Italianissimo: The Quintessential Guide to What Italians Do Best

by Louise Fili, Lise Apatoff

What is it about Italy that inspires passion, fascination, and utter devotion? This quirky guide to the Italian way of life, with its fifty witty mini-essays on iconic Italian subjects, will answer that question as well as entertain and delight both real and armchair travelers. Topics range from expressive hand gestures to patron saints, pasta, parmesan, shoes, opera, the Vespa, the Fiat 500, gelato, gondolas, and more. History, folklore, superstitions, traditions, and customs are tossed in a delicious sauce that also includes a wealth of factual information for the sophisticated • why lines, as we know them, are nonexistent in Italy• why a string of coral beads is often seen around a baby’s wrist• what the unlucky number of Italy is (it’s not thirteen, unless seating guests at a table, when it IS thirteen–taking into account the outcome of the Last Supper)• why red underwear begins to appear in shops as the New Year approaches In addition to the lyrical and poetic, Italianissimo provides useful and indispensable information for the deciphering the quirks of the language (while English has only one word for “you,” in Italy there are three), the best place to find balsamic vinegar (in Modena, of course), the best gelato (in Sicily, where they first invented it using the snow from Mount Etna). There are also recommendations for little-known museums and destinations (the Bodoni museum, the Pinocchio park, legendary coffee bars).This is a new kind of guidebook overflowing with enlightening and hilarious miscellaneous information, filled with luscious graphics and unforgettable photographs that will decode and enrich all trips to Italy–both real and imaginary.

Genres: Italy, Nonfiction, Travel, Cultural, Design

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2008

Reviews

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Italy is sexy. Louise Fili is sexy. Bodoni and pasta are sexy. I felt sexy reading this book.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Like candy.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet little "coffee table" book. It reminds and acquaints the reader with all things Italian and is perfect to whet one's appetite for a trip to Italy. Beautifully illustrated and arranged.

[Snazzyjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an easy and fun read. I kept it around the house and when I had some downtime would pick it up and learn something new about my culture.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book with great information! The pictures were not always my favorite, but in my opinion, apart from an Italy local, you'll get no other information elsewhere.
It's also a perfect little pocketbook to carry around! Read it before you visit Italy, it's super fascinating.

[Doug Costle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, interesting, light, informative. This book of short essays is lively, conveniently readable and will be useful for my summer trip to Italy this year.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet little coffee table book

[Kylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and fun descriptions of each item important to Italian culture. A quick, easy and fun little book!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and cute.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little novelty book about what we get from Italy, ranging from gelato to ex voto.

[Laura Schlosberg]

An entertaining gift book.