Books

In this section of Italy Chronicles you will find articles on the books about Italy Alex Roe has read and reviewed. There are also one or two interviews with the authors of the books concerned.

Happy reading.

Out Now! Mafia Republic by John Dickie

May 9, 2013 by Alex Roe Leave a Comment

I've been waiting with baited breath for the publication Mafia Republic by John Dickie, in which you may well discover that the mafia is Italy as much as Italy is the mafia - though by no means all Italians consider the mafia to be at all beneficial to life in Italy. Mafia Republic is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italy Tagged With: Books, mafia

Whatever You Do, Don’t Ever Buy a Blue Guide to Italy!

May 8, 2013 by Alex Roe 3 Comments

No, don't buy a Blue Guide to anywhere in Italy - you have been warned. If you do make the enormous mistake of investing in one, or perhaps more, of these gloriously detailed travel guides, you'll end up returning to Italy for vacations, possibly for the rest of your life. Even worse, you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Books

Words, A Novel, and Growing, Italian Export

May 6, 2013 by Alex Roe 2 Comments

Andrea Camilleri montalbano dagger award

It's true, Italy is exporting more words than ever before, despite the nation's publishing industry being in deep trouble. Between 2001 and 2011, Italy's exports of the rights to literary works rose from 1,800 to over 4,600 according to a rather interesting overview, in Italian, of the state of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italy News Tagged With: Books

An Interview with Roberto De Vogli, Author of Progress or Collapse – Part 2

April 12, 2013 by Alex Roe Leave a Comment

Here is part two of the Roberto De Vogli interview in which Italian De Vogli, author of Progess of Collapse, answers questions on climate change, whether the world can prevent its collapse, and talks about the probable causes of what could be leading the world in the wrong direction: the greed … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italians Tagged With: Books, interview

An Interview with Roberto De Vogli, Author of Progress or Collapse – Part 1

April 11, 2013 by Alex Roe Leave a Comment

Here is part one of a two part interview with Roberto De Vogli, an academic, and the author of Progress or Collapse - the Crises of Market Greed, a controversial work which takes a look issues such as climate change, excessive consumerism and how they may very well be dangerous for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italians Tagged With: Books, interview

For the Sake of Our Children, Read the Book Progress or Collapse

January 31, 2013 by Alex Roe Leave a Comment

Italian academic Roberto de Vogli seems to thinks the world has opted for a one way ticket towards collapse, or, in the words of the song, a highway to hell. He explains why in his provocatively entitled book: Progress or Collapse: The Crises of Market Greed. In de Vogli's opinion, there is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Good Italian Things Tagged With: Books

Out Now – Rick Steves’ 2013 Italy Travel Guide with Map

January 15, 2013 by Alex Roe Leave a Comment

Ever popular, Rick Steves' series of Italy travel guides have been updated for 2013, so if you are thinking of visiting Italy this year, you might like to invest in one, or even two. Kindle versions are available too. Rick Steves' guide, which includes an Italy travel planning map attracts … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Books, Kindle, travel guide

Burnt By the Tuscan Sun – All About Quirky Italy

July 28, 2012 by Alex Roe 8 Comments

Burnt by the Tuscan Sun is a book all about life in Italy by Francesca Maggi, an author who has been living in Italy for many, many years. As you may have guessed from its title, Burnt by the Tuscan Sun takes a humorous look at the quirkier aspects of life in Italy. Italy has more than its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Life in Italy Tagged With: Books

Inspector Montalbano Wins A Dagger

July 9, 2012 by Alex Roe Leave a Comment

Andrea Camilleri, for those who do not know, is an Italian crime writer who is famous in Italy for his series of stories about Montalbano, a police inspector in Sicily. Camilleri, for his crime writing prowess, has recently picked up an award for one of his Montalbano stories - a Dagger and an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italy Tagged With: Books

Book Review: Italy for the Gourmet Traveler

February 28, 2012 by Alex Roe 6 Comments

Italy for the Gourmet Traveler is one of thousands of books which have been written about Italy's amazing cuisine, the difference is Fred Plotkin's guide to gourmet Italy is incredibly detailed. Here is a review of Plotkin's book. Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, which I bought the other … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italian food Tagged With: Books