Italy Books - Page 2

Streetwise Rome Map - Laminated City Street Map of Rome, Italy - with integrated metro map including subway and railway lines, stations

Streetwise Maps

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Streetwise Maps Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $4.46

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Streetwise Rome Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Rome, Italy - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated metro map including subway & railway lines, stations

This map covers the following areas:
Main Rome Map 1:17,000
Rome Historic District Map 1:8,700
Rome Metro Map

As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It took hundreds of years to create the great Roman Empire, but it shouldn’t take as long to find your way around the ancient ruins that remain. With a STREETWISE® Map of Rome Italy, you have the ultimate guide to navigating Italy’s most famous and most historic city.

Throughout the city of Rome, past and present are intertwined as modern-day Italians and visiting tourists walk and drive through the remnants of one of history’s greatest civilizations. Whether it’s your first time or another return visit to your favorite destination, there’s always something new to see in Rome. A great map can be the key to discovering all the city has to offer.

Our STREETWISE® Rome Map provides a comprehensive and fully detailed map of Rome to aid you in finding your way to all there is to do and see in this great center of history and culture. From Vatican City to the southeast corner of Palatine, the STREETWISE® Rome Map covers the entire city in full-color, including graphic representations of the major buildings and historic sites. Our STREETWISE® Rome City Map is fully indexed, including streets, piazzas, gardens, and important places of interest. The STREETWISE® Rome Map also features a map of the Rome Metro system, including subway lines, railways, and the airport.

Our pocket size map of Rome is laminated for durability and accordion folding for effortless use. The STREETWISE® Rome map is one of many detailed and easy-to-read city street maps designed and published by STREETWISE®. Buy your STREETWISE® Rome map today and you too can navigate Rome, Italy like a native. For a larger selection of our detailed travel maps simply type STREETWISE MAPS into the Amazon search bar.

The North End Italian Cookbook, 5th

Marguerite DiMino Buonopane

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Globe Pequot Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $4.45

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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Can anyone ever get enough of the delicious repetitions of Italian cuisine--the pastas, the tomatoes, the cheeses, the herbs, and the olive oil? Judging from the never ending popularity of this cuisine, the answer must be no.

In The North End Italian Cookbook, Marguerite DiMino Buonopane has revisited every treasured recipe from earlier editions of this book as well as added new tried-and-true favorites. Many are family recipes, cooked the way her mother and grandparents used to cook. This ancestral cuisine is from the Roman region of Italy, where the food was the sustenance of the common people. Many of the recipes, however, were created in Boston's North End. The recipes, from antipasto to dessert, recapture days gone by and preserve the present-day traditions of North End Italian cooking.

Using these recipes as guides, readers can incorporate over time a style of their own, one that suits their family's tastes. And with this book readers will be guided every step of the way in the art of cooking Italian. It's as if they were taking a cooking class in which they are the only students.

Classic Italian dishes include: Cannellini Beans Insalata, Pasta e Fagiole, Farina Dumplings, Marinara Sauce, Frittata di Spaghetti, Potato Gnocchi, Veal Scaloppine, Beef Braciole in Tomato Sauce, Calamri Freddo, Gelato, and Italian Toto Cookies.

Florence and Tuscany (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

DK Publishing

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Nice guidebook 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We enjoyed this guidebook on our recent trip to Florence. It was comprehensive, easy to use, and fun to read. This publisher also offers a companion map and mini-guide book to use on the go.

Good Info for a Trip 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this prior to traveling to Italy. Great info on Tuscany and Florence. And I loved that area!!

Only wish I'd had more time 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Yeah, doesn't everyone? There is so much in this book outside of Florence and I really wanted to make the trek into the Tuscan hills around the city, especially to Pisa and Siena. But alas, I was trapped in Florence...and what a prison it was! Everyone should find themselves thus abused at some point in their life, I believe.

This DK guide made the punishment a lot easier to endure, saving me time and headache by thoroughly breaking down specific areas of the city in detailed maps. From Palazzo and Ponte Vecchio, to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (il Duomo), and on to Brancacci Chapel and Santa Croce and everything in between. This guide gave me detailed information on each of the sites and helped enrich the experience. The exploded diagrams cover the finer points, giving the reader recognizable visual elements to look for along the way. This is so much better than words alone.

Overall, I highly recommend this book...and the city itself. Florence is a place like no other!

Editorial Review:

There is something for just about everyone in Florence and Tuscany. From viewing some of the world's greatest Renaissance art to wandering around designer boutiques. Discover a whole new side of Florence and Tuscany with the Eyewitness Travel Guide. This guide will give you practical information without any hassle. All of the important towns and other places to visit are described individually. Within each town or city, there is detailed information on important buildings and other sites. Make the most of your trip with the Eyewitness Travel Guide.

Rick Steves' Rome 2009

Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Avalon Travel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $9.38

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Travel Tool 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I am really glad I purchased this for our recent family trip to Rome. We did use it ALOT! It doesn't have everything in Rome to see but it has all the Majors!! Was especially helpful when we didn't really know the background story on some of the peices in the National History Museum. This book is really good if you don't plan on taking tours in Rome with is almost impossible with how many tours out there that they offer you. Maps are especially helpful for the areas where your bigger map doesn't go into as much detail.

Editorial Review:

Rick Steves’ Rome 2009 allows any traveler to enjoy the sights and appreciate the lively culture of Italy’s capital and the center of the ancient world, from the architectural wonder of the Colosseum to a great cappuccino at a local café. Rick offers expert advice on all of the must-see destinations, including the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. With detailed tours of Rome’s best museums and historic sights as well as unique walks through local neighborhoods, Rick Steves’ Rome 2009 is the definitive guide to this world-class city.

The City of Falling Angels

John Berendt

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Subjects -> History -> Historical Study -> Social History

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 211 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The author of the record-breaking bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil unveils the enigmatic Venice as only he can

Twelve years ago, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil exploded into a monumental success, residing a record-breaking four years on the New York Times bestseller list (longer than any work of fiction or nonfiction had before) and turning John Berendt into a household name. The City of Falling Angels is Berendt’s first book since Midnight, and it immediately reminds one what all the fuss was about. Turning to the magic, mystery, and decadence of Venice, Berendt gradually reveals the truth behind a sensational fire that in 1996 destroyed the historic Fenice opera house. Encountering a rich cast of characters, Berendt tells a tale full of atmosphere and surprise as the stories build, one after the other, ultimately coming together to portray a world as finely drawn as a still-life painting.

Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2009

Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Avalon Travel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $10.38

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Buy the Rough Guide instead! 1 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

I came across this in an apartment in Florence, wisely jettisoned by a traveler who had more useful things to carry in their luggage.

Steves' book IS quite good at the very practical nitty gritty of Florence: for example precisely how one collects pre-reserved Uffizi tickets, but his comments on cultural aspects are at best token and often stupid. Not everyone will want, like me, to know all about as much of the art as possible in a book about Florence, but for a travel guide to cover, say, Santa Croce and make reference to only one painting when the place is full of the most glorious and important fresco cycles by major figures is inexcusable. If the information is there, one can ignore it, but if it isn't, you might return to the US (the prime market, I imagine) and realise that you have been within yards of great paintings but the guide book didn't GUIDE you to go and look at them. Instead, in Santa Croce, he refers to admittedly interesting monuments, but fails to refer to the finest (Bruni's), he's only interested in the famous names.

His grasp of the art is very poor and he seems to address his readers as though they are 12 year olds needing asinine jokes to keep their attention. For him medieval painting is a world of never-neverland (his phrase) where the poor painters are struggling desperately to paint realistically but just can't do it! Simone Martine's Uffizi Annunciation is patronised: he can't see its beauty and sees it as a mere stone on the pathway to realism. Mary 'doesn't look too impressed': a good point if he only had the wit to see that perhaps the responsibility of her role is frightening and overwhelming - it's a very moving and human piece, but his approach seems to be,'Why try to elucidate when you can be folksy and jocular'. An early crucifixion is mocked for having Christ's head raised as on a wedge as though this is a pathetic effort at three-dimensionality when it is pretty obvious that the angle would enable viewers to see Christ's face (and suffering) more clearly from ground level and has little to do with aspiring to realism. He also says that the Siena Pinacoteca (a gallery full of wonderful Sienese painting) would tempt him in only if there was a downpour! (I dread to think what nonsense Steves writes about, say, Picasso, if REALISM is the criterion by which all is judged.)

A cardinal sin, for me, is the advice to 'leave this guide face up' in a number of restaurants to gain a reduction. When I travel I like to try to be as little like a tourist as possible, while still obviously being one. I know I stand out like a sore thumb, but Steves seems happy to be as obvious as an amputated leg. And what sort of arrangement leads a guide book writer to 'negotiate' deals for his readers? All very sad, especially as Steves seems to be the Guru of European travel for Americans. Perhaps he suits those, like the previous reviewer who praises Steves for enabling him to 'do' Pisa in 45 minutes and not miss anything, though how he would know he hadn't missed anything is beyond me.

The Rough Guide does everything Steves does well just as effectively, while the cultural stuff, whether great art, architecture etc or jazz clubs, bars, cinemas, clubs - is in another league. If you want a detailed guide to the art and history of the city, see American art historian Eve Borsook's Companion Guide: it has the art, the history and is a really good unfussy read.

And if you want to get a guide to the UK, PLEASE don't buy Steves': I dread to think what rubbish he writes, on the basis of this offering.
Not even worth the one star the site requires me to give!

Editorial Review:

Rick Steves’ Florence & Tuscany 2009 is the definitive guide to Europe’s cultural capital and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Rick includes expert advice on exploring the endless cultural sights of Florence, from the Bargello, the prison-turned-museum that houses works by Michelangelo and Donatello, to the Duomo, the Gothic cathedral complete with the first Renaissance dome. Rick also covers the quant hill towns of Tuscany, where travelers can enjoy Etruscan art and some of Italy’s finest wine. With self-guided tours of all the major museums and tips on transportation, accommodations, and dining, Rick Steves’ Florence & Tuscany 2009 allows any traveler to experience everything that this remarkable region has to offer.

Rome (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)

DK Publishing

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 69 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not perfect, but it served me well in Rome 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Bad news first: this book has the issue of trying to cover too much in too small of a format and page count. As a result, you'll run into some cases where entries are text only. This is not too big of a deal, but sometimes a photo would really help identify a place when you're hemmed in by roads and buildings with little in the way of addresses to guide you. When in Rome, this can be a problem for the uninitiated.

On the other hand, I found the descriptions, diagrams, and photos of the major areas to be more than adequate. I also found on several occasions that the guide pointed out little details (such as the location of Raphael's tomb in the Pantheon) that I would have missed otherwise. The restaurant and refreshment recommendations (save yourself some ground money by drinking from the aqueduct fountains) were right on - not a bad meal in the bunch. Which reminds me...if you like coffee, stop by Tazza d'Oro next to the Pantheon for a really good cup.

To sum up, you cannot go wrong with this guide. Actually, all of the Eyewitness Guides I own - Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice, and Amsterdam - are essentially the same: not exactly perfect, but very good. Other than the minor issue of missing photos on some pages where it would have been useful, I can think of no complaint.

Editorial Review:

This book divides central Rome into 16 areas and has further sections for sights on the outskirts of the city; including some day trips as well as some suggested walks. Each of the main areas has its own chapter and contains a selection of sights that convey some of its history and distinctive character. The bird's-eye view maps, photographs, 3-D aerial views of Rome's most interesting districts, the floor plans of all the major sights and the huge selection of hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues separate this guide from all of the rest. The Eyewitness Travel Guide helps you to get the most from your stay in Rome.

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

Ross King

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 104 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A dome for eternity 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The dual papacy had been resolved in favor of Rome (1416). Florence was the interim home for the Pope while permanent quarters were being readied in Rome (1420). Florence considered itself the new Athens of the western world, and on August 19, 1418 Filippo Brunelleschi submitted his design for the dome of the city's new cathedral. His design pushed the technology of bricklaying to never seen before sophistication, producing a dome 143 feet in diameter; a dome which is still the largest masonry dome in the world. His radical design and construction techniques for the double-walled dome required no temporary central scaffolding and support.

The work was interrupted by disease, war and political upheavals. Finally, the octagonal dome was completed in 1436 and the lantern on top of the dome was completed in 1461, fifteen years after Filippo's death. Ross King weaves a wonderful story about this technological feat. This book should appeal to all art, architecture and history buffs.

Editorial Review:

Brunelleschi's Dome is the story of how a Renaissance genius designed and built an architectural wonder: the great dome over the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Considered impossible to build, the dome had baffled architects for more than 100 years, and Brunelleschi's solution was so daring that he was denounced as a madman when he proposed it. Yet build it he did, between 1418 and 1436, as plagues, wars, political feuds and the intellectual ferments of Renaissance Florence swirled around him - events Ross King weaves into the story to great effect. From Brunelleschi's bitter, ongoing rivalry with the sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti, to the near capture of Florence by the Duke of Milan, to the daily routine of the artisans laboring hundreds of feet above the ground as the dome grew ever higher, Brunelleschi's Dome offers a wealth of detail and a memorable story.

One Hundred and One Beautiful Small Towns of Italy (101 Towns)

Paolo Lazzarin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Who hasn't dreamt of being whisked away to a sweet little Italian town buried deep in the countryside-towns with names that roll off the tongue like Vercelli, Portofino, and Tuscania? The small towns sprinkled throughout this expansive book are not only rich with beauty, but are also saturated with as much historical and cultural importance as their sister cities. The fact that they are "off the beaten path"-though sometimes extraordinarily famous for their art, food, and wine, or simply their setting-makes them rare gems even more desirable to see. This book is the perfect guide for those who can't resist succumbing to Italy's charms again and again.
Originally written by and for Italians, this is a fantastic source of inside information. The 101 towns featured represent the 20 diverse regions of Italy and their varied landscapes, architecture, and local specialties. Practical sidebars introduce the reader to traditional artisans-Tuscan saddlers, custom cobblers, tapestry weavers, ceramicists, and crafters of papier-mâché-as well as to the best place to buy Parmigiano Reggiano or the greatest terrace to have tea while taking in a Tuscan sunset. And if that weren't enough to keep you busy-or you have a hard time deciding where to go first-art and architecture are also amply covered, from the history of L'Aquila's 99 fountains to the most elaborate of Baroque churches and the most charming of piazzas.
You will be amazed to see how much Italy has to offer beyond the well-trod paths of Venice, Florence, and Rome. From Asolo to Vicenza, flea markets to fish markets, horse races to open air concerts, this book promises 101 great reasons to go back to Italy over and over.

Under the Tuscan Sun 2009 Engagement Calendar

Frances Mayes, Steven Rothfeld

Amazon Price: $15.99 List Price: $15.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Chronicle Books Amazon Marketplace: 19 new & used starting at $10.74

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Sunshine every day 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Full of wonderful photos of Cortona, Italy You will want to be there everyday too.

Under the Tuscan Sun calendar 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is the second year for the same calendar. Great photos though
I did last years issue a bit better.

Love These! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have ordered this calendar for several years now. The pictures are beautiful and last year I tried one of the recipes, which was good. The format is nice because it has a Monday-Sunday week, so if you use your calendars to write appointments and events, the full weekend is available in one view.

Editorial Review:

Experience la dolce vita of the Italian countryside with quotations and recipes from Frances Mayes, drawn from her best-selling book, Under the Tuscan Sun.