That Fine Italian Hand

• Paperback - 15 March, 1991 - Owl Books
• Usually ships in 24 hours
• By: Paul Hofmann
• ISBN: 0805017291

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Reviews by readers

That fine Hofmann sensibility ...

Any American with a genuine interest in Italy and its people should read all the tales of Hofmann on the subject. Begin anywhere, but do not neglect That Fine Italian Hand.

An expatriot Austrian since the eve of WWII, Hofmann describes l'Italia with the intimacy of 50-odd years living there - combined with the objectivity of one who admits he will never BE an Italian. Far from being over critical, Hofmann is almost heartbreakingly aware of both the many glories of "Italianness" and the equally numerous shortcomings. He finds both to be essentially inseparable and probably indispensable to the very survival of the place and its people.

Paul Hofmann's work never fails to educate - even while it entertains. History, culture and anthropology in an easy-to-digest ragout.

Unflattering -- but accurate portrait

Most of the reviews have to do with not liking what he has to say about Italians -- they can't really question the accuracy of the information, which is fondamentally sound. Italians or those of Italian descent may not find it a flattering portrait, but it is worth reading just the same. The author has done his homework and most of the data still holds after 10 years...

Why bother?

Paul Hoffman's "That Fine Italian Hand" is perhaps the most mean-spirited, humorless and unrewarding book that I have read in years. I can't imagine why he ever bothered to write a book about a people and a nation that he appears to despise so thoroughly. (Let alone why he chose to live there for so many years.) Save your money and keep it out of the hands of this bitter, bitter man.

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