In 1974 we moved to Italy for a two-year Army assignment at the NATO Headquarters in Naples. It was a wonderful experience but we didn't take full advantage of the opportunity because we were simply unprepared, naive and uneducated.
Like many Italian-Americans, we thought we knew what being “Italian” meant…WRONG! Separated by time, language and almost no understanding of our grandparents’ lives before they immigrated to America, we quickly realized that we were painfully ignorant of the people, language (dialects) and cultures (yes, the regional Italian cultures are different). Had all of today's books been available back then, our time living in Italy would have been even richer and more enjoyable.
Our grandparents didn’t keep journals or write many letters, so we don’t know the details of their lives in Italy, their journey to America, or their relationships with family and friends they left behind. All we had were a few stories told at the dinner table. So, we figured our only option was to read about Italy as it was during our ancestors’ lifetimes.
We’re not scholars or intellectual heavy-weights but we enjoy reading everything we can about Italy…history, language, travel, memoirs, cookbooks, novels, etc. Our little library contains dozens of books worth reading, but here are a few to consider before hopping the plane and while traveling in Italy.
A Concise History of Italy by Christopher Duggan (Cambridge University Press, 1984). This 294 page paperback’s opening chapter describes how Italy’s geography and topography set the stage for the major military, cultural and political events beginning in the year 400 AD and ending in the 1980s. Chapter 6 is titled “The Liberal State and the Social Question, 1870 – 1900” – the period in Italy that most influenced the lives of our great-grandparents and their children who immigrated to America.
A Traveller’s History of Italy (8th Edition) by Valerio Lintner (Interlink Publishing, 2008). Having read the previous edition published in 2004, I’m looking forward to re-reading this book’s 8th Edition. This author’s narrative is comfortable and easy to follow because he matches historically important individuals to the geography, political and social events that shaped the Italy of our ancestors. It allows the reader to “jump around” and focus on the individual chapters that are relevant to reader’s travel itinerary and interests.
The Italians by Luigi Barzini (Touchstone Edition, 1996). Barzini was a second generation Italian journalist, born in Milan, in 1908. He wrote extensively about the social, political and cultural character of Italy with an understandable bias; most notably in Chapter 13, “The Problema del Mezzogiorno”. Barzini’s description of the Italian people was as if he was a regular guest in our grandparents’ homes; not always kind, his observations really hit close to the heart.
La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language by Diane Hales (Broadway Books, 2009). The book is a “must read” for those of us who are too lazy to learn Italian or who don’t know how and why the Italian language became the most beautiful language in world. Ms. Hales blends her passion for Italian with history, humor and engaging conversations with many interesting Italian language experts. Her personal and endearing anecdotes are inspiring for those of us who never seem to get it right.
SPREZZATURA, 50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped The World by Peter D’Epiro and Mary Desmond Pinkowish (Anchor Books, 2001). This book links the contributions of famous Italians to the political, cultural, artistic, scientific and social events that shaped Italy and the world. The word Sprezzatura was coined by Renaissance diplomat and soldier Balassare Castiglione which, according to a translation by Harry Berger, Jr. means, “a form of defensive irony: the ability to disguise what one really desires, feels, thinks, and means or intends behind a mask of apparent reticence and nonchalance.” It has also been used to describe the ability to complete a task or create great art gracefully and seemingly effortlessly…a very Italian trait.
LA MERICA, Images of Italian Greenhorn Experience by Michael La Sorte (Temple University Press, 1985). The author combines some personal stories of Italian immigrants with academic research and entertaining anecdotes that describes the common experiences of millions who left behind everything they knew and everyone they loved for new opportunities in “La Merica”.
Blue Guide Series for Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, Le Marche, Sicily, Umbria, etc. by various authors (Somerset Books, various editions). The Blue Guides’ website at www.blueguides.com contains the complete list for their Italy Series. These guides to Italy’s regions and major cities contain concise yet detailed narratives that provide historical context and useful touring information and descriptions for museums, churches, hotels, restaurants, shopping and transportation. If you’re planning an extended trip to multiple regions, you might need an extra rolling suitcase for this collection…but they are worth it!
