This is a book written and published about the last time I visited northern Italy and Florence (2004) and journalistically covers an era in which I intermittently lived and loved there (1976-2003). I wanted to read, in retrospect, what was reported, thru Tobias Jones' English, younger, naïve, and rather successful, eyes. Also this reportage and travel book comes from the perspective of a British male in love with an Italian (whom he has married and has 3 children), soccer, and Italy. This work is written with a rather Leftist, utopian bent missing the knowledge and lacking the understanding of the courtly, Latin history and traditions, which seems so opaque to the democratic Anglo-Saxon culture. ( )

I enjoyed reading this book and it did provide me with an interesting introduction to recent Italian history and current affairs. There are chapters dedicated to the period of native left vs right wing terrorism, other organised crime and the state's response, Italian TV, football, rampant illegal building etc etc which are loosely tied together with reference to recurring themes of corruption, poor governance, regional loyalism and other particular aspects of `Italian culture'. It would not be honest of me to say that much of what I read - mostly the good or quirky rather than the bad - did not ring true from my own experiences of Italian friends and holidays there.

However, it may seem trite but it is probably necessary to add that the book is essentially a series of gross generalisations, with all of the issues associated with these. In summary, the DHoI is entertaining and certainly informative but far from analytically rigorous. ( )

If you read this book and like me appreciate it if certain things just work, then you will understand you can never live in Italy. A well written, pacy introduction to Italian society from an outsider's perspective. ( )

The wonder of this book is not that it reveals something new, even at the time it was originally written (2003), because it doesn't, but that the author is still alive, in Italy. Am I cynic? Maybe.

Italy is a fantastic country with a diversity of cultures and kitchens, full of beauty, but it's a country both high on civilization and low on it. Every time I visit the country I feel a calm descending on me, revelling in ordering a macchiato in the knowledge I'll get some high quality coffee. In many ways 'italian' to me is a by-word for style.

But every time I'm also anguished by the stubborn backwardness. Internet connection at your hotel? Weeeeell... One time I spent a day and a half arguing with staff before they said that of course could I have an internet connection - for €5/30 minutes. Two days and ceaseless arguments later they actually admitted that I could have a 24 hour access card for €18.
At that time I had almost left for another hotel, more forthcoming on the internet issue, had it not been for the fact that my hotel had a socket I could use to recharge my laptop while the other one (where a colleague of mine stayed) demanded a special adapter... and the conference centre hosting the conference we attended offered free internet (but a lack of sockets).

I also despair at the highways leading nowhere, the strikes ("buses to Palermo today, sorry, strike, you'll have to take the train", "to Olbia? Well, it's a strike so I don't know which trains will run but there's on in an hour which will take you half the way, if it leaves"), the skeleton buildings that never will be finished...

It's also a violent country, strung out on each side of a polarised rift that to all evidence seems to be much the same - political violence, nepotism, angry corrupted old men, wherever you go. I long ago gave up on knowing who was in power, other than when it's that man Berlusconi, and that is mainly down to the fact that he distinguishes himself as a fount of idiocy.

The author discusses the politics, the culture, and a lot of things Italian, and was accused of paining a too dark a picture, but personally I think his love for his adopted country is evident. That makes the book more than the righteous pamphlet it could had been - it makes it enjoyable.

He comes to no conclusion, naturally - this is more a chronicle than anything else. But as such it's very good.

If you have any interest in understanding the diversity of cultures that exists on this planet this book this book ought to be high on your must-read list. ( )

An excellent book full of information about the Italian way of life. He manages to be both critical of the Italian way and also sympathetic, realistic and idealistic. Amusing and engaging book. ( )