by Iliana Lim¢n
Daily Lobo
If you are looking to impress others with your ability to drop a few authentic Italian phrases or prove you know more than just the clichÇ great art, your savior is here.
"Italian Culture: A View From America," is a book that includes all the tidbits some of the best travel and history books neglect. Just as the title suggests, the book is written from the perspective of those who trace their roots to Italy and are looking to share their cultural expertise with the masses.
The book is filled with interesting and helpful factoids and tips that will help you avoid looking foolish despite only a cursory understanding of Italian life and history.
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The first chapter begins with some basics on the Italian language and pronunciation guides so that you don't come across as a bad, offensive impression of a wise guy. Then you have a little geography and a brief overview on Italian history that is surprisingly detailed and easy to read.
The first chapter alone sends the reader into conversations, either here or overseas, looking quite intelligent, but the handy tips don't end there.
The next chapter covers eating habits, food and wine - all staples of Italian culture that some people sadly think they are experts on by virtue of visiting the Olive Garden. This tour of Italy is far more in-depth and helpful. Following this section closely can help you avoid an embarrassing faux pas at the dinner table.
As if the language tips already provided weren't enough, the remainder of the book is peppered with information on Piedmontese and Neapolitan dialects.
With that information under your belt, the book then takes you through traditional songs and cultural customs.
The book was co-written by Peter Dorato, an engineering professor at UNM who was born in Manhattan, N.Y., and his daughter, Sylvia Dorato, who is pursuing her doctorate in engineering from UNM and is the branch chief of the Laser Division at the Air Force Research Laboratory.
The pair don't seem like the type apt to write an Italian culture book, but their love of their heritage and desire to provide unique information from an American perspective drove them to pursue the project.
While this may seem like a very straightforward collection of facts, the authors then sprinkle some truly unique attributes that set this book apart.
Their background leads the reader to the most interesting and unique information in the book.
The first is a chapter on left-brained Italians who have long been forgotten by those who have a basic understanding of art and architecture. One doesn't really look all that sophisticated when dropping Leonardo da Vinci's name in relation to art, but the book arms the reader with amazing tidbits on da Vinci's lesser-known success as an engineer and true Renaissance man.
The Doratos also show their soft spot for other great mathematicians, engineers and scientists often left behind.
The authors close on a personal note by discussing how their family came to this country and their experiences in New York.
This book is far superior than a travel book because it has been used for a UNM continuing education course and a tribute to the authors' relatives who emigrated from Italy.
As a result, it is heavy on information and the reading can be a little dry at times, but it redeems itself by being clearly labeled and well organized, allowing readers to easily flip to sections that interest them.
To get a copy of "Italian Culture: A View from America," visit TSI Press' Web site, cybermesa.com/~js. The book is now running at $24 per copy.
