Suggestions for books about Italy

[glassslipper2004]

Any ideas about good books to read before going to Italy? I'm interested in books about the history of Italy, in particular, and maybe even historical fiction, for a lighter approach. Recommendations for good guide books about the cities are also welcome.

Now that I think about it, recommendations for movies set in Italy would be super too. I believe the ABD website mentioned that we would go to a site in Tuscany where a movie was filmed, but can't remember the name of the movie at the moment.

I'm considering letting my kids watch a few minutes of Gladiator just to get a feel -- but will have to re-watch the movie first, as I seem to remember that about 90% is inappropriate for kids...

Thanks!

 

[whayes]

Rick Steve's has an excellent guidebook on Italy. He also has a couple of DVDs where he tours the major cities/sights in Italy.

 

[Californialady]

For 'getting in the mood' I recommend A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena de Blasi. It is fiction, but she brings the people and the land and the food to life. I laughed out loud and couldn't wait to see Tuscany for myself. She also wrote A Thousand Days in Venice.

 

[eva]

This is a good question. I would like to read a book that covers just the highlights and some history. If I learn too much, I will be dragging poor DH all over the place during our free time. And he says he wants to relax and visit with the locals during free time. I am planning on hitting Barnes and Noble this weekend to look around. If I don't find something good, I will look on Amazon. I would also like a CD on learning a bit of Italian. I'm not looking to become conversational in it. But I would like to be able to give some attempt at asking for things, thank you's, and such.

 

[wdwsos]

Since all my kids are film majors, and we also all have four books being read at a time, I do have suggestions. LOL

Movies:

Roman Holiday (old Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck film)
Under the Tuscan Sun
Casino Royale (lots of cool shots of Venice!)

There's an exceptionally well done DVD by the Discover Channel called Discovery Atlas: Italy Revealed that I like a lot.

Books:

I have the Eyewitness book on Italy, and it's probably my favorite. I also have Rick Steve's books (for almost every country I've visited).

I also really love the Thousand Days books!

I tried the CDs to learn Italian and it was a disaster... and I grew up with all of my Italian relatives! Don't let that discourage you, though!

 

[KLondon]

I agree - Rick Steves books are the way to go.

 

[Mamadis]

A similar question along these lines, any good books or movies for kids to help the kids pumped up for the trip? We read Thief Lord which was set in Venice and the kids are looking forward to seeing some of the sites mentioned in that story.

 

[glassslipper2004]

Thanks for all the good suggestions - wish I could just sit and read and plan...

I found a neat website, SlowTravel Italy, that has lists of books for kids and grown-ups, broken up by region, fiction-non-fiction, etc. I requested a group of books off the kids' list from our library and found lots of really good ones, some picture books, some in the 8-12 year old range. I will post some specifics soon, but it looks like there are some really great options (for example, a series of mystery books set in Italy, the first is called the Thief of Ostia, but we got the third (Assassins of Rome, I think). One picture book is called "the year I didn't have to go to school" about a 7 year old girl who goes to Italy for a year with her family. Fun!

 

[Mamadis]

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

 

[glassslipper2004]

I just read Dante's Daughter, by Kimberley Heuston, and recommend it highly. It is historical fiction book categorized as "young adult", but I started reading it to see if it was ok for my daughter (it was) and got completely sucked in. It takes place in Florence, Tuscany, and other places in Italy, and a bit in Paris, during the 1300's (Dante's lifetime, although I think he was born in 1200-something). Highly fictional, as little is known about Dante's actual daughter, but it gives you a great feel for Italy at that time.

I also got a Rick Steves DVD from the library which I'm looking forward to watching with my kids.

Thanks for all the advice, and please post if you read or come across something else you would recommend.

 

[Beth]

I bought several guidebooks prior to our trip last September. ...But I found myself quickly turning to the pages concentrating on the areas on our itinerary, and being disappointed, because there wasn't much information.

Now that we're home, though - I can start looking at them, again - and begin planning our next trip. Yeah!

One book I can recommend, however, is Rick Steves' Italian Phrasebook and Dictionary!

I SO enjoyed this silly little $8 book!! It is really small - so you can throw it in your purse, and whip it out when you're sitting in the airport, or on the bus.

It's well-organized, and has all the phrases/words that you could need.. and I still find myself picking it up - even here, at home - to try and "refresh."

Enjoy your trip!

http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Italian-Phrase-Dictionary/dp/1566915201/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200598232&sr=1-1

 

[glassslipper2004]

I just finished "Under the Tuscan Sun" by Frances Mayes, and it was fantastic. Very different than the movie - the book really gave you a feel for Tuscany as a hot, wonderful place, full of lovely foods! I can't wait to go. (And it's good to be prepared for the heat - I don't mind hot weather, but it looks like Italy in August may be a real experience).