The Italians

Sublime yet exasperating, fascinating yet baffling, Italy is a country of riddles. Looking beyond the stereotypes, John Hooper's entertaining and incisive account of its people explores everything from sex to Freemasonry, bella figura to why Italian has thirteen words for a coat hanger yet none for a hangover.

'A sparkling account . . . essential reading . . . a deep sense of how Italy works and how it feels, on the ground.' John Foot, The Times Literary Supplement

'Delivers the tantalising flavour of a country as hot, cold, bitter and sweet as an affogato.' Christian House, Sunday Telegraph

'A supremely able and experienced foreign correspondent who has mastered the detailed and comprehensive study of individual countries . . . an admirable piece of work.' Jan Morris, Literary Review

'Entertaining and enlightening . . . sweeping in scope and generous with detail.' Elisabetta Povoledo, The New York Times