In Tuscany

Rating:
Summary: This book was great
Review: I loved Frances Mayes books! Her prose is fantastic and really makes me feel like I am in Tuscany. I love the fact the she intersperses recipes with the story. This is a must read for anyone who has gone to italy or just dreams of it

Rating:
Summary: A major disapointment "In Tuscany".
Review: In contrast to the previous reviewers, I found this book one the larger disappointments of the past year. I anxiously awaited this title, after reading and rereading Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. The prose that I found endearing in full chapters becomes trite and overproduced in smaller chunklets. I further find that pages and pages of artfully blurry photographs add little to the book. As far as the recipes go, your money is better spent on a good Italian cookbook. This book adds little to the continuing story of life in Tuscany, and that is the reader's loss. Not recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Good Photos
Review: The photos in this book are really above average. However, the photos are about all that's in the book. There is not nearly as much written content as I expected, and the photos are not as breathtaking as needed to support a simple picture book.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully photographed book
Review: This book has some beautiful photographs that really capture the essence of Italian life and the Italian people. The prose is captivating and charming. It's a perfect coffee table book and would make a great holiday gift. The recipes look good too! I think anyone interested in Italy will enjoy this book and Frances Mayes' previous books on Tuscany.

Rating:
Summary: Photos Photos Photos
Review: This is a necessary companion to Mayes' earlier books about the restoration of her home. This book is all about photos of Tuscany and the hill town (apparently Italy's oldest) of Cortona in particular. These photos compliment her previous works very well by showing you what she is seeing in an area of Italy she knows so well. Tuscany and Umbria are beautiful places. I have seen other photograph books with better pictures of Tuscany and Umbria, but this one goes along with Mayes' previous books. I have driven down the road on the cover and it is truly a site to see. Don't get confused by other reviews which reference the images from this book as "Italy" in general. Not all of Italy is like this, but the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria are and a must see for the traveller who is looking to relax for a week or two in the Tuscan or Umbrian hillside.

Rating:
Summary: A Book to Savor
Review: This latest book from Frances Mayes is a book to savor just as one would savor a fine bottle of wine or a cool Autumn evening in front of a crackling fire with nothing in front of you but hours of time to read ...lovely! Ms. Mayes has the soul and the eyes of a poet to produce such a book. More, more.