Italy: The Best Travel Writing from the New York Times [Hardcover]

Olivier Bernier (Author), Frank Bruni (Author), Shirley Hazzard (Author), Alison Lurie (Author), Jan Morris (Author), William Murray (Author), Frank J. Prial (Author), Francine Prose (Author), Muriel Spark (Author), Umberto Eco (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

From the Veneto in the north, Emiglia Romana in the centre, to Puglia and Sicily in the south, each of the twenty regions of Italy is distinct in its food, language, history, and people. Experience every remarkable corner of this favourite travel destination in a lavishly illustrated volume that brings its diversity and richness to life with authority and verve. Tour thirteenth-century castles perched on dolomite peaks in the north, hear tales of life among Rome's ancient landmarks and equally ancient apartments, relish the unbelievable diversity Sicily has achieved through having been occupied by more foreign powers than anywhere else on the Italian peninsula, and more. Essays full of history, philosophical ruminations, humorous anecdotes, cultural musings, and useful travel information - in short, the best of The New York Times talent - will make you want to drop everything and fly to this land that continues to inspire writers, artists, and the casual visitor alike. In addition, some of the most striking photographs include an arial image of Castel Sant' Angelo and the Tiber River, the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona in Rome, Byzantine mosaics in Villa del Casale in Sicily and the striking gothic facade of Milan's Duomo

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The staff at the New York Times, together with the Italian Government Tourist Board, have compiled more than 40 lucid travel articles in this lavish paean to Italy. These selections, plucked from two decades of exceptional travel writing, express the country's unique diversity. Shirley Hazzard rhapsodizes about Posillipo, a historically rich headland of Naples where writers and artists have long sought "pleasure and inspiration"; Alastair McEwen describes Milan, Italy's Big Apple, in all its "industrial, entrepreneurial and international" glory; and James Sturz tours a small portion of Alto Adige, an area in northern Italy that is studded with castles. The volume's postcard-perfect color photos, which number close to 500, nicely complement the text, capturing everything from the snow-covered peaks of Monte Cervino and the luscious, undulating hills of Tuscany to the frescoed buildings of Trento and the vineyards of Chianti. As Eco writes in his introduction, "a journey to Italy... should always be seen as a journey of discovery that will reveal not one, but many Italies." This hefty, handsome coffee-table book more than bears this out.

About the Author

Umberto Eco is the author of four novels as well as numerous works of criticism, philosophy and literary theory. He is Professor of Semiotics at the University of Bologna.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 414 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810959054
• ISBN-13: 978-0810959057
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 10.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #868,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discovering/ Revisiting Every Corner of Italy: THE Book To Read Before Travel, November 18, 2005

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Italy: The Best Travel Writing from the New York Times (Hardcover)

This is one of those books that defies description. Formed as a joint project between the Italian Tourism people and the New York Times, this generously illustrated volume covers all of Italy, not only photographically but also with immensely readable and helpful articles about the regions, the people and their idiosyncrasies, the culture, the history, the sights not to be missed, the foods, and an ebullient flow of gentle humor that makes this the first choice of reading in preparation for a visit to this popular country - or an invaluable memento for perusing once home from the pleasures Italian.

Not only are there superb 'articles' by NY Times staff writers about the famous places (Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence, Sienna, etc), but here are also vignettes about the tiny secrets of Italy like Posillipo, the Aeolian Islands, Trieste, Portofino and on and on. Forty articles do far more than describe a place: these articles are written by people who can define the flavors so clearly they leap from the page.

Keeping the book in the realm of art, the introduction is by none other than the brilliant Italian novelist Umberto Eco who puts a spin on the wealth of pleasures that follow, basking in Italy's history and the reasons the people are so unique. It is a joy to read. Highly Recommended for both active and armchair travelers! Grady Harp, November 05

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL COLLECTION!, July 4, 2007

By 

Marie Antoinette - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italy: The Best Travel Writing from the New York Times (Hardcover)

There are many interesting articles in this wonderful collection of travel articles from the New York Times. This great book covers Italy from top to bottom and it includes articles of some well known cities such as Rome and Venice as well as some unknown villages and islands. This book shows how diversfied a small country such as Italy is. The photos are gorgeous and the writing is superb from the many different talented writers. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Italy or of travel. This is much more than a coffee table book. Also, a great price through Amazon!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift, February 27, 2006

By 

L. J. Thomas (Fredonia, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italy: The Best Travel Writing from the New York Times (Hardcover)

I got this beautiful book for two dear friends, brilliant musicians, who will be traveling to Italy soon. They were entranced, and have thanked me several times, saying the book makes them feel "as if we are already in Italy."