Mercurio: An Intermediate to Advanced Reader in Italian Language and Culture (Yale Language) [Paperback]

Professor Andrea Fedi (Author), Professor Paolo Fasoli (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0300104006 | ISBN-13: 978-0300104004 | Publication Date: November 10, 2004 | Edition: Bilingual

The name Mercury, the Messenger of the Gods, has been used for centuries by European chroniclers and gazetteers in the titles of periodicals that have featured the latest news reports, anecdotes, short stories, and satires. This engaging book, an intermediate-level Italian text, offers an up-to-date and varied portrait of Italy’s language, culture, and society by presenting lively excerpts from its literature, news reports, comic books, film reviews, music lyrics, sociological surveys, and more.

Every chapter in the book has a theme that is discussed from multiple points of view. The centerpiece of each chapter is a recent work of fiction, which interacts with other literary or sociocultural accounts (sometimes from English-language media outside Italy) to convey a meaningful representation of today’s multifaceted Italy. The book also includes numerous exercises on grammar and comprehension.

Themes include:
-- Italian emigration to North and South America;
-- Italy’s fascination with bicycles;
-- new thoughts about houses and living spaces;
-- Italian cities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An ambitious, adventurous, and unique book that gives intermediate-level students of Italian language and culture an exposure to new texts, authors, and ideas about contemporary Italian life and culture."—David Ward, Wellesley College

"I look forward to teaching with this book. The readings are truly diversified, the subjects extremely relevant, the approach up-to-date, and the exercises creative and interesting."—Lori Repetti, State University of New York, Stony Brook

About the Author

ANDREA FEDI is associate professor of Italian at the State University of New York, Stony Brook.

PAOLO FASOLI is associate professor of Italian at the City University of New York, Hunter campus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; Bilingual edition (November 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300104006
• ISBN-13: 978-0300104004
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Italian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative introduction to Italian culture, March 23, 2007

By 

A. E. Godfrey "citizen of the world" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mercurio: An Intermediate to Advanced Reader in Italian Language and Culture (Yale Language) (Paperback)

I was fortunate enough to have Fedi himself (one of the writers of this book) as a professor. Although the introductory chapters are slow-going, there is a lot of information that would ordinarily not be found in a typical 400-level ITL textbook.

Fedi and Fasoli use contemporary examples to enrich these lessons: excerpts from well-known (and not so well-known) films, advertisements from IKEA, and web-group message boards are just a few of the pedagogic devices that make this text brilliantly accessible.

Although much of the content seems topical, I guarantee that this book will stand the test of time for several years.
I also want to add: this book has an EXCELLENT vocabulary -- even if you are a native speaker you will learn some new words from this book.
Highly recommended for advanced learners of Italian.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Italian culture, June 28, 2007

By 

Keith A. Preble (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mercurio: An Intermediate to Advanced Reader in Italian Language and Culture (Yale Language) (Paperback)

This is an excellent reader for intermediate/advanced students. It is a great book for increasing your vocabulary of the Italian language. The readings are current and up-to-date, and this is just an all-around great resource. My only 'gripe' with this book is the use of end notes, rather than footnotes. Meaning that if you need to find look up a reference that they have provided for a translation or what-not, you have to flip to the back of the book and search for it.

That aside, this is a great resource. If you are an intermediate/advanced student wanting to learn more about Italian culture and build your vocabulary, this is the book for you.

I wish that it had more exercises and reading comprehension type questions.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning Italian for Meaning, May 27, 2007

By 

Marion M. Giuffria "Marion6" (Metairie,LA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mercurio: An Intermediate to Advanced Reader in Italian Language and Culture (Yale Language) (Paperback)

This book is not easy but is well designed for the person with a fairly good basis in the Italian language. I am very happy to have it for my onward going studies.