The Accidental Connoisseur, An Irreverent Journey Through the Wine World  •  Lawrence Osborne FOOD •  2005 •  PAPER  • 262 PAGES Oh, what a quest -- and what great fun. Osborne journeys across the world to places like Provence, Tuscany and Sonoma on an animated quest of what makes wine and what makes it good. He stops by New York, San Francisco, Paris, Florence, and Rome to see what people are drinking. He meets plenty of interesting characters along the way (like Robert Mondavi), revealing much about the pleasures of wine (and travel!) We're hoping for a southern hemisphere sequel. (TVL31, $14.00)
After Hannibal  •  Barry Unsworth LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 250 PAGES Having taken up residence in Umbria, Booker Prize-winning Unsworth writes of his adopted turf in this excellent novel. His vivid tale encompasses the history, landscape, pleasures, and modern invaders (i.e. the other Americans and Europeans who have come to set up shop in this beautiful part of the world). (ITL100, $17.95)
Al Dente, The Adventures of a Gastronome in Italy  •  William Black FOOD •  2004 •  PAPER  • 368 PAGES Clearly besotted by food, William Black travels throughout Italy in search of food and experience. (ITL548, $13.95)
Architecture in Italy 1500-1600  •  Wolfgang Lotz  •  Deborah Howard ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 205 PAGES A classic, comprehensive introduction to 16th-century Italian architecture. In this highly readable book, Lotz discusses the work of Renaissance architects including Bramante, Giulio Roman, Michelangelo and Palladio. Originally published in 1974 as part two of "Architecture in Italy, 1400-1600." With hundreds of color photographs and site plans, the book is an excellent companion for visitors to Venice, Florence or Rome. (ITL247, $40.00)
Blue Guide Central Italy with Rome and Florence  •  Alta MacAdam GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 736 PAGES Including two of the biggest destinations in Italy, this guide has in-depth information on regional history, great reccommendations and regional maps. MacAdam, an art historian, brings her expertise to the Blue Guide Series' usual focus on art and culture. (ITL947, $34.95)
Blue Guide Tuscany  •  Alta MacAdam GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 575 PAGES A guide to the cultural riches of Tuscany with a focus on history, art and architecture. Serious-minded travelers will not want to be without it. (ITL43, $24.95)
Bonaventure: The Life of St. Francis  •  Ewart Cousins RELIGION •  2005 •  PAPER  • 142 PAGES The Church's official life of St Francis, written by the Franciscan monk Bonaventure in the 13th century. It's a simple, direct tale that was an important source of inspiration for Renaissance painters. (ITL602, $11.95)
Cadogan Guide Florence  •  Dana Facaros  •  Michael Pauls GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES (ITL712, $14.95)
Casa Rossa  •  Francesca Marciano LITERATURE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 340 PAGES This is Italian filmmaker Marciano's second attempt at the pen, her first being a novel of Kenya, titled Rules of the Wild. This second popular novel, set in Southern Italy, Rome, and New York City, follows the lives of a mother, daughter, and granddaughter, and their ties to modern Italy. The novel opens as the narrator, Alina Strada, prepares to sell the family farm (Casa Rossa) in Puglia. The author, as you might guess, divides her time between Italy and Kenya. (ITL534, $14.95)
Central Italy Map  •  Touring Club Italiano MAP A regional map of Central Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria and Rome, at a scale of 1:400,000. (ITL103, $12.95)
The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy  •  Jacob Burckhardt  •  S. G. C. Middlemore  •  Peter Gay HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 401 PAGES While focusing on the flowering of art and culture in Renaissance Italy, Burckhardt maintains a keen interest in the nature of civilization itself in this Victorian classic -- originally published in this translation in 1878. He covers state, art, society, religion, morality, philosophy and other topics of universal interest. In a new Modern Library edition. (ITL307, $15.95)
The Civilized Shopper's Guide to Florence  •  Louise Fili GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES An insider's guide to the 80 finest shops in Florence for designer clothes, antique jewelry, gourmet foods, and other handcrafted wonders. Loosely organized as a series of walking tours with café and restaurant recommendations interspersed throughout. (ITL880, $12.95)
A Concise History of Italy  •  Christopher Duggan HISTORY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES A history of Italy covering the period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the present day, with particular emphasis on the difficulties it has faced in forging a modern nation state. The book weaves together political, social, economic, and cultural history. (ITL35, $28.99)
The Craftsman's Handbook: Il Libro dell' Arte  •  Cennino d'Andrea Cennini  •  Daniel V. Thompson ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1954 •  PAPER  • 142 PAGES A hands-on, how-to guide to the materials and techniques of 14th and 15th-century painting, both tempera and fresco, by a working artist of the day. Translated and with an introduction by D. V. Thompson. (ITL600, $8.95)
D.H. Lawrence and Italy  •  D.H. Lawrence  •  Tim Parks TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2008 •  PAPER  • 495 PAGES A collection of D.H. Lawrence's travel writings on Italy, each wonderful and very different in tone. "Sea and Sardinia" is a nostalgic look at traditional ways of life on the island, "Twilight in Italy" an evocation of Lawrence's stay on Lake Garda and "Etruscan Places" a meditation on ancient lives. (ITL62, $18.00)
Dante  •  R.W. Lewis BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 224 PAGES An inviting, literate biography of the Florentine poet by the author of "The City of Florence, Historical Vistas and Personal Sightings" (ITL61). It's an entry in the "Penguin Lives" series. (ITL313, $19.95)
The Dark Heart of Italy  •  Tobias Jones TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2004 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES An insightful portrait of contemporary Italy by an inquisitive British journalist author, who moved to Parma in 1999. Jones roamed widely in Italy, soaking in art, society and politics. It's the fame, popularity and audacity of Berlusconi at the heart of the book. (ITL533, $15.00)
Death in Autumn  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES Number four in the Marshal Guarnaccia series in which the Sicilian inspector digs into the story behind a richly bejeweled body found in the Arno. It's a atmospheric tale involving not only murder but also blackmail, jewel theft, and drug dealing. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia is not entirely at ease, a Sicilian living in Florence, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). (ITL637, $11.00)
Death in Springtime  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2005 •  PAPER Two women are kidnapped in Florence's Piazza San Felice in this third Guarnaccia mystery. Guarnaccia's investigation takes him around Florence (the setting for the series) and up into the Tucsan foothills on the trail of suspected Sardinian kidnappers. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia is not entirely at ease, a Sicilian living in Florence, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). (ITL635, $10.00)
Death of a Dutchman  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2007 •  PAPER  • 220 PAGES Marshal Guarnaccia investigates the suspicous circumstances surrounding the death of Dutch jeweler, who returns to his boyhood home in Florence only to soon be found dysing. A barbiturate overdose and glass-slashed hands suggest suicide, but the Dutch jeweler's last words, oddly, are "It wasn't her." Puzzled and suspicious, the dedicated Marshal must fight his way through official red tape, hordes of tourists, the soggy July heat, and the dead Dutchman's troubled past in order to reach the truth. (ITL882, $12.00)
The Divine Comedy  •  Dante Alighieri  •  Charles H. Sisson LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 771 PAGES In this classic -- possibly the most famous and important literary achievement of medieval Western civilization -- Dante molds a universe in which reason and faith shape social order. A clear, blank verse translation of the 14th-century work. (ITL310, $17.95)
The Divine Comedy: Inferno  •  Dante  •  Allen Mandelbaum LITERATURE •  1982 •  PAPER  • 432 PAGES Allen Mandelbaum's popular blank verse translation of Dante's Inferno. (ITL821, $6.50)
The Divine Comedy: Inferno, Part 1 (Text)  •  Dante  •  Charles Singleton LITERATURE •  1990 •  PAPER  • 382 PAGES Italian verse and English prose are on facing pages in this authoritative edition of Dante's Inferno with translation by Charles Singleton. Singleton's commentary is available as a separate volume. (ITL272, $19.95)
The Divine Comedy: Inferno, Part II (Commentary)  •  Dante  •  Charles Singleton LITERATURE •  1989 •  PAPER  • 683 PAGES The accompanying commentary to Singleton's authoritative translation of Dante's Inferno. With maps and a few back-and-white illustrations. (ITL273, $40.00)
Edith Wharton's Italian Gardens  •  Vivian Russell BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 192 PAGES Edith Wharton's essays on the magnificent villa gardens of Lombardy, Veneto, Florence, Siena and Rome are as full of interest today as when they were first published in 1904. With commentary and color photographs of the villas and gardens by Vivian Russell, who retraced Wharton's journeys. She includes literary excerpts by Wharton, Charles Dickens, Henry James and other admirers. (ITL716, $45.00)
The Enchantress of Florence  •  Salman Rushdie LITERATURE •  2008 •  HARD COVER Deeply absorbing and mysterious, this novel conjures life in Renaissance Florence and the Mughal court of emperor Akbar with vivid detail and humor. It begins with a Florentine stranger in Sikra and then proceeds to reveal many secrets and tell many tales. Combine a page-turning plot with Rushdie's masterful prose and philosophical complexity, and you have a thoroughly rewarding read. (ITL948, $26.00)
Etruscan Art  •  Nigel Spivey ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 216 PAGES A thoroughly-illustrated, wide-ranging and literate introduction to Etruscan art. A volume in the acclaimed "World of Art" series. (ITL68, $18.95)
Eyewitness Florence Pocket Map & Guide  •  Eyewitness Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 80 PAGES This excellent guide to Florence features color photography, easy-to-use foldout maps and top attractions. Convenient and up-to-date with an unbeatable price, this is the guide to carry. (ITL790, $6.99)
Eyewitness Guide Italy  •  Eyewitness Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 674 PAGES Another gem in the Eyewitness series, this superb guide is handsome, convenient and up-to-date; it's the guide to carry. Featuring color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a region-by-region synopsis of the country's attractions. (ITL32, $30.00)
Eyewitness Guide Umbria  •  Eyewitness Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES A marvelously illustrated, compact guide to the culture, history and attractions of Umbria, organized geographically and especially helpful for its innovative site plans, building diagrams and local maps. With select, annotated listings of where to eat and sleep and what to buy. (ITL512, $20.00)
Florence, A Delicate Case  •  David Leavitt TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 256 PAGES In this impressionistic account -- third in the Writer and the City Series -- Leavitt explores the history of Florence as refuge, sanctuary and inspiration for foreign artists and writers. He also looks at the portrayal of the city in literature and film. (ITL397, $16.95)
Florentine Renaissance Sculpture  •  Charles Avery ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1989 •  PAPER  • 274 PAGES An overview of the Renaissance sculpture of Florence, well written and handsomely illustrated. Avery, a director of Christies and former curator at Victoria and Albert, has written a number of books on Bernini and other Italian sculptors of the period. (ITL134, $22.95)
Fodor's Exploring Italy  •  Fodor's GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES With its many photographs, great introductory chapters and practical travel information, this book is an excellent overview of Italy and its attractions for visitors. Featuring separate sections on suggested places to visit, recommended walks, practical information, descriptions of restaurants and hotels, ratings of sights, and a chronology of historic events. (ITL73, $22.00)
Fodor's Florence, Tuscany & Umbria  •  Inc. Fodor's Travel Publications GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 480 PAGES This comprehensive guide in the Fodor's Gold series features helpful information on sights, excursions, restaurants, hotels and nightlife. (ITL836, $19.95)
Fodor's See It Italy  •  Fodor's GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 462 PAGES An inaugural volume in this new line of guides by Fodor's this book is notable for its especially vibrant presentation of the country. Each page displays full-color photos accompanied by much useful information on how to eat, sleep, shop, and sightsee in Italy. With seven sections choc-full of tips to help make your visit memorable. The "Out and About" section features pre-planned walking and touring routes such as "A Lover's Walk in the Cinque Terre," "A Wine Tour from Alba to Cuneo" and "The Salentine Peninsula." (ITL550, $24.95)
The Food of Italy  •  Waverly Root FOOD •  1992 •  PAPER  • 750 PAGES Evocative of Italy and its diverse cuisine, this classic book--organized geographically--offers a cook's tour of the country. It's a well-informed and wonderfully literate guide. (ITL75, $19.95)
For the Beauty of the Earth: Birding, Opera, and Other Journeys  •  Thomas Urquhart BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2006 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES Urquhart chronicles a lifelong affair with nature, combined with a passion for music, as he travels-- and bird watches-- through pastoral England, Italy, the Camargue in Provence, and the villages of Mali. (BRD35, $15.00)
Forbidden Friendships, Homosexuality and Male Culture in Renaissance Florence  •  Michael Rocke HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES In this vivid, scholarly study of sex roles, gender and the place of homosexuality in Florentine society of the 15th and 16th centuries, Rocke draws heavily on the records of the Office of the Night, a special force put into place to fight male-male sexuality (and who made an impressive number of arrests). (ITL443, $29.95)
Frommer's Florence & the Best of Tuscany Day by Day  •  Darwin Porter GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES A compact shirt pocket guide, ideal for a short visit, featuring remarkably good suggestions for everything from food, hotels and neighborhoods to shopping. With a separate foldout map of the city center. (ITL737, $12.99)
Frommer's Tuscany & Umbria  •  Reid Bramblett GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 450 PAGES A practical guide in the popular series, revised annually. (ITL83, $19.99)
The Gothic Enterprise, A Guide to Understanding the Medieval Cathedral  •  Robert A. Scott ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 307 PAGES Scott, whose interest in the history of cathedrals began when he first saw the magnificent Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Salisbury, England, takes his reader on a historical, architectural and sociological tour of the magnificent spires and stained-glass windows that dot the landscape of Europe. It's an accessible, personable overview. (EUR190, $17.95)
Here Is Where We Meet  •  John Berger LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES This novel weaves a portrait of several European countries through encounters with the dead, from the narrator's mother, whom he discovers on a park bench in Lisbon, to a childhood friend wandering a market in Krakow. "The dead don't stay where they are buried," the protagonist's mother tells him, and this becomes the mantra for this most unusual journey through Europe's history and people. (EUR189, $14.00)
History of Italian Renaissance Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture  •  David G. Wilkins  •  Frederick Hartt ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 699 PAGES A comprehensive history of Italian art from the 13th through the 16th centuries, long the standard reference on the flowering of art in the Renaissance. David Wilkins thoroughly revised this sixth edition, broadening the scope of the book and adding many new color plates, including details of the Sistine Chapel frescoes. (ITL308, $117.40)
Il Postino  •  Michael Radford 1995 •  DVD The Italian comic actor Massino Troisi stars as a shy Italian postman living in a small fishing village on a Mediterranean island off the coast of Italy who learns the ways of poetry and romance while delivering mail to the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In Italian with subtitles. (ITL541, $19.99)
The Inferno of Dante, A New Verse Translation  •  Dante Alighieri  •  Robert Pinsky LITERATURE •  1996 •  PAPER  • 355 PAGES The celebrated modern translation of Dante's "Inferno" by former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. An accessible and elegant rendering of the classic text, enhanced by an introduction and notes. (ITL411, $11.00)
Innocence  •  Penelope Fitzgerald LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES Salvatore is a poor doctor; Chiara is the last progeny of the aristocratic Ridolfi clan; they fall in love, and love makes them miserable. It's a comedy, set in mid-twentieth century Italy, by the inimitable Penelope Fitzgerald. The fantastic first chapter alone would be worth the cover price. (ITL317, $12.00)
The Innocent  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 233 PAGES Lucky number 13 in the Marshal Salvatore Guarnaccia series, rich in the flavor of Florence, involving the murder of a woman in Boboli Gardens. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia, a Sicilian living in Florence, is not entirely at ease, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). Nabb helpfully includes a map of Florence. (ITL634, $12.00)
Insight City Guide Florence  •  Insight Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES This lavishly illustrated Insight guide includes excellent color maps and thoughtful short essays on history, culture and attractions. (ITL930, $19.95)
Insight Guide Italy  •  Insight Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 356 PAGES In its hallmark style, this glossy guide is a full-color introduction to the land, people and history of Italy written by a team of experts. Brief background essays highlight important topics. With sections on Italian food and wine, cinema, music and opera. Much of the book is devoted to a regional survey of attractions. (ITL108, $23.95)
Insight Guide Mediterranean Cruises  •  Insight Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 300 PAGES Covering 120 ports of call throughout the Mediterranean from the Canary Islands to Egypt. (MED94, $22.95)
Insight Pocket Guide Florence  •  Christopher Catling GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER This convenient, slim volume features color photographs, many maps (including a handy fold-out map of the city), good short descriptions of major points of interest, and other practical information. (ITL162, $13.95)
Inventing Leonardo  •  A. Richard Turner BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1994 •  PAPER  • 268 PAGES Turner, a leading art historian of the Renaissance, offers a lively appraisal of the controversial genius. It's an elegant and stimulating book. (ITL79, $22.95)
Italian Bed & Breakfasts  •  Touring Club Italiano GUIDEBOOK •  2003 •  PAPER  • 466 PAGES A guide to 1,200 places to stay in Italy, from simple rooms to luxurious suites, the heart of Rome to off-the-beaten track. Published by Touring Club Italiano, it's packed with information on directions, rates and booking. (ITL598, $16.95)
Italian Cinema, From Neorealism to the Present  •  Peter Bondanella ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 544 PAGES Art historian Peter Bondonella tackles the history modern Italian film in this scholarly volume, starting in the 1940s with the Neorealists (De Sica, Rossellini, et al) and charting a course up to the auteurs of today. Detailed and well written, it is an essential reference to one of the world's most vibrant national cinemas. (ITL350, $29.95)
Italian Days  •  Barbara Grizzuti Harrison TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 479 PAGES • FAVORITE A literary celebration, portrait and guide to Italy and the Italians. Barbara Grizzuti Harrison writes with warmth and depth of her journey from Milan south to Calabria in this sprightly account. It's one of our favorite books about place. (ITL02, $15.00)
Italian English Bilingual Visual Dictionary  •  DK Publishing LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2005 •  PAPER  • 360 PAGES With thousands of neatly arranged color photographs, this compact book is impressively comprehensive, covering everything from the basics of la casa (house) to the vocabulary of le granaglie e i legumi secchi (grains and legumes). With a handy reference section in the back. (ITL626, $12.95)
Italian Folktales  •  Italo Calvino LITERATURE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 763 PAGES A seminal collection of 200 folk tales, retold by a modern master who never lost his affection for the folkloric traditions of his childhood. (ITL314, $25.00)
Italian Hours  •  Henry James TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1992 •  PAPER  • 376 PAGES A classic series of travel essays written between 1872 and 1909 on the art, religion and people of Italy. James is an observant guide to Rome, Naples, Florence and other great destinations in the 19th century. (ITL07, $16.00)
Italian Indispensables Vocabulary Builder  •  Audio-Forum LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  CASETTE TAPE A short audio program wiith 50 common words and phrases for travelers. (ITL401, $9.95)
Italian, A Language Map  •  Kristine K. Kershul LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  1999 •  PLASTIC CARD This durable, foldout card, featuring 1,000 words and phrases, works as a quick reference for travelers. (ITL645, $7.95)
The Italians  •  Luigi Barzini CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1996 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES The definitive portrait of the Italian people, noteworthy for its insight, grace and wit. It's a classic, scholarly essay on the Italian character, still worthwhile though first published in 1964. Much historical information is included. Highly recommended. (ITL05, $16.00)
Italy and Its Invaders  •  Girolamo Arnaldi HISTORY •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 240 PAGES A wide-ranging history of the many empires and world powers that have invaded Italy, with either success or failure, and their lasting influences, both positive and negative, on Italian art, architecture and culture up to the present day. (ITL661, $19.95)
Italy in Mind  •  Alice Powers LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 349 PAGES A terrific collection of some of the best literary writing on Italy, including pieces by Melville, Lawrence, Henry James, Mary McCarthy and many others. Each piece (they tend to run about 5-7 pages) is introduced thoroughly with a description of its historical, geographical, or literary context. Great reading. (ITL39, $14.95)
Italy Map  •  Borch Maps 2006 •  MAP A convenient laminated map of Italy at a scale of 1:800,000 with excellent topographic detail, an index, and large individual maps of Sicily and Sardinia. (ITL19, $11.95)
Italy, A Short History  •  Harry Hearder HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 294 PAGES Elegantly written, generous and enormously informative, this compact book takes in the fell sweep of Italian history from the Roman Republic up to the present, including the Renaissance and World War II. It has a welcome focus on the essential unity of Italian civilizations, as well as maps and a chronology. This revised second edition of the late Harry Hearder's classic book includes a new chapter by Jonathan Morris on recent history. (ITL56, $26.99)
Italy, A Traveler's Literary Companion  •  Lawrence Venuti ANTHOLOGY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES This collection of tales by diverse Italian writers, organized geographically, captures the spirit, history and allure of the country. Not just a literary companion, this anthology is also a who's who of contemporary Italian writers. Bravo. (ITL466, $14.95)
Italy, Charming Small Hotels  •  Fiona Duncan GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 468 PAGES A pocket-size guide to unusual places to stay throughout Italy, this useful book features a color photograph and description of each villa, castle or other small hotel. (ITL92, $19.95)
Knopf Guide Florence  •  Knopf Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  PAPER  • 392 PAGES A compact travel guide awash in vibrant color photographs, architectural cutaways and fascinating excerpts from classic literature. (ITL138, $25.00)
Knopf Mapguide, Florence  •  Knopf Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES A practical and handy passport-sized guide to the city, featuring fold-out maps. (ITL807, $8.95)
Leonardo da Vinci  •  Kenneth Clark BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1993 •  PAPER With 128 well integrated plates and a useful chronology, this authoritative and informative book has become the standard introduction to da Vinci and his work. (ITL78, $21.95)
The Little Flowers of St. Francis  •  W. Heywood  •  Ugolino  •  Madeleine L'Engle LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 120 PAGES Classic tales attributed to St. Francis, divided into 50 vignettes, including the story of the wolf of Gubbio, set along the Franciscan Way. (ITL132, $13.00)
The Lives of the Artists, Vol 1  •  Giorgio Vasari  •  Julia Conway and Peter Bondanella BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1987 •  PAPER  • 477 PAGES Vasari offers short biographies of the art and lives of his Renaissance contemporaries in this classic and much-discussed book written in the mid-16th century. He focuses on painters both great and lesser-known, including Giotto, Michelangelo, Titian and others. This edition includes parts one, two and three of the huge original work. (ITL17, $14.00)
Lonely Planet Florence Encounter  •  Robert Landon GUIDEBOOK •  2009 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES • COMING IN JANUARY With a section of not-to-missed highlights and a calendar of annual events, this lively pocket guide organized by neighborhood includes suggested side trips, along what to see and where to shop, eat, drink and play. With a double-sided pullout map. (ITL960, $12.99)
Lonely Planet Italian Phrasebook  •  Lonely Planet LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2008 •  PAPER  • 260 PAGES A handy, palm-size guide to pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler. (ITL531, $8.99)
The Lost Painting  •  Jonathan Harr ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 271 PAGES Jonathan Harr turns the tale of Caravaggio and the hunt for a masterpiece famously lost to history into a first-rate detective story in this marvelous book, much of it set in Rome. The masterful detail on not just Caravaggio but also art restoration, scholarship and study is well done indeed. (ITL676, $15.00)
M, The Man Who Became Caravaggio  •  Peter Robb BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2000 •  PAPER  • 592 PAGES A masterful biography of the Renaissance painter by the author of "Midnight in Sicily." (ART47, $22.00)
Mammals of Europe  •  Priscilla Barrett  •  David W. MacDonald FIELD GUIDE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES Published by Princeton, this is a field guide to land and marine mammals throughout Europe, both endemic and introduced. With more than 600 color illustrations of over 200 mammals, it's a comprehensive handbook, with detailed descriptions, range maps and commentary on behavior. (FG61, $34.95)
The Marshal and the Madwoman  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2003 •  PAPER In this sixth book in the series Guarnaccia discovers poor crazed Clementina, found dead in San Frediano district, lead a more intriguing life than anyone would have suspected. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia is not entirely at ease, a Sicilian living in Florence, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). (ITL638, $12.00)
The Marshal and the Murderer  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 204 PAGES This fifth book in the Marshal Guarnaccia series takes our hero from the streets of Florence, his usual haunt, and into the countryside on the trail of a young Swiss art student who has disappeared. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia is not entirely at ease, a Sicilian living in Florence, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). (ITL640, $12.00)
The Marshal Makes His Report  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES Marshal Guarnaccia investigates the suspicious suicide of a Florentine aristocrat in the eighth installment of Nabb's excellent series. (ITL972, $14.00)
The Marshal's Own Case  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES In the seventh book in Nabb's fast-paced, atmospheric series, Inspector Guarnaccia must navigate the underbelly of Florentine society after a transvestite prostitute is found dead. (ITL971, $14.00)
Medici Money: Banking, Metaphysics, and Art in Fifteenth-Century Florence  •  Tim Parks HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 273 PAGES A lively history of money and power in renaissance Florence by popular author Tim Parks. Anything but a dry economics text, Parks vividly evokes a culture torn between its Christian heritage and burgeoning capitalism. The charismatic cast of characters includes popes, kings, artists -- and of course, the Medici family. An entry in the Norton Enterprise series. (ITL605, $13.95)
Michelangelo  •  Linda Murray ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1985 •  PAPER  • 216 PAGES This volume in the excellent "World of Art" series reviews Michelangelo's life and art, placing both in their historical, civic and cultural contexts. It's illustrated with 161 illustrations, including 20 in color. (ART14, $14.95)
Michelangelo and The Reinvention of the Human Body  •  James Hall ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 312 PAGES An insightful look at Michelangelo's iconic Madonnas and nudes. Hall, a former art critic for the Guardian, considers why the anatomy in Michelangelo's work is so striking. This clearly written study is valuable for both the serious art aficionado and the curious museum visitor wanting to learn more about Michelangelo's masterpieces. With a few black-and-white plates. (ART58, $25.00)
Modigliani  •  Doris Krystof ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES This slim illustrated book, part of Taschen's Basic Art series, showcases Modigliani's distinct colorful style of painting and portraiture, and places him within the context of his bohemian contemporaries (and friends), such as Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera. (ART44, $9.99)
The Monster of Florence  •  Douglas Preston  •  Mario Spezi MYSTERY •  2008 •  HARD COVER  • 336 PAGES Bestselling author Preston and Italian crime reporter Spezi present a chilling account of still unsolved serial murders in the lush hills surrounding Florence, an obesession which uncovers old wounds and lands the duo in trouble with the local police and prosecutor. (ITL981, $25.99)
Northern Italy Map  •  Touring Club Italiano MAP A road map of Northern Italy at a scale of 1:400,000. (ITL38, $12.95)
The Olive, Tree of Civilization  •  John Train  •  Mark E. Smith HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 128 PAGES A history of the celebrated vegetable and the mythology behind it. (NAT72, $25.00)
On Painting  •  Cecil Grayson  •  Leon Battista Alberti ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 112 PAGES Written in 1435. In this important short book, Alberti addresses how to create the illusion of space, the education of artists and how to compose a picture. It's a pioneering work on the theory of art -- and a useful tool in understanding Quattrocento art, and Piero's paintings in particular. (ITL601, $14.00)
On The Road with Francis of Assisi  •  Linda Bird Francke TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES Weaving tales of the 13th-century saint and her own 21st-century travels, Francke follows in the footsteps of Francis on her own pilgrimage. She lingers in Assisi, Venice and Rome, and takes in Siena, Bologna, Gubbio, and many hill towns, sanctuaries and chapels. The book nicely evokes both the spirit of Francis of Asisi, and the history and pleasures of Italy. (ITL647, $15.95)
One-Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Italy  •  Paolo Lazzarin GUIDEBOOK •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 276 PAGES A handsome book highlighting Italy's charming and scenic villages. Featuring color photographs and an overview of history and attractions, favorite accommodations and restaurants by photographer-journalist Lazzarin. Translated from the Italian (the book was originally published for the Italian market as an introduction to unique and wonderful places throughout the country). (ITL546, $45.00)
Painting and Experience in Fifteenth Century Italy, A Primer in the Social History of Pictorial Style  •  Michael Baxandall ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 183 PAGES A slim introduction to Renaissance art and representation with color illustrations throughout. First published in 1972, it's an influential overview of not only how to look at art -- but how the original 15th-century audience may have seen the paintings of the period. Braxandall explores contemporary sermons, dancing manuals, and mathematical treatises, original contracts and other source materials to understand the context in which the paintings were conceived. Among the artists he discusses are Filippo Lippi, Fra Angelico, Stefano di Giovanni, Sandro Botticelli, Masaccio, Luca Signorelli, and Boccaccio. (ITL236, $19.95)
Pictures and Passions, A History of Homosexuality in the Visual Arts  •  James M. Saslow ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES Talk about a survey. Saslow offers illuminating text and illustrations, some in color, of homoerotic art from ancient times though classical Greece and Rome all the way to the 1990s. While his focus is on western traditions, he includes representative works from other cultures. Saslow's thoughtful commentary, geared for an academic audience, is well written and accessible. (ART29, $20.00)
The Piero Della Francesca Trail  •  John Pope-Hennessy  •  Aldous Huxley ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2002 •  HARD COVER  • 88 PAGES In this slim guide, Pope-Hennessy traces the major paintings and frescoes of Piero found across Tuscany and Umbria. Origianlly published in 1993, this edition includes 52 color illustrations along with Aldous Huxley's infleuntial essay on Piero's Resurrection of Christ from Borgo San Sepolcro (The Best Picture), which inspired art historian Pope-Hennesy. (ITL409, $24.95)
Piero Della Francesca: San Francesco, Arezzo  •  Marilyn Lavin ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1994 •  HARD COVER  • 106 PAGES A short, well-illustrated book on Piero's major fresco cycle, with biographical information and comparisons to his other work. The 15 scenes of Legend of the True Cross, completed around 1466 in the Church of San Francesco in Arezzo, are all reproduced in color. This book is one of a series of monographs on Renaissance frescoes published by Brazillier. (ITL599, $25.00)
Pimsleur Quick & Simple Italian  •  Pimsleur Language Method LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2005 •  AUDIO CD Four audio CDs with eight 30-minute lessons in basic Italian, covering elementary vocabulary and phrases used in travel and everyday situations. The Pimsleur method emphasizes the use of listening skills without reading materials (so there isn't a book to follow along). It's advertised as "Totally audio: hear it, learn it, speak it." (ITL630, $19.95)
The Poetry of Michelangelo: An Annotated Translation  •  James M. Saslow LITERATURE •  1993 •  PAPER  • 559 PAGES A scholarly, richly informative selection of Michelangelo's many sonnets, madrigals and other poems, presented in a bilingual edition. Saslow provides the cultural and social context for the artist. (ART30, $26.00)
Property of Blood  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES Guarnaccia investigates the kidnapping of the wealthy American entrepreneur, a Contessa no less, whose children may not want her back at all. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia is not entirely at ease, a Sicilian living in Florence, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). (ITL641, $12.00)
Renaissance Art, A Very Short Introduction  •  Geraldine A. Johnson ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 158 PAGES (ITL846, $11.95)
The Renaissance, A Very Short Introduction  •  Jerry Brotton HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES Brotton deftly sketches the upheavals in art, architecture and society in Europe between 1400 and 1600 in this brief primer. (ITL845, $11.95)
Rick Steves' Florence & Tuscany  •  Rick Steves GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 388 PAGES A personal and informative practical guide by the well-regarded travel writer and publisher. Includes suggested day plans and information on where to eat and sleep, as well as plenty of background and historical information. (ITL794, $17.95)
Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary  •  Rick Steves LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2003 •  PAPER  • 286 PAGES A compact phrase book for travelers, organized thematically and with a brief dictionary. This is no dry litany of phrases but is instead peppered with humor and Rick Steves' insider insight into how to break the ice and make friends around the world. (ITL424, $7.95)
The Rise of Christianity  •  Rodney Stark RELIGION •  1997 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES The subtitle to this book says it all: "How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries." More a sociological study than a religious history, the book delves into what compelled so many people to convert to the then infant religion. (MED64, $14.95)
A Room with a View  •  James Ivory 1986 •  DVD Adapted from E.M. Forster's novel, this romantic comedy from the Merchant-Ivory team evokes British social mores at the turn of the century, as well as the rich landscape of Tuscany. This is the tale of Lucy Honeychurch, a young woman who falls in love and must face the consequences of her privileged and overprotective upbringing during and after a trip to Florence. Starring Maggie Smith, Daniel Day-Lewis, Julian Sands and Helena Bonham-Carter in her film debut. (ITL540, $26.99)
Rough Guide Italy  •  Ros Belford GUIDEBOOK •  2003 •  PAPER  • 1050 PAGES A comprehensive guide in the British series with a good overview of culture and history, dozens of sketch maps and extensive listings. (ITL328, $22.95)
Short Stories in Italian, Racconti in Italiano  •  Nick Roberts LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 174 PAGES This bilingual collection, with the English and Italian alongside, features stories by contemporary and established Italian literary figures, including Italo Calvino and Primo Levi, Leonardo Sciascia, Goffredo Parise and Antonio Tabucchi. (ITL730, $13.00)
Some Bitter Taste  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES Number 12 in the series, a richly atmospheric tale set in Florence. Guarnaccia investiages the murder of Sara Hirsch, a spinster living alone at Villa L'Uliveto. The Columbo of Italy, Nabb's likeable Guarnaccia is not entirely at ease, a Sicilian living in Florence, but he's deceptively clever (and a solid citizen). (ITL636, $12.00)
Songbirds, Truffles and Wolves, An American Naturalist in Italy  •  Gary Paul Nabhan TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1994 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES A poet and naturalist, Nabhan makes his way by foot along the ancient Franciscan Way from Florence to Assisi, talking to farmers and townsfolk en route. This most unusual travelogue combines natural history, spirituality -- and a lively appreciation of local food and food traditions. It's the local scale of Tuscany and Umbria and the accommodation of wild and domestic that intrigues Nabhan. This edition, the only one available, is a print-on-demand paperback. (ITL99, $16.00)
The Talented Mr. Ripley  •  Anthony Minghella 1999 •  DVD A screen adaptation of the first in Patricia Highsmith's popular Mr. Ripley mystery series. Matt Damon stars as the obsessive and murderous Mr. Ripley, whose jealousy of his dashing companion Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) quickly turns sinister. The highlight of this thriller, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Cate Blanchett, is its suspenseful portrayal of an exquisite sundrenched Italian town (the film was shot in, among other places, Venice, Tuscany, the Gulf of Naples and Southern Sicily), where life is carefree but a menacing potential for violence lurks behind every corner. (ITL542, $14.99)
That Fine Italian Hand  •  Paul Hoffman CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1991 •  PAPER  • 246 PAGES A former newspaperman in Rome, Hoffman spears the Italians in this affectionate portrait of Italian society with all its quirks, contradictions, and energy. (ITL346, $17.00)
Timeless Cities, An Architect's Reflections on Renaissance Italy  •  David Mayernik ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 274 PAGES In this thoughtful book, Mayernik shows the philosophical and religious meaning behind the planning and architecture of Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena and Pienza. Not exactly a guide, nor a history, Mayernick's meditation on the buildings and texture of these very different cities is illuminating. (ITL589, $16.00)
Travelers' Tales Italy  •  Ann Calcagno  •  Jan Morris ANTHOLOGY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 437 PAGES From a climb up the dome of St. Peter's to a walk through Milano Centrale train station, this collection of 48 stories on traveling in Italy and Italian life is an insightful introduction to the country. Contributors include Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, Frances Mayes, Jonathan Keates, and Stanley Crouch, who writes on "Umbria Jazz" in Rome. (ITL182, $18.95)
Travelers' Tales, A Woman's Europe  •  Marybeth Bond  •  Mary Morris ANTHOLOGY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 298 PAGES This entertaining collection depicts Europe through the eyes of a diverse group of women writers, including Frances Mayes, Jan Morris and Mary Morris. These humorous and well-written true stories capture the misadventures, discoveries and slices of life that the continent (and travel!) has to offer. (EUR160, $17.95)
A Traveller in Italy  •  H.V. Morton  •  Barbara Grizzuti Harrison TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 640 PAGES The much-beloved, enduring account of Morton's ramblings in Italy. As in all his many travel books, Morton charmingly mixes a deep appreciation of the art, culture and, especially, the history of a place with his own keen observations, in this case the temples, tombs and villas of Tuscany, Lombardy, Emilia and the Veneto. His books are recently returned to print in handsome paper editions, this one with an appreciative introduction by Barbara Grizzuti Harrison. (ITL417, $25.00)
A Traveller's Companion to Florence  •  Edward Chaney  •  Harold Acton ANTHOLOGY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES An illuminating selection of writers, foreign and Italian, on Florence over the ages. (ITL485, $16.95)
A Traveller's History of Italy  •  Valerio Lintner HISTORY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 287 PAGES A brief history of Italy through the 1990s -- wide-ranging, accessible and necessarily condensed. With a useful chronology and historical gazetteer, this book marches confidently through the centuries. (ITL86, $14.95)
The Treasures and Pleasures of Italy  •  Ron Krannich GUIDEBOOK •  1997 •  PAPER  • 273 PAGES Devoted to the unusual, out-of-the-way, or just plain wonderful, this practical guide is an excellent itinerary planner, divided geographically and thematically around the essentials: eating, sleeping and shopping. (ITL93, $14.95)
Treasures of the Uffizi  •  Galleria Degli Uffizi ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1996 •  PAPER A brief overview of the collections at the Uffizi. (ITL685, $11.95)
The Tuscan Year, Tuscan Life and Food in an Italian Valley  •  Elizabeth Romer FOOD •  1996 •  PAPER  • 182 PAGES • FAVORITE An intimate portrait of life on a Tuscan farm, as seen primarily through the robust food. Romer captures the goings-on in the countryside, and especially in the Cerotti kitchen, where traditional Tuscan rural food is prepared with loving care. Every chapter includes concisely described recipes. The index makes it easy to look up recipes if you're inspired to use this wonderful account as a cookbook. (ITL131, $14.00)
Two Lives, Reading Turgenev and My House in Umbria  •  William Trevor LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 375 PAGES These two Booker Prize-nominated novellas demonstrate the Irish writer William Trevor's great gifts. The second, My House in Umbria, is the story of an ex-prostitute who settles in Umbria to write trashy romance novels, but whose life is disturbed by local political events. It's a beautifully rendered story, redolent with local Umbrian color. (ITL122, $15.00)
Umbria Regional Map  •  Touring Club Italiano MAP A colorful, detailed map of Umbria and surrounding areas, at a scale of 1:200,000. The most detailed map of the area available, imported from Italy (ITL119, $12.95)
Under the Tuscan Sun  •  Frances Mayes TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES In this best-selling memoir of buying, renovating and living in an abandoned villa in Tuscany, Mayes reveals the sensual pleasures found in rural Italy: the lasting sunlight, rich colors, warm architecture and the languor of slow paced days. An accomplished cook as well as poet, writer and handy-woman, Mayes includes recipes and much savory talk about food and wine. (ITL85, $15.00)
A Valley in Italy, The Many Seasons of a Villa in Umbria  •  Lisa St. Aubin de Teran BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1995 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES This short memoir chronicles a year in the small Umbrian village of San Orsola -- especially the delights and frustrations of renovating a decayed villa. Taking in food, wine, local custom and landscape, the book is an excellent introduction to the region. (ITL98, $13.00)
The Vinegar of Spilamberto, And Other Italian Adventures With Food, Places, And People  •  Doris Muscatine  •  Alice Waters FOOD •  2007 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES An account of the author's travels and love of Italy, its food and culture. (ITL662, $15.00)
Vita Nuova  •  Magdalen Nabb MYSTERY •  2008 •  HARD COVER Marshal Guarnaccia is singled out to solve the death of a reclusive single mother with a dysfunctional family in the 14th and final installment of the series set in Florence. Nabb died in August 2007. (ITL938, $24.00)
Walking and Eating in Tuscany and Umbria  •  James Ladsun  •  Pia Davis GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 394 PAGES A practical guide to walking and eating your way through the region, this book includes 40 suggested itineraries, mostly day hikes, with maps, details on local attractions, and illustrations. (ITL97, $20.00)
Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages  •  Richard W. Southern HISTORY •  1990 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES This suberb, concise history is an excellent tool to unlocking Italian culture, history and art from the 8th to the 16th century. This is one of a series of books by Penguin on the history of the church. (EUR167, $17.00)
Where Florence Cityguide  •  Where Magazine GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES A sturdy pocket guide to city neighborhoods, hotels, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural events and other top sights, helpfully keyed to overview maps and featuring a detailed downtown PopOut map. (ITL874, $9.95)
Worldly Goods, A New History of the Renaissance  •  Lisa Jardine HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 470 PAGES Historian Lisa Jardine presents a new slant on the history of the Renaissance. She views the Renaissance as an age made possible by the economic boom of the time. Her arguments are well founded and compelling, making this nicely illustrated book quite readable. (ITL173, $19.95)