Describes many things, both familiar and unfamiliar, that originally came from Italy, including inventions, foods, holidays, tools, music, sports, games, fashions, and words.

"For anyone who has ever dreamed of living under the Tuscan sun, Italian Rustic is the next best thing -- a step-by-step guide to recreating the romance and appeal of the weathered Italian farmhouse. This nuts-and-bolts guide to building Italian-style walks the reader through all the elements that make the rustic Italian home so unique, from the hand-laid stone walls to the artisanal stucco wall finishes." -- from publisher's website.

"A charming narrative and "pop historical" look into how Italy has shaped the Western world's most vibrant passions, from literature to love, music to art, food to wine"--

In the New York Times Book Review, Gay Talese raised the question. "Where are all the Italian American writers?" Two years later, editors Ciongoli and Parini respond convincingly with this anthology of essays by 23 Italian American writers. Memoirs in the first section reveal the truths of the people and relationships behind the stereotypes. Whether reflecting on rosary beads, the aroma of garlic sauteed in olive oil, a bigotry that labels a child...