This book chronicles the demise of the supposedly leftist Italian cultural establishment during the long 1980s. During that time, the nation's literary and intellectual vanguard managed to lose the prominence handed it after the end of World War II and the defeat of Fascism. What emerged instead was a uniquely Italian brand of cultural capital that deliberately avoided any critical questioning of the prevailing order. Ricciardi criticizes the development of this new hegemonic arrangement in film, literature, philosophy, and art criticism. She focuses on several turning points: Fellini's futile, late-career critique of Berlusconi-style commercial television, Calvino's late turn to reactionary belletrism, Vattimo's nihilist and conservative responses to French poststructuralism, and Bonito Oliva's movement of art commodification, Transavanguardia.

“A brisk, frothy narrative . . . informative and fun.” —The Wall Street Journal In the dizzying wake of World War II, Rome skyrocketed to prominence as an epicenter of film, fashion, photography, and boldfaced libertinism. Artists, exiles, and a dazzling array of movie talent rushed to Rome for a chance to thrive in this hotbed of excitement. From the photographers who tailed the stars to the legends who secured their place in cinematic fame, Dolce Vita Confidential resurrects the drama that permeated the streets and screens of Rome.

"Italian-born Silvia Colloca is a firm believer that anyone can enjoy la dolce vita, the sweet life, no matter where you live. It's all in the attitude. Life is for celebrating, and for an Italian, this means offering generous amounts of food that can be enjoyed by one and all. In her third cookbook Silvia embraces the Mediterranean food she grew up with, taking us far beyond the heavy pasta dishes and rich cakes that Italian cuisine is often (mistakenly) associated with. Italian home cooks are more likely to cook simply, allowing fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and fish to shine, with sparing use of dairy, meat, animal fats and sugars. The recipes are authentic and nutritious, catering to those with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-, grain-, egg- and dairy-free dietary preferences. The perfect way to love and nurture your favourite people, and celebrate the sweet life together. "

This lavish fourth volume in Abrams' Slim Aarons collection revels in this photographer's decades-long love affair with Italy. From breathtaking aerials of the Sicilian countryside to intimate portraits of celebrities and high society taken in magnificent villas, Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita captures the essence of "the good life." Slim Aarons first visited Italy as a combat photographer during World War II and later moved to Rome to shoot for Life magazine, yet even after relocating to New York, he would return to Italy almost every year for the rest of his life. The images collected here document the aristocracy, cultural elite, and beautiful people, such as Marcello Mastroianni, Ursula Andress, Joan Fontaine, and Tyrone Power, who lived la dolce vita in Italy's most fabulous places during the last 50 years. The introduction by Christopher Sweet shares stories from Aarons's years in Italy and new insights about his life and career. Also available from Slim Aarons: Slim Aarons: Women, Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time, Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun, and Poolside with Slim Aarons. Praise for Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita: "Nostalgia-soaked images." --Harper's Bazaar "Sumptuous images." --Publishers Weekly "It's the next best thing to time travel." --DuJour magazine

La Dolce Vita University, 2nd Edition (LDVU2) is the perfect sampler for anyone curious about (or already in amore with) Italy and its remarkably rich cultural gifts, both past and present. This fully revised second edition includes 125 pages of new material (more than 60 new mini-essays and 40 new illustrations) to expand on the delights in the first edition. True to its lighthearted name, La Dolce Vita “U” is all about pleasurable learning, or what we prefer to call “edu-tainment.” Its dozens of entertaining yet authoritative mini-essays on a wide assortment of intriguing topics encourage random dipping at the reader’s pleasure. Even the most erudite Italophile will discover fun new facts and fascinating new insights in the pages of La Dolce Vita U. Mini-essays treat specific topics in one or more of the following subject areas: the Italian character; the visual arts (art, artists, architects); the performing arts (music, theater, cinema); history and antiquity; language and literature; cuisine and agriculture; wine and spirits; traditions and festivals; style and applied arts; unique places. In a wink and nod to the book’s “academic” identity, the 200 mini-essays are arranged alphabetically and accompanied by charming illustrations throughout. A special traveler’s topic index is provided at the end of the book.

On 9 April 1953 an attractive twenty-one-year-old woman went missing from her family home in Rome. Thirty-six hours later her body was found washed up on a neglected beach. Some said it was suicide; others, a tragic accident. But as the police tried to close the case, darker rumours bubbled to the surface. Could it be that the mysterious death of this quiet, conservative girl was linked to a drug-fuelled orgy, involving some of the richest and most powerful men in Italy?

The fantastic creative energy of the 1960s took off with a burst of black and white: La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini. An instant cult film, it became a great classic of modernity and continues to affect generation after generation, legendary yet always contemporary. Dolce Vita Style draws on the history that inspired the film in the theatrical Rome of the 50's and sums up the innumerable influences that this cult film has had on so many of those in the worlds of movies, popular music, society, life, and fashion. Image by image, this book retraces the astonishing itinerary of a work that is a supreme emblem and a source of inexhaustible style.