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The Tuscan Trilogy #3
The Wisdom of Tuscany: Simplicity, Security & the Good Life
By the author of the international bestseller The Hills of Tuscany and the New York Times Notable Book A Vineyard in Tuscany : making the Tuscan life-style your own. This sun-drenched land has become synonymous with the ideal life. But it didn’t happen by chance. Since the Etruscans, the independence-loving Tuscans have treated their breathtaking countryside with sagacious respect and built hamlets and hill towns in which they perfected a culture of simplicity, beauty, neighborliness, good food, and love of daily life.
Ferenc Máté has lived in Tuscany for twenty years. Through personal experience and anecdotal history he explores the sources of this idyllic existence, which provides continuous economic stability, physical and emotional security, and a fortifying sense of belonging. From their organic gardens to their mouthwatering cuisine, from high-quality, craftsmen-made products and family-run businesses, to the joys centered in human contact and community, Tuscans live a healthy, all-senses-satisfying, emotionally rich life. Máté―engaging, funny, and insightful―nudges us all to live like Tuscans. With our frantic world so storm-tossed and rudderless, this might just be the book for our times.
Ferenc Máté has lived in Tuscany for twenty years. Through personal experience and anecdotal history he explores the sources of this idyllic existence, which provides continuous economic stability, physical and emotional security, and a fortifying sense of belonging. From their organic gardens to their mouthwatering cuisine, from high-quality, craftsmen-made products and family-run businesses, to the joys centered in human contact and community, Tuscans live a healthy, all-senses-satisfying, emotionally rich life. Máté―engaging, funny, and insightful―nudges us all to live like Tuscans. With our frantic world so storm-tossed and rudderless, this might just be the book for our times.
- GenresTravelNonfictionItaly
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2009
41 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Ferenc Máté
66 books100 followersFerenc Máté has made a career of out documenting his own quests—whether it’s restoring a Tuscan ruin, building a vineyard from scratch, or sailing the seven seas.
Born in Transylvania, he escaped at age eleven when the Hungarian revolution was crushed by Soviet tanks. He grew up in Vancouver and has lived in California, Paris, Rome, the Bahamas and New York. He has worked on a railroad extra-gang and as a boat-builder, photographer, deckhand and book editor. He is the author of 16 books translated into 12 languages. His international best seller A Vineyard in Tuscany, was a New York Times Notable Book and short listed for Spain’s Camino del Cid literary award. His Dugger/Nello historical novel series have made him “the leading nautical writer of our time.” With his wife and son, he works the Máté vineyards surrounding the 13th century friary they restored in Montalcino, Italy. They have won global recognition for making one of the world’s best Brunellos.
Please visit:
http://www.ferencmate.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ferencmate
https://twitter.com/FerencMate
http://www.matewine.com/
Born in Transylvania, he escaped at age eleven when the Hungarian revolution was crushed by Soviet tanks. He grew up in Vancouver and has lived in California, Paris, Rome, the Bahamas and New York. He has worked on a railroad extra-gang and as a boat-builder, photographer, deckhand and book editor. He is the author of 16 books translated into 12 languages. His international best seller A Vineyard in Tuscany, was a New York Times Notable Book and short listed for Spain’s Camino del Cid literary award. His Dugger/Nello historical novel series have made him “the leading nautical writer of our time.” With his wife and son, he works the Máté vineyards surrounding the 13th century friary they restored in Montalcino, Italy. They have won global recognition for making one of the world’s best Brunellos.
Please visit:
http://www.ferencmate.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ferencmate
https://twitter.com/FerencMate
http://www.matewine.com/
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 19, 2010
While it's a fun, easy read, Mate is way too general in his writing focusing only on the positive aspects of Tuscan life. I suppose one needs to read this book with a grain of salt and in the right mood for this type of book: you need to be in the mood to daydream about life in Tuscany vs actually thinking about moving there. Normally I'd give this 3 stars because I'm all for daydreaming about the good life in another place, but I found Mate's writing to be too random and scattered. This book could have used a better editor, that's for sure.
All in all, it's a refreshing read if you want to fantasize about the good, country life. Mate makes some good points about our modern American lifestyles, but some of his recommendations (that we all move out to the country) are a little unrealistic for most people.
All in all, it's a refreshing read if you want to fantasize about the good, country life. Mate makes some good points about our modern American lifestyles, but some of his recommendations (that we all move out to the country) are a little unrealistic for most people.
March 22, 2020
I picked this book because I loved Mate's previous "A Vineyard in Tuscany: A Wine Lover's Dream" and "The Hills of Tuscany", both of which I loved.
But this was such a struggle. I don't even remember when I started reading it and am giving it two stars - one for chapter 19, which pretty much sums up what the author I guess is trying to say whole time (Tuscany is wonderful, has wonderful people and traditions compared to North Americans, and if you don't think the same don't even bother reading further). The second star is for making me fall asleep every time.
But this was such a struggle. I don't even remember when I started reading it and am giving it two stars - one for chapter 19, which pretty much sums up what the author I guess is trying to say whole time (Tuscany is wonderful, has wonderful people and traditions compared to North Americans, and if you don't think the same don't even bother reading further). The second star is for making me fall asleep every time.
October 12, 2010
Ah, the good life. Charming because of the insights and the way it is written, not only because of the subject matter.
July 15, 2021
I had really high hopes for this one and truthfully I'm really disappointed. I do not recommend this book at all, the author is jawing about good old days, how nothing is good enough or "too much" in the 21st century. He's romanticizing the tuscan life and the countryside TANTO. He doesn't allow himself to acknowledge the fact that some people love the city and the rush and hate being stuck in some remote area. I personally love Italy and I wanted to like this book too but his writing made me feel like I will never be welcomed there and I will never fit in just because I don't like bonding with my neighbors or I am not social enough. I'm so mad at this book I can't even explain. Just don't waste your time on this one .
March 12, 2024
I enjoyed reading The Wisdom of Tuscany, a book that, at its heart, is about enjoying what is simple and elemental in life: good friends, access to nature, good food, etc. The author holds few punches when expressing his disdain for societal changes such as social media, the commercial food industry, corporate life, etc. and discussing why the "Tuscan lifestyle" is an antidote to these modern ills. It undeniably gets a bit preachy, but it's well written and fun to read about the small towns in Tuscany and the families who live there. It's a quick read and, if you can put up with a bit of rambling and pontificating from an older white guy ("I resemble that remark") it's worth a few hours of one's time.
June 2, 2017
This book made me want to be in Tuscany right this very second. I am so excited about being there next year, and I loved the simplistic "good life" described in these pages. Ahhhhh. So much of what is wrong with society is found by the opposite goodness in these pages. Nostalgic type of writing, but he writes of things currently in place and I long for it. Italia....io vengo per te.
April 9, 2023
Great insights into the people and customs of Tuscany! Some of the information is dated (published in 2009), it is still loaded with interesting tidbits about this beloved region. Ferenc Mate is a great writer that pulls you into his stories and carries you along for the ride.
October 27, 2016
Did not realize that this book was part of a trilogy. Bought it at a library book sale. Discusses many different aspects of life in Tuscany. Imagery is great. Will read others in the set.
April 23, 2018
A good book. Rambles slightly and sometimes a little cliche. Also some gross generalisations. But it gets the message across and provides an insight into the Tuscan way of life and its value
February 5, 2021
Least favorite of the 3 but a GREAT series! Makes you put into perspective the way we live our lives and dream of simpler times! And of course, makes me want to live in Italy!
April 22, 2022
I wanted to love this book (who wouldn't?). I love Tuscany as much as anyone, and I guess I was hoping for this book to transport me there, but it was mostly yet another writer mourning the death of the "good old days." It's not that I disagree with his values. I like simplicity and focusing on family, too. But I get tired of the romanticization of the past.
Edited 4 years later: Okay, so I gave this book a second chance after I listened to an interview with Mate and he really spoke to me. I had actually forgotten that I’d read this book until I picked it up at the library and recognized the cover. I was still irritated this time through with Mate’s judgmental negativity. And much of the book isn’t actually even about Tuscany. It’s just Mate reminiscing about how right he has always been, in every location he’s ever lived in. But I did manage to sift through that and pull out some gems of wisdom and insight. It might help that I have a different perspective now than I did last time I read it. Either way, it’s an easy, fast read, but I could take it or leave it,
Edited 4 years later: Okay, so I gave this book a second chance after I listened to an interview with Mate and he really spoke to me. I had actually forgotten that I’d read this book until I picked it up at the library and recognized the cover. I was still irritated this time through with Mate’s judgmental negativity. And much of the book isn’t actually even about Tuscany. It’s just Mate reminiscing about how right he has always been, in every location he’s ever lived in. But I did manage to sift through that and pull out some gems of wisdom and insight. It might help that I have a different perspective now than I did last time I read it. Either way, it’s an easy, fast read, but I could take it or leave it,
January 16, 2014
Fabulous book. I've read it twice now and may make it my "first of the new year" book in the future as well. It's a great reminder of what's important in life and that most possessions are not worth the time and money we spend on them. It's helped keep me grounded when the American consumerist society tries to take over, but it's not an in-your-face get-rid-of-your-crap type book. The author does a great job of showing you how fantastic life can be when lived simply and seduces you to try out that simplicity for yourself.
November 12, 2010
Right after reading The Hills of Tuscany I immediately read this book... it was a bit more analytical & thoughtful inquiry to what they found. Very different from the initial shock of moving there, but after living there 20 years how they compare it and have learned. Several interesting elements, but left me wishing he wrote from more of a personal perspective & included his wife's viewpoint & experience.
March 18, 2010
Mate does it again! His enthusiasm for Tuscany is always inspiring, even if his comparison of Tuscan values to those of 21st century North America is perhaps a bit simplistic (and perhaps a bit optimistic on the Tuscan side.) Nonetheless, this good life is something worth aspiring to, although one would prefer to do so in Tuscany or thereabouts, aided by good food, abundant wine and olive oil .
November 2, 2012
Really disappointing after how much I enjoyed his other Tuscany books which explored his life in Tuscany, first the move there, and then busing the wine farm.
While I can agree with many of the views in this book, I felt as if I was sitting through a lecture about how shallow my life was. Not all of us are in a position to uproot everything and move to the country!
While I can agree with many of the views in this book, I felt as if I was sitting through a lecture about how shallow my life was. Not all of us are in a position to uproot everything and move to the country!
May 8, 2012
A wonderful read. The book is written with a rhythm and texture that is simply mesmerizing. Reminded me to make the most of every single day. Life is joy.
December 28, 2012
If you are ever feeling like you need to escape the daily rat race read this book! It will make you want to pack your bags and move to Tuscany!
May 8, 2013
Entertaining with great recipes at the end. I nice addition to his other books.
September 14, 2014
Ferenc describes tuscany as promised land on europe land. Wish taste that good life as he put on words. Humble and warm with hint of instruction how to live the simple life.
August 17, 2014
Not nearly as good as A Vineyard in Tuscany, perhaps because I ongoing for a simpler time and found this book frustrating...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews