Warwick Books and Kenilworth Books » Venice

Venice

Keith Smith — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:56:25 +0000

In this sumptuous vision of Venice, Peter Ackroyd turns his unparalleled skill at evoking place from London and the River Thames, to Italy and the city of myth, mystery and beauty, set like a jewel in its glistening lagoon. His account is at once romantic and packed with facts, conjuring up the atmosphere of the canals, bridges and sunlit squares, the churches and the markets, the fiestas and the flowers. He leads us through the history of the city, from the first refugees arriving in the mists of the lagoon in the fourth century to the rise of a great mercantile state and a trading empire, the wars against Napoleon and the tourist invasions of today.

Everything is here: the merchants on the Rialto and the Jews in the ghetto; the mosaics of St Mark’s and the glass blowers of Murano; the carnival masks and the sad colonies of lepers; and, the doges and the destitute and the artists with their passion for colour and form – Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto, Tiepolo. There are wars and sieges, scandals and seductions, fountains playing in deserted squares and crowds thronging the markets. And there is a dark undertone too, of shadowy corners and dead ends, prisons and punishment.

The language and way of thinking of the Venetians sets them aside from the rest of Italy. They are an island people, linked to the sea and to the tides rather than the land. ‘The moon rules Venice’, Ackroyd writes: ‘It is built on ocean shells and ocean ground; it has the aspect of infinity.

It is the floating world…changing and variable and accidental. ‘This book, like a magic gondola, transports its readers to that sensual, surprising realm. We could have no better guide – reading Ackroyd’s “Venice” is, in itself, a glorious journey and the perfect holiday’.

Venetian Journal

Keith Smith — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:57:27 +0000

‘A Venetian Journal’ encourages food lovers who travel and those who explore the world via recipes to map their own journey, recording favourite recipes and memorable cooking and eating experiences. Structured around the classic Italian meal: Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni, Dolci, ‘A Venetian Journal’ features the photographer Manos Chatzikonstantis’ personal selection of photographs from his frequent visits to Venice with Tessa and fragments from her own journals as she sought to imbibe the very essence of the world’s most romantic city. A wonderful, lavish, record book for all lovers of Venice….

Venice (Art & Architecture)

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:25:25 +0000

Compact yet substantial – The volumes from the “Art and Architecture” series pack a wallop. They give many a hefty volume a run for its money as far as impact and density of information are concerned. Each volume… is beautifully illustrated with over 600 color illustrations. The highly readable texts have been written by experts and give you concentrated information on accessing well-known and less-known sites in the word of art. An image of every piece of art that is described is included, allowing readers to easily recognize the original on-site. Insets on cultural-historical topics and illustrated glossaries, summaries, and timelines supplement the body text – leaving a deeper, more lasting impression of the material that is covered. The volumes from the “Art and Architecture” series are wonderful travel guides and mementos and even make for great bedtime reading.

The Secrets of Venice

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:19:59 +0000

Encompassing all six districts of Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro (including the Giudecca), Santa Croce, San Marco (including San Giorgio Maggiore) and Castello The Secrets of Venice gives the reader a virtual tour of one of the most mesmerizing cities….. in the world. With stunning photography and informative text highlighting the well known sights as well as the more secret corners of the city, from the impressive Grand Canal and the opulent Saint Mark s Basilica to the legendarily romantic Bridge of Sighs and the unbelievably picturesque and winding network of narrow canals, be inspired to visit or celebrate this wonderful city.

Venice Insight Step-By-Step Guide

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:16:48 +0000

Take a fresh approach to Venice with this “Step by Step” guide, part of a brand new, stylishly designed series from Insight Guides. Lavishly illustrated in full colour, this book…… features irresistible self-guided walks and tours, written by a local expert and packed with great insider tips. Whether you are new to the city or a repeat visitor, whatever your interests, and however long your stay, this book is the perfect companion, showing you the smartest way to link the sights and taking you beyond the beaten tourist track. All the walks and tours come with clear, easy-to-follow full-colour maps and hand-picked places to eat and drink en route. A ‘Key Facts’ box at the start of each tour highlights the recommended time needed to enjoy it to the full, plus the distance covered and a start and end point; all this makes it simple to find the perfect tour for the time you have to spare. The book also recommends top tours by theme and includes a special ‘Only in’ feature, highlighting a number of experiences or attractions that are unique to the destination. In addition, it has background information on food, drink and shopping, plus a Directory section with a clearly organised A-Z list of practical information and hotel and restaurant listings to suit all budgets. The guide also comes with a free pull-out map, complete with street index and with the walks and tours clearly marked. This map is great for use both with and without the main book.

The Girl of His Dreams

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:12:35 +0000

One rainy morning Commissario Brunetti and Ispettore Vianello respond to an emergency call reporting a body floating near some steps on the Grand Canal. Reaching down to pull it out, Brunetti’s wrist is caught by the silkiness of golden hair, and he sees a small foot …….- together he and Vianello lift a dead girl from the water. But, inconceivably, no one has reported a missing child, nor the theft of the gold jewellery that she carries. Brunetti is drawn into a search not only for the cause of her death but also for her identity, her family, and for the secrets that people will keep in order to protect their children – be they innocent or guilty. From the canals and palazzi of Venice to a Gypsy encampment on the mainland, Brunetti struggles with institutional prejudice and entrenched criminality to try to unravel the fate of the dead child.

Carnival in Venice

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:33:15 +0000

Each year, ten days before Lent, merrymakers of all ages brave the icy midwinter weather to converge on Venice, masked and mantled in innovative and imaginative fancy dress. Some exquisite examples are handed down from generation to generation. Hoberman features….. highly-talented contemporary venetian mask makers and costume designers. Donning masks that display extraordinary imagination and artistry, the wearers leave their cares and personas behind to assume the characters they portray. This extraordinary portfolio showcases the Carnival in Venice, providing fresh insight into its rich, vibrant and delightful attributes. With an incisive eye for detail and the subtleties of colour, texture and humanity, Hoberman captures the very essence, spirit and humour of the Carnival, in all its splendour and delightful ostentation.

Brunetti’s Venice: Walks Through the Novels

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:28:26 +0000

Visitors to Venice might hope to find a Venetian friend who will guide them through the narrow streets, explaining a bit of history here, a story from his youth there, perhaps grumbling about the tourists, occasionally stopping for a glass of prosecco or to gossip with friends…”Brunetti’s Venice” does all these things….. as it moves through the famous city with Commissario Guido Brunetti, the much loved Venetian detective of Donna Leon’s bestselling novels. Presented as a series of walks through Venice and featuring atmospheric extracts from relevant parts of the novels, it is woven together by a commentary that links Brunetti’s emotional and visual responses to places he has known all his life with the inquisitiveness of the visitor……….

Venice

Keith Smith — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:24:42 +0000

In this sumptuous vision of Venice, Peter Ackroyd turns his unparalleled skill at evoking place to Italy and this city of myth, mystery and beauty, set like a jewel in its glistening lagoon.His account is at once romantic and packed with facts, conjuring up the atmosphere of the canals, bridges and sunlit squares, the churches and the markets, the fiestas and the flowers……

“Highly evocative…he writes beautifully and succinctly”. –Saturday Times