Fantastic Deconsctruction of Italian Life
938095
This is a short book full of great information if you like to be a well informed traveler, not simply a tourist. Now I understand that my love of well made Italian shoes is simply imbedded in my DNA! A really fun book about a people that appreciate the little things, take pleasure in the everyday and appreciate beauty on a deep level.
2161556
As an Italophile I love this kind of book that is not a superficial description of a city, but rather an intimate portrait of a vibrant culture complete with very personal observations about why Naples is worth a visit, if not an extended stay.
4656288
I love Adriana Trigiani'$ writing about Italian families. She evokes joy and laughter within the absurdity of Italian and all families. This book provides us insights about a personal journey within the context of marriage and family. BRAVO!
3296919
I've lost count of the times I've revisited Tim Parks' adopted home village of Montecchio and enjoyed his highly entertaining prose describing  everyday life among his Italian neighbors. This little book is an absolute  treasure, indispensable reading for everyone who loves Italy and Italian  culture, warts and all. His observations on Italians and their ways are  intuitive and honest, infused with the author's obvious affection for his  subjects. One of my all-time favorites.
2411328
If you are a reader that is looking for a fast-paced, quick to it book, The Book of Unholy Mischief is not for you.  If,  however, you are looking for a book that simmers slowly, builds with an exotic, leisurely scent of savory spices and peels back, layer after layer, as a succulent orange or oversized onion does, you won't be disappointed by this visual masterpiece.

I loved the colorful depictions of Venice in the late fifteenth century.  So vivid was author Elle Newmark's writing and characterizations, even after finishing the book, I can still easily visualize Venice in my mind and the wonderfully written Luciano and Chef Ferraro.  I can feel the squalor and grime under my feet of the poorer calles that Luciano strolled and can sense the aromatic herbs from Chef Ferraro's private closet.  I can feel Bernardo rubbing my leg with his head, feel his purrs and smell his wet fur, as well as hear the various cries coming from the street merchants, the sailors and the prostitutes.

That alone would make The Book of Unholy Mischief a worthy and fantastic read.  After all, aren't the best writers capable of allowing their readers to not only see in their mind's eye the location and the characters but to hear and even smell the story?  Ms. Newmark allows the reader to use all his or her senses and to a fabulous extent.

But let's not shortchange the story which, if you allow it time to build, is phenomenal on its own.  Historical fiction lovers will delight not only in the day to day accounts of Renaissance Venice but also with the mystery surrounding the infamous book of the title, which not only supposedly holds the key to immortal life, wealth and riches but brings about grief, death, murder and ties to Jesus' crucifixtion and resurrection.  Readers who prefer their books with little or no objectionable language and sexual situations will be satisfied with The Book of Unholy Mischief as there are only brief descriptions of slight violence, mostly relative to street living, and one torture scene.

The Book of Unholy Mischief was a fascinating read and has stayed with me, even after turning that last page and closing the book.  I felt vested in the characters, so much so that I experienced both joy and sadness throughout the book and into its conclusion.  The mystery over the book built slowly and paid off greatly in the end.  Portions of the book dealing with cooking and succulent descriptions of food will leave your mouth watering and your stomach rumbling.  And on a purely shallow note, the cover is subtle, understated and yet still luscious and inviting.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend The Book of Unholy Mischief to one and all and I would love to see this flavorful story on a movie or t.v. screen, as I do think the story would certainly be justified on film.
4955814
I knew very little about Italian life during the war. This book was riveting. Its difficult to believe its biographical.
17474
I had to read a good part of "The Decameron" last quarter and I have gone back to read more stories from it even though the Fall quarter is over. This is a great book: funny, entertaining, subtly revolutionary, insightful, and superbly well-written. Approach it without fear. It is a Classic, but it will have you laughing, thinking, and learning far better than any current best-seller. Anyone with an interest in journalism and/or history will profit from Boccaccio's Introduction, at the beginning of the First Day. His description of the Plague in Florence is vivid and gripping, and this eventually provides the background for the setting of the one hundred and one tales that seven young women and three young men will narrate in a villa away from the dying city. Also, the Introduction to the Fourth Day presents the reader with an unfinished, but hilarious story about a man who has been kept away from women. This story is what my teacher called the 101st, and I have to agree with her.
  Do not think that all "The Decameron" deals with is sex. The mostly illicit sexual encounters depicted are some times funny, sometimes sad, but they share a common trait with the stories from the Tenth Day, for example (these ones are mostly about sacrifice, abnegation, and servitude), or with those of the Second: Boccaccio's concern for his society and the terrible tensions that had reached a breaking point by the 14th century. The Plague, in Boccaccio's universe, acts as a catalyst of emotions, desires, and changes that had to come.
  Read, then, about Alibech putting the Devil back in Hell, Lisabetta and her pot of basil, Ser Ceperello and his "saintly" life, Griselda and her incredible loyalty in spite of the suffering at the hands of a God-like husband, Tancredi and his disturbing love for his daughter, Masetto and the new kind of society he helps create with some less-than-religious nuns, and then it will be easier to understand why Boccaccio is so popular after 650 years. And although it may be skipped by most readers, do not miss the Translator's (G. M. McWilliam) introduction on the history of "The Decameron" proper, and that of its many, and mostly unfortunate, translations into English. This book is one of the wisest, most economic ways of obtaining entertainment and culture. Do not miss it.
3637510
As the grandson of Italian immigrants, I always found it odd that I knew so little of Italy's World War II history, aside from the obvious stuff regarding Mussolini and being part of the Axis Powers.  My grandparents were long American citizens by then.  Their ties were with the Allies.  As I learned in Mark Sullivan's forward, most people don't know about the Italian experience because: 1) Italians didn't talk about it much; and 2) The Nazi's excelled at destroying documents.

This is a first rate story of how a normal 17 year old boy finds himself in roles he never expected.  His choices, struggles, confusion and guilt from making impossible choices are all entirely relatable.  His is a story that needs to be told.

This book also gives tremendous insight into confusing, violent, and devastating times for the Italian people.  Life under an essentially castrated dictator, with resistance partisans, government troops and Nazis all fighting for power as the Allied Forces approach.  Who's right, who's wrong, who can be trusted -- none of these were clear.  Pino Lella was caught up in it all, and achieved what seems impossible.  This is worth the read.
155948
Like "six degrees of separation" everything is somehow connected. How my brother -- who once asked me to explain THE TAKING OF CHRIST during a visit to the National Gallery in Dublin -- came to be reading this book is one of the mysteries of being a sibling. (His curiosity always surprises me.)  In any case, I swiped it away from him during a Xmas visit before I even realized it was the same painting we had seen in Dublin.  What could be more fun than to read about the intense and passionate discovery of a lost Caravaggio painting, made by two young Italian art students just starting out?!  It is engagingly written and reads like a detective novel, with many fulsome descriptions of all the players such as the difficult Italian woman who holds the old sales books for the original painting, the elderly art historian who guides the young Francesca on her painstaking discovery, the priests in whose home the painting is discovered, the patroness who bequeathed it to them, and above all the restorer who identifies THE TAKING OF CHRIST and is overwhelmed by its power, both as an art discovery and as a gem of prestige.  There's enough information about the painter and man Caravaggio and the world in which he worked and played to entice even the least art history oriented reader.
1249625
I just finished reading "From the Abruzzi to America" by Art Zavarella, P.E. and loved every page of it. This book is a memoir recounting the impression of America by a young immigrant from Italy who arrived in this country by boat in the spring of 1949 at the age of 26. He described how he only had a few dollars in his pocket and a degree in civil engineering. The young immigrant was born and raised in a small farming village in the mountains of the Abruzzi region. On the boat to America, he meets a girl, but loses the chance of her love to the chaotic and bustling New York harbor. He recounts his cultural shock and the struggles of learning a new language while working as a menial laborer during his first few years in America.  Despite the hardships, Zavarella believed in the American dream and embraced his new life, his new country and never looked back. He rose to the challenge of his life in America with pride, love, and wonder.

My grandfather was from Italy, but unfortunately passed away before I could appreciate hearing his stories, so this book has a special place with me. I really enjoyed the illustrations, brilliant descriptions, and incredible perspective - this book deserves five stars.  Additionally, I will be visiting Italy soon for the first time and am looking forward to visiting the Abruzzi region.
3386799
The author wove interesting characters and a fascinating plot into a gripping mystery.  I loved reading it.  I didn't want it to end.  I am learning Italian currently, and her writing style and vocabulary perfectly challenged me.  I highly recommend this book, either purely for pleasure reading, or for improving your Italian.  I look forward to reading more books from Ms. Ognibene in the future!!
1498003
I was lucky enough to have read It Happened In Florence, while I was in the early planning (read thinking) of a trip to Italy! It totally sold me that Florence was a must-see destination and booked my Italy trip straight away. Nita and Christa's book made me feel like a local on my first day in Florence. I'd heard of the cafes and restaurants, the markets, the museums and of course the shops and felt quite at home! It's a great read with some fabulous stories of Nita's escapades that anyone who loves Italy would enjoy, and anyone who's been an expat in a foreign land will no doubt relate to. A few of the snapshots were very moving accounts which brought tears to my eyes, and then the next one would have me laughing out loud! A great read and will make you wish it happened to you!
944993
Fascinating story that plumbs the depths of organized crime and offers an insider's perspective on the history, heritage and mind set of the Cosa Nostra. Michael speaks eloquently of the love he shared with his notorious father but honestly expresses his frustration with his father's allegiance to the Mafia, despite the betrayal and disrespect that they rewarded his loyalty with.  As too many investigations have already demonstrated, Michael also depicts how many law enforcement agents utilized illegal and unethical methods to obtain their coveted convictions.  It's a very detailed and intimate look at what transpires in the both the private lives and criminal activities of organized crime.  The last section of the book is devoted to an extensive treatise on Michael's experience in accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Most people are naturally suspect of "jail-house" conversions but Michael presents a deep and reasonable argument for his faith, utilizing the evidence within Scripture but also the historical testimonies of many famous people.  What is so compelling is that his witness stems from a person who walked in almost unheard of power and influence and obscene wealth.  His renunciation of his former life of great comfort and luxury to follow in the footsteps of the Carpenter from Nazareth is staggering to say the least.  One can not help but be reminded of a fist century enemy of God who after his conversion, counted all things as "rubbish" for the sake of knowing Christ. Whether you accept Michael's conclusions or not it's impossible not to be transfixed by the narrative he unfolds and marvel at the metamorphosis this man went through...can't wait to read it again!
3300405
From the first pages I found this book fascinating and refreshing for its simple presentation of the ins and outs of the daily life of poor farmers in Italy; those charged with working the landholdings of the wealthy.

One is struck by an alarming truth as in the beginning of the book Pietro says, "My generation has had a unique experience: we were born in the Middle Ages and now we are living in the age of computers." His descriptions of life as a peasant farmer do sound right out of the pages of a book on the history of the Middle Ages, yet this was not so long ago. According to the author, the last of these tenant farm contracts expired as recently as the 1980's.

The book has some photos and a few illustrations that are helpful in showing some of the things that would be alien to the modern reader. A glossary at the back is also helpful. In the introduction (not the main body, which is Pietro's life story), however, it would have been preferable to see some footnotes and sources for the information provided. While much of it sounds plausible, it's difficult to gauge whether it's reliable or accurate. This is the book's one failing.

I'm grateful to have found this book, as I now feel I have a better understanding of my Italian mother-in-law who, along with her mother and father, were mezzadri (tenant farmers) in the early and mid-twentieth century. She had described her life to me somewhat, and I knew it was difficult, but because of our language barrier (she speaks Neapolitan more than Italian) I could not fully understand. I think some of it she would rather forget, as well. This book has helped me to understand better the life circumstances that shaped the person she is today (still hard working with an amazing variety of practical skills).

While I felt no small amount of outrage at the injustices of Pietro's life, and sadness at the hardships and atrocities during wartime, I also felt no small amount of envy at the many good aspects that we seem to have lost in our modern age: connection to the land and the seasons, sense of community, closeness of families, the art of story-telling, simple entertainments and pleasures, and a life where work, no matter how difficult it may be, has dignity, meaning and real purpose. I am also envious of the author's opportunity to sit and listen to Pietro's stories. This book is the next best thing, and I'm happy its allowed me to eavesdrop on their conversations.
3412409
Bronte Jackson has brought Rome and her people to technicolor life in this marvelous account of her experiences.
Ms Jackson's enthusiasm for the sensory pleasures gives each one of her accounts a pungency I haven't read since A year In Provence.
I found myself side by side with the author as she wandered through the streets of Rome. It was easy to experience a small cross section of Italian life through her eyes.
I hope to do it for real one day.
4140042
Dr. Gambino has presented a sociological analysis woven into a personal autobiographical interpretation of what it is like growing up and being Italian-American. One must accept the hyphen if he or she who is  Italian-American wants to accept themselves. The evidence and research is  as compelling for me as it was 15 years ago when I first read this book. It  is on the the most influencial books on ethnicity in America.  Unfortunately, most readers will find books about organized crime as true  facts of the 27 million plus Italian-Americans in the USA. This, of course,  is the reality of the mass media. Nonetheless, if one wants to understand  his or her identity as an American of Italian desent or if you want to  become closer to this ethnic mosaic we call the USA, please read this book.  It will not only educate but entertain you and make you more understanding  of Italian-Americans.
656974
This was a great read from start to finish - once I started the book, I didn't want to put it down. It was totally absorbing and the sense of Italy created was so very strong that I had trouble working out that I wasn't there each time I stopped reading. The story was gripping with many twists and turns. A highly recommended book!