The Italians: A Full-Length Portrait Featuring Their Manners and Morals

A wonderful (and very Italian) book about Italy. Published in 1964 and a product of its time in that it was written in the shadow of the Second World War, and its author views that cataclysm through an Italian lens, as yet another Italian defeat and collapse for which (invariably) Italians themselves were responsible. An additional tragedy of that war, for Italy, was that its plight in WW2 was only part of a wider European inferno for which many countries were responsible. Particularly good on many things but especially the nature of the Baroque and its enduring influence in Italy and Europe generally. Also the fact that Europe has been obsessed with Italy for as long as Europe has existed.

A bit dated (1964) but an insightful and still relevant portrait of Italy and Italians, and still a valuable resource. Read as part of my deep dive into my Italian family roots

A lively account, mostly about European Italians. At the time there was a good deal of Mafiosi news floating about, and I was curious about what had been formed on the Peninsula in the wake of the Middle ages and Renaissance. It moved well.

Given its age one might expect this book to be dated; however, I believe it to the single best book for gaining insight into Italian temperment and culture. It is humorous and informative. Read it on your next flight to Italy, and when you land you will instantly be connecting what you see and hear with what you have read.

One of the better, if somewhat biased, reviews on "la vita italiana". Although a little dated and with some aspects of the book no longer applicable, it does still explain some fundamental aspects of the Italian way of thinking. Having lived in Italy for over 10 years in the 1970s and 1980s I can attest to much of what Barzini points out. And yes, Cola di Rienzo is quite the character.

It feels like this is basically an attempts to explain the appeal now and historically of travel to Italy. The diverse character of the nation is explored, which leads into a history of the nation from, basically, the 14th Century. Some of what jumped out to me was the clear distinction made between an urbane, refined, ruling North Italy and a more bucolic, less sophisticated South. Among the historical details, which include a lengthy review of Mussolini's long career and misguided alliance with Hitler is the history of colored shirts to advertise political allegiance, the ambitious revolutionary Cola di Rienzo, the Baroque era under the rule of the conqueror Charles V, and even the etymology of "zany" in commedia dell’arte.

Excellent. I like how Barzini added several chapters of "typical" Italians which is still relevant today as several centuries ago. My "favorite" Italian ? .........Cola di Rienzo ...what a character ...incredibe !!