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Past
Book Club Selections
View Archived Book Club Selections
SPRING 2006 SELECTIONS:
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On
the Road with Francis of Assisi:
A timeless
journey through Umbria and Tuscany, and Beyond
By Linda Bird Francke
For more than 20 years, Francis
of Assisi (1181-1226) crisscrossed
Italy and the Mid-East on his way to
sainthood. Now you can follow in his
footsteps with this travelogue that
combines medieval history and contemporary
Italy.
The spoiled son of a rich
merchant, Francis wasted his youth,
was captured in a war with Pisa and
finally undergoes a religious conversion,
embracing poverty. Author Francke visits
all the towns and villages where the
Saint performed his miracles and recounts
the many stories about this extraordinary
man and his times. [$25.95; hardcover; 288 pages; Random House]
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History on the Road: The Painted Carts of Sicily
By Marcella Croce and Miora F. Harris
The first book ever published
in English about the painted carts
of Sicily, History on the Road explores
the history, art and cultural significance
of these decorated carretti that once
traveled Sicily’s country roads by
the thousands, carrying passengers,
food, wine and other cargo.
In the two
centuries since their creation, Sicilian
carts have been decorated with everything
from images of the saints, Charlemagne
and his knights to opera scenes, Napoleon,
Columbus and even Mussolini. The book
also features which museums have the
best examples and where to buy the
carts. Richly illustrated with more
than 100 photographs and designs. [$19.95;
paperback; 140 pages; Pogo Press]
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The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Italian History and Culture
By Gabrille Euvino with Michael San Filippo
Did you know that in Italy today more women than men are in college and in the workforce? Or that the structure of the Electoral College used to elect the U.S. president can be traced to the Roman republic? These and other interesting facts are in The
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Italian History and Culture. It begins with the Romans and Etruscans and ends with inspiring stories of Italian immigrants and their cultural impact on America. A good reference book for all things ItaliaN. [$18.95; paperback; 408 pages; Alpha]
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ALSO WORTH READING:
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The Spear of Lepanto: The Papal Prize
By Leon J. Radomile
This adventure novel, set in Italy, presents Leonardo Radolowick, a 16th century “Indiana Jones,” searching for the spear that pierced the crucified Christ-a sacred relic that Pope Pius V believes will decide the fate of Christian Europe fighting the Ottoman Turks in 1570. [$19.95; paperback; 335 pages; Vincero Enterprises: 415-883-1545]
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Home to Italy
By Peter Pezzelli
In this novel of loss and renewal set in Abruzzo, Peppi leaves the home he made in Rhode Island after losing his wife and heads back to Italy and his childhood village. There he’s reunited with his best friend, meets a fiery new woman and, with help from family, friends and Italy’s legendary zest for life, gets a second chance at happiness. [$14.00; paperback; 274 pages; Kensington Publishing Corporation]
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Beyond Bagheria
By E.P. Vallone
In 1918, the deadly Spanish flu swept through the Sicilian town of Bagheria, leaving young Isabella an orphan. In desperate straits, she accepts a marriage proposal that brings her to New Orleans and involves her in a whirlpool of greed, power and prejudice. Based on a true story, this young immigrant learns her dreams are very different from the reality of life in America. [$19.95; paperback; 206 pages; PublishAmerica]
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*Reflects list price. Discounts may apply through
amazon.com.
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