Tuscany – A Mediagraphy

San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy

Photographer: Ian Britton Photo Courtesy of

Introduction

We have been fortunate enough to have received grant monies to increase our collection in the areas of travel and the arts. After reviewing the input we have received from our staff, it was decided to consider both these areas when making our selections for purchase and to concentrate on items that would complement one another, thereby giving our patrons a broad choice of materials on a specific topic.

Need & Statement of Purpose for the Collection

Previously we addressed our travel section with purchases of a broad and general nature. Now that our collection covers the major cities of the world, we need to consider providing materials in specific areas that have been requested by our patrons through the surveys we have conducted over the past two years. One of those topics is Tuscany – an area of Italy that encompasses Lucca, Pisa, Sienna, Chianti, Arezzo, San Gimignano, Cortona and many small towns in-between. With greater than ever interest in time-saving measures, our patrons are increasingly requesting that more multimedia items be added to our library collection. They are also interested in seeing different parts of the world, escaping day to day routines in a good book, and being tempted with new taste treats.

Why Audio & Video?/Selection Criteria

All of these things are possible with videos, DVD’s, CD’s and books on tape. Other than actually traveling there, what better way to experience a new culture, learn of beautiful art and museums, and obtain an understanding of life in a different country than through audio/visual materials which allow all of us to escape, to dream, to set new goals for ourselves – all within the confines of our home. With the listings below I have attempted to provide a “taste of Tuscany” by suggesting travel videos specific to Tuscany, videos describing the art of the region, fictional audiobooks written by authors who have experienced life in the small towns of Tuscany, several language tapes, and websites that exhibit the beauty of all that is Tuscany. I chose items that appeared well-written and produced, topical, and informative as well as items that would assist me in planning a trip to an area that abounds with beautiful countrysides, magnificent art, fine wines and delectable foods. As stated on the jacket of Jonathan Keates’ book Tuscany: “visiting Tuscany is to walk into the background of a Fra Angelico panel, or a Giotto fresco. It is a region of overwhelmingly beautiful landscapes, from the serried vines, files of cypresses and hilltop farmhouses of Chianti to the enormous sweeps of gently folded hills south of Siena and the incomparable charm of the Tuscan islands.” Sample some of the items mentioned below to savor some of this beauty!

Annotated Mediagraphy

The Back Roads of Europe: Tuscany, Italy and La Rioja, Spain. (VHS Video). BFS Entertainment & Multimedia. 1999. 45 minutes. Format: Color, NTSC. Rated: NR. ASIN: 1578750245. $14.98 through Amazon.com.

Summary: This video makes a loop from the northern Tuscan countryside through medieval towns visiting homes of popes, Benedictine monasteries, and museums down through southern Tuscany and back up to the northern regions again.

Karen Millis: Though only half of this video discussed Tuscany, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike the consumer review below, I thought that the touring the back roads is just what a visit to Tuscany is all about. With beautiful classical music in the background, the narrator discusses the history of the area, gives brief glimpses into museums whose walls are covered with Renaissance frescoes, and takes us on a tour of small towns that look like paintings. A nice way to begin exploring the Tuscan region!

Consumer: “If you haven't traveled to Tuscany before, or just want to get a better feel for some of the less known and not as frequently mentioned villages and towns this is a very good start. That's why they call the series "The Back Roads". It is not as slick or informative as Fodor's videos, but it is also not as expensive, I'm relatively sure. It is also more of a succinct, but educational, thumbnail sketch of lesser known locations from a cultural, historical and geographic perspective.”

Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy. Mayes, Frances. AudioCassette.
Publisher: Bantam Books-Audio; (April 6, 1999). Other Editions: Hardcover | Paperback | Audio Cassette (Abridged) | Audio CD (Abridged) | Hardcover (Large Print) | Audio Download (Audible.com). ISBN: 0553502352. $24.47 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “Bella Tuscany, a companion volume to Under the Tuscan Sun, is her passionate and lyrical account of her continuing love affair with Italy. Now truly at home there, Mayes writes of her deepening connection to the land, her flourishing friendships with local people, the joys of art, food, and wine, and the rewards and occasional heartbreaks of her villa's ongoing restoration. It is also a memoir of a season of change, and of renewed possibility. As spring becomes summer she revives Bramasole's lush gardens, meets the challenges of learning a new language, tours regions from Sicily to the Veneto, and faces transitions in her family life. Filled with recipes from her Tuscan kitchen and written in the sensuous and evocative prose that has become her hallmark, Bella Tuscany is a celebration of the sweet life in Italy.”

Ingram: “Best of the Best. In this follow-up to her bestselling account of her love affair with Tuscany, Mayes carries forward the concerns and people of "Under the Tuscan Sun", while exploring new themes: gardening, travel throughout Italy, deepening friendships with Italians, and primavera, a new season. Interweaving sections on language, art, food, and wine with her journeys in Italy, this audio captures what Mayes has called "the voluptuousness of Italian life" in the lyrical, sensuous style that distinguishes her previous work.” --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

AudioFile: “Listening to this memoir brings to mind the word ABUNDANCE. The author, who also narrates, relates tales of an Italian spring and summer with such love and effervescence that it's impossible not to appreciate the tomatoes stacked in the kitchen or the rainbow of roses on the terraces. At first, the listener may be caught off-guard by Mayes's lovely Southern accent, but it becomes an essential part of her enthusiastic personality. Mayes revels in the details of Tuscan life: the food (never listen to this when hungry), the wine, the gardens, the people… This audiobook is a patch of sunshine on a dark day-- curl up with it and soak in the warmth.” L.B.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Giotto:His Life and Art (1997). Vision Video. 29 minutes. Format: Color, NTSC. Rated: NR. ASIN: B00005J78K. $19.99 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “A documentary on the life and entire artistic production of Giotto (1267-1337), considered the greatest of all the Italian Gothic painters. The innovations and originality that Giotto brought to the art world have influenced all artists since. His life and art are presented here...from Assisi to Rome, Rimini to Padova and, of course, in his own Florence.”

Karen Millis: I was glad this was a short video. The photography wasn’t the greatest and there was some irritating music in the background. Although showing much of Giotto’s “crucifixion work” the video explored other artists in just as much detail as Giotto. I wasn’t very impressed.

Wisconsin Bookwatch - July 2001. “Giotto (1267 - 1337) is one of the most renowned of the Italian Gothic painters. This 29 minute, full color video surveys a remarkable life and enduring artistic legacy of accomplishment that ranges from Assisi to Rome, Rimini to Padova, and throughout all of Florence. Giotto: His Life and Art is a brilliant, very highly recommended, visually superb, and informative introduction to a truly gifted man who brought a ground breaking naturalism to his art that broke with the formality of past styles and would be a pervasive, positive influence on future generations of painters down to the present day.”

History Through Art: The Renaissance (CD-ROM) Clearvue/eav. Recommended for Junior/Senior ages +. $75.00 from www.clearvue.com; an Interactive DVD available at $95.00.

Summary: The CD-ROM presents the art of more than 50 Renaissance artists from the 14th, 15th, and early 16th centuries. It explores the riches of the Renaissance (1400-1550), the golden age that rediscovered the greatness of Greco-Roman art and reintroduced to Western civilization the wisdom of Aristotle and other classical masters.  It displays masterpieces as the Mona Lisa, David, The School of Athens, and The Birth of Venus.

Home PC, March 1995: "History is more than a collection of names and dates; what makes it fascinating is its record of how ideas evolve. The changes are especially captivating when seen in the work of the world's great artists over time."

CD-ROM Today, February 1995: "History Through Art is devoted to what might be called 'mainstream' western art. The series adopts a rather fusty approach to the subject that appears to be derived from art history texts of generations ago...History Through Art is the only game in town when it comes to in-depth surveys of western art on CD-ROM. For that reason alone, plus its low price, it is a worthwhile purchase for schools and libraries. But I'm still waiting for the art history discs of my dreams."

In Search of Tuscany with John Guerrasio. PBS Home Video. Format: Color, NTSC. Rated: Unrated ASIN: B00004SSQS. $16.98 through Amazon.com)

Summary: “The finest of Tuscany - the food, wine, people, places and heritage all uncovered in a tour of Italy's northern heartland. Join food critic and author John Guerrasio as he travels the magnificent countryside from the Chianti region to the finest of Florence - the cathedral, the Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio as well as the celebrated vineyards and tiny towns of Greve and Panzan. Along the way stop in San Gimignano, Siena, Val d'Orcia, Pitigliano, and Montalcino. Stumble upon fascinating fresco art and architecture and take in the mouthwatering wines, cheeses and local cuisine that made this city so famous! Bonus: Exclusive sneak peek inside the town of Pienze - a tiny treasure that's one of Italy's best-kept secrets!”

Amazon.com: “There's a valuable, offbeat travel video hidden between the stale jokes in In Search of Tuscany. Perhaps host John Guerrasio also should have gone in search of a more cultivated sense of humor. Clichéd jokes aside--after all, there are "so many hill towns, so little time"--his trip through Tuscany takes you away from the tourist meccas and into what appears to be the real Italian deal, small towns such as Greve and Panzano as well as a quick stop in touristy Florence. He doesn't like Florence much, "but there's great art, you gotta visit," he says. Guerrasio saves his waxing for the countryside, "a Renaissance painting come to life," and the everyday scenes: vineyards, wineries, a centuries-old pageant, and a peasant opera. Fortunately, he also has a weakness for little-known museums and ancient churches and endless footage of the gorgeous countryside.” Valerie J. Nelson

In Tuscany. Frances Mayes, Edward Mayes (Contributor). AudioCassette [Unabridged]. Publisher: Bantam Books-Audio; Unabridged edition (October 31, 2000).

In-Print Editions: Hardcover | Audio CD (Unabridged) | Audio Download (Audible.com). ISBN: 0553502727. $17.50

Summary: “From the bestselling author whose memoirs Under the Sun and Bella Tuscany have captured the voluptuousness of Italian life comes a lavishly illustrated ode to the joys of Tuscany's people, food, landscapes, and art. In Tuscany celebrates the abundant pleasures of life in Italy as it is lived at home, at festivals, feasts, restaurants and markets, in the kitchen and on the piazza, in the vineyards, fields, and olive groves. Combining all-new essays by Frances Mayes and a chapter by her husband, poet Edward Mayes, with more than 200 full-color photos by photographer Bob Krist, each of this book's five sections highlights a signature aspect of Tuscan life: La Piazza--the locus of Italian village life; La Festa--the celebration; Il Campo--the field; La Cucina--the kitchen; La Bellezza--the beauty.”

AudioFile: “The piazza, feasts and celebrations, the fields, and the beauty of the scenery and the Tuscan people are highlighted in this collection of essays about the Italian region by Frances and Edward Mayes. Frances's honeyed drawl conveys a leisurely tone as she describes the details of her adopted home. Edward does a more dramatic reading, adding character voices and segments. The audio could have benefited from clearer divisions between the four subject areas of the book, and perhaps a booklet of some of the photos seen in the print version, but the authors' essays stand alone as evocative reading.” J.A.S. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Library Journal: “American expatriate Frances Mayes's third best seller about this Italian region, In Tuscany details village life of the "most hospitable people on earth." We can envision their "joyous occasion" dinners; scenery; minor medieval artists ("the `Birth of the Virgin' stops you like a siren"); and old churches (one is "miraculous"). A smart home cook can emulate those Tuscan dinners with tips on meats, fish, wild mushrooms, fennel, herbs, and olive oil. No specific recipes are given or needed here. Unfortunately, Mayes's precise reading, occasionally pausing in mid-phrase, can diminish the flow of some sentences. Her audio director should have coached her or at least questioned elisions that sound like "babtized," "inerferes," "Febuary," "sodering iron," "appoined," and, odd for her, "pace de r‚sistance." Mayes's husband, Edward, reads his short section in a pleasing voice. This set is informative for those who enjoyed her previous books and those who miss them. For general collections serving active and armchair travelers.” Gordon Blackwell, Eastchester, NY. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Booklist: “Purists who nevertheless demand authentic Italian cooking need look no further than Frances Mayes' In Tuscany. This heavily illustrated volume draws on the great success of the author's travel books, fleshing out her descriptions of Tuscan quotidian life with a handful of recipes for those simple, basic foods that sustain the residents of Italy's heartland. Other currently available Tuscan cookbooks provide a greater palette of foods but few so rich a visual detailing of the region.” Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

New York Times Book Revie:w: "An intense celebration of what she calls 'the voluptuousness of Italian life'... Appealing and very vivid... [The] book seems like the kind of thing you'd tuck into a picnic basket on an August day... or better yet, keep handy on the bedside table in the depths of January."

Italy: the Hilltowns of Tuscany, the Italian Riviera. Questar Inc. (Video). Travel the World Series with Rick Steves. 1999. Format: Color, NTSC. Rated: NR. ASIN: 1568551789. $24.95 through Amazon.com.

Summary: An interesting look at some of the small towns of Tuscany, some of the “must see” tourist spots, and some interesting out-of-the way places where the Italians see few tourists and treat them like family.

Karen Millis: Although this video was interesting in places, I was disappointed with the amount of time spent in any particular Tuscan area. Rick Steves (the “host”) briefly takes the viewer through Sienna and Assisi, but has lots of countryside footage that wasn’t particularly noteworthy. As mentioned below, Rick Steves does take some getting used to and spends way too much time talking about how and what to pack – time that could be spend visiting other cities. As videos go, this one was one of the least informative.

Amazon.com: “This Travel the World video guide to Italy is a treasure for anyone planning a trip to the hilltowns of Tuscany or the Italian Riviera. Once you get past the incredible geekiness of the host, Rick Steves (who insists on making statements such as "The place is a cultural Easter egg hunt and you're the kid!"), you'll find lots of useful information. Steves takes viewers through all the biggies--cathedrals, ancient tombs, the Leaning Tower of Pisa--but spends the most time walking us through small, relatively untouched villages including his favorite, Civita di Bagnoregio. A 2,500-year-old community tucked among the breathtaking Italian mountainsides, the town only has one restaurant with no menus. You simply eat whatever is being served. The video relies heavily on conversations with friendly and colorful local people, and Steves encourages travelers to search out the hidden by getting tips from the people who live there. He also talks about local wines, coffees, and foods, and he provides useful tips on economical packing, smart dressing, and staying healthy on the road.” Jennifer Vogel

The Last Promise. Evans, Richard Paul with Jonathan Davis, Narrator. Audio Cassette [Unabridged, 6 cassettes, 9 hours]. Publisher: E. P. Dutton Audio; Unabridged edition (November 7, 2002). In-Print Editions: Hardcover | Audio CD (Unabridged) | Hardcover (Large Print). ISBN: 0142800155. $27.97 from Amazon.com.

Summary: Set in a small town in the Chianti countryside, this novel by Richard Paul Evans tells a love story about facing the greatest decision of all … choosing between the love for a child and romantic love.”

Publishers Weekly: “The Tuscan setting of this new novel by the bestselling author of The Christmas Box is as beguiling as its heroine. Ellen, now called Eliana, has been living in Italy for several years. She's a talented artist in her 30s, originally from a small town in Utah. She came to Italy to study art and soon met and married Maurizio Fernini, the head of a large family agricultural enterprise. What seemed like a fairy tale quickly soured-Maurizio now spends much of his time traveling and philandering, leaving her to care for their severely asthmatic son, Alessio. Eliana knows that in her adopted country she's expected to shrug philosophically at her husband's cheating, but she remains furious and desperately lonely, and even considers illegally fleeing back to America with Alessio. Then she meets American Ross Story, an art lover and tour guide who knows everything about everything in the Uffizi Gallery. Eliana asks Ross to sit for a portrait, and soon she's not nearly as lonely as she used to be. But as the two fall for each other, she faces a tormenting choice between romantic love and her love for her son. Evans paces his story skillfully and plays up the Tuscan landscape to maximum effect. His literary devices can be a bit stale (the first paragraph of the book's first chapter has Eliana studying her reflection in a mirror), but he does offer a gender-bending twist on the age-old story of romance between artist and subject. Those who enjoyed The Christmas Box are in for another treat.” Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Booklist: “Evans, author of the slightly sappy and melodramatic crowd-pleaser The Christmas Box (1993), is back with another gooey tale of romantic love, heartbreak, and a nearly missed opportunity. It is set in rustic Florence, Italy, and tells the story of an unloved and unhappy American woman, Eliana, who is trapped in a bleak marriage to the philandering, stereotypically chauvinistic Italian, Maurizio. When she met and fell in love with him in America, he had exhibited none of these traits, but in Italy he has taken on a different personality. Although she'd like to divorce him and return home, Eliana cannot because he refuses to allow their son to be taken out of the country. So instead of taking action, she wiles away her days wistfully dreaming of better times, dabbling in oil painting, and taking care of her asthmatic son. Soon a single, handsome, and art-loving American man, Ross, takes up residence in the villa. The two strike up a friendship and are drawn even closer when Ross accompanies Eliana to the emergency room with her ailing son. Events conspire to keep the kindred spirits apart, but like all good romance novels, this one has them living happily ever after at the end. Evans has a very loyal fan base, so librarians should purchase multiple copies.” Kathleen Hughes Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Living Language. All-Audio Italian. Basic-Intermediate. (Audio CD) Publisher: Living Language, 1999. Other Editions: Paperback. ISBN: 0609603965. $34.95 through Amazon.com.

Summary: All-Audio Italian is the perfect solution for learning a language quickly. Developed by the experts at Living Language, this program is designed for people on the move. You can learn Italian as you drive, do household chores, or work out at the gym.

Ingram: “Encompassing forty Italian-language lessons, a common usage dictionary, and a conversational manual, this introductory course teaches the fundamentals of the Italian language.

On the Backroads of Tuscany. (DVD) Directors: James O’Mara, Kate Ryan

Format: Color, Digital Sound, Director’s Cut, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Full Screen. Rated: G. ASIN: 1894703448. $22.00 through Amazon.com.

Summary: This DVD goes “behind the scenes for a closer look into the soul of Italy’s most famous region” and “captures the details of everyday Tuscan life including the grape harvest and olive pick, antique and food markets, and the experience of living in a farmhouse.” “The interactive map works well for planning a trip and subject and interview cross-referencing is fun to use as well as the gallery show.”

Communication Arts, March / April, 2001: “ "...On The Backroads captures a wee bit of paradise..."”

Video Librarian, July / August 2002: “3/4 stars...To paraphrase the noted wanderlust traveler, Willie Nelson, this series takes viewers "on the backroads again"...warmly recommended.”

All Movie Guide: “This film is part of a series of backroad adventures in Europe, designed to leave the armchair traveler refreshed and rested. It offers a welcome alternative to touring the worthwhile but crowded major attractions of Europe. Instead, the viewer goes along pleasant rural roads through picturesque landscapes, in search of nothing in particular besides the enjoyment of the day. The tour begins in Tuscany, the historic and beautiful province of central Italy. Located on what was once an ancient Etruscan kingdom and center of culture in the medieval renaissance, the area has marvelous ruins and vineyards to visit. The relaxing trip continues to La Rioja, an autonomous community and province in northern Spain, where one can sit along the Ebro River in the wine producing district.” ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Pimsleur Language Program. Speak Italian in Eight Easy Lessons. Recorded Books. Audio CD. Pimsleur Intlernational Inc: Abridged edition, 1998. Other Editions: Audio Cassette ISBN: 0671315226. $24.47 through Amazon.com. Also see www.recordedbooks.com for other, intense language programming.

Summary: “This Language Program was developed by renowned memory expert, Dr. Paul Pimsleur. His research led him to the realization that the most important use of memory is in language learning. Based on this, Dr. Pimsleur designed a learning program that works for any language. The Pimsleur Language Program is an integrated system which immerses you in the language, encouraging you to hear, understand and use the language all at the same time.”

Ingram: “Immerse yourself in Italian from the very first lesson. By taking just 30 minutes a day, you can learn Italian at your convenience and in the comfort of your own home, car or office. No books are required. This "Traveler's Edition" was developed so that you can hear, understand, and speak Italian without difficulty.” --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Renaissance Masters Volume I. The Electronic Library of Art Series. (CD-ROM). Ebook, Inc. System Requirements: MPC compatible PC, or a Macintosh with color capability (256+ colors) and 4 MB RAM; System 6.07 or later, CD-ROM player. Order from Ebook at 510- 429-1331.

Summary: “The Electronic Encyclopedia of Art Series is an extensive, enlightening window to the history of art, from primitive cave paintings to the most influential works of the 20th century. Renaissance Masters Volume I covers painting, sculpture and architecture from the High Italian Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque Periods. Renaissance Masters Volume I features the finest masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. An electronic slide library with accompanying data cards describe each work. There are well over a thousand subjects and over 1300 images!”

James Gwertzman (a former president of the Harvard Computer Society, and is now a Lead Program Manager at Microsoft working on Internet server technologies). This title is the first volume in EBook's Electronic Library of Art, and contains hundreds of reproductions of art from the Renaissance along with information on each picture and biographies of the painters. This product is much more fun than a book on the Renaissance since it allows the user to search by painter, medium, title, time-period, etc. and even copy images to the desktop, then paste them into research papers.

This disk has great potential, and it foreshadows what will soon follow along the lines of multimedia artwork collections. Unfortunately it fails in the execution. Several of the reproductions are black and white, and many are fuzzy. The reproductions don't take full advantage of my SVGA 800x600 resolution in Windows, but instead restrict themselves to a VGA 640x400. On the other hand, for the casual student of art, this collection is a lot of fun. For example, select artist on Leonardo da Vinci, and up come 28 images that include samples of his drawings, paintings and sculpture. Another nice touch was the way it took advantage of my computer's multimedia abilities, using my MIDI sequencer to play Renaissance tunes in the background while I browsed.

The biggest disappointment in this CD was the frequency with which it caused a "General Protection fault" and crashed. Just as I would get interested in the direction my search was taking me, it would die. Also disappointing was the speed of the search engine. Even with a 300 KB/s CD-ROM drive, selecting "search by medium" would take 20 seconds to pull up a list of possible choices.

Note: There is also Renaissance Masters Volume II which covers the “high Italian Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque Periods.

Tribute Series Travel Videos: Tuscany and Umbria. (Video). 54 minutes. $29.95 from The Tribute Series, P. O. Box 641056, Los Angeles, CA 96004.

Summary: “Includes information on Tuscany & The Renaissance. Florence. Leonardo Davinci, Michaelangelo, The Medicis. Siena And The Palio. The Leaning Tower Of Pisa. Galileo. Lucca And Puccini. The Tuscan Countryside. Hill Towns.

Umbria. The Green Heart Of Italy. Orvieto And The Etruscans. Perugia, Spoleto, Gubbio. Francis Of Assisi. Lake Trasimeno And Hannibal.--And More.”

Seattle Times, 8/20/00: “The Hilgendorf brothers are unique in the world of travel videos….This is one of those rare tapes one wishes were twice its length.”

Booklist, 5/1/2000. “The magnificence of Italy’s Tuscany and Umbria regions is clearly revealed in this scenic voyage to numerous Italian hill towns where ‘artwork and monuments’ abound.”

Touring Italy. (Video) Questar Inc. 60 Minutes. Format: Color, NTSC. Rated: NR Studio: Questar Inc. VHS Features: NTSC format

ASIN: 6302563445. $29.95 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Explores the Italy of yesterday and today, visiting the Italian Riviera. the ruins of Pompeii, the Renaissance city of Florence and the canals of Venice and, finally, Rome

Booklist: “Entertaining, nicely shot video..features clear, animated maps, magnificent footage.”

Video Librarian: “An excellent introduction to a visually rich country, ‘Touring Italy’ is highly recommended.”

Video Rating Guide: “One of the most comprehensive video presentations ever produced on Italy. Informative and entertaining..carefully researched, contains a wealth of information….excellent photography, clear concise narration. Well suited for many educational purposes, a must for all libraries. FIVE STARS.”

Under the Tuscan Sun. Mayes, Frances. (Audio CD) (Abridged). Publisher: Bantam Books-Audio; Abridged edition (February 1998). Other Editions: Hardcover ($16.07) | Paperback (Reprint) ($10.50) | Audio Cassette (Abridged) *$18.17) Hardcover (Large Print). ISBN: 0553455982. $20.97 from Amazon.com.

Summary: “Frances Mayes--widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer--opens the door to a wondrous new world when she buys and restores an abandoned villa in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. In sensuous and evocative language, she brings the reader along as she discovers the beauty and simplicity of life in Italy. An accomplished cook and food writer, Mayes also creates dozens of delicious seasonal recipes from her traditional kitchen and simple garden, all of which are included in this audio. Doing for Tuscany what M.F.K. Fisher and Peter Mayle did for Provence, Mayes writes about the tastes and pleasures of a foreign country with gusto and passion. A celebration of the extraordinary quality of life in Tuscany, Under the Tuscan Sun is a feast for all senses.”

AudioFile: “Let the Tuscan sun warm you. Listeners can savor the delights of the countryside, fresh food, flowers and Italian village life through Frances Mayes's memoir of restoring a stone villa in Tuscany and her exploration of the surrounding countryside. For listeners who prefer to hear authors reading their own works, poet, teacher and food critic Mayes reads this abridgment version. While clear and engaging, her voice reflects her Georgia upbringing and caused this reviewer some consternation as she described an endearing Italian scene with a Southern accent. Mayes's intent is to guide readers as one would a guest, showing them all the delights of the place she finds so magical. One additional plus, a small booklet includes actual recipes from some of the memorable meals. Despite her accent, listeners will find themselves immersed in her vivid perceptions.” R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Websites

www.artviva.com.

This site describes various walking tours in the town of Florence and Tuscany, wine tasting tours, special events in Tuscany, tourist information, museum reservations, and bike tours. Walking Tours of Florence is a Travel Agency accredited by ASTA, the American Society of Travel Agents. Extremely informative sight – recommendations for books, DVD’s, CD’s, etc.

Michael Palin, author: “Walking Tours of Florence are wise and well informed. They have a fresh accessible style which makes it fun. The recipe seems to be the more you enjoy the more you learn. And it works."

Richard Kind, actor "...This tour is wonderful, it is informative, complete and fun. And more importantly, you don't feel like a sheep in a flock, herded around town..."

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=tuscany@604

Lists history, culture, events, where to eat, sleep, galleries, wine, complete with maps, related destinations.

http://www.panviews.com/san_gimignano_vr.htm

“Quick-time VR movie” with views of Assisi, Pisa, Florence, San Gimignano, & Siena and a “blurb” about each view.

http://www.ferienhaus-toskana.com/index1024.html.

Listing of “rustic holiday domiciles throughout Tuscany” with listings of houses and apartments, maps, useful information, links to restaurants, museums, wines, sports, transportation. Offers pictures of home/apartment listings with symbols for amenities.

http://www.tuscany.tv by smileyguy@aol.com

Offers online information including “who we are, where we are, what we offer (with rates & photos), surrounding areas information, information about wines, olive oil, reservations, etc., with links to castles, car rentals, train schedules.

http://www.e-rcps.com/pasta/inf/reg/tuscany.shtml

Wonderful site with sooo many recipes – all complete with color photo, many with anecdotes regarding the recipe. Includes pasta, appetizers, soups, salads.

Other Sources Related to Theme

Map

Streetwise Tuscany. Michael Brown. (Map) Publisher: Streetwise Maps; (July 1, 2001). ISBN: 1886705321. $7.95 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “Revised yearly, STREETWISE® is the best-selling map of TUSCANY, with coverage from Bologna to Pisa. Localities covered are Pistoia, Terni, and Perugia. Points of interest such as museums, parks, and popular sites are highlighted and fully indexed. Isola D’Elba and the Firenze area area clearly indicated on map insets. Laminated for durability, accordion folded to fit in your pocket or purse, STREETWISE® gives you TUSCANY in a clear, concise, and convenient format.”

Karen Millis: STREETWISE maps must be part of your travel paraphernalia! It is impossible to get lost with one!

New York Times: "Don’t leave home without STREETWISE"

Travel & Leisure: "STREETWISE is an absolute travel essential"

Books

Balletto, Barbara, Project Editor. Insight Guide Tuscany. New York: Insight Guides, 2002. ISBN: 1585733008. $16.07 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “This 382-page book includes a section detailing Tuscany's history, 6 features covering aspects of the region's life and culture, ranging from its classic silver-grey olive groves to its simple rustic food, a visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus many stunning photographs and 16 maps.

Bentley, James with photographs by Alex Ramsay. The Most Beautiful County Towns in Tuscany. London: Thames & Hudson, Ltd., 2001. ISBN: 050001664X. $28.00 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Beautiful “coffee table book” featuring scenes of the Tuscan region from north to south, exemplifying “the remarkable variety of this part of Italy along with its exceptional artistic and architectural heritage.”

Beazley, Beazley and Maureen Ashley, with Polly Raines, Illustrator and Hugh Johnson, editor. Tuscany (Touring in Wine Country). London: Mitchell Beazley, 2000. Paperback: 144 pages. ISBN: 1840002476. $13.97 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Each book in this bestselling series, edited by Hugh Johnson, the world's foremost wine writer, offers a comprehensive and inspirational guide to traveling in one of the world's top wine regions. Evocative descriptions of wine routes are accompanied by detailed maps showing the route and surrounding vineyards. Each title also includes the author's recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and producers.

Brandon, Ann S. Artful Italy: The Hidden Treasures. Montpelier, Vermont: Invisible Cities Press: 2001. Paperback: 240 pages. ISBN: 193122904X. $10.47 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “For those wanting to explore Italy's rich artistic heritage beyond the usual tourist attractions, this unique guide is the answer. Presented are the more authentic, less-crowded locations and works, including tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and gardens, that are often the favorites of Italian art connoisseurs. An introduction to the huge "Tapestries of the Month" in Milan, which occupy an entire banquet room of the Castello Sforzesco; the vibrant and surreal "Dante Room" at the Casino Massimo, Rome; the Ancient Instruments Collection; and many other hidden treasures set this true art-lover's guide apart from the many guidebooks that cover the usual well-worn attractions.”

Library Journal: “Every year, millions of tourists throng Italy, patiently standing in interminable lines to see the great museums of Venice, Florence, Rome, and other cities. Brandon, a former arts editor who lived in Rome for 20 years, asserts that in a year 2000 study, some 2.8 million Americans said they planned to visit Italy and 1.2 million said they wanted to explore less familiar sights. This guide is certainly intended for those who want to break away from the crowd and see the "hidden treasures" of Italy. Brandon points out that there are many seldom visited but highly important sights all across Italy, usually around the corner from the popular attractions, such as the Piazza, the Palazzo, and the Pote. While some feature works of great artists, the majority focus on unique, often ghoulish, subjects. In Florence, for example, the Museo della Storia el la Specola (a few feet away from the Pitti Palace) features a macabre collection of bones, muscles, tissues, and other flotsam of the human body, arranged into artistic representations. Packed with information rarely found in standard guides, this guide offers a fresh perspective on Italy's art and as such deserves a place in all travel collections. Highly recommended.”Joseph L. Carlson, Lompoc P.L., CA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Chicago Tribune: "persuade[s] her readers to experience the unknown, to go beyond first impressions...witty and well-written...for those who savor art"

Bugialli, Giuliano with photographs by John Dominis. Guiliano Bugialli’s Food of Tuscany. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1992. ISBN: 1556705131. $21.00 through Amazon.com

Summary: “Bugialli draws on the recipes of old Tuscan families, early printed cookbooks and field research in Tuscany’s towns and villages.” Color pictures of all recipes with photographs of the country-side interspersed

Catling Christopher, Contributor . Eyewitness Travel Guide to Florence and Tuscany. London: Dk Pub Merchandise: 1994.Paperback: 312 pages. ISBN: 1564585026. $19.95 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “The guide that shows you what other travel books only tell you!

Two of Italy's most spectacular vacation destinations are showcased in DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florence and Tuscany. Florence has never been easier to navigate with the street-by-street maps and 3-D aerial views that highlight all the city's wonders. Visit the Piazza del Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, San Marco, and the Uffizi. Rich in history and landscape, Tuscany is fully explored. Visit the Leaning Tower in Pisa, the San Martino Cathedral in Lucca, taste the amazing regional dishes, and take a day trip to the Chianti Classico wine region. This invaluable guide offers a complete historical and cultural overview that you don't want to be without.”

Ingram: “Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers what other guides only tell them. Bearing the unmistakable stamp of Eyewitness's vivid text-and-image integration, this stunning guide to Florence and Tuscany presents street-by-street maps of popular areas, listings of hundreds of hotels and restaurants, major historical sights, and more.”

The New York Times: “Each book is a visual as well as informational feast about a particular place.”

Donaldson, Stephanie. Venzano. A Scented Garden In Tuscany. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2001. Price Unavailable.

Summary: The story of two Australians who bought “an ancient Etruscan property which had plenty of land and a Roman spring providing water. Today, their nursery garden is well known in the surrounding area and beyond, their catalog lists nearly 10,000 plants for sale, and their talents as garden designers and plantsmen are sought by the luminaries of Italian aristocracy.”

Guild, Tricia with photography by Gilles de Chabaneix and text by Nonie Niesewand. Painted Country. London: Conran Octopus Limited, 2002. ISBN: 0773728023. $60.00 through Amazon.com.

Summary: A “coffee-table book” featuring a restored farmhouse in Tuscany that is “vibrant with color and texture, awash with light and simply furnished.”

Johnson, Hugh with Andy Katz, Photographer. Hugh Johnson's Tuscany and Its Wine. San Francisco: Chronicle Books: 2000. Hardcover: 144 pages. ISBN: 0811827224. $17.47 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “Join world-renowned wine writer Hugh Johnson in this beautiful homage to Tuscany. Experience its history, landscapes, towns, villages, people, cuisine, and above all, its wines and vineyards as he journeys through the sunbaked hillsides and moonlit valleys. Tuscany and Its Wines evokes the Tuscan magic from dawn to dusk. Traveling from town to town, through wheat fields and farmland, Johnson not only explores the Tuscan geography and wineries, but shares the culture and sites--from a beautiful cathedral in Siena to a good place for a drink in Monte Amiata. Johnson's illuminating descriptions, wisdom, and knowledge coupled with more than 100 breathtaking photographs capture the very essence of Tuscany and bring the author's passion for the region's distinctive grape varietals to life. Tuscany and Its Wines is for everyone enthralled by Tuscany's sacred marriage of light and landscape, food and wine, beauty and history.”

Amazon.com: “It's a land in which "vineyard management" used to mean allowing the grapevines to wrap themselves up to the full height of elm and poplar trees. With Tuscany and Its Wines, prolific British wine author Hugh Johnson and peripatetic photographer Andy Katz bring this land of Chianti to a coffee table near you. More than three decades after the publication of his first book, Johnson manages here, in 144 pages bursting with dozens of gorgeous full-color photos (a few of which, alas, are uncaptioned), to take the reader on a breathless--and breathy--tour of one of the most celebrated regions in Italy, with narrative reminiscent of a particularly chatty uncle who's just picked you up at the train depot. And, as with many an avuncular itinerary, breathless narration can often leave you panting. Anyone unfamiliar with Tuscany may find themselves, after the endless parade of Certosa di Galluzos, Colli Fiorentinis, Ugo Contini Bonacossis, or Tenuta di Capezzanas, reaching--if not for a big carafe of Vino Nobile--for the drawn maps at the start of each chapter to determine whether these names are villages, Italian nobility, or local wines. But breathy quickly turns breezy as Johnson's evocative prose (the tannins of one Sangiovese are "invigorating, like a rough towel"; a particular hillside vineyard is a "green corduroy of vines") takes you jauntily to the town of Impruneta, producer of authentic terra cotta; Sant'Andrea, where Machiavelli wrote his treatise on power, The Prince; the villa at Vignamaggio, birthplace of Monna Lisa Gherardini, a.k.a. the Mona Lisa; and the city of Pistoia, whence the Germans coined the term "pistol" for the "nasty dagger carried under every Pistoiese's cloak." Italians, too, have a word--villegiatura--to denote the wish of escape from the city to a hillside villa. Tuscany and Its Wines may not replace a summer in Siena, but it's a dandy travel brochure.” --Tony Mason

Menghi, Umberto. Toscana Mia. The Heart and Soul of Tuscan Cooking. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2000. ISBN: 1550547216. $34.99 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “Includes authentic traditional recipes that respect the seasons and their bounty. Deceptively simple dishes surprise the senses with layers of flavour.”

Menghi, Umberto. Umberto’s Kitchen. The Flavours of Tuscany. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1995. ISBN: 1550544225. $34.99 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Complete with “wine notes and reminiscences complementing the recipes, the Italian spirit infuses every page.” Menghi has three other cookbooks (The Umberto Menghi Cookbook [1982]), Umberto’s Pasta Book [1985]; and The Umberto Menghi Seafood Cookbook [1987]. A syndicated television cooking show resulted in 132 half-hour episodes that are still broadcast.

Negrin, Micol. Rustico. Regional Italian Country Cooking. New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2002. ISBN: 0609609440. $24.50 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “The most comprehensive book on the authentic, diverse, and often surprising dishes of Italy’s widely varied, uniquely distinct regions.” “Rustico is the next best thing to a culinary tour of Italy with an expert guide, Micol Negrin introduces us to great regional cooks, reveals treasured traditional recipes, and provides insight into the Italian way of living and eating. Brava, Micol, for this invaluable work!” Michele Scicolone, author of Italian Holiday Cooking.

Onofri, Franceca Romana and Karen Möller. Italian for Dummies (With CD-ROM). New York: John Wiley & Sons: 2000. Paperback: 372 pages. ISBN: 0764551965. $17.49 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Discusses how to have everyday conversations in Italian, make sense of Italian grammar, improve pronunciation, verb conjugations, and use idioms and popular expressions. Softcover. CD-ROM included.

Phillips, Susan Elizabeth. Breathing Room. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 2002. ISBN: 0066211220. $17.47 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “A sexy, wonderful, contemporary love story in the sun-washed hills of Tuscany.” “This is a story of hope and renewal, of love and redemption when it’s needed most. Sometimes it takes a special place . . . a special love . . . a little breathing room . . . for life to deliver all its glorious promise.”

Stecchi, Guido, editor with DK Travel Writers. Eyewitness Travel Guide to A Taste of Tuscany. London: DK Pub Merchandise, 2001.Paperback: 192 pages

ISBN: 0789480689. $17.97 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Over 600 full color photographs. Where to taste the best wine, olive oil, cured meat and cheese. How to choose the best produce. Traditional Tuscan recipes. Over 150 hotels and restaurants.

Stellino, Nick. Nick Stellino’s Glorious Italian Cooking. Romantic Meals, Menus and Music from Cucina Amore. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1996. ISBN: 0399141715. $24.95 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Book originally came with Cucina Amore’s Romantic Dinner Music Collection II free with a $2.95 shipping and handling charge. “On every page and with every recipe, this book is a celebration of food and its preparation. It also recounts the tales of a family and describes the safe haven that they found around the dinner table, where they took refuge from life’s hectic pace, joined together to share the outstanding moments of their daily lives.”

Stellino, Nick with food photography by E. J. Armstrong. Nick Stellino’s Passione. Pasta, Pizza, and Panni. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2000. ISBN: 0399146571. $20.27 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “Nick Stellino’s Passione speaks as much to the heart as it does to the palate. It culls from the rich culinary history of Nick’s native Italy, shares the secrets of Italian home cooks, and features his own unique touches.”

Stroeltie, Barbara & Rene. Country Houses of Tuscany. Koln: Benedict Taschen Verlag GmbH, 2000. ISBN: 3822863068. $25.00 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Rene & Barbara prove that it is still possible to find something new in Tuscany. They “sought out the most beautiful country houses in Chiusi, Montalcino and Sarteano, in the hills near Florence, the Chianti district and the Maremma region.” On their visits, the owners permitted Rene to take photographs of the farmhouses and villas. Text is in English, French and German.

Stucchi, Lorenza De'Medici, and Lorenza De'Medici with Michael Freeman and Peter Johnson, Photographers, Tuscany, the Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Provinces of Tuscany. San Francisco: Collins Pub, 1992. Hardcover: 256 pages. ISBN: 0002550326. $38.50 through Amazon.com.

Summary: Each title in this award-winning series offers an exquisite region-by-region taste tour filled with culinary specialties and surprises. Included in each large-format volume are gorgeous food and landscape photographs.

Tucci, Joah Tropian and Gianni Scappin with Mimi Shanley Taft and color photography by Dennis Gottlieb. Cucina & Famiglia. Two Italian Families Share Their Stories, Recipes, and Traditions. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1999. ISBN: 0688159028. $19.25 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “A collection of over 200 recipes that embrace the ‘similarities and differences between northern and southern Italian home cooking.’”

VonDer Haegen, Anne Mueller. Tuscany: Art & Architecture (Art & Architecture Series). New York: Konemann Publishers, Inc.: December 2001. Illustrated edition. Hardcover: 626 pages. ISBN: 3829026528. $10.47 through Amazon.com.

No review or summary available.

Other DVD’s/Videos/Audio

Birth of the Renaissance: Giotto To Masaccio (Masterpieces of Italian Art). Kartes Video Communications. Produced by Rizzoli. 58 mins. Format: NTSC. Rated: NR. ASIN: 630198658X. $19.99 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “In this program, the camera travels to Florence, Siena, Pisa, Mantua and Padua to discover early Renaissance masterworks in these cities. Included are the art and architecture of Alberti, Brunelleschi, Luca della Robbia, Donatello, Michelozza, Giotto, Martini, Lorenzetti and Masaccio. The Picture Gallery offers a treasury of the most important artwork by the greatest artists and architects at the beginning of the Renaissance. In addition to masterpieces by Giotto, Masaccio, Donatello, Alberti and Martini, 81 Renaissance arts are included in the comprehensive Picture Gallery, a rich complement to the film program. 354 artworks with 1113 details selected by leading Italian art historian, Giulio Carlo Argan, give a full overview to this period's supreme artistic genius.”

Bocelli, Andrea. A Night in Tuscany. DVD. Format: Color, Closed-captioned. Rated: NR . Studio: Uni/Philips. Other Formats: VHS. ASIN: 6305165998. $26.96 through Amazon.com.

Amazon.com
Part concert, part documentary, part travelogue, this video hit duplicates the sleeper success of Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's album compilations and underscores his unique crossover appeal. In the U.S., Bocelli's critical response has been confined to fusillades of scorn from classical and opera writers, but the bulletproof superstar is better understood in the context of Europe's more established tradition of pop-classical fusions. Ironically, fans abroad are less prickly than stateside arbiters about the need for a discreet wall between high (classical) art and low (pop) kitsch, which Bocelli cheerfully ignores with his mix of operatic chestnuts, soft pop, and traditional Italian songs.

Indeed, despite interview segments in which he proclaims his love of opera or proudly recalls an apprenticeship to operatic veteran Franco Corelli, Bocelli comes across as more fan than virtuoso. But if his voice can prompt technical cavils from hard-core opera buffs, the blind singer's emotional directness and relative lack of onstage preening explain much of his populist appeal. Featured songs include warhorse arias, leading off with the "Louie, Louie" of tenor showpieces, Turandot's "Nessun Dorma," and duets with gruff Italian pop-rocker Zucchero and sopranos Nuccia Focile and Sarah Brightman (who buddies up for the tear-jerking closer, "Time to Say Goodbye").

Even with the marquee bonus of those guests, however, A Night in Tuscany gets its biggest boost from the seductive Italian countryside, prominently featured in between-song segments, and in the romantic concert setting, Pisa's Piazza dei Cavalieri. --Sam Sutherland --This text refers to the VHS Tape edition.

Complete Italian for Dimwits/6 - One Hour Audio Cassette Tapes/Complete Learning Guide and Tape Script. Mark A. Frobose. (Audio Cassettes). Publisher: Language Dynamics Inc.; (October 15, 1999). ISBN: 1893564290. $39.20 through Amazon.com.

Summary: “With this course you receive free, expert online language tips and advice on how best to learn a foreign language. Complete Italian for Dimwits was created by the experts at Language Dynamics for individuals that thought they could never learn to speak or understand spoken Italian. This fabulous 6-one hour tape course takes the listener from beginning to low intermediate level Italian by providing easy to understand explanations, pronunciation and clear English definitions for all Italian spoken on the tapes. Best of all, each useful lesson on the tapes is repeated for you slowly by the instructor and the native Italian speaker so that you understand immediately and thus learn to speak a maximum amount of useful Italian quickly and easily without the frustration normally associated with language learning. Speed and simplicity are words which best describe Complete Italian For Dimwits which will have even you speaking Italian within minutes of receiving your course, and enjoying the process!!”