Italy Books

I discovered this book searching for information on Cosmati designs and was delighted with it when it arrived. After looking at murky photos and trying to understand garbled descriptions of geometry in other books, I appreciated the fabulous painstaking in-plane illustrations. The "reader-friendly" (at least to an artist) explanations of mathematics and geometry were an enlightening bonus. This book will be particulary helpful to designers and others who want clarity, great presentation, and concise information.

Wonderfully conceived, researched and illustrated, this is a book which beautifully answers some of the fundamental questions as to the why and how of paving. When I walk through the majestic spaces mentioned in Ms. Williams book I will do so with my curious eyes glued to the ground for a change. Truly a fantastic book; a good read be it for the layman or as a much needed point of reference for the learnèd. The illustrations are almost as good as being there.

This is a must book for history students of the Roman and Tuscan buildings. Contains 58 outstanding drawings of examples of Italian art pavemennt and the text explains them in detail. All architects and designers need a copy.

This stunning look into pavement design of the past 2000 years is brilliantly executed--from the detailed drawings to the in-depth analysis of mathematical principles and design principles/patterns, this book is a treat for my eyes and my mind. In working on my PhD in the stone and paving methods of Rome (and beyond), I've found Ms. Williams book fills a hole in academia left vacant for far too long. You love architecture/history/church building/math/ or design? You must have this gorgeous gift.

After reading the other reviews of this book, I decided to buy it and I am glad I did. It gives a wonderful account of the history and traditions of this remarkable area. I would recommend it highly for anyone planning to stay in Naples for more than just a short vacation and for people who are just interested in learning more about not only the monuments and churches, but also the rich culture.

You'll love this book if you're the type of person that also enjoys reading National Geographic. This guide is packed with wonderful art, drawings, maps, photographs, and interesting text. It's really much more than a typical tourist guide. It helps one have deeper understanding of Napoli through an exploration of history, culture, geography, and geology. It's an especially great selection for those people planning to call Napoli home.

RW - US Navy

The Knopf guides series are unique. They combine colorful pictures, in-depth historical background and detailed descriptions of sightseeing attractions. They are handsomely bound on bright glossy paper. I preferred the old style of plastic semi-hard binding that has recently been phased out. There are so many great places to visit in the Bay of Naples that they couldn't cover it all and include everything but it's better than any other I've seen.

Guides such as the Michelin Green Guides series will devote just a few paragraphs to an attraction. Such guides have the advantage of being organized in a more orderly way that's much more conducive to touring by car.You can read a few sentences about the place you are about to see before you get out of your tour bus or rental car. The Knopf guide instead would be better read at home even before taking any trip. The wise traveler would be best served by having an in-depth guide such as this or the Rough Guides series and a guide with brief descriptions like the Michelin guide.

The Naples guide contains excellent separate sections for Pompeii (over twenty pages), Paestum, Capri and Herculaneum.
If you are an archeology buff like me this is a great improvement over the 1 or 2 pages that other guides devote to these important but overlooked historical sites. The three delightful Greek temples at Paestum are older than the Parthenon in Athens and less than 100 miles south of Naples on a flat plain (no climbing up a hill as in Athens).

A minor negative point is the use of drawings where photographs would have been more useful; this seems to be true for all of the Knopf guides I've seen. An aerial photograph to give the lay of the land of a city or historical site would be more useful than a drawing that is of uncertain accuracy.

Informative and insightful. Excellent walking tours, important facts and historical backgound. Many good perspectives from writers and artists. This has been our "go to" book when we explore Naples. (We have lived in Naples for a year now.) Our best pre-trip purchase. JTP

I bought this book having seen a copy in the house we were staying in in Italy. We were then inspired to go & see the garden. A very interesting account of the history of the garden & a very accurate representation of what you will see if you visit the garden.

First I must make it clear that I have been interested in Iris Origo for a long time. When I discovered this book, it was a delight because it not only showed a perspective on Iris and Antonio Origo's life, but it contains beautiful photographs and drawings and is a joy to own. I find myself looking it up with the flimsiest of reasons, and enjoy it every time.

This is an excellent book. It bodes one well to have read Iris Origo's autobiography to help understand much of the background of La Foce, although Benedetta Origo does an excellent job of providing background, too. The combination of the estate's background, color photographs and sketches by the authors makes this book an excellent buy, especially if one is interested in Italian gardens and their development. Maps, too, have been included to give one a sense of location. Beautifully done.

La Foce is an attractive Tuscan villa which is presented here in text and pictures. The text offers a picture of one family's history, including interesting archival photographs and drawings. What makes this book truly spectacular, however, are Morna Livingston's photographs, presented in a beautiful layout and printed on a silky white paper which heightens the luminesence of the incredible Tuscan colors. In more than one hundred photographs Livingiston captures the villa's gardens in every light and season. There are stunning images of the broader landscape and fascinating details of both the architecture and the plants. For those who have wondered just what the attraction of Tuscany is, you will find the answer here. For those who already know, this will serve as a reminder.

this book is both interesting and mind-opening. Read it for pleasure, and absorb it for growth.

I happened upon this book, The Lady of the Lotus, over 25 years ago. Even after all this time I still consider it to be one of my all time favorites. What a lovely yet bittersweet love story. It tells a possible tale about about Buddah and his wife, a person I wasn't aware may have even existed along with their son. Can't say enough about how this book had such an emotional affect upon me. I still have the paperback that I cherish and will never part with.

I happened across this wonderful story among my grandmother's forgotten treasures in the form of an old, beaten-up, paperback with yellow pages. I was only in high school and I loved it so much that I read it twice. I then gave it to my English teacher to read and he loved it also. Now I am an English and Humanities teacher and plan to read excerpts of it to my Humanities class during our unit on India. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys spirituality, romance, or adventure...it has it all!

Mr. Barrett has done his research and from this, has created a plausible tale regarding the wife of Siddharta Gautma (ap) later known as Buddha. Yasodara is not formally acknowledged as his wife. This is one of my favorite books. Read it.. I think it may become one of yours too. !

When I visited the Italian Marches, I wanted to grasp the beauty of the area and bring it home with me, and now I have a book that does that for me! Most of Guiseppe Chiucchiu's photographs are like works of art, with colors, textures, and shapes combining in a feast of aesthetic proportion and beauty. For example, one photograph is a close-up of three women holding bunches of grapes, in which the varicolored grapes, the patterns in their dresses, and the shadow and sunlight on their arms and hands blend in an intriguing tapestry. You can tell that Chiucchiu really loves this part of Italy. His pictures remind you that there are people who belong there. In one of his few black and white pictures, he captures the friendly smiles of a couple of farmers who obviously feel comfortable and proud on their land. Each new page is a surprise because he covers such a variety of subject matter, from a snowy landscape to a single starfish.

Regarding the format of the book, I found it a bit annoying that sometimes you have to look on the following page to find the title for a picture. I liked the detailed introduction by the journalist, Raoul Mancinelli, that mixes a sense of the history, descriptions of the geography, and an appreciation of the ingenuity of the people. With over 150 photographs to ponder and treasure, this book is a delight.

When I visited the Italian Marches, I wanted to grasp the beauty of the area and bring it home with me, and now I have a book that does that for me! Most of Guiseppe Chiucchiu's photographs are like works of art, with colors, textures, and shapes combining in a feast of aesthetic proportion and beauty. For example, one photograph is a close-up of three women holding bunches of grapes, in which the varicolored grapes, the patterns in their dresses, and the shadow and sunlight on their arms and hands blend in an intriguing tapestry. You can tell that Chiucchiu really loves this part of Italy. His pictures remind you that there are people who belong there. In one of his few black and white pictures, he captures the friendly smiles of a couple of farmers who obviously feel comfortable and proud on their land. Each new page is a surprise because he covers such a variety of subject matter, from a snowy landscape to a single starfish.

Regarding the format of the book, I found it a bit annoying that sometimes you have to look on the following page to find the title for a picture. I liked the detailed introduction by the journalist, Raoul Mancinelli, that mixes a sense of the history, descriptions of the geography, and an appreciation of the ingenuity of the people. With over 150 photographs to ponder and treasure, this book is a delight.

The Italians say of Le Marche that it is 'All of Italy in one region'. The photography within this book has been carefully taken and and it reveals the visual beauty found in this unique territory of Italy. However, the photos more closely represent the beauty in daily scenery/life than the typical mass produced glossy books authored by most photographers. Written in both Italian and English, his outstanding preface gives insight into the questions the reader may have about Le Marche its history and the intent of his photos. My family is from the Le Marches and it is truely an undiscovered region possessing the Sibillini mountains similar to those of the lower Rockies as well as the peaceful terrain and rolling farmland hills found in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Tennessee.

Being one of the former three papal sate regions of Italy extending from Rome's western region of lazio north-eastward through Umbria and reaching to Le Marche for 1500 years, it has experienced a unique history of its own. In 115 AD, Emporer Trajan constructed an arch built of white marble at the busy commercial port of Ancona so that it would be seen for miles by approaching ships importing goods from around the world.

The prolific Renaissance painter Raphael was from the medievel town of Urbino and other notables were born in Le Marche such as composer Rossini and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II.

If you have read this far, then you should really enjoy Italy's Le Marche region wonderfully captured in this book. Also, I would add that the author used an extraodinarilly rare and high quality heavy weight paper in the fabrication of this book which was moreover typset, printed and published in Le Marches province of Ancona. Extremely well done... Italian style! Cheers!

I received this beautiful book as a gift and I proudly display it on my coffee table. My houseguests are speechless when they see the incredible photo layouts. Looking at this book makes my heart long for my next Italian vacation, don't buy this book if you can't resist the temptation to fly off to Italy on impulse after seeing the magnificent images of the Italian Countryside!

Well put together, very encompassing, good explanations...... It doesn't need a paragraph to describe it. If you like Da Vinci or want to learn more about him, this is a great place to start!

I never imagined that through a "child book" I would learn about this master-genious and moreover to be capable to comprehend the "details" about his art. I really enojoyed reading this book, I learn more about his famous paints and why they are considered pieces of art. I was motivaded to read more over the other great art's men such as Picasso or Michael Angel Buonorrati; I never thought that could be an easy way to understand this genious. I strongly recommend this book and the other series too; you can not only learn but also share with your child and encourage him to develop his talents or just enhance your "general culture" reading this great book. The talent consist in explaing complex ideas using a "simple language" that everybody can understand. There is not reason to became so sophisticated and not be able to "share" what you learn with the rest of the world. When you learn a good joke you want to tell the rest about it; it is meaningless if you just keep it for yourself...

This excellent book focuses on Leonardo's drawings in the Royal Library at Windsor. Everyone has seen the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, but Leonardo's greatest achievments are found in his drawings. Vivid HIGH QUALITY color reproductions are accompanied by insightful commentary and historical/biographical information. The book covers the whole breadth of Leonardo's intellectual development. 100 color drawings by history's greatest draftsman, and indeed one of most powerful minds the world has ever seen. As the book says "...[Leonardo's] drawings [are] the pure expression of his genius, boundless and magnificent."
What more could one want in a book? 5/5

It's not the best Da vinci book, but it has a LOT of drawings.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think the author did a wonderful job making this book a fun one to read. His illustrations though cartoons and caricature are very neat. I read few other books on Leonardo besides that and I could see that Robert Byrd packed a lot of information in this thin book.It will appeal not only to children but to any age. If you are being introduced to Leonardo for the first time make sure you start with this one, if you already know about him you will appreciate the author for doing a fine work in telling his story in so few pages. It could also be a wonderful gift to somebody.

This story is beautifully illustrated and told. Lots of interesting facts about the man, his life and his work. My 8 year old daughter is enjoying it. The language level and some of the concepts are a bit too difficult for my 5 year old, but the pictures have captured her interest.

There could hardly be a more fascinating or beautiful way to introduce young readers to a man who is arguably one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known, Leonardo da Vinci. As an artist in the field of children's book illustrations, Mr. Byrd has few peers. As an author, deft at reaching young minds, he is an expert.

From da Vinci's birth throughout his remarkable life readers are allowed to trace his accomplishments. Much of this data is gleaned from da Vinci's personal notes which are still available today. We learn of his childhood fascination with flying, and his observation of a kite, a bird that glides apparently without effort.

It seems that from boyhood onward he took great delight in nature and its study. In his early teens da Vinci joined his father in Florence where he would spend a dozen years in Verrochio's workshop. He learned much from the renowned sculptor.

From Florence he traveled to Milan where he enjoyed the patronage of a wealthy duke, and was asked to paint the Last Supper. His fame spread. Today, some 500 years after his death, philosophers and artists from throughout the world continue to look to this amazing genius.

Author's notes, and a timeline are included.

- Gail Cooke

This lavishly illustrated picture book biography of Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci paints a well-rounded portrait of the painter, inventor and philosopher who dabbled in everything from astronomy to weaponry. It is also timely; with the tremendous success of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code (Doubleday, 2003), Leonardo has never been a more fascinating figure.

Born in the Italian countryside, Leonardo had a curious eye and artistic hand from the start. These two qualities emerged in each endeavor he undertook, from painting and sculpting to writing observations and drawings in his notebooks to playing practical jokes and creating quirky mechanical toys for the aristocracy.

Byrd's authority of and passion for his subject is evident in his thorough research and detailed drawings. Each themed two-page spread covers a period of Leonardo's life, and is headed with a caption that brings all the pieces together. Small sections of quotes and additional information box in the main narrative on each page.

The wonderful illustrations have a comics styling to them. Each page is dominated by a large color drawing set off by smaller sepia toned maps, reproductions and pictures. The end papers are filed with quotes in what looks like da Vinci's own hand.

An author's note, annotated timeline, and extensive bibliography are appended. Recommended for public school and library collections serving students in grades 4-8; great cross-curriculum potential.

In Little Italy, May, Burbank and Boone-Remembrances Joe Martinelli recounts for us a time of innocence, family loyalty, pride and patriotism growing up in a small Italian American Cincinnati neighborhood. A must read for Cincinnati residents of May, Burbank and Boone Streets and a delight for the rest of us.

Joe Martinelli's slice of Italia takes place in the heart of one of two of Cincinnati's Little Italy's in his endearing look back to his boyhood days of growing up amongst the backdrop of jitterbugging, zoot suits, friends and more profoundly, his boyhood growth in the search for the opposite sex. It's easy to feel why the author found those days to be truly "places in the heart".

As I read Mr. Martinelli's memories of growing up in Little Italy,it struck me that this same scenario happened in all the large cities in the northeast. Whether it was the Little Italy of Boston, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh, the climate and characters were much the same. This book could have been written about my neighborhood in Pittsburgh. As I read, the similarities were astounding. I took my own trip back to the trials of puberty and the wonderful smells emanating from every kitchen in our apartment house. Thanks for the trip Mr. Martinelli.

First time author, Joe Martinelli, has created his own niche with Rememberances. I kept smiling while reading this book. His depiction of Italian family life and his fondest boyhood memories made me nostalgic for an era gone by.

I am doing historical research on Italy and Sicily and this book gives a wonderful view into the lives of ordinary people of the Sicilian countryside. Very frank accounts that are not sugar-coated.

The perfect book for the avid reader, these are well written and enjoyable. These tales bring a flavor of life to the reader that is rare in writing today.

The whole world is a small town is a sicilian phrase that means no matter where you travel, people will be basically the same. Reading this work by G. Verga gave this saying a whole new meaning for me. I learned that people in Sicily are basically the same today as they were 120 years ago. Giovanni Verga was born and lived in a small town in Sicily called Vizzini. This is the same town that my parents are from. I have spent many summers with my grandmother there. The distant past was always portrayed as somehow better by my grandmother. According to her, our ancestors did not succomb to petty human weaknesses. After enjoying these short stories I realize that my grandmother remembered her youth more with nostalgic fantasy than historic accuracy. This work wonderfully portrays human motivations, strenghts and weaknesses. It was a wonderful revelation to realize that the whole world is a small town, not only in the dimension of space but also in the dimension of time.

This is a wonderful little collection of short stories by the Sicilian author Giovanni Verga. I had never read any Sicilian literature before Verga, and I'm so glad that I started with this book! It has further piqued my interest in Sicilian culture and the Sicilian language. Verga uses his words very carefully in order to paint the pictures of the sorrows, joys, sufferings and moments of rejoicing in eastern Sicily. This is definitely worth the money for anyone who is interesed in Sicilian or Italian literature.

This is the best travel book about the London that I found. It has all necessary information that I was looking for without the tones of text and pictures. It gives you so good ideas about what you can or should see in one day that I decided just to follow the book. :)

Took 3 guides to London for our 2005 trip. This guide has the best pictures of the 3. Most of the information is very good. The walking tours are the best! It even tells you when to stop and eat.hmmmmm

The guide doesn't really cover all aspects if you are new to the culture and city. No real tips on staying out of trouble and the detailed city map is combersome. That aside, the book is well put together with wire spirals, the cover is a hard paper for good construction.

Before traveling to London, we purchased many travel books, but AAA's London guide was the only one we took with us. The book is filled with beautiful color photos, great descriptions, planned itineraries, and a fantastic detailed map. We are planning on traveling to Rome this summer and AAA's Rome guide is the only travel book we will be purchasing before we go.

My wife and I used this travel guide extensively while in London. It served as our bible, tour guide, and street map. It is laid out in a very clearly and the sprial binder makes it very easy to flip to any page. It is filled with clear, color pictures and maps. The guide is broken down into various regions throughout London, with each section highlighting Must See Attractions, and then At Your Leisure sites that are also in the area. It also has a very nice reference on how to see a region in one day. An Underground map is on the inside back cover, and a regional map of London on the front inside cover. Other nice features are sections called 'Finding Your Feet' - which provides great information for when you first arrive in London (either by plane, train, boat, etc..) and a 'Practicalities' seciton that talks about currency, clothes sizes,etc.

What really made this book stand out compared to other London travel guides was it included detailed street maps of these regions. Those proved invaluable for us once we started walking around the area. The book is compact, and fit inside my coat pocket comfortably.