Through the eyes of a fashionable Italian in America, the reader gets the behind-the-scenes of all that entails to achieve enviable style, the Italian way; that quintessential seal of always looking pulled together with insouciant elegance. The reader is catapulted into a life of rousing style filled with carefully-crafted clothing, summer holidays in the Italian countryside, the aroma of fresh tomato sauce simmering in the kitchen, and fresh lavender escaping from grandma's armoire. Through playful and witted prose, anecdotes, tips and interviews, Francesca transports the reader into a world of desirable glamour, and teaches them how to achieve the same understated chicness Italians are recognized for regardless of nationality, age or budget. You'll learn how not to follow trends, how to borrow from the boys' closet and why lingerie is for you and not him. Get ready to empty out all the meaningless clutter, and curate an inspirational wardrobe while reclaiming yourself.

This language-learning system offers the chance to quickly and efficiently develop the practical Italian needed for travel. 2 CDs with 90 minutes of material feature phrases and sentences spoken first in English and then in Italian, followed by a pause for repetition. The accompanying 80-page manual contains each word and phrase on the CDs.

Buon giorno! From ordering calamari in Venice to making new friends in Tuscan hill towns, it helps to speak some of the native tongue. Rick Steves, bestselling author of travel guides to Europe, offers well-tested phrases and key words to cover every situation a traveler is likely to encounter. This handy guide provides key phrases for use in everyday circumstances, complete with phonetic spelling, an English-Italian and Italian-English dictionary, the latest information on European currency and rail transportation, and even a tear-out cheat sheet for continued language practice as you wait in line at the Sistine Chapel. Informative, concise, and practical, Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary is an essential item for any traveler's zainetto.

A new atmospheric Italian mystery novel set in Lake Como, introducing the clever and captivating Inspector Stefania Valenti During the construction of a new road to the Swiss border in the mountains above Lake Como, the remains of a young man are unearthed on the powerful Cappelletti family’s property. On the case is Stefania Valenti, forty-five, divorced with a young daughter, and a brilliant, determined police inspector. Her investigation takes her back to World War II and deep into the history of the region, a place that during the war attracted smugglers, deserters, secret agents, and fleeing Jews. Steeped in the beautiful atmosphere of Northern Italy, Valenti’s investigation brings to light a family’s secret, a tragic romance, and reveals a fascinating piece of Italian history.

A man is shot dead as he runs to catch the bus in the piazza of a small Sicilian town. Captain Bellodi, the detective on the case, is new to his job and determined to prove himself. Bellodi suspects the Mafia, and his suspicions grow when he finds himself up against an apparently unbreachable wall of silence. A surprise turn puts him on the track of a series of nasty crimes. But all the while Bellodi's investigation is being carefully monitored by a host of observers, near and far. They share a single concern: to keep the truth from coming out. This short, beautifully paced novel is a mesmerizing description of the Mafia at work.

Take your Italian skills to the next level the fun and easy way with Intermediate Italian For Dummies! This practical, easy-to-follow guide will help you to be more fluent and comfortable in your Italian writing. You’ll learn key concepts, practice what you’ve learned, and check your answers. With the exercises and lessons featured in this book, you will be able master written communication in Italian. You’ll quickly understand the basics of Italian grammar and pick up on the nuances of this romantic language. You’ll learn how to conjugate verbs, navigate tenses, and feel comfortable with gendered words. Say and spell words correctly, and no one will be able to tell that you’re not a native Italian. You’ll discover the basics of ordering words, answering questions, and forming complete sentences. You’ll be able to master parts of speech and apply articles as needed. Find out how to: Navigate grammar, language nuances, and verb tenses Conjugate verbs and understand the basics of gender Say and spell words correctly Order words correctly Answer questions and form complete sentences Use articles where necessary Understand the various parts of speech Write and speak Italian like a native Complete with lists of ten facts to remember about Italian grammar and ten subtle terminology distinctions, Intermediate Italian For Dummies is your one-stop guide to taking your Italian skills to the next level and improving upon what you already know about this widely spoken language.