Comments on: Sprezzatura: 50 Ways Italian Genius Changed the World by Peter D’Epiro and Mary Desmond Pinkowish

By: Cristina

Cristina — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:20:31 +0000

Here in Canada it’s Thanksgiving weekend. we don’t have Columbus Day. I didn’t realize there was some ‘controversy’ over the whole thing! Italian heritage day sounds good though-we don’t have that either, but at our house, I guess that’s every day! Happy Thanksgiving/Italian Heritage Day!

Thanks Cristina! Same to you!

By: mimi torchia boothby watercolors

mimi torchia boothby watercolors — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:21:44 +0000

One of the things I love about Italy and Italians is that they are responsible for a special part of what is good about humanity. Although I am embarrassed when I think of Columbus and how he behaved when he came here, (I read his journals, he was so confused) he actually was more reasonable than many of the other explorers who came to this land to plunder. On the other hand, Columbus day for me has always been a day celebrating Italians in the USA, what we have brought, who we are, what we have accomplished, and what we are proud of.

I’m sure his journals are quite interesting indeed; hope you had a wonderful day, Mimi

By: Alison

Alison — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:18:39 +0000

Funny story about celebrating Columbus Day for Italian heritage – my first exchange with Italy was as a HS student in a Chicago suburb, when I was part of a group hosting a class of Italian HS students a number of years ago. We somehow ended up in the Chicago Columbus Day Parade, some folks in traditional Italian clothes, some of us just walking next to the float waving Italian flags. Very exciting! We ended up stopped at one point next to a group of protesters. We realized that a few of the protesters were friends from school. We stopped to talk and it was interesting to see both sides (our friends were not some of the more extreme protesters). Eye opening for all of us. The Italians learned about American style of protesting (not too far from the Italian style frankly) and our friends saw a different reason for the holiday.

PS – Read the book and found it informative and mostly very interesting.

PPS – Love the blog! Grazie tanto, Michelle!

Thanks so much for coming by and sharing your thoughts and experiences, Alison — what a unique Columbus Day indeed!

By: Cecilia Escobar-O'Dell

Cecilia Escobar-O'Dell — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:37:16 +0000

Great post! we don’t celebrate Columbus day in our house but can definitely celebrate all things Italian! Here in SF we live in a historically Italian neighborhood and they have changed the name of the parade to “Italian Heritage Parade”

I think “Italian Heritage Parade” is an appropriate way to go

By: 65 Italy Gift Ideas for the Italophile in Your Life | Italy Travel Guide

65 Italy Gift Ideas for the Italophile in Your Life | Italy Travel Guide — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:21:36 +0000

[...] than Sprezzatura, or “50 Ways Italian Genius Shaped the World.” My friend Michelle says it’s one of her favorite books, and it covers both things that lots of people know about and also some unknown gems that are sure [...]

By: mdicicco

mdicicco — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:25:47 +0000

Hello Michelle,

Thanks for the great post. I am currently reading the book and it’s wonderful. I recommend it to all!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! As you can probably tell, I love it as well

By: qualcosa di bello

qualcosa di bello — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:23:52 +0000

my boys are in-deep with their studying of western civ (ancient rome & mediaveal periods) & so much of our heritage is wrapped up in italy. qualcosa di bello's last blog post..on the horizon... Ooh fun topic! I hope they're enjoying it!

By: Fern

Fern — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:16:02 +0000

Thanks for the book tip – always looking for good books to stock up on. Will add it to the ole ‘wish list’ at you-know-where. And Happy Columbus Day to you, as well.

Fern’s last blog post..Driving me Crazy!

Hope you enjoy it Fern

By: shiborigirl

shiborigirl — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:37:54 +0000

Thanks for the “heads up” on that book, which looks like a marvelous read. I spent some VERY short tourist time in Venice, Florence, and Sicily 25 years ago, and still marvel at the wonderful things I saw there…such imaginative and resourceful people!

Enjoy your Holiday,

Kate

shiborigirl’s last blog post..I’m “It”! I’ve Been Tagged

I hope you’ll be able to come back sometime Kate!

By: Carla

Carla — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:41:20 +0000

Columbus Day is big in Boston, as well as the whole Italian-American heritage month; many more feasts, events and concerts than usual. Happy Columbus Day!

Enjoy Carla!