Travelers' Tales Tuscany: True Stories [Paperback]

James O'Reilly (Editor), Tara Austen Weaver (Editor), Anne Calcagno (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Travelers' Tales Guides | Publication Date: October 7, 2001

These essays by renowned travel writers explore the many lures of Tuscany — its rolling hills, sunny climate, friendly people, and superb food and wine. This extraordinary region comes alive in tales of harvesting grapes, hunting for truffles, hiking ancient Etruscan paths, and glorying in the region’s bountiful art, music, history, and above all, romance. Some of the writers have made Tuscany their home, others came to vacation or study. But the spell of the region pervades all of these accounts. Authors include Frances Mayes, Matthew Spender, Jan Morris, Ferenc Mate, and Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, among others.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Those armchair travelers who did not run off to Tuscany after reading Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun will surely start packing after reading this latest installment in the "Travelers' Tales" series. Who can resist David Yeadon's piece on the red-walled city of Lucca, Barbara Grizzuti Harrison's description of the tall tower town of San Gimignano, Jan Morris dreaming of Florence while in Wales, or Francine Russo tracing the steps of Napoleon on Elba? But there is more: Saul Bellow tours Tuscany in the winter (a bit cold, but there are fewer tourists), William Zinsser revisits Siena decades after his first visit as a soldier during World War II, Lucy McCauley finds a statue of Perseus suspended midair in Florence, and Mayes enchants again with a description of her estate in Cortona. Twenty-nine other writers contribute essays to this engaging book on an even more engaging region. Editors O'Reilly and Weaver are both avid travelers with backgrounds in travel publishing: O'Reilly is president and copublisher of Travelers' Tales and Weaver (Pilgrimage: Adventures of the Spirit) is a former travel editor of a regional newsletter. Recommended for all public and larger academic libraries. Lee Arnold, Historical Soc. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Travelers' Tales is a valuable addition to any pre-departure reading list."

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Travelers' Tales (October 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885211686
• ISBN-13: 978-1885211682
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #725,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compliment Your Trip with Stories, July 29, 2002

By 

rizabiz "rizabiz" (Westhampton Beach, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Travelers' Tales Tuscany: True Stories (Paperback)

I'd pick a story each night relating to what I was doing during my stay in Tuscany and found it the perfect way to fall into a wishful sleep. I read about buying a villa, shopping in the open market, and walking from village to village. I've never used a travel book like this to compliment my trip but found it extremely enjoyable since I was staying at the same villa for a few weeks. If you are thinking about going to Tuscany, this story book can certainly help you get there. The stories are well written as well as being interesting and fun.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost as good as a summer in Tuscany, April 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Travelers' Tales Tuscany: True Stories (Paperback)

This book is the next best thing to being there--beautiful writing about a beautiful place. Anyone who loves good food, good wine, and good writing will not be disappointed by Travelers' Tales Tuscany. It's a wonderful collection of experiences and insights into the region--and a lot cheaper than the plane ticket! If you can't go to Tuscany this summer, at least buy yourself this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Tuscany, November 29, 2011

By 

César Chávez "Tax the Rich... free the poor." (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Travelers' Tales Tuscany: True Stories (Paperback)

Like many collections of essays, you will love some and want to skip others. Two of my favorites are those by Saul Bellow and Phillip Lopate. Tuscany is truly a special place on earth, and this book help to illuminate the reasons why...