A Traveller's History of Italy

by Valerio Lintner

"The Traveller's History" series is designed for the discerning holidaymaker or traveller who feels that they need more historical background information on the country in which they are staying than can be found in a guide. In "A Traveller's History of Italy" the author analyses the development of the Italian people from prehistoric times right through to the imaginative, resourceful and fiercely independent Italians we know today. All of the major periods of Italian history are dealt with, including the Etruscans, the Romans, the communes and the city states which spawned the glories of the Renaissance. In more modern times, Unification and the development and degeneration of the Liberal state into Fascism are covered, as well as the rise of Italy to the position it currently enjoys as a leading member of the European Community. The Gazetteer, which is cross-referenced to the main text, highlights sites, towns, churches and cathedrals of historical importance for the visitor.

Genres: Travel, History, Italy, Nonfiction

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with others in this series, not a scholarly history, (although written by a scholar with fine credentials), but a straightforward easy-to-read history to give the prospective traveler the basics (well, more than the basics) of the country's history. Great way to sort out all the periods in a country's history, so for example, you understand who King Victor Emannuel was and what he did to get that dopey monument in Rome erected in his honor.

[John Kaufmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plus is it was brief and hit the high points- something you can get through quickly if you're preparing for a trip and want to know something about Italy. The downside is there isn't a lot of detail, which adds a lot of richness and interest.

[Hal Brodsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical book covering the history of the Italian peninsula and Sicily. Not very detailed, but provides enough information to familiarize the traveler with Etruscans, Visigoths, Romans, Carthinians, and fascists.

[C. Patrick G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a lot. For someone not well versed in Italian history, there are a heck of a lot of places and names, but given how much Italian history and western history are tied, lots were familiar.

A good book to read while on honeymoon in Italy!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall Impression This book provides exactly what one might expect from a work of this category. It covers its intended scope thoroughly and stays on topic throughout the pages. It is a reliable source of information or entertainment for a general audience. Check the link to see what other readers are saying about it. >>> https://script.google.com/macros/s/AK...

[Brian Kolda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda dry rundown of every conflict. For a true traveler, I’d keep it lighter.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice balance of detail and overview; for a traveller, I don't need excruciation detail about the history, but a sweeping overview is useful.

[Emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was a little dry and hard to read a times, I think it was a good representation of Italy's history and gave a traveler a bit of a head start before their travels.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since it was presented as a "Traveler's History" I wish some of the history had been keyed to specific places more. As a background for the history of the country as a whole, it was pretty good. My favorite line came in the section about the towers in the Tuscan hill towns, explaining that the towers were a way for warring families to keep an eye on each other when "vendettas and assassinations were the order of the day."

[Alyssa Weinert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives the main historical facts about Italy. It doesn't really summarize how things are at this point since its a little bit of an older book. It's interesting I don't really like Historical books but it wasnt bad. It tells how the country got formed how things were doing different wars and who were main people at main causes.