Cento Citta: A Guide to the "Hundred Cities & Towns" of Italy [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Paul Hofmann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Deliberately bypassing major cities, former New York Times Rome bureau-chief Hofmann, in a highly enjoyable travel book, concentrates on his favorite locales to visit. The author, who has resided in Italy for 30 years, evokes the distinct character of each town, providing a capsule history and drawing sketches of unique cultural attractions, special events and local festivals. He also comments on the disposition of residents and discusses such economic and social conditions as traffic congestion, overbuilding and industrial pollution. Hofmann even brings fresh insight to such renowned and over-frequented spots as Capri and Assisi, indicating the best times of year to avoid the worst crowds. An appendix contains practical information and suggestions on each town. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

"Whenever Italians want to stress the cultural variety of their nation, or nostalgically mention places where they really would like to live, they speak of the Cento Citta. . . ." Hofmann, a 30-year resident of Italy and a veteran New York Times correspondent, profiles his favorite 100 places to visit. He takes us on a series of walking/auto tours of each of six regions. Starting with a city's central square, town hall, or church, he treats us to a delightful blend of historic and literary past and present. Similar to Baedeker's Italy , but with less emphasis on accommodations and more on native appeal. Recommended. Ann E. Cohen, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 388 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Company; 1st edition (May 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805007288
• ISBN-13: 978-0805007282
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,682,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read for an interested reader, September 2, 2004

By 

Joe Average "Joe Average" (Somewhere, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cento Citta: A Guide to the "Hundred Cities and Towns" of Italy (Paperback)

I lived in Naples from 1991 through 1994 in the days prior the the Internet. I LOVED my stay there and daydream about it even today. I was a single 21 year old male and could not get enough of wandering through the country and meeting its people. For me it was a very important part of my life - not only was I in a foreign country, but also finding myself, finally emerging out of the shadow of my parent's home (a good one). All around me were these people whose langauge I learned so slowly who were all motivated by ideas and goals I could not seem to pin down. In the end I discovered their values and goals were much like mine but how they arrived at them through "The Arrangements" was unlike anything I had even known.

I dearly wish I had then some sort of guide (like this book!) and history to teach me a few things about the people all around me. With my Italian friends I enjoyed long conversations but I found they were most interested in learning about me and my country and discussing current events rather than explaining their culture to me and how their history had influenced their society. I was a celebrity often invited to their homes for meals and family gatherings. I was welcomed morning, noon or night.

"That Fine Italian Hand" took my superficial understanding of the Italian culture and added history and context to it, finally in 2004 answering dozens of questions that had remained unanswered for me.

I was a 21 year old Navy Petty Officer (enlisted) thrust into a foreign land without explaination or choice. Around me were many Americans unhappy about their destination, unwilling to explore the culture and experience the Italian land and the people's generosity. There were some of us though who took this stay as an opportunity that most people never get. It changed me and my friends - for the better. I recognize now that the world is not just an American one, but a world full of people divided by politics and language. I learned the language - or enough of it - but a book like this has helped me with the author's perspective understand everything else much better.

I recommend this book to be one of many you should read if you have a facination with Italy and her peoples. You should definitely read it if you plan to visit Italy. Go there with an open mind. Please don't be the ugly American that I saw in 1993 exiting a very clean and well equipped Pompeii bathroom loudly cussing a refusal to tip the cleaning lady who sat just inside the door. He made us all look bad. Her sign asked for 500 lire - less than 50 cents - for her cleaning services...

I encourage everyone to get out and travel with an open mind, be a good American visitor, study first to arrive with a bit of education to understand and respect your destination, to vote for your government, and if you are a young person without direction or resources to start your adult life, join the military for 4-6 years. You'll come out an adult, with money for college, and some golden experiences.