Cento Citta: A Guide to the "Hundred Cities & Towns" of Italy

Rating:
Summary: A great read for an interested reader
Review: I lived in Naples from 1991 through 1994 in the days prior the the Internet. I LOVED my stay there and daydream about it even today. I was a single 21 year old male and could not get enough of wandering through the country and meeting its people. For me it was a very important part of my life - not only was I in a foreign country, but also finding myself, finally emerging out of the shadow of my parent's home (a good one). All around me were these people whose langauge I learned so slowly who were all motivated by ideas and goals I could not seem to pin down. In the end I discovered their values and goals were much like mine but how they arrived at them through "The Arrangements" was unlike anything I had even known.

I dearly wish I had then some sort of guide (like this book!) and history to teach me a few things about the people all around me. With my Italian friends I enjoyed long conversations but I found they were most interested in learning about me and my country and discussing current events rather than explaining their culture to me and how their history had influenced their society. I was a celebrity often invited to their homes for meals and family gatherings. I was welcomed morning, noon or night.

"That Fine Italian Hand" took my superficial understanding of the Italian culture and added history and context to it, finally in 2004 answering dozens of questions that had remained unanswered for me.

I was a 21 year old Navy Petty Officer (enlisted) thurst into a foreign land without explaination or choice. Around me were many Americans unhappy about their destination, unwilling to explore the culture and experience the Italian land and the people's generousity. There were some of us though who took this stay as an opportunity that most people never get. It changed me and my friends - for the better. I recognize now that the world is not just an American one, but a world full of people divided by politics and language. I learned the language - or enough of it - but a book like this has helped me with the author's perspective understand everything else much better.

I recommend this book to be one of many you should read if you have a facination with Italy and her peoples. You should definitely read it if you plan to visit Italy. Go there with an open mind. Please don't be the ugly American that I saw in 1993 exiting a very clean and well equipped Pompeii bathroom loudly cussing a refusal to tip the cleaning lady who sat just inside the door. He made us all look bad. Her sign asked for 500 lire - less than 50 cents - for her cleaning services...

I encourage everyone to get out and travel with an open mind, be a good American visitor, study first to arrive with a bit of education to understand and respect your destination, to vote for your government, and if you are a young person without direction or resources to start your adult life, join the military for 4-6 years. You'll come out an adult, with money for college, and some golden experiences. Contact me anytime if you have questions or comments at: [e-mail]