I just appeared on the “How to Tour Italy” radio show to share my favorite books about Italy. (Anthony, the host, had a great list too, including Vasari’s Lives of The Artists.) I’m not talking about guidebooks but rather (mostly) non-fiction picks that truly convey the atmosphere and culture of a particular time and place in Italy. You will notice that I have a significant interest in history, particularly the World War II era. I probably have dozens of favorite books on Italy so this is by no-means a comprehensive list. I will be adding to it as I can…So, in no particular order:
- Blood Washes Blood by Frank Viviano
- Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi
- A Venetian Affair by Andrea di Robilant
- Naples ’44 by Norman Lewis
- War in Val d’Orcia by Iris Origo
- A Thousand Days in Venice by Marlena di Blasi
- The Italians by Luigi Barzini
- The House of Scorta by Laurent Gaude
- Seasons in Basilicata by David Yeadon
- La Bella Figura by Beppe Severgnini
Please add your favorite Italy book recommendations to the comments section!