I was surprised by how little I knew about Italy ...
936819
I was surprised by how little I knew about Italy during WWII.  This novel was based on a true story, very factual, and captivating.
3969477
OK  But did not learn much before we left.  Wish I had but politeness and smiles go along way in Italy
192848
I was not aware what the Italian immigrant went through.  Family, a mother's love and how to survive were the main themes.
4843872
It Happened in Italy is the untold stories of how the people of Italy defied the horrors of the holocaust. Bettina (the author) discovers the story of Giovanni Palatucci and his connection to her family's village of Campagna,Italy. Palatucci was an Italian that had access to records of Italy's foreign residents. Instead of using the information (including their religion) to turn them in to be exterminated in Germany, he makes the choice to protect them in camps throughout southern Italy (one of them being in Campagna). Palatucci paid the ultimate price - his life.

I was amazed while reading this book. I had heard and read so many times of how the Catholic Church did little to stop the Holocaust, yet here was proof that many Italian Catholics including nuns, priests and bishops did risk their lives to hide Jews in Italy and save them from Hitler. I'm thankful that Bettina was moved to research and discover those in Italy that helped to save Jews from undeserved deaths. I'm especially impressed with how she was able to arrange meetings of Jewish survivors with their rescuers, bishops and even Pope Benedict.
4597430
Having lived a good portion of my life in Europe, I was a bit wary about this book.  Since it was free however, I decided to give it a try.  To a degree I've been pleasantly surprised by the book (although I am only a third of the way through).  It is not quite as bad as it could have been.  From an English rhetoric perspective it is fairly well written, and from a historical perspective, she did her research, mostly.  The problem is, this is a contemporary novel, so the history in the book is very limited.  Making up a country is Ok and making it a city state: very good.  Three such city states connected like the author puts forth in this region is to much however. There also wouldn't have been any problems with the location being wedged between  Switzerland and Italy, except, the logical national language of such a country would be Italian.  Italian is the language of Italy and the region of Switzerland that boarders Italy.  A small city state between the two might possibly have their own language, but that would be unlikely, there is no way however, that English would be the national language.  Adeline would be able to speak English fluently, since most Europeans speak multiple languages and being a royal headed for international relations between countries she would have been taught to be fluent  in English, and like other Europeans, it would have most likely been British English, but that would be only because Britain would be the closest English speaking country.  That would be the extent of the British influence on the country.  Culturally, N. Italy and Switzerland would have been more of an influence.
I have also gotten the feeling that while the author is familiar with the British monarchy, she didn't really look into any of the others.  For example, Frederik of Denmark married an Australian marketing consultant (daughter of a maths professor), who had a daughter to another man, in 2004.  The precedent having already been set, Adeline should not see her relationship with Charlie as impossible from the point of her parents and parliament rejecting him due to his position in society and the fact he already has a child.
I also find the Missouri setting a bit odd.  If, for some strange reason a royal did decide to attend a university in the United States, it would be an Ivy League college...
3359605
While I enjoyed your theories, I felt that the characters were underdeveloped, especially Leonardo DV.  Many of the characters were confusing to me, especially how you jumped from Milan to Rome.  Other times and places were confusing to me, not knowing the geography of Milan and vicinity.

You left me with an appetite to learn more about the era so that I can readily separate fact from fiction.  For example, does the mysterious book held in the left hand of the maiden on the playing card really exist?  Or do we know of it only by reference?  Why is the food on the table at the Last Supper so scattered about?  It seems to me that an actual meal would be much more ordered.  (Is that another hidden clue?)

I know that the Cathar Crusade was real and that the "Church" slaughtered thousands of innocents in southern France.  Does the movement still exist?

In any event, thank you for your effort.
4114155
I was not aware of certain events and found this to be a very intriguing book more than I expected.
212660
By the 2nd page I was hooked. The Italian experience of WW II was not part of any history class I ever took, so it was a point of view that was new for me . I cared about these ordinary Italians had to make life-and-death decisions day after day after day. It was a good lesson in embracing life as we find it ; not as we would like it .
1585668
Did not expect to gain new knowledge of battle but I did learned English casulties among nobility were less than records not a massacre
3244178
Tim Parks does a fun job of getting us all around Italy. It is a shame he is such a sourpuss. One would love for him to take delight in what is around him, but he mostly finds fault with the Italian Rail system.  Well, not even exactly the Italian rail system---more egregiously, with Italians, which has a way of seeming a bit racist, or at least elitist. He makes little effort to understand the emotional life of the people around him.  A dry sort, at times you wish he had co-written this book with someone with blood in their veins who was actually happy to be alive.
I gave this book four stars instead of three, which is what it really deserves, because in spite of the bitter old man routine, Italian Ways is very well written and somehow, a page turner. What also aided my read was I had just returned from Positano (one of the most wonderful towns on earth...for pleasure) and Ariano Irpino (In Campania, where I met eight Italian cousins...for the first time). I had wanted to read this book before I visited Southern Italy but did Not Get to it until after I returned. It was a weird, but satisfying way to savor Italy again. Read this book if you like trains and Italy. If you like trains and Italy and an odd, cool narrator, you'll have the time of your life.
261123
When the foursome were informed that they each had to travel to Italy and stay in a villa of someone who they didn't know but were directed to do so due to Beatrice's will and all would be revealed when they were together.  In my dreams this would happen so I was very interested in the story...took me out of reality! And, ITALY...oh so beautiful!  The part for me that made it good versus great was the mythological references throughout the novel was too in-depth.  My knowledge is very limited and I really didn't find it all that interesting in school!  Loved the twists and turns but some of it was too unbelievable.
1080539
I feel a bit guilty that I didn't like the story as much as I hoped. I admired Angelo DiMarco from the book, his resourcefulness, loyalty to people, and being an intellectual. What also was impressive for me is how creative Angelo was when it comes to escaping the Nazis with his friends. I can tell that a lot of research went into detailing the days of Angelo and others. I also liked learning something unique when it came to Italy, Germany and WWII, especially the relationship between Italy and Germany because I always thought that the two were close allies. I think I would have liked to see more of Angelo's life after WWII, or perhaps if he has struggled with reconciling his Italian and Italian-American identities.  I feel that the pre-war Angelo is only given a superficial touch and I would have liked to know more about him before joining WWII
3855304
Go to Italy every year. Next  year I will look up some of the places/museums mentioned. Very interesting story if you are an Italophile.
2092614
Wow.  I had no idea about the Mafia.  I had never heard of Mooney Giancana before this book.  It was so interesting that I looked them up on line.
496699
I like historical fiction and this book gave me a glimpse of what happened when the Germans came into Italy. I had not read much about that. I'm not a historical buff so there may be things wrong historically as some readers find in historical novels but it gave a good glimpse with a good story.
2716847
Was very interested in reading about this time in history and it was a story I had never heard about.
2509585
I have always been interested in WW2 but never have the Italian theater much consideration. I found the details of all the actions simply amazing. I would like to read more of this type of in depth history. Especially about the families of the people involved. An great story!