In Tuscany

One of the greatest experiences in my life was my time in Tuscany a few years ago going to cooking school and knocking around Florence (apparently, anyone who was ever important was buried in a Florentine church). This book is certainly true to my memory and it is the perfect amalgam of photographs, descriptive text, and recipes. As usual, Frances Mayes writes only what she knows and has experienced first-hand. Plus, and this is a big plus, she includes loads of pictures of Bramasole, the Tuscan villa she and her husband restored more than 10 years ago. Her descriptions in "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Bella Tuscany" are loving and thorough, but there's nothing like a picture. The place is truly stunning.But that's just one part of the book. This is an expansive effort that seeks to encompass not only the Mayes' personal stake in Tuscany but also the lives of the Tuscans as defined by their piazzas, festivals, crops, kitchens, and the general beauty of their surrounds.It's an ambitious work of nearly 300 pages done in thick paper with a patterned background velum effect for the text. And the recipes are simple and straightforward. I've been working my way through them and my favorite so far is the Pappa al Pomodoro, the Tomato Bread Soup. But next up is the Zuppa di Cipolle Aretine (Onion Soup in the Arezzo Style) and it looks like a contender. Frances has even included a section at the end that tells where to get the best local produce and goods. Of course, you have to actually BE there. It probably won't do much good to order fennel over the internet.I'd recommend this as a self-indulgent treat, an affordable gift for your favorite lover of Tuscany (or Tuscan lover), or for any occasion that requires a gift of simple beauty.P.S. the Zuppa di Cipolle Aretine was divine!!

I love Frances Mayes books but the seller did not say in his "blurb" that this book had fallen away from the spine. So within 30 minutes of thumbing thru the pictures my book fell apart.The pictures are all softened somehow, so you can't see a great deal of detail. It's like Frances wants you to see Tuscany and the other locations as if in a dream.........I didn't care for that.But as in all her other books, the information is great, so are the recipes, and I'd buy it again. Just this time not from the same seller.

Having read Frances Mayes' first two books about Bramasole, I found myself wishing that I could see all the fascinating places and people she described in such loving detail. It is obvious that she is a poet, for who else would notice the little everyday things that she re-creates so vividly for us? When I heard that her new book would have photographs, it seemed too good to be true. Would the little shrine down the terrace from Bramasole be there? Would the marketplaces in Cortona? Would there be portraits of the people whose character studies have made us wish we could have them for friends and neighbors? Not to worry, all these and so much more is there. The photographer is an artist, and the quality of his work belongs in a gallery. Mrs. Mayes must have known that many of her readers would want to own a book like this, and I feel as though it is my own personal trip to Tuscany to keep forever.

I love this author, but this book is definitely one that puts me to sleep. I read it before bed, and it serves that purpose.

For those who love pictures to complete the story this book is for you. Frances Mayes and her husband are fortunate to be soul mates and it is obvious to the reader that they enjoy living and working together for a common goal. Previous books of Ms. Mayes have been critized for her being "too self-involved and having lots of money to restore their home in Cortona", but this is the culmuniation of their genuine love for Italy. They have captured the people and show the reader their enjoyment of all the reasons they have ventured this far to enjoy life. The words flow with the pictures and the look at Italy is really as it is. Having only been to Italy once I felt like I was back walking the hill towns, driving the roads, and enjoying every minutes of the three weeks spent with these wonderful people. Reading the prequels gives the history of the time and energy and love that is brought forth in this pictorial. Enjoy!!!

I have read the other Frances Mayes books on Tuscany, "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Bella Tuscany". This book is the perfect complement to those works as it portrays the very essence of what Mayes finds so appealing and charming about life in Tuscany. The pictures are gorgeous and recipes she includes are easy to prepare and delightful to behold. I recently gave a copy of this book to a friend who had just returned from the area and she felt it captured the essence of the place.

I wanted this book primarily as a coffee table browsing piece and it serves its purpose for that function. I had hoped to pick it up to get lost in it from time to time, reminiscing about our adventures in the rolling hills and magical history but that was somewhat lacking. The photographs are nice enough, although some have a rather distinctive "artsy" flair - and by that I mean unusual subjects, angles or are slightly blurred - so don't quite capture the scenes as I recall and hoped to see come alive again in the pages of a book on Tuscany. I also found the accompanying text to read more like a diary and skimmed most of it. I'm sure it makes a wonderful keepsake to the authors and owners and sure would be tough to match Under the Tuscan Sun, but I applaud their efforts and their love of the country as it's apparent in their publications.

I bought this book for my 96 year old father in law since he grew up in Italy and loved the Tuscany region. I thought it would be a beautiful picture book, even if he didn’t want to read it all. I found most of the pictures to be fuzzy which was very disappointing. I was also surprised there were so many recipes in the book. If I bought it for myself I would appreciate that.

lots of nice pitures and a few recipes but not my favourite book

Very pleased thank you.

Beautifully informative and illustrated.A book to keep and return to.

after having read both her Tuscany books this was just a great addition, since it has pics of her actual home and intro of the people living there. it features recipes and makes you swoon. she is one lucky person, sometimes it just takes guts to make a decision which not only her, but also her readers can take joy in. Totally recommend it if you have read the other 2.

Ready to read.