That Fine Italian Hand

by Paul Hofmann

Release Date: March, 1991

Edition: Paperback

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Indispensible for first time visitor to Italy!

My favorite book by one of the most prolific authors of the italian cultural scene. Hofmann leaves no doubt as to his love for his adopted home, yet far from being a chamber of commerce puff piece, he endeavors to portray the real italy to his readers. Anybody traveling to Italy would do well to read this book, I've traveled to Italy on several occasions and find myself returning to this book again and again.

That fine Hofmann sensibility ...

Any American with a genuine interest in Italy and its people should read all the tales of Hofmann on the subject. Begin anywhere, but do not neglect That Fine Italian Hand.

An expatriot Austrian since the eve of WWII, Hofmann describes l'Italia with the intimacy of 50-odd years living there - combined with the objectivity of one who admits he will never BE an Italian. Far from being over critical, Hofmann is almost heartbreakingly aware of both the many glories of "Italianness" and the equally numerous shortcomings. He finds both to be essentially inseparable and probably indispensable to the very survival of the place and its people.

Paul Hofmann's work never fails to educate - even while it entertains. History, culture and anthropology in an easy-to-digest ragout.