| List Price: | Pricing information not available. |
| Binding: | Kindle Edition |
| EAN: | |
| Feature: | |
| Label: | CAMPAGNA |
| Publisher: | CAMPAGNA |
| Studio: | CAMPAGNA |
| Tags: | italian journey harvest revelations olive groves tuscany pretty girl seven tuscan farmers roberto rossellini film |
Editorial Reviews
It began with a girl. Then it was Italian food. After that it was books and discovering that even Mark Twain had fallen for Italy.
E.M. Forster was smitten too: “Love and understand the Italians,
for the people are more marvelous than the land.”
What is it about Italy and Italians?
Italian movies immortalize the mystique. Fellini called it La Dolce Vita.
Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso took James Shaw back to the sweet memories of his childhood and the Italian family who operated the hometown theater. And just like in the movie, young James had an “Alfredo” who, by example, taught him about serving people.
James learned that Italians don't feel they're special. Luigi Barzini, author of
The Italians, repeatedly asked, “Why are we the way we are?” and found no
conclusive answer.
But James was convinced there was a reason why the Renaissance was born in Tuscany–and Italy has given the world Saint Francis, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Galileo and now Benigni, whose film "Life Is Beautiful" shows us that the Italian zest for living can even make a heaven of a hell.
And so, after a lifetime of thinking about Italy James became convinced that the way to find out why Italians are the way they are, would be to eat with them at their kitchen tables. Day after day he picked their olives and the Italians began treating him like family. And James began seeing their unique human quality that attracts people to Italy and keeps pulling them back again and again.
But the story doesn't end in the olive groves of Tuscany. To discover the
heart of Italian life, James had to travel back to World War II Italy.
An Italian Journey will inspire you to follow your passions, your enthusiasms,
to your own Beautiful Discoveries.
Bella Scoperta!
E.M. Forster was smitten too: “Love and understand the Italians,
for the people are more marvelous than the land.”
What is it about Italy and Italians?
Italian movies immortalize the mystique. Fellini called it La Dolce Vita.
Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso took James Shaw back to the sweet memories of his childhood and the Italian family who operated the hometown theater. And just like in the movie, young James had an “Alfredo” who, by example, taught him about serving people.
James learned that Italians don't feel they're special. Luigi Barzini, author of
The Italians, repeatedly asked, “Why are we the way we are?” and found no
conclusive answer.
But James was convinced there was a reason why the Renaissance was born in Tuscany–and Italy has given the world Saint Francis, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Galileo and now Benigni, whose film "Life Is Beautiful" shows us that the Italian zest for living can even make a heaven of a hell.
And so, after a lifetime of thinking about Italy James became convinced that the way to find out why Italians are the way they are, would be to eat with them at their kitchen tables. Day after day he picked their olives and the Italians began treating him like family. And James began seeing their unique human quality that attracts people to Italy and keeps pulling them back again and again.
But the story doesn't end in the olive groves of Tuscany. To discover the
heart of Italian life, James had to travel back to World War II Italy.
An Italian Journey will inspire you to follow your passions, your enthusiasms,
to your own Beautiful Discoveries.
Bella Scoperta!
Related Reviews
A wonderful experience to share with Mr. Shaw. As he bikes his way thru the region, he somehow transports us with him on his adventure to find the clues as to what makes the Italian culture so appealing to many of us. Experiencing life in Tuscany among the olive groves, he also truly appreciates the uniqueness of the people he encounters. And with that, examines his own life, sharing it with his readers. His artistic soul is sensitive not only to the beauty of the setting, but also to the human heart. A wonderful and thought provoking read!
I loved reading this book and had many times where I couldn't put it down. You'll find yourself feeling a part of the beautiful people and land as you read. I loved the insight into farming and how much that lifestyle has to offer. I was also challenged to think about things in a new light and see things from a different perspective. It's about so much more than Italians and Italy. It provides a wonderful picture of when a society works the way it should and the beautiful relationships that come out of it. You must read - you'll be pleasantly surprised.
These are the Things that matter
Forget the tour buses and swarms of tourists charging off the ships. Instead, ride a small bike (named friday) from farm to farm meeting the locals, working and living and eating with them, becoming close to the things that matter. This is a story of the land, the food, the wine, and working together in fulfilling a quest of why Italians are the way they are, why the simple things become the most important and the compassion they have in living .
so many of us would love to live this book. Now James has done it for us and allowed us to come along. I like it all, an adventurous journey and a compassionate author. Well Done, Well Done.
so many of us would love to live this book. Now James has done it for us and allowed us to come along. I like it all, an adventurous journey and a compassionate author. Well Done, Well Done.
If you are going to Italy to cycle, or for the harvest....read this book!
A modern day pilgrim's odyssey in Tuscany's olive orchards.
James E. Shaw is a farmer, cyclist and filmmaker, with a youthful curiosity that has taken him on many interesting adventures over his 63 years. This is his account of a solo journey around Tuscany during the autumn olive harvest. His travelogue reflects on modern agriculture in the US and in Italy, while he revels in the glow of the Tuscan landscape and contemplates modern culture through the lens of his own religious awakening.
An Italian Journey reads like a classic road trip with the vehicle as metaphor. To make his journey affordable, he chose a small-wheeled folding bicycle that towed a luggage trailer. While pedaling his heavy load up the steep hills of Tuscany to 6 different farms over 7 weeks, Shaw picks olives for his room and board, breaks bread with his hosts, observes daily life, explores historic villages and shrines, and reflects on family, religion and culture.
His knowledgable insights about traditional farming methods, supplemented with frequent references to organic agriculture icons Rachel Carson, Wendell Berry and Michael Pollan are very astute and worthwhile for anyone who wonders about the future of food.
His interactions with, and observations about the eating traditions and familial dynamics of his Italian hosts were a pleasant surprise and provide entertaining studies in human nature. If you are considering your own pilgrimage to Italy to help with the autumn harvest, or for a bicycle trip, I can recommend this book.
James E. Shaw is a farmer, cyclist and filmmaker, with a youthful curiosity that has taken him on many interesting adventures over his 63 years. This is his account of a solo journey around Tuscany during the autumn olive harvest. His travelogue reflects on modern agriculture in the US and in Italy, while he revels in the glow of the Tuscan landscape and contemplates modern culture through the lens of his own religious awakening.
An Italian Journey reads like a classic road trip with the vehicle as metaphor. To make his journey affordable, he chose a small-wheeled folding bicycle that towed a luggage trailer. While pedaling his heavy load up the steep hills of Tuscany to 6 different farms over 7 weeks, Shaw picks olives for his room and board, breaks bread with his hosts, observes daily life, explores historic villages and shrines, and reflects on family, religion and culture.
His knowledgable insights about traditional farming methods, supplemented with frequent references to organic agriculture icons Rachel Carson, Wendell Berry and Michael Pollan are very astute and worthwhile for anyone who wonders about the future of food.
His interactions with, and observations about the eating traditions and familial dynamics of his Italian hosts were a pleasant surprise and provide entertaining studies in human nature. If you are considering your own pilgrimage to Italy to help with the autumn harvest, or for a bicycle trip, I can recommend this book.
There is a bit of Italian, I believe, in everyone's soul and many different ways to discovering and enjoying this special spirit. In AN ITALIAN JOURNEY, James Ernest Shaw takes us along on a voyage, not just into Italy's heart, but his own. Shaw sought to connect with Italians by working side-by-side with them in Tuscan olive fields. But he harvested far more than a seasonal crop. Italy's people are indeed even more marvelous that their land, and Shaw's book is a worthy tribute to them.
If you're planning a trip to Italy, read this so you don't miss out on the Italy that tours never visit. If you're staying at home, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Preferably with a nice Tuscan wine at your side.
If you're planning a trip to Italy, read this so you don't miss out on the Italy that tours never visit. If you're staying at home, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Preferably with a nice Tuscan wine at your side.
I am an American of Italian descent,and former Stewardess who traveled to Florence and Rome several times, many years ago.
James has truly captured the very essence of the incredible beauty of the Italian countryside, and the colorful personalities of the hard working, passionate people who live there.
I carried my book everywhere, and read it to the end, only to want to reread each chapter again. This book transported me back to my visits there, and the many memories of the people I met, places I visited, and of course the delicious food I enjoyed.
James' book also gives the reader a new found respect for any organic farmer who works the land to produce wholesome food for consumers all over the world.
In writing "An ITALIAN JOURNEY" James has captured a warm recollection of seven weeks of picking olives in Tuscany and sharing in the warmth, and food of six families who invited him onto their farms, and into their homes; in the pursuit of discovering the "True Italian Spirit." This is a wonderful book.!!!!!!
James has truly captured the very essence of the incredible beauty of the Italian countryside, and the colorful personalities of the hard working, passionate people who live there.
I carried my book everywhere, and read it to the end, only to want to reread each chapter again. This book transported me back to my visits there, and the many memories of the people I met, places I visited, and of course the delicious food I enjoyed.
James' book also gives the reader a new found respect for any organic farmer who works the land to produce wholesome food for consumers all over the world.
In writing "An ITALIAN JOURNEY" James has captured a warm recollection of seven weeks of picking olives in Tuscany and sharing in the warmth, and food of six families who invited him onto their farms, and into their homes; in the pursuit of discovering the "True Italian Spirit." This is a wonderful book.!!!!!!
I so enjoyed reading this beautifully written book about James Shaw's love affair with Italy and its people. I have known Jim for years and realized his talents in film and photography but never knew his talent flowed over into a very powerful use of language. I would, and have, recommended this to many people who enjoy stories that speak to the heart and soul of who we are.
So good you will want to read it again
The reader of An Italian Journey is in for a special treat as they follow the author throughout his journey to small olive farms in Tuscany. As his mode of transportation, James Ernest Shaw chose to use a bicycle on which he pulled a 50 lb. trailer. What an excellent way to experience the land and people of Italy. Before you finish reading the book, you will have no doubt of James' love for God, his relationship with Christ, and his love for the land that God created. This is one of those books you will want to read twice.
Share your thoughts with other customers
Create your own review
Create your own review