Engaging Italy charts the intertwined lives and writings of three American women in Italy in the 1860s and '70s—journalist Anne Hampton Brewster (1818–92), orphanage and industrial school founder Emily Bliss Gould (1825–75), and translator Caroline Crane Marsh (1816–1901). Brewster, Gould, and Marsh did not follow their callings abroad so much as they found them there. The political and religious unrest they encountered during Italian Unification put their utopian visions of expatriate life to the test. It also prompted these women to engage these changes and take up their pens both privately and publicly. Though little-known today, their diaries, letters, poetry, and news accounts help to rewrite the story of American women abroad inherited from figures such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, and Henry James. Both feminist recovery project and collective biography, Engaging Italy contributes to the growing body of scholarship on transatlantic nineteenth-century women writers while focusing particular attention on the shared texts and ties linking Brewster, Gould, and Marsh. Etta M. Madden demonstrates the generative power of literary and social networks during moments of upheaval.

A New York Times Notable Book of the Year: A deliciously entertaining account of expatriate life in a small village just outside Verona, Italy. Tim Parks is anything but a gentleman in Verona. So after ten years of living with his Italian wife, Rita, in a typical provincial Italian neighborhood, the novelist found that he had inadvertently collected a gallery full of splendid characters. In this wittily observed account, Parks introduces readers to his home town, with a statue of the Virgin at one end of the street, a derelict bottle factory at the other, and a wealth of exotic flora and fauna in between. Via Colombare, the village’s main street, offers an exemplary hodgepodge of all that is new and old in the bel paese, a point of collision between invading suburbia and diehard peasant tradition. It is a world of creeping vines, stuccoed walls, shotguns, security cameras, hypochondria, and expensive sports cars. More than a mere travelogue, Italian Neighbors is a vivid portrait of the real Italy and a compelling story of how even the most foreign people and places gradually assume the familiarity of home. “One of the most delightful travelogues imaginable . . . so vivid, so packed with delectable details.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

Embark on an enchanting journey to the heart of Italy with La Dolce Vita Dream: A Guide to Relocating to Italy for Americans. This captivating and comprehensive guide offers a roadmap for adventurous souls seeking to make Italy their home, brimming with practical advice, cultural insights, and personal stories from experienced expats. In this guide, you will uncover the allure of the Italian lifestyle, its rich history, and the warm embrace of its people. Discover the enchantment of Italy's diverse regions and cities, each offering its own distinct charm and experiences waiting to be savored. With meticulous attention to detail, "La Dolce Vita Dream" delves into the complexities of relocating, from navigating legal requirements and paperwork to selecting the perfect city or region to call home. As you prepare for your Italian adventure, learn how to embrace cultural differences, dispel myths, and foster meaningful relationships within the local community. Delight your taste buds with the art of savoring Italian cuisine, indulge in the country's artistic heritage, and immerse yourself in its cherished festivals and traditions. From breathtaking landscapes to outdoor adventures, embrace the natural beauty and outdoor life that Italy has to offer. Language, a gateway to culture, takes center stage as you learn Italian, navigate non-verbal communication, and develop cross-cultural communication skills. Master the art of embracing La Dolce Vita through balancing work and leisure, and savoring each moment in Italy's vibrant social scene. Whether you are a student, a professional seeking career opportunities, or a retiree yearning for a fulfilling life abroad, "La Dolce Vita Dream" provides indispensable guidance on education, healthcare, and financial planning for your Italian journey. As you ponder the pivotal decision between repatriation and embracing Italy as your forever home, find balance through introspection, consultation, and trusting your intuition. Regardless of your choice, the path you take will be one of growth, resilience, and cultural appreciation. Through heartfelt anecdotes and practical tips, "La Dolce Vita Dream" encourages you to nurture meaningful connections with locals, fellow expats, and Italian culture itself. Share your experiences, engage with local communities, and become a bridge between cultures. In the concluding chapters, the guide inspires you to celebrate Italian festivals and traditions, foster personal growth, and embrace the journey of a lifetime. Whether you choose to savor La Dolce Vita for a season or a lifetime, this guide empowers you to seize the sweet essence of life in Italy. Join countless adventurers who have ventured before you and embark on a voyage that will enrich your soul and change your life forever. Buon viaggio and embrace the magic of La Dolce Vita Dream: A Guide to Relocating to Italy for Americans.

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One of The Economist's Books of the Year A provocative, entertaining account of Italy's diverse riches, its hopes and dreams, its past and present Did Garibaldi do Italy a disservice when he helped its disparate parts achieve unity? Was the goal of political unification a mistake? The question is asked and answered in a number of ways in The Pursuit of Italy, an engaging, original consideration of the many histories that contribute to the brilliance—and weakness—of Italy today. David Gilmour's wonderfully readable exploration of Italian life over the centuries is filled with provocative anecdotes as well as personal observations, and is peopled by the great figures of the Italian past—from Cicero and Virgil to the controversial politicians of the twentieth century. His wise account of the Risorgimento debunks the nationalistic myths that surround it, though he paints a sympathetic portrait of Giuseppe Verdi, a beloved hero of the era. Gilmour shows that the glory of Italy has always lain in its regions, with their distinctive art, civic cultures, identities, and cuisines. Italy's inhabitants identified themselves not as Italians but as Tuscans and Venetians, Sicilians and Lombards, Neapolitans and Genoese. Italy's strength and culture still come from its regions rather than from its misconceived, mishandled notion of a unified nation.

The Eternal Table: A Cultural History of Food in Rome is the first concise history of the food, gastronomy, and cuisine of Rome spanning from pre-Roman to modern times. It is a social history of the Eternal City seen through the lens of eating and feeding, as it advanced over the centuries in a city that fascinates like no other. The history of food in Rome unfolds as an engaging and enlightening narrative, recounting the human partnership with what was raised, picked, fished, caught, slaughtered, cooked, and served, as it was experienced and perceived along the continuum between excess and dearth by Romans and the many who passed through. Like the city itself, Rome’s culinary history is multi-layered, both vertically and horizontally, from migrant shepherds to the senatorial aristocracy, from the papal court to the flow of pilgrims and Grand Tourists, from the House of Savoy and the Kingdom of Italy to Fascism and the rise of the middle classes. The Eternal Table takes the reader on a culinary journey through the city streets, country kitchens, banquets, markets, festivals, osterias, and restaurants illuminating yet another facet of one of the most intriguing cities in the world.