La Dolce Vita University

Carla Gambescia

Description

Multiple events in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Northern California, including strong push to Italian American market.

Italian American Museum, New York

Yorktown Rotary Club, Yorktown Heights NY

Katonah Village Library, Katonah, New York

Books on the Common, Ridgefield CT; Books Galore, Pound Ridge NY; Scattered Books, Chappaqua NY; The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville NY

Westchester Italian Cultural Center, Tuckahoe, NY

Anderson Books; Larchmont and Womrath Book Shop, Bronxville NY

Book Passage Corte Madera, CA

McNally Jackson, NY NY

Museo Italo-Americano, San Francisco, CA

America-Italy Society of Philadelphia

I AM BOOKS - An Italian American Cultural Hub, Boston, MA

Dante Alighieri Society of Massachusetts, Inc., Cambridge MA

La Dolce Vita University, 2nd Edition (LDVU2) is the perfect sampler for anyone curious about (or already in amore with) Italy and its remarkably rich cultural gifts, both past and present. This fully revised second edition includes 75 pages of new material (60 new chapters and 40 new illustrations) to expand on the delights in the first edition. True to its lighthearted name, La Dolce Vita “U” is all about pleasurable learning, or what we prefer to call “edu-tainment.” Its dozens of entertaining yet authoritative mini-essays on a wide assortment of intriguing topics encourage random dipping at the reader’s pleasure. Even the most erudite Italophile will discover fun new facts and fascinating new insights in the pages of La Dolce Vita U.

Mini-essays treat specific topics in one or more of the following subject areas: the Italian character; the visual arts (art, artists, architects); the performing arts (music, theater, cinema); history and antiquity; language and literature; cuisine and agriculture; wine and spirits; traditions and festivals; style and applied arts; unique places. In a wink and nod to the book’s “academic” identity, the 200 mini-essays are arranged alphabetically and accompanied by charming illustrations throughout. A special traveler’s topic index is provided at the end of the book.

Sujets

• HISTORY
• Ópera
• Travel
• Italy
• Fashion
• My Last Duchess
• Design
• ART
• Culture
• Sculpture
• Renaissance
• Europe

Informations

• Publié par: Travelers' Tales
• Date de parution: 21 septembre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781609521998
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Praise for
L A D OLCE V ITA U NIVERSITY

The title- La Dolce Vita University -captures the great virtues of this reader-friendly book perfectly: it s delicious and educational at the same time, with each virtue reinforcing the other. Dulce blended with utile , as the great ancient Roman poet Horace recommended.
This book sustains that combination masterfully. It s a complete delight to read, but (as a professor of Renaissance literature for many decades) I m happy to report that the authors know their stuff. The research is careful and the analysis is intelligent and witty. I learned surprising new things about dozens of topics-Artemisia, Burano, Casanova, Dante, and onward through the alphabet to zanni . La Dolce Vita University also seasons lots of popular myths with just the right number of grains of salt. It s written in prose as clear, bright, crisp, and lively as a spring morning in the Dolomites. Add to that graceful but also playful prose, the talent of skilled storytellers, and it s no wonder that the entries stay so fascinating.
La Dolce Vita University makes me crave a return to Italy, and helps me daydream that I m already there. Like an ideal platter of antipasti, it s made of deliciously varied bites you can pick your way through. If you want-or want to give a friend-an appetizer that will rouse up a hunger for the glory and festivity of that wonderful place and its no less wonderful culture, this book is perfect.
-Robert N. Watson, PhD. Distinguished Professor of English, Associate Vice-Provost for Educational Innovation, UCLA
Imagine it as a dessert course filled with dark chocolates filled with exotic fruits and nuts, packed with knowledge and love of history and art, wisdom and wit, Italian, American, global.
The chocolates are alphabetically listed, described and presented beautifully, and offered as something to dip into as you wish. You open it, choose the one you think you will like best, then another, and another. Suddenly it s gone.
Because Carla wears her scholarship lightly, you don t feel over full, but what a feast!
- Denise Scott Brown RIBA, Int. FRIBA
Winner of the Jane Drew Prize for Women in Architecture
An enlightening, entertaining guide to the history behind so much of what we love about Italian cuisine and culture. From antiquity to today, reading this special anecdote-filled history written with color and style is a pure joy for the food aficionado and any lover of Italy. You won t want to miss reading any part of this book.
-Chef Bert Cutino, CEC, AAC, HOF, WCMC Co-Founder/COO, The Sardine Factory Restaurant, Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
La Dolce Vita University is a charming and learned passeggiata through Italian history and culture. Delightful, engaging, and infinitely curious, Carla Gambescia is a perfect guide to that country that never fails to amaze tourists and scholars alike.
-Stanislao Pugliese
Professor of History and Queensboro Unico Distinguished Professor of Italian and Italian American Studies, Hofstra University
Carla is the consummate Italian. Mille grazie for sharing your extensive knowledge and fascinating backstories with such affection, charm, humor and style!
-Joan Tucci
Co-Author, The Tucci Cookbook
Every Italophile must have a copy of La Dolce Vita University ! Going far beyond a guide to Italian culture, Gambescia s opus is a beautifully crafted, thoughtful and glorious collection of reasons why so many of us embrace all things Italian.
-Allison Scola
Owner and Curator, Experience Sicily and The Cannoli Crawl
This book is hard to put down. It s packed with so much surprising information reminding us of the many ways Italian culture touches our lives and gives us pleasure. Written with a deep understanding and passion for Italy, La Dolce Vita University is a book you ll want to keep as a reference and give to your friends and loved ones.
-UFF. Cav. Dr. Joseph Scelsa
Founder & President of the Italian American Museum
Professor Emeritus, Queen s College and City University of New York
La Dolce Vita University is an authentic full immersion in Italian culture, history, art, traditions, and more. Fun, funny, and informative. Brava !
-Cristiano Bonino
Founder, Food, Stories, Travel
An obvious love of all things Italian is evident in every essay of this quirky, delicious, and absolutely charming book. From A to Z topics are peppered with insights, memories, fun factoids, and the intrigues of history. Whether you are a seasoned globetrotter or an armchair-traveler, La Dolce Vita University will inspire you to dig deeper into the magic and allure of Italia .
-Tara Coniaris
Secretary, Board of Trustees at Katonah Museum of Art
Reading La Dolce Vita University transports your imagination and uplifts your spirit. It is the one book to read before your next trip to La Bella Italia .
-Lauren Hefferon Founder & Director, Ciclismo Classico and Travel Vision Journeys

Copyright 2021 Carla Gambescia. All Rights Reserved.
Travelers Tales and Solas House are trademarks of Solas House, Inc.,
Palo Alto, California travelerstales.com | solashouse.com
Art Direction and Cover Concept: Carla Gambescia Illustrations: Lannie Hart Cover Design and Interior Layout: Ronda Taylor Typesetting: Howie Severson
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
978-1-60952-198-1 (paperback) 978-1-60952-199-8 (ebook)
Second Edition
Printed in the United States
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1


To my mother and father, Anna and Pasquale Gambescia, whose greatest gift, after their love, was the love of Italy they instilled in me.

Contents
Introduction
Author s Note
A
A is for Arlecchino Arrangiarsi, the Art of Making Do Arte Armani and Versace Artemisia s Revenge Aperitivi to Digestivi Alpha Artists Ana Capri, the Other Capri Amaretti, Amaretto, Amarone Amorini, The Flying Bambini
B
Barbells and Bikinis Bellini Bernini s Angels Baroque Style Beatrice, Love at First Sight Botticelli s Venus Bocce Bonfire of the Vanities Burano s Candy-Colored Casas Byron s Bridge of Sighs Bolognese . . . Sauce or Dog?
C
Carnevale Companilismo Casanova, So Misunderstood Caterina s Carciofi Carpaccio Centenarians of Sardinia Ciabatta Cosimo, Father of the Renaissance Cinema City Canticle of the Creatures Cave Canem The Castrati
D
The Davids Dante s Commedia The Decameron Dome-estic Pride Duomo, Not a Dome but a Home A Day at the Colosseum Dolomiti and Via Ferrata Il Doge and His Palace Divorce Italian Style Dog Days of Summer
E
Empire The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Enflamed by Passion Explosion of the Cart The Exclamation Point! Ebru, the Art of Marbled Paper Emilio of Capri Eye of the Woman Espresso, Cappuccino, and Italian Coffee Culture The Enormous Emperor
F
Ferro Farro The Fantastic Fig Flowering in Fiorenza Florence Syndrome Federico s Nose Firewater Fra Angelico and Frangelico The Feisty Fra Fast Food in Pompeii Felliniesque
G
Graffiti The Grand Tour Gelato, Ambrosia of the Boot Gianduia, Grown-up Nutella Greek Soul of Sicily Granita The Great Giorgini Giotto s Human Touch The Games of Rome Girasole
H
Human Chess Game Hand Gestures High Heels Hollywood on the Tiber The Harry Behind Harry s Bar The Four Horses of the Basilica Hall of the Hunt Heavenly Light Head of the Moor
I
Inner Italian Illusionist Magic The Illustrated Dante Isabella D Inner Beauty Inner Sanctum Ippolito s Golden Apple The Iceman Runneth Ignudi, not Gnudi
J K
Jazz Jeans of Genoa Justice and Tyranny Joan of Arc Italian Style Sangiovese by Jove Jewel Box of the Adriatic Killer Spaghetti Kabbalah and the Pope s Ceiling Kissing the Joy
L
Leone Limone Livia s Painted Garden The Lost Leonardo The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects La Bella Figura The Laoco n Latin La Bella Lingua La Dolce Vita Love, Lust, and Lavazza
M
Mapping Eternity Magi Chapel Mezzogiorno Miracle in Matera Margherita, Queen of Pearls and Pizza Marinara Memento Mori Marble Carpet Murano, Islands of Glass The Many Faces of Venice Marcello
N
Nutella Nativity Scenes The Italian Navy Norman Arab Sicily Nuns or Concubines? Naples, Beauty or Beast? Nepotism s Legacy Negroni Fever Noir s Avatar Nero s Golden House
O
Opera Viva Oliva! Gli Occhiali da Sole Olympics of the Artworld Opera s Michelangelo Ovid s Transformations Oculus, Gateway to Heaven Orphans of the Ospedale
P
Primavera Springs Eternal Paparazzi Patron Saint of Chefs and Comedians This Little Piggy came from Parma Pecorino, Cheese and Wine Peggy s Palazzo Palladio Ponte Vecchio s Surprise Savior Plague Doctor Pliny the Elder, Reporter of the World
Q R
The Queen Who Refined the French Quarentine Rock Star of the Renaissance Renaissance Man Renaissance Pleasure Palace Rock Formations of Capo Testa Relics, Rest in Pieces Rocco, Patron Saint of Dogs and More The Running of the Saints Rome s Decorator Red Pesto Ridotto Royale
S
Sympathy for the Borgia Spaghetti Westerns Strangled Priest Sins of the Father Shakespeare in Amore Spiritual Soulmates Syncretism La Serenissima The Salute Snow in August The First Snowball Fight Scent of a Truffle
T
The Trulli Hobbit Houses of Puglia The Trevi Tiberius s Swimming Pool Tomb of the Diver Terrace of Infinity Turnstile to Heaven Tempest in a Tiramisu Cup Talking Walls Torri Saracene Tuscan Tarot Fantasy
U
Unicorns, Panthers and Snails, Oh My! Ugly but Good Under the Radar in Rome Uccello s Battle Unofficial Super Stars UNESCO Bonanza Unsung He