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Sprezzatura: 50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped the World
A witty, erudite celebration of fifty great Italian cultural achievements that have significantly influenced Western civilization from the authors of What Are the Seven Wonders of the World?
“Sprezzatura,” or the art of effortless mastery, was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione in The Book of the Courtier. No one has demonstrated effortless mastery throughout history...more
“Sprezzatura,” or the art of effortless mastery, was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione in The Book of the Courtier. No one has demonstrated effortless mastery throughout history...more
ebook, 416 pages
Published
December 18th 2007
by Anchor
(first published October 2nd 2001)
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A very detailed overview over 50 gifts from Italy. I was familiar, at least in a general sense, with all 50 entrants. I especially enjoyed the chapters on satire, the Roman Republic, Dante's Divine Comedy, the legacy of law, and da Vinci. While I overall enjoyed the volume, I didn't dive completely in because of my prior knowledge. I guess I am too much of a history buff truly enjoy skimming the topic books. I need to grab onto deeper tomes.
A great book I read after my first trip to Italy! It invites the reader to further read and explore important works of literature, art, music and significant contributions made by the Italians.
The idea was sound - 50 short essays on culturally and scientifically important topics produced by Italians. While I learned something new, it was, in the end, pretty superficial.
I read this one several years ago and still refer to it from time to time. It's a very accessible piece of work on history.
Great book! Fascinating read on a wide range of topics. Anybody who visits Italy should read this first!
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This was a marvelous little book which brought together and summarized all the many, many contributions Italy has made to civilization - from the everyday like the calendar, violins and pianos, accounting,radio, cuisine, fashion and design,etc. to the most sublime art and architecture in the western world.
Without having read this yet, I have to comment that during my recent time in Italy, I mentioned this word at least twice to different Italian friends, and they said, "Um, that means nothing."
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Post-reading: It was good—interesting and well written—but dear me, it was a slog. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was just a little too wide ranging. I think I zoned on some of the historical personages essays. Some of my favorites (unsurprisingly?) were the literary ones.
_____
Post-reading: It was good—interesting and well written—but dear me, it was a slog. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was just a little too wide ranging. I think I zoned on some of the historical personages essays. Some of my favorites (unsurprisingly?) were the literary ones.
This book was a gift from my flamboyant Art History Teacher in preparation for Italy Study Abroad. It includes true accounts on the major players durring the Rennaissance in Florence and Rome. So detailed I got a little lost, but greatful for the way it made piazzas and cathedrals come to life.
Jun 18, 2009
Redsteve
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
art-architecture,
food-feasting,
history,
imperial-rome,
italy,
medieval,
nonfiction,
papacy,
politics,
religion,
renaissance,
roman-republic,
rome,
venice,
essays
50 Essays on famous Italians, Italian inventions and institutions: some good, some pretty bad. The modern venacular translations of Latin poetry were just horrible.
Each chapter is devoted to an Italian who changed history. Would be more interesting to read in pieces rather than all at once--was filled with a few too many details that have quickly faded from my memory.
Full of interesting little antedotes about "Italians" who contributed to science, language, economy, politics, explorations, etc. etc.
Fun book outlining famous Italians. Great read for anyone interested in understanding the Italian mentality and way of thinking.
great to learn about Italian culture and Italians' contribution to the world! Molto buono!
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