverished Mary Shelley to her dying day... the man who bought a slave for $10,000 only to set him free... the man who reached into the embers of Shelly's pyre, withdrawing his heart. If you love the poetry of Byron and Shelley & have even a passing interest in the men behind the legends, then Trelawny's memoirs are a must-read.

It has been a favorite pastime of academic biographers of both Shelley and Byron to deride Trelawny. This should suprise nobody. To begin with, with few exceptions, one of the primary qualifications of being a full-fledged academic is delight in derision, especially in derision of those who have firsthand knowledge of the subjects they have spent hours in the stacks on University libraries to gain, perhaps, one mote of additional information.-The common criticism of Trelawny is that he was "naive"-By this they mean that his gives a simple, straightforward account of the time he spent with the two great poets without any ponderous theories to bog him down.-Trelawny first admired Byron, but quickly became disillusioned with his cynicism and became a lifelong admirer of Shelley, so much so that he remarked thus, "As a general rule,threfore, it is wise to avoid writers whose works amuse or delight you, for when you see them they will delight you no more. Shelley was a grand exception to this rule. To form a just idea of his poetry, you should have witnessed his daily life; his words and actions best illustrated his writings." After Shelley's death, he continues to follow Byron on his misadventures until his death. The book is a treat in that it is a delight to read, with page-turning accounts of his roistering times with two great men who shaped our literary world.-Not one footnote! He was there!

The lives and deaths of Shelley and Byron ought to interest the world--not just the readers of English--for their poetry covered every topic: the rise and fall of empires, nation-building and nation-breaking, and the vanity of the men who would lead them in victory or defeat. And Edward John Trelawny shows us each poet as a human being. The production of fine writing should not be a mystery; beautiful language comes most eloquently from a troubled heart and a mind committed to seeking knowledge. Trelawny reminds us that Byron's and Shelley's lives were focused on connecting to people through their work; Tre begins each chapter with lines from the work of Byron or Shelley.

The Introduction to this edition of Trelawny's book is written by Anne Barton, a professor at Trinity College, Cambridge University, from which Byron himself graduated about 200 years ago. I disagree with her that Tre's writing is "focused for the most part upon himself" as though he were self-centered, though Barton does say he had "hidden depths" (xx). Based on the form and structure and content of Records of Shelley, Byron, and the Author (and Tre's subsequent life), it seems that Trelawny was aware of the nuances of human character and was more than adequate to the task of knowing complex people. The details he provides in key places are so specific that they could not have been lies or fabrications; Byron's claim that Trelawny could not tell the truth was simply evidence of Byron's pleasure in teasing banter. "Byron's idle talk during the exhumation of [Edward Elliker] William's remains," Trelawny writes, "did not proceed from want of feeling, but from his anxiety to conceal what he felt from others" (146). Byron also concealed his feelings at the cremation of Shelley's remains. It's clear throughout the book that Tre is a sharp observer--of himself and others. And Tre was sensitive to what Mary Godwin Shelley and Williams' wife, Jane, felt about the drowning of their husbands in the Bay of Spezia. Mary Shelley wrote to Tre that she experienced a "blank moral death" (176). Tre shows that the breakup of the Pisan Circle--because of Shelley's drowning--was clearly a personal tragedy with far-reaching consequences.

This is a book for all seasons--but better appreciated while strolling on a beach in some far-flung corner of a poetic universe.

If you're interested in the life of Edward John Trelawny, you'll have to look elsewhere. Suffice it to say that Tre' (as his friends knew him) was a privateer, a scoundrel, a lover of poetry, a freedom-fighter and a loyal friend of the most prolific literary talents of the romantic period. "Records of Shelley, Byron and the Author" is an account, not of Trelawny's extraordinary life & adventures, but of the two men that helped make that life so extraordinary. In his own words, he tells of the secret lives of Byron and the Shelley's, their romp through sunny Italy and the tragic death of Percy in the coast of Spezzia. The tale continues as Tre' follows Byron to the bloody civil war in Greece, where Byron too dies. To his credit, though, it is never "Trelawny's tale", but "Byron and Shelley's tale" as told by Trelawny. This deep, insightful book shows the poets as only a close friend could. Yet throughout, one can not help but love Trelawny himself: the man who supported the impoverished Mary Shelley to her dying day... the man who bought a slave for $10,000 only to set him free... the man who reached into the embers of Shelley's pyre, withdrawing his heart. If you love the poetry of Byron and Shelley & have even a passing interest in the men behind the legends, then Trelawny's memoirs are a must-read.

Being of Italian descent I enjoy the recipes of my ancestors. This cookbook touches on every section of this country's cuisine. The recipes are easy to understand and follow...The ingredients are readily available. Many of the entree dishes have been my family and friends favorites. At the beginning of each chapter/section is a wonderful history behind the topic. The writer has brought you into the markets and kitchens of Italy. This book will enable even non-italians to cook like the pros. I think this book is one of the best cookbooks ever.

Being of Italian descent I enjoy the recipes of my ancestors. This cookbook makes you feel like you are on tour in Italy. From anitpasto to desserts this book coves it all. The recipes are easy to understand and follow. The ingredients are readily available. Many of the entree dishes have been my family and friends favorites. At the beginning of each chapter/section is a wonderful history behind the topic. The writer has brought you into the markets and kitchens of Italy. This book will enable even non-italians to cook like the pros. I think this book is one of the best cookbooks ever.

This book (volume 2 of a 2 volume work) is an excellent selection of passages writen by Romans and their contemporaries about Romans and their religions. Each translation is preceded by a short description of the context of the passage, and references. Included are paragraphs from books, quotes from lost works, inscriptions from monuments, publicly posted legal announements, and grafitti.

It was a breath of fresh air for me, since the contemporary source material in this subject is so sparse that most books on ancient religion are a doubtful parade of their authors' opinions. And although the passages from ancient writers are laden with their opinions, with the help of the editors of 'Religions of Rome, vol II' it's obvious and once exposed, revealing.

Religions of Rome, volumes I &II by Doctors Beard, North and Price is an invaluable work that is a necessity for any student of Classical Civilization, as the Oxford Classical Dictionary and H.H. Scullard's Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic. Throughout my years of study in the university, I have come to rely upon the work as a base for any research that I would embark upon. In this vein, I have to state that the exhaustive Chicago footnotes and bibliography are of extreme help when one needs to seek further primary and secondary source materials. In terms of the book's writing, I declaim with confidence that this is one of the few works to be written by committee and is better off for its. The text reviews subject matter in detail while remaining concise with subject matter placed into collection via topic related to epoch. Again, this work is the basis of any Classicist library and shall serve one diligently thought out one's life.

Another epic true to his rooted style of meticulous summarization and lively delivery.

Domenico's writing is like your Mom's Turkey on Thanksgiving; it's great to look at, full of juicy contents, with a tender texture that leaves you hungry for more.

Glad I was introduced to this author and subsequently this Literary gem. No one does Italy like Domenico.

Roy Domenico's newest book, Remaking Italy in the Twentieth Century, is an excellent introduction into the history of modern Italy. His writing is detailed yet not daunting, clear yet not simple, and throughout the book he paints a picture of Italy worthy of the greatest Renaissance artists. His style is concise and concrete, leaving the reader with a comprehensive study of Italian politics and culture in the 1900s. History students will find a break from the monotony of most modern historians in Domenico's work.

I thought the book had really good pictures and was easy to understand. I learned alot of stuff. My teacher liked the book too.

The book Renaissance Artists Who Inspired The World as one of the Explore The Ages books was a satisfying and delightful
read. As both a grade school educator and Italianate , the reader found this book to be a treasured experience .

The book was a complete learning experience with text , visuals
and end of book learning activities .

The text was well researched and thourough . It presented a balanced view of artists , accomplishments and of women artists as well.

The visuals are rich with information and color. They continue to be a source or information and enjoyable source for rereading. The timelines are perhaps the best of any .

The learning activities of Readers' Theater , Family Theater , variety of activities and the Test of Knowledge
create a complete reading and learning experience.

The glossary , index and skills index are reader and learner compatible as well .

Reading this book was especially enjoyable after just taking a mini course about the Renaissance Art. The two seemed to be complimentary . The book was very successful in delivering information about what the Renaissance inspired . A follow up trip to Italy proved the reading of this book to be very helpful. The Renaissance spirit easily captured in this book makes it easily discovered again in Italy .

Thank you Gregory Blanch and Roberta Stathis for this true treasure !

As an art lover and architect, who has been reading extensivelly about Italy and spent three weeks exploring the city, I define this book as comprehensive, delicious to read and excellent in contents. Turner explains how the city has achieved such a moment in human civilization, not only by its art, but by its economics, technology, geography, historic context, social behavior. This book is one to fall in love with, and I would put it as a must read together with Kenneth Clark's Civilization.

The book is very well done. The photographs are of high quality; the coverage complete. I purchased the volume as background information for an art history survey course I'm enrolled in (I already hold a post-grad degree), and found it to be an excellent supplement to the cursory review my textbook offered.