That Fine Italian Hand

by Paul Hofmann

Book Overview

No other people over so long a history have shown a greater knack for survival than the Italians. In this wryly affectionate book, Hofmann reveals his adopted countrymen in all their glorious... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805009779
• ISBN13: 9780805009774
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

That fine Hofmann sensibility ...

Any American with a genuine interest in Italy and its people should read all the tales of Hofmann on the subject. Begin anywhere, but do not neglect That Fine Italian Hand.An expatriot Austrian since the eve of WWII, Hofmann describes l'Italia with the intimacy of 50-odd years living there - combined with the objectivity of one who admits he will never BE an Italian. Far from being over critical, Hofmann is almost heartbreakingly aware of both the many glories of "Italianness" and the equally numerous shortcomings. He finds both to be essentially inseparable and probably indispensable to the very survival of the place and its people. Paul Hofmann's work never fails to educate - even while it entertains. History, culture and anthropology in an easy-to-digest ragout.

Unflattering -- but accurate portrait

Most of the reviews have to do with not liking what he has to say about Italians -- they can't really question the accuracy of the information, which is fondamentally sound. Italians or those of Italian descent may not find it a flattering portrait, but it is worth reading just the same. The author has done his homework and most of the data still holds after 10 years...

Indispensible for first time visitor to Italy!

My favorite book by one of the most prolific authors of the italian cultural scene. Hofmann leaves no doubt as to his love for his adopted home, yet far from being a chamber of commerce puff piece, he endeavors to portray the real italy to his readers. Anybody traveling to Italy would do well to read this book, I've traveled to Italy on several occasions and find myself returning to this book again and again.

Reality check

The author is very well informed. Some parts of the book may be out of date (red tape, for instance, has been significantly reduced since 1990), but most of it is simply correct. I have no way of knowing if the author would describe in the same diminutive, at times almost disparaging way institutions and traditions of his own country, but that is not very relevant, an educated reader can filter that out and just focus on the facts, which are mostly right on target. This is an executive report on the country, not a romanticized travelogue. If you believe that Italy is Paradise on Earth, and wonder why the rest of the world is not flocking there, perhaps you need to read this book (not that I want to spoil your illusions....) If, instead, you want to find out why so many persons speak highly of living in Italy, you probably need to look elsewhere.