Customer Reviews

War in Val D'Orcia: An Italian War Diary, 1943-1944

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is not a journal in the contemporary sense; the author isnot exploring her feelings or finding herself. This is an almostdaily record of how WWII affected a small farm in Tuscany, as theowner and tenant farmers watched and waited for the war to arrive at their doors. In the meantime, they coped and dealt with everyone else who arrived at their door--15 orphaned children, Fascist mayors, German troops, British prisoners of war, Italian partisans. All needed help and the Origo family gave what they could. German officers/soldiers were literally arriving at the front door while allied prisoners of war were escaping out the back, with food, blankets or boots. At all times, Iris Origo knew exactly where they were, where she was, what she had to do and what the consequenses were. In clear, direct, language, Origo makes the case that the people living in the hills of Tuscany were the true heroes who endured changing govenrments, axis and allied soldiers who looted and pillaged, bombing of their villages, loss of their children and way of life; all the while giving what they could to any individual who asked for help, regardless of affiliation. This is a straightforward account, without embellishment or added drama, of a woman with a strong sense of responsibility--she rose to the occasion and did what needed to be done. On top of that, she faithfully attended this journal in the middle of the chaos of war. An admirable woman and a genuine account. END

a beautiful, heartfelt account of two years of war in my native Tuscany:1943-44, a page of history surely unknown outside Italy.
A crazy dance of events, a dance macabre, I would define it.
A daily war diary written by Marchesa Iris Origo,an English woman married to an Italian and living near Siena.
Marchesa Origo gives us an account of facts which happened in Italy in those times and were directly or indirectly related to her and to her family.
Tragedies and hardships suffered by Italian civilians by the hands of a bloodthirsty German army whose only aim seemed to be the slaughter of harmless people and a more than crazy fascist horde the "repubblichini"; all together they succeeded in destroying great part of Italy and in murdering hundreds of Italian civilians and foreign allies.
The bombing of Italian towns like Rome, Florence, Naples by the hands of allied armies trying to destroy the German headquarters.
Marchesa Origo sheltered in her "villa" and in the adjoining farms all the Italian and foreign refugees who were able to escape the maddened German SS or the vile "repubblichini".
The courage of a woman who risked her life to protect children, women old people and refugees from allied armies from the fury of the enemy.
Stories told also by our parents or grandparents who happened to go through the crazy tragedy of World War II.
A beautiful read which I would recommend to everyone, in order not to forget.

"Greater than the sum of its parts" accurately describes this remarkable diary set in Southern Tuscany during World War II.

Written as a daily record during the tumult of war,Origo does not dwell on emotional reactions to the horror around them. What comes through is the generosity, compassion, and nobility of Spirit that we all are capable of during wretched times.

This diary has had a greater impact on me since after reading it.A book which had lingered with me and one in which I may never forget,I haved been moved to visit La Foce and the region in which this book takes place this Fall.
Highly Recommended.

The enthralling story of life on the Origo's estate "La Foce" (just South of Montepulciano in South Tuscany and on the main route of the advancing Allied 8th Army) during the years 1943 and 1944. The contadini farmers and workers on the estate, living in conditions closer to the Middle Ages than the mid Twentieth Century, had no interest in or involvement with the forces of war but equally had no option but to suffer its consequences. They, led by Iris Origo and her Marchese husband, juggled simultaneously playing host to refugee Italian children, escaping British airmen and prisoners of war, partisan fighters, and a German officers' mess, not to mention day to day dealings with facist officialdom. All this in the knowledge that the penalty for a "mistake" was summary execution. An easily readable "must read" not just for those who love Italy and a good story, but for anyone who would like to reaffirm their faith in humanity in the context of a greater understanding of the reality of occupation and war.

"War in Val D'Orcia" is a rather terse diary of events throughout Italy in 1943-1944 written by the English-born wife of a wealthy landowner in Tuscany. As an account of life under Nazi rule it's not nearly as profound or fascinating as Victor Klemperer's "I Will Bear Witness" but after the first 100 pages (or so) which are somewhat strangely detached and impersonal ("In Rome to have the baby"), and mostly an account of Italian national politics at that time, I literally couldn't put it down.

Until I read this book I had often wondered why there are so many abandoned farm buildings in Tuscany: I now understand that until relatively recently there was a feudal system in place, where farmers did not actually own their land but instead worked it for the landowner in exchange for half of their production. "War in Val D'Orcia" exposed me to aspects of Italian culture that I had never even really thought about before. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history and culture of Italy and Tuscany in particular.

This is the first book by or about Iris Origo that I have read but it won't be the last.

Iris Origo makes heroic humanist efforts seem effortless. There is no question as to whether she and her husband will save countless soldiers and civilians, regardless of nationality or politics. I will never view Tuscany with the same eyes, after her description of marching with 28 children (some babies, only 2 her own) over the hills to Montepulciano and safety. The writing is beautiful, the story inspiring.

When you savour the olives and wine of Tuscany and enjoy the warm rays of Tuscan sun on your skin, do so with a full heart. But then, just for a brief moment, you may stop to consider that this land of plenty wasn't always what it is today. For those who really want to know, or care, Iris Origo's diary "War in Val d'Orcia" is a rare gift: It brings back to life those who helped shape and cultivate this very soil to bring forth such lushness, and those who defended this country and its people during the darkest of times, with so much unsung heroism and silent sacrifice. Having read these accounts makes you strikingly aware of how precious life is, and humbly grateful to those who fought so tenaciously for its continuation - here on this sunny land where now olives and grapes abound again...

This is an exceptional book which bears precious witness to the way WWII brought out both the good and bad--but mostly good--in people living or passing through a region of Tuscany. The author's factual, restrained account of the extraordinary events of the time and her part in them is beautiful and effective. Highly recommended. Here is an excerpt to whet your appetite:

"The rounding-up of the Jews appears now to be completed--though no doubt many unfortunate women and children are still hidden. The Archbishop of Florence, Cardinal della Costa, has taken a courageous stand. When some of his nuns were arrested in consequence of having given shelter to some Jewish women in their convent, the Cardinal, putting on his full panoply, went straight to the German Command. 'I have come to you,' he said, 'because I believe you, as soldiers, to be people who recognize authority and hierarchy--and who do not make subordinates responsible for merely carrying out orders. The order to give shelter to those unfortunate Jewish women was given by me: therefore I request you to free the nuns, who have merely carried out orders, and to arrest me in their stead.'

The German immediately gave orders for the nuns to be freed, but permitted himself to state his surprise that a man like the Cardinal should take under his protection such people as the Jews, the scum of Europe, responsible for all the evils of the present day. The Cardinal did not enter upon the controversy. 'I look upon them,' he said, 'merely as persecuted human beings; as such it is my Christian duty to help and defend them. One day,' he gave himself the pleasure of adding, 'perhaps not far off, *you* will be persecuted: and then I shall defend you!'"

This amazing book reveals the feelings of real people who did so much to help others in need, during a ruthless, senseless war. It is a story you will remember forever.

Fascinating history lesson on World War II in Italy. If you're planning a visit to Italy, it should be required reading before you go. We learned about it from our Tour Guide, who read passages to us as we traveled through Tuscany. It brings the area and people to life and gives an in depth perspective regarding Italy's position during the war; clearly viewed from the local landowners/farmers/merchants standpoint. I couldn't put the book down, it presents a compelling story of compassion, and bravery unlike anything I ever have read before.