Norman Douglas's 'Old Calabria' is a captivating travelogue that provides a detailed exploration of the region of Calabria in southern Italy. Written in a lyrical and descriptive style, the book not only paints a vivid picture of the landscapes, people, and culture of the region, but also delves into the history and folklore that make Calabria unique. Douglas's keen observations and witty anecdotes add depth to the narrative, making it an engaging read for history buffs and travel enthusiasts alike. Set in the early 20th century, 'Old Calabria' offers a glimpse into a world that has since undergone significant changes, making it a valuable historical document as well as a literary gem. Norman Douglas's own experiences as a traveler and scholar likely inspired him to write this insightful and poetic account of Calabria, showcasing his deep appreciation for the region's charm and complexity. For readers seeking a rich and informative travel narrative that transcends time, 'Old Calabria' comes highly recommended.
Travel author Norman Douglas shares his experiences and photographs of Calabria, a beautiful and historic yet secluded region of rural Italy, as it was at the turn of the 20th century. A wonderful guide to a region home to breathtaking landscapes and ancient ruins, Old Calabria contains many details of the region and is described from a perspective of the eloquent and well-informed author. The manners of the locals, the customs and appearance of their villages and farmsteads, and the agriculture of the countryside, are narrated evocatively. Over the centuries Calabria has received migrants from Asia, Africa and elsewhere, and the profile of the people - who clearly descend from these migrants - that Douglas has much interest. The cultural and religious customs of Calabria are shown to have evolved somewhat in isolation to the rest of Italy, and life is shown to move slowly and place great emphasis upon traditions and the Roman Catholic faith.
Calabrian Tales is a unique story of inexplicable injustice and poverty, avarice and survival based on true family incidents that were revealed to the author in his youth. The book's chief character is the author's great aunt, Marianna, who became the mistress of a wealthy noble. The lifestyle she adopted repeatedly shamed her relatives until living in Italy became unbearable for them. Eventually, the author's father, Raffaele, fled his beloved Italy in the face of constant shame, and settled in the U.S. His son, author Peter Chiarella, grew up in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. There he heard the stories about life in Calabria from his grandmother, a principal character in the book. After her death, the stories kept coming, both from his father, also a character in Calabrian Tales, and from his mother, who had listened in on Nonna's recollections over a period of fifteen years. The stories of people who lived in what may have been Italy's poorest region, blend with the historical struggles of the times in a combination reminiscent of certain aspects of The Godfather and the ignoble humanity of Angela's Ashes. "Twenty-two unforgettable personalities interplay in this picaresque page turner. Each one will fascinate you uniquely." -- Anthony Kilgallin, author of Napa Valley Picture Perfect "Calabrian Tales evokes the memory of stories I heard growing up among elder Italian immigrants." -- James L. D'Adamo, author of The D'Adamo Diet "A most intriguing and compelling read." -- Joseph D. Sabella, MD
The nature of traditional Mediterranean societies and the effect on them brought about in the twentieth century, has long been debated; but in general stem from an assumption of the relatively homogenous nature of traditional peasant society. Pino Arlacchi demolishes that assumption by demonstrating that within the Italian region of Calabria there existed not one but a range of 'traditional' societies.
An effortlessly artful blend of travel book, memoir, and affectionate portrait of a people Calabria is the toe of the boot that is Italy—a rugged peninsula where grapevines and fig and olive trees cling to the mountainsides during the scorching summers while the sea crashes against the cliffs on both coasts. Calabria is also a seedbed of Italian American culture; in North America, more people of Italian heritage trace their roots to Calabria than to almost any other region in Italy. Mark Rotella's Stolen Figs is a marvelous evocation of Calabria and Calabrians, whose way of life is largely untouched by the commerce that has made Tuscany and Umbria into international tourist redoubts. A grandson of Calabrian immigrants, Rotella persuades his father to visit the region for the first time in thirty years; once there, he meets Giuseppe, a postcard photographer who becomes his guide to all things Calabrian. As they travel around the region, Giuseppe initiates Rotella—and the reader—into its secrets: how to make soppressata and 'nduja, where to find hidden chapels and grottoes, and, of course, how to steal a fig without actually committing a crime. Stolen Figs is a model travelogue—at once charming and wise, and full of the earthy and unpretentious sense of life that, now as ever, characterizes Calabria and its people.
The ultimate guide to the finest foods of Italy from the oldest, most celebrated Italian market in New York City In the heart of New York City’s Little Italy sits Di Palo’s, a family-owned food shop that has been the treasure of the neighborhood for more than a century. The four generations of Di Palos who have run this Italian specialty market have made it their mission to bring customers the finest old-world selections from Italy—handcrafted mozzarella, buttery prosciutto, estate olive oils, traditional artisanal pastas from throughout the country. Now, in one colorful volume, Lou Di Palo, great-grandson of the founder and steward of the family legacy, shares the vibrant history of this storied establishment and a lifetime of wisdom about the cuisine beloved around the world. Di Palo’s Guide to the Essential Foods of Italy takes you on a gourmet excursion through Italy’s twenty distinct regions, from Sicily to Umbria to Alto Adige. Each chapter highlights a specific food and its rich history, along with practical tips for selecting, storing, and serving it at home. Many include signature family recipes that have been handed down through the generations, including Grandma Mary’s Sicilian Caponata and Concetta Di Palo’s Meatballs, or recipes gathered from trips to Italy over the years, such as Trapani-Style Salted Sea Bass and Polenta con Formaggio Crucolo Fuso. Readers will discover, among many other things, the secret to a balsamic vinegar worthy of sharing only with one’s closest friends, the proper way to prepare the perfect espresso, and the importance of looking for the Denominazione d’Origine Protetta—or the Protected Designation of Origin seal—which certifies that your food is a traditional, regional product. Complete with dozens of mouthwatering photographs, engaging anecdotes, and candid stories, and featuring a foreword by Academy Award–winning director Martin Scorsese, this immersive volume is part family narrative, part culinary odyssey, and part cookbook. Di Palo’s Guide to the Essential Foods of Italy is your ticket to the best Italian foods—without having to wait in line! Praise for Di Palo’s Guide to the Essential Foods of Italy “Of all the stores in all the world, Di Palo’s is probably my favorite.”—Ruth Reichl “Lou Di Palo is single-handedly preserving the history of Little Italy in New York City. Shopping at Di Palo’s is an authentic, personal experience. When you walk into the shop, you feel like you’re in the center of the universe. I’ve been waiting for Lou to write this book for years. He’s a good friend and an American treasure.”—Tyler Florence “Di Palo’s has been one of the Seven Wonders of New York since 1925. This book is a beautiful story of their commitment to keeping Italian traditions, and shows the passion they’ve had for the artisanal best for almost one hundred years.”—Chef Daniel Boulud “Lou Di Palo’s depth and breadth of knowledge of Italian foods extends from the Alpine hills to the Sicilian coastline and he manages to bring it all home to us in this wonderful book.”—Chef Michael Lomonaco “I love this book because it explains to an American how to elevate and enjoy great Italian ingredients. The pride that comes from Lou and his family translates to the store and, now, to the pages of this book. I found myself hungry after reading it. You will too.”—Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
"A major, on-the-ground look at antiquities looting in Italy. More looting of ancient art takes place in Italy than in any other country. Ironically, Italy trades on the fact to demonstrate its cultural superiority over other countries. And, more than any other country, Italy takes pains to prevent looting by instituting laws, cultural policies, export taxes, and a famously effective art-crime squad that has been the inspiration of novels, movies, and tv shows. In fact, Italy is widely regarded as having invented the discipline of art policing. In 2006 the then-president of Italy declared his country to be "the world's greatest cultural power." Why do Italians believe this? Why is the patria, or "homeland," so frequently invoked in modern disputes about ancient art, particularly when it comes to matters of repatriation, export, and museum loans? Fiona Greenland's Ruling Culture addresses these questions by tracing the emergence of antiquities as a key source of power in Italy from 1815 to the present. Along the way, it investigates the activities and interactions of three main sets of actors: state officials (including Art Squad agents), archaeologists, and illicit excavators and collectors"--
A Pulitzer Prize winner’s “fascinating” account of the political battles that led to the end of the Papal States (Entertainment Weekly). From a National Book Award–nominated author, this absorbing history chronicles the birth of modern Italy and the clandestine politics behind the Vatican’s last stand in the battle between the church and the newly created Italian state. When Italy’s armies seized the Holy City and claimed it for the Italian capital, Pope Pius IX, outraged, retreated to the Vatican and declared himself a prisoner, calling on foreign powers to force the Italians out of Rome. The action set in motion decades of political intrigue that hinged on such fascinating characters as Garibaldi, King Viktor Emmanuel, Napoleon III, and Chancellor Bismarck. Drawing on a wealth of secret documents long buried in the Vatican archives, David I. Kertzer reveals a fascinating story of outrageous accusations, mutual denunciations, and secret dealings that will leave readers hard-pressed to ever think of Italy, or the Vatican, in the same way again. “A rousing tale of clerical skullduggery and topsy-turvy politics, laced with plenty of cross-border intrigue.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
First published in 1915, Old Calabria is a comprehensive and exciting account of adventure travel. Captivated by the pagan quality of the mezzogiorno, Norman Douglas plunged into Calabria, the southernmost and most backward part of Italy (a province that was still largely devoid of any form of modern amenity). He endured extremes of climate, scaled mountains, rode in carriages driven by villainous coachmen, and traversed remote stretches of country where murderous groups of banditti were known to roam. As Jon Manchip White points out in his introduction, it "makes good reading, but it must have constituted a protracted and frightening ordeal--frightening, that is, to anyone except someone like Douglas, possessed of a more than normal share of guts and fortitude."
