Related Items: Search

Average Rating:

.Italian Neighbours: An Englishman in Verona

by: Tim Parks

May 03, 2001
This is an incredibly well-written book. Let's state right from the outset that this isn't even remotely a tourist guide, but if you know Italian life off the tourist beat just a little, you'll find yourself recognising characters, situations and attitudes to life you might have come across.

Yes, there are areas that won't appeal to English sensibilities. But it shouldn't come as a surprise to discover that when you cross the Channel, you'll find cultural differences that may disturb or even repel you. And so it is in Italy. The fact that these differences exist and Tim Parks chronicals them without an overlay of sentimentality or sensationalism makes them at the same time more shocking - but also more understandable.

Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Italian Neighbours: An Englishman in Verona

Used Price: £0.01

Average Rating:

.The New Italians

by: Charles Richards

April 27, 1995
As an Italian, I found this book excellent. For a start, it sweeps aside all the common places and prejudices about Italians (the Catholic country, etc.)

It's a very accurate, documented and true to life portrait of today's Italy. Among its other merits, it's devoid of those anecdotes in the style of Tim Park or Beppe Severgnini, which some may find funny, but that I find so irritating in the long run.

He explains how Italy has changed in the past decade: Tangentopoli, Mani Pulite, the fall of the traditional parties, the ever-growing wealth and the following loss of moral values, the immigration from non-EC Countries, etc.

It's just a pity that it's a bit outdated. I would like to read more by Charles Richards ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on The New Italians

Used Price: £2.16

Average Rating:

.An Italian Education

by: Tim Parks

May 03, 2001
I PUT THIS BOOK DOWN AFTER 30 PAGES ,IT WAS PUTTING ME TO SLEEP. I REALLY ENJOY GOOD READS ON LIFE IN ITALY, BUT THIS WAS JUST RUBBISH.
>>See More Reviews & Details on An Italian Education

Used Price: £0.99

Average Rating:

.Utopian Dreams

by: Tobias Jones

February 07, 2008
Tobias Jones went looking for something. He wasn't entirely sure what it was, just that it would be different to the unsatisfying fast-paced modern lifestyle that he had been struggling with for some time.

So he went community hopping. He visited a range of different, reasonably self-contained 'communities', all with a common theme of separation from the 'normal' world, generally with religious roots to some extent, in Italy and the UK. He explores how communities in general are built, whether they work, and whether spirituality and/or religion are necessary for a successful community.

In the end his answer is probably "yes", communities need some sort of foundation based on shared beliefs or objectives. In addition, he made ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Utopian Dreams

Used Price: £0.75

Average Rating:

.Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia

by: Roberto Saviano

January 18, 2008
Saviano's insight on this deadly subject made me wonder a few times about his personal relationship with the people he so openly denounces. This is a 28-year-old courageous man who has decided to put his life on the line to cast some light into the darkes area of Italy's social and political life. When I read the first chapter, I had the distinct feeling that what I had in my hands was a truly ground-breaking book. When I read about the links between organised crime and global trade, and to such a scale as well, I could understand why Italy is in the G8 in spite of his disastrous economy and almost irreversible ideological void. Who thinks that organised crime is a phenomenon contained within the Italian peninsula, must think again. Eye-opening and inspirational.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia

Used Price: £7.75

Average Rating:

.Italy and Its Discontents 1980-2001: Family, Civil Society, State

by: Paul Ginsborg

January 30, 2003
An enormous amount has happened to the that glorious enigma of a country which is Italy in the last quarter century, so to see an eminent specialist in the field writing a book entitled Italy and its Discontents 1980-2001 should be a subject for general rejoicing. Alas, having ploughed through this weighty tome, I cannot give the book an unqualified welcome. It does have a number of strengths; Ginsborg certainly knows his country, the major political, social and economic issues are covered in thorough and organized fashion and there are a wealth of supporting tables and notes. However, if you are to present an account full of facts and figures there is a desperate need for the light touch and fluent readability possessed by the very best writers. Sadly this is seriously ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on Italy and Its Discontents 1980-2001: Family, Civil Society, State

Used Price: £6.98

Average Rating:

.The Italian Way

by: Mario Costantino, Lawrence R. Gambella

July 01, 1996
An enormous amount has happened to the that glorious enigma of a country which is Italy in the last quarter century, so to see an eminent specialist in the field writing a book entitled Italy and its Discontents 1980-2001 should be a subject for general rejoicing. Alas, having ploughed through this weighty tome, I cannot give the book an unqualified welcome. It does have a number of strengths; Ginsborg certainly knows his country, the major political, social and economic issues are covered in thorough and organized fashion and there are a wealth of supporting tables and notes. However, if you are to present an account full of facts and figures there is a desperate need for the light touch and fluent readability possessed by the very best writers. Sadly this is seriously ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on The Italian Way

Used Price: £2.64

Average Rating:

.A Season with Verona

by: Tim Parks

March 06, 2003
Wow, I don't think Tim Parks could have chosen a better season to follow Verona. If he hadn't written the book, it would still be a great story to tell. I'm not going to spoil the ending for everyone, but it really is an amazing season which ends spectacularly.

I love the fact that the author actually attends the games as a true spectator instead of press or pundit. He joins in with the chants, the drinking, the travelling - all as a die hard fan and he never hides any of the gory details of Italian football.

There's a few other books like this and this one stands out a mile because you actually know the author is educated with regards to football and is a true fan, as opposed to some other authors who have a blinkered and often glamorous view of ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on A Season with Verona

Used Price: £3.43

Average Rating:

.Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through a Country's Hidden Past

by: Giles Tremlett

March 15, 2007
I felt like I was reading a series of articles (well that's what Tremlett does for his day job!) rather than a book, so I never really got into it. I tried a couple of times, but I have to say I never finished the book - at about the 1/2 way mark I used it to raise my reading lamp and that's where it remains.
>>See More Reviews & Details on Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through a Country's Hidden Past

Used Price: £1.20

Average Rating:

.Practice Makes Perfect: Italian Pronouns and Prepositions: Practice Makes Perfect

by: Daniela Gobetti

May 01, 2006
Written in a sloppy and thoughtless style. E.g. On page 5 the learner is introduced to two sentences: 'Seals love to play' and 'Bats are mammals.'
This is redolent of the infamous nineteenth-century travellers' guide which offered 'My postillion has been struck by lightning' as a useful phrase to memorise.
It is also full of careless mistakes e.g. on page 8 we are taught that 'a sinistra' means 'on the right.'
Pulp it!
>>See More Reviews & Details on Practice Makes Perfect: Italian Pronouns and Prepositions: Practice Makes Perfect

Used Price: £3.50