Insight Guide Italy Author:Emily Hatchwell A handy informative resource on the rich history and culture of the country of Italy. — If your travelling style involves much more than racing through monuments and ticking off the standard "must see" list, because you seek to more deeply understand the present by looking at the past, this might be the perfect handy companion to comple... more »ment a more practical travel guidebook.
More than one-quarter of the 400-plus pages are devoted to the history of Italy, with well written sections in Ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and the emergence of the modern Italian state in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. There are also superb featured sections on topics such as the Mafia, Italian fashion, and Italian cinema. These discussions are very compact. While not substituting for in-depth analysis on these topics, they constitute an excellent survey of different phases of contemporary and ancient history of Italy.
Insight Guides, the world's largest visual travel guide series, in association with Discovery Channel, provides more insight than ever. From the most popular resort cities to the most exotic villages, Insight Guides capture the unique character of each culture with an insider's perspective. Inside every Insight Guide you'll find: Evocative, full-colour photography on every page .Cross-referenced, full-colour maps throughout . A brief introduction including a historical timeline. Lively, essays by local writers on the culture, history, and people. Expert evaluations on the sights really worth seeing. Special features spotlighting particular topics of interest. A comprehensive Travel Tips section with listings of the best restaurants, hotels, and attractions, as well as practical information on getting around and advice for travel with children.« less