Product Description
Now you can take the foreign out of language and avoid the pain and frustration usually associated with language learning. Finally, you can learn to speak, understand and even read and write the real authentic language of Italy just like the natives with a minimum of time and effort, all in the comfort of your car or home. At last a beginning level Italian CD course which requires no reading and which teaches you to actually speak beginning to intermediate level Italian in a minimum of time and effort. The course also comes complete with a complete 226 page illustrated text with audioscript, same page answer keys and English translations for home review. Designed by the experts at Language Dynamics, Behind the Wheel Italian 1 Revised takes you, the learner from basic to intermediate level Italian without the guesswork and pain usually associated with language learning. An expert English speaking instructor talks you through these tapes in English while a trained professional native Italian speaker teaches you Italian the way it is really spoken. Behind the Wheel Italian 1 Revised is the ideal way to learn Italian while you drive because there is no confusion, no reading, no looking up meanings, and no guessing. It's all on the CDs. Use your commute time to effectively learn French with this delightful course whose method will have you speaking your first words in Italian within minutes of receiving your course, and enjoying it.
Customer Reviews:
Worth it.......2007-07-24
First off the CD's are not stamped as I expected, they're burned. As in they were not produced in a Factory in mass production style but instead on a one-off basis on someone's personal computer. That is not in itself a bad thing but when the CD player in my car won't play them because of it then it gets annoying. Not sure if they are burned CD-R or +R but the point is the CD player in my car won't play them, and I own a newer car so this is frustrating. Solution: I ripped the CD's to my hard drive, then converted them back to CD audio files and burned them onto another CD. CR-R format. My car plays my recreations just fine.
As to the content it seems to be a good program, although the lessons seem to me to be a little out of order. Still I am actually learning Italian.
They're worth the money, but if you're not computer savvy enough to rip the CD's and then burn new ones I would avoid this set if I were you.
Great Course.......2007-05-30
I learned to speak Spanish in just two weeks with Behind the Wheel Spanish.
I am now experiencing great success with Behind the Wheel Italian. Same great method. Very easy to use and you learn to speak fast.
An enjoyable experience.......2007-04-11
Like many other Amazon reviewers I greatly enjoy Mark Frobose's courses, and this one is no exception. The quality of audio is excellent, the native speaker has a steady, clear, and pleasant voice and gives both slow and "normal speed" pronunciation. Some minor problems include the absence of tracks (1 disc = 1 track), which makes it more difficult to go back to a particular material. Also, the beginning of the first lesson deals briefly with reading and cannot be easily understood if you are truly "behind the wheel". Even though I've just started with the course, I'm already looking forward getting the second (intermediate) part by the same author!
Great Text, Even Greater CDs.......2007-04-10
As with other 'Behind the Wheel' language products I have used, I like the entire package.
I have found the text included in Behind the Wheel Italian Revised to be extremely helpful in learning tenses, showing basic to advanced sentence construction. The same page answer keys to the exercises on each page along with the helpful diagrams make learning Italian a breeze.
Now, on to the CDs. Words cannot describe how effective they are. I have tried many and these are the fastest and easiest on the market.
Exceptional.......2007-03-12
After reading some of the comments from reviews of some of the more popular language-learning systems by the students (mainly that the phrases were not accurate for true Italian speakers) I tried to find one that used a native Italian speaker. As I have not been to Italy and do not know any native Italians, I cannot say with certainty that this program is accurate, but the instructor seems to be an accomplished speaker in the romance languages and his "interpreter" sounds like a native speaker.
I find the course easy to use. The CDs are very clear and build upon what has already been learned. The accompanying book is helpful, but at times a bit confusing. It appears the author simply took the material from the Spanish study and transposed it to this book (because some of the phrases are still in Spanish). I believe this to be a result of bad editing, and not lack of expertise by the instructor. However, it would lend more credence to the study to fix these few flaws in the book. Proofreading is a good thing - believe me I know. I used to work for a newspaper and you can get some very amusing or very embarrassing errors if you don't proofread carefully.
Overall, I like this program. It's easy to use and understand, and it starts the learner out with simple phrases instead of conjugating verbs as some of the other books do. The instructor explains sentence structure and grammar as he goes, but it is integrated into the lessons where one would actually use it immediately. Therefore, it is easier to understand and remember. I have used three different language-learning systems, and this seems to be the best of the three. I would definitely recommend it.
Product Description
At last an intermediate to advanced level Italian CD course which requires no reading and which teaches you to actually speak higher level Italian in a minimum of time and effort. The course also comes complete with a complete 226 page illustrated text with audioscript, same page answer keys and English translations for home review. Designed by the experts at Language Dynamics,Behind the Wheel Italian 2 Revised takes you, the learner from intermediate to advanced level Italian without the guesswork and pain usually associated with language learning. An expert English speaking instructor talks you through these tapes in English while a trained professional native Italian speaker teaches you Italian the way it is really spoken. Product Features: Native speaker of Italian with an accentless , trained and degreed American instructor. The American instructor explains in English while the trained native Italian speaker teaches you to speak authentic Italian the way the natives speak it. Naturally, like you learned English as a child. Thebeautiful Italian language is totally demystified and simplified with no guessing at meanings while you drive. These professionally produced multi-track CDs allow you to pick up where you left off for easy review. The complete 226 page illustrated text for home review with same page English translations, same page answer keys for all exercises and complete audioscript for the CDs. You receive our famous dynamic sentence building and memory techniques that are built into this and each and every one of our courses.
Customer Reviews:
You will learn a lot.......2007-03-13
I have used Pimsluer, Michel Thomas and Learn in Your Car products, and all have their strengths and weaknesses. Behind the Wheel Italian 2 for intermediate learners is a welcome addition to these other worthy products. It has an excellent (and easily superior to Pimsluer/Michel Thomas) range of vocabulary and expressions, whilst using sufficient and varied repetition/review strategies that help establish good recall. Something unique to this product is the way the native speaker gives both a slow and normal paced pronunciation of a sentence. A drawback is lack of pause time for answering but this is more a nuisance than a serious flaw. Unfortunately it doesn't cover the subjunctive tenses and in a recent communication, Language Dynamics stated they had no current plans to provide an Italian 3 (they do have one for Spanish which covers the subjunctive). This is a great pity as the subjunctive is as important to Italian as it is to Spanish. The course book, though cheaply produced, has a lot of great exercises with answers on the same page, saving you the frustration of searching for answers in the back. Overall, I have found Pimsleur is a great method to get you started, Michel Thomas is superior for learning verb structures, and once you have that kind of foundation, Behind the Wheel Italian 2 is a terrific next step.
Book Description
Rush Hour uses the power of catchy melodies and dynamic rhythms to introduce you to basic Italian expressions and vocabulary for every day life. Follow the main character, Jon through all the events of his day - as he learns Spanish, so will you.HIGHLIGHTS:All-audio course - listen and learn at home, at the gym, in the car, on the plane10 short lessons fit easily into you busy lifestyleTopics include: greetings, telling time, transportation, weather, jobs, food, shopping, sports, and leisure activitiesExciting storyline keeps you involvedListener's guide helps you follow along with easeINCLUDES:2 CDs of language-learning lessons set to lively musicBonus CD with popular Rush Hour songsListener's guide with a complete transcript of the audio courseDownloadable Rush Hour word gameFree sturdy case to hold your Rush Hour CDs
Customer Reviews:
Fun, yet not for beginners........2007-01-16
This program has some fun songs, but is not for beginners. I found myself singing what I THOUGHT were the words, only to find out that I was pronouncing them wrong (they sing awfully fast sometimes!). You can look in the listener's guide, but unless you know how to pronounce the words, it won't really help.
Also, unless you're in stand-still traffic, you probably shouldn't try to listen to this too seriously in the car. Instead of focusing on driving, you'll be trying to pronounce that one word you just can't seem to understand!
Really Helpful and Kids learn from it too!.......2007-01-09
This is a great introduction and easy to listen to. The songs really help reinforce the language. One hour is just enough but not too much. My five year old has learned a lot from this CD and sings some of the songs! I would advise this for children over the 'teach me....' series by Judy Mahoney (although they are good too).
Bertlitz Rush Hour Italian.......2006-08-21
This set of CDs were upbeat and told a story while teaching common Italian words. It provided all the elements for learning, a story, music and multiple voices. Although, I listened to it multiple times, it was still enjoyable. For a quick study of everyday Italian I would recommend this CD set.
Annoying Songs.......2006-02-06
Does anyone really need to know how to say nice purple tie? I wanted to learn basic italian, but what I got instead was annoying songs that got in the way of learning the language. My kids were laughing so hard at the lame songs that we forgot what we were trying to learn! While it was good to have the book that goes along with the CD, the formate and the some of the first lessons were not where I wanted to start out (scrambled eggs vs fried?). The lessons did get better as you went along. If you don't mind learning italian Sesame Street style, then this is the CD for you.
A bit buono, a bit cattivo.......2005-11-13
Good things--the songs will stick in your head, and this will help memorization. There is a logical progression. The accompanying book generally helps, especially if you're like me and want to see the word as well as hear it. It is espeically useful in some of the pronunciations not always covered in guide books.
Bad parts--the main male character has an awful pop voice. The romance story-line can get uncomfortable; when he is singing about how he wants her to kiss/hold/touch him now, I wanted to leave the room. And some of the choices are foolish. If you are only going to learn the basics, wouldn't you rather know how to talk about sights than how to leave a message or tell someone they have a nice refrigerator?
Since I expected the songs to be cheesy, I can't hold that against them. But I expected better thinking of what lessons would be covered. My advice to Berlitz would be to skip having a plot and focus on what we actually need to know.
Book Description
For people on the go and with very little time to learn a language,Berlitz Express combines basic words and phrases with upbeat musicamd lively rhythms to help listeners remember what whey've learned. Presented in the context of a lighthearted romance storyline, Express is a short and easy course that will have folks speaking the languae in just 60 minutes.
Customer Reviews:
This product was not for me.......2007-05-13
This product was not quite what I thought it was going to be. It was more boasic than I wanted and not very informational for me. I had thought it would be a fun CD to listen to in the car but it wasn't. I would not recommend this to anyone who has had 2 or more semesters of Italian classes. It basically was on the cheesy side.
Berlitz Rush Hour Express Italian.......2007-03-24
This cd is very light-hearted in its approach to spoken Italian. Going through basic greetings, questions and answers, there are parts set to music. To simplify following along, you need only go to the Berlitz website indicated on the cd cover to print out the text of the cd to follow along more easily.
Book Description
At last a taped Italian course which requires no reading and which teaches you to actually speak Italian in a minimum of time and effort. Designed by the experts at Language Dynamics, 'Behind The Wheel Italian For Your Car' takes the learner form basic to intermediate level Italian without the guesswork and pain usually associated with language learning. An expert English speaking instructor talks you through these tapes in English while a trained professional native Italian speaker teaches you Italian the way it is really spoken.
'Behind The Wheel Italian For Your Car' is the ideal way to learn Italian while you drive because there is no confusion, no reading, no looking up meanings, and no guessing. It's all on the tapes. Use your commute time to effectively learn Italian with this delightful course whose method will have you speaking your first words in Italian within minutes of receiving your course, and enjoying it.
Customer Reviews:
good content, bad CDs.......2006-08-16
This is an excellent resource. You will need some dictionary to be able to spell the words correctly, but the lessons are very well done.
The only problem is that the CDs are pretty bad. They don't work very well in my CD players so I eventually had to copy them to my computer's hard-drive and burn new CDs from that. Now they work fine.
The pattern build-up works for me.......2006-03-09
I learned Chinese (Mandarin) this way back in college (1960s) and can still speak it pretty well. For me the repetitive pattern build-up and vocabulary drill method really works. Others may prefer canned dialogs from day one, and different "Italian in your Car" type programs (like Pimsleur) can provide that. Sometimes I get the feeling that Ana is losing patience with the narrator, and it is a nice comic relief. Suggerisco questo CD per chiunque che desidera imparare la lingua italiana.
Uses Dynamic Sentence Building Technique.......2005-12-13
It is truly wonderful to happen upon a foreign language course that truly performs above the industry standard.
What most impresses me about Language Dynamics courses is that they are so intelligently organized that even a very small fund of vocabulary easily produces an enormous amount of meaningful communication and serves as a solid base for future learning in the target language.
My expectations for this course were exceeded by the flawless design of the course,
the simple and straightforward method, and the wonderful and professional presentations.
I wish to go into a bit more depth about the method because I think that the novice learners out there may need to read this.
1. Far from being a simple 'listen and repeat' language course, Behind the Wheel courses use a dynamic 'sentence building' technique.
2. The basis of this technique is not simply random words but rather 'high frequency vocabulary' which are words which are used most frequently in any language. In this case, Italian.
3. To these frequent words and 'modal' or mood verbs such as 'I want' 'I like'
and so forth, the course proceeds to build the listeners' ability to form original yet simple sentences which later form a foundation for future communication in the language.
All of the material I reviewed in a number of Behind the Wheel courses can be immediately applied to effectively communicate in the target language.
This happens not by accident but by the intentional and intelligent design of the course by its developers.
Faith Pierce/Ph.D. Candidate/Applied Linguistics
Great Course * Your Own Sentences Fast.......2005-11-25
I have tried a number of Language Dynamics courses and Behind the Wheel Italian is just like all the others I have used. 'Sure to satisfy'.
What I love about this and their other courses is how they get you started right away into speaking the language. They start out very simply, kind of like a child learning their first language. First they do the practical basics with you and then they move on to more complicated stuff.
Very good beginning level Italian course. Recommended buy.
Worth Every Penny and More.......2005-11-23
Look no further if you want a one stop fast and easy way to learn Italian. I even sent the company this testimonial to use as they wish because I feel that strongly about how well designed the course is and how well the method has worked for me.
What I like:
1. The pace. Not too fast. Not too slow.
2. The material. Very useful everyday stuff. The basics.
3. The native speaker's voice. Ana's voice is super clear and she talks slowly so I can get the accent right.
4. The American instructor. Sometimes humerous, sometimes serious, always informative and never humble (but he seems like a nice guy).
5. The method. This is the best part. Nobody I have tried (including private instruction at Berlitz) beats this technique for getting you to speak basic Italian from the get-go.
6. The price.. Worth much more because it works.
What I don't like:
1. No wriitten material.. I realize that this is a car course but I would have liked a tapescript or something. No biggie but ......
All in all, a great course and an even better method than you'll find anywhere (at least that has been my experience).
Book Description
With this course you receive free, expert online language tips and advice on how best to learn a foreign language. Speed and simplicity are words which describe the method used in these 4 one hour CDs. The founder of Language Dynamics Inc. guides you through the course in English while a trained native Italian speaker teaches you how to really speak Italian. Since no reading is required, you can learn to speak Italian virtually anywhere. What's more, the CDs come complete with clear explanations and English equivalents so you never have to look up meanings which saves you time and frustration. Whether it's in your car, at home, at work, or at the gym, you'll love these fast and easy to understand CDs that will get you really speaking Italian the fast, easy, natural way!
Customer Reviews:
More Than Just a Few Key Survival Phrases...........2007-05-18
I purchased this set to learn a bit of Italian for my honeymoon to Italy. What I really wanted was something that would quickly teach me some key survival phrases--and if that's what you're looking for this set isn't it. These cds will teach you basic italian language from a beginning level, similar to what you would have if you took an Intro to Italian 101 class. I purchased this 2 months before leaving, and in 2 months I learned quite a bit of Italian, and it was helpful in Italy. If you have, say, one week to learn some key phrases I don't recommend purchasing this particular cd set. However, if you have some time to learn & practice like I did, then this is perfect. It's also very convenient in that you can learn while you drive--though stressful driving or high traffic areas make it too distracting. In my town, "heavy traffic" is 10 - 12 cars on the road and so for me it was easy to pay attention to the cd while driving. I give this 4 stars because it really worked well for me in the 2 months I used it, but it doesn't come with a book or manual & some words are a little difficult to hear the pronounciation of. For example, the woman on the cd says what sounds like 'voy-yo' (I want) & what she's actually saying is 'volio'. I only knew this because I happened to have a book. But even if you don't have a book to double check spelling/pronounciation your Italian will still be about 90-95% accurate. Overall, it was nice being able to tell the Italian locals more than just "I don't speak Italian, do you speak English?"
CD only. No book. .......2006-08-03
Speedy delivery in new condition. Was discounted. Found out why. No book or pamphlet included with product. The CDs only. But CDs are very good and I'm learning the sounds of Italian.
Excellent learning program!.......2005-08-14
This is an outstanding product. I just started listening to CD 3 today, and already I'm putting together sentences on my own based on previous material on the first two CDs. Before finding this kit, I tried Berlitz (with singing) and Eyewitness' 15-minute Italian. Both of those programs fall far short of the teaching technique used in Speed Italian. This program is actually working! Also the quality of the recording is excellent. I can clearly hear every syllable the native speaker pronounces (which isn't true of all CD programs), and they leave plenty of pause time for the listener to repeat the phrase or sentence. I listen to this all the time in my car now. I can't wait to go to Italy so I can carry on a conversation!
Incredibily inexpensive to teach a maximum of Italian!.......2004-04-06
I am amazed that Language Dynamics was able to pack so much practical in their Speed Italian course for just a few bucks . I guarantee you that if you were to spend a fortune for Pimsleur and Berlitz courses and learned to speak all the material presented those courses, you couldn't begin to say or understand one fourth of what is taught in this fabulous course. This is the beauty of the Language Dynamics method. It takes a fund of the most common high frequency words and uses them as a foundation for fluency, sort of like a template that you can manipulate yourself over and over in thousand different ways as you increase your fluency. If you're serious about learning to speak Italian, then don't waste your money on other courses. Invest wisely (and inexpensively) in a Language Dynamics Speed Italian course and get the fast results that this excellent course will provide for you.
Book Description
There are times and places that come back yet again, but that, when the brooding tourist puts out his hand to them, meet it a little slowly, or even seem to recede a step, as if in slight fear of some liberty he may take. Surely they should know by this time that he is capable of taking none. He has his own way--he makes it all right. It now becomes just a part of the charming solicitation that it presents precisely a problem--that of giving the particular thing as much as possible without at the same time giving it, as we say, away.
Download Description
The chapters of which this volume is composed have with few exceptions already been collected, and were then associated with others commemorative of other impressions of (no very extensive) excursions and wanderings. The notes on various visits to Italy are here for the first time exclusively placed together, and as they largely refer to quite other days than these - the date affixed to each paper sufficiently indicating this - I have introduced a few passages that speak for a later and in some cases a frequently repeated vision of the places and scenes in question.
Customer Reviews:
Book with a view..........2000-05-09
The films 'Room With a View' and 'Wings of the Dove' make one wonder about the Italy reflected in classical paintings executed before the destruction of WWII. My curiousity was heightened in an art history class when the instructor showed a photo slide of the Ponte Vecchio and told the amazing story of the Nazi pilot who disobeyed orders to destroy the last bridge the allies could cross on their advance north.
This beautiful book brings to mind the saying, "The Past is a Foreign Country." Italy of the 19th Century is a place none of us can know except through records left by one who witnessed it. The book consists of essays James wrote on his travels to various places in Italy including Venice, Rome, and Florence. He visited some places several times and the text reflects the changes he observed on revisits.
He records an Italy whose poverty for a time prevented the intrusion of developers, who later made many changes perhaps for the worse. James was not a worshipper of old buildings, he appreciated them, but he was also aware of the suffering of the Italians, many of whom existed in dire poverty. His reflections on various cathedrals, churches and other objects of artistic interest are humanized by his comments about the individuals he encounters. He muses on the morality of travel, "whether it has been worthwhile to leave his home [and] encounter new forms of human suffering." His awareness of the Italians themselves makes his writing a bit like that of Paul Theroux, a travler and writer in our times. James differs from Theroux however. My sense is that James is a little less likely to criticize and a little more willing to overlook unpleasantness. Perhaps that makes him less of a realist, or perhaps Italy was a more pleasant place in the 19th Century.
Average customer rating:
- Hurray! Bravo! Adesso parlo l'italiano.
- Best Beginning Italian Course on the Market
- Frustrated
- Former U.S. Diplomat Says Real Communication Really Fast
- Former U.S. Diplomat Says Real Communication Really Fast
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Audio Fluency Italian/6 - One Hour Audio Cassette Tapes/Complete Learning Guide and Tape Script (Cassettes)
Mark A. Frobose
Manufacturer: Language Dynamics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
 Italian
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ASIN: 189356438X |
Book Description
With this course you receive free, expert online language tips and advice on how best to learn a foreign language. Audio Fluency Italian delivers what most foreign language courses only promise; maximum communicative ability in a minium of time. Speed and simplicity are words which describe the method used in these 6 one hour audiocassette tapes. The founder of Language Dynamics guides you through the course in English while a trained native Italian speaker teaches you how to really speak Italian. Since no reading is required, you can learn to speak Italian anywhere. What's more, the tapes come complete with clear explanations and English equivalents so you never have to look up meanings which saves you time and frustration. Whether it's in your car, at home, at work, or at the gym, you'll love these fast and easy to understand tapes that will get you really speaking Italian the fast, easy, natural way!!!
Customer Reviews:
Hurray! Bravo! Adesso parlo l'italiano........2001-08-30
I am a basket case when it comes to learning foreign languages. What is more, I am a klutz when it comes to looking up meanings.
When I bought Audio Fluency Italian I was immediately impressed with the fact that everything I needed was already on the tapes.
Please note that this is the only foreign language course I have ever tried that has been this complete. I was speaking simple sentences in Italian within the first hour of using this course
(Miracle). Actually there is no miracle. The English speaking instructor was fabulous and Anna the Italian speaker was very clear and helpful. Language Dynamics just came up with the easiest method, ecco tutto.
Best Beginning Italian Course on the Market.......2001-03-25
I agree with other language aficionados that it is nearly impossible to find a good solid foreign language course these days. What I mean by good is 'useful, fast, and easy to learn'. Audio Fluency Italian is by far the best basic Italian course I have yet to experience. It is enjoyable to learn from, and the basic sentences that you learn to form are useful anywhere you go. I especially enjoyed the review since it is impossible to learn a language without lots of repetition. The manual was good too. Lots of exercises, travel phrases (including restaurant which were also on the tapes) etc ...
Frustrated.......2001-03-24
Although I enjoyed listening to the Italian speaker and her dialogues with Mark, this course resulted in an inefficient use of my limited preparation time before heading for Italy. I agree with other reviewers that the rehashing on tapes 5 & 6 was a disappointment. But more frustrating was the fact that the "text" to which Mark repeatedly referred was a pamphlet that did not correspond,in terms of either page Nos.or tape Nos., to the audio materials. This meant I had to search for the tapes and pages that actually did correspond to material being presented on each tape. Most frustrating of all,when verb conjugation was presented, Mark referred several times to lists of verbs "in the back of the text" that listed tenses of various verbs. No such list was to be found anywhere in the text. I had to purchase another book to supplement Mark's pamphlet, and much time was wasted because the materials in this program were put together carelessly. I learned a lot of basics from the tapes, but the process was so frustrating that I wouldn't buy them again.
Former U.S. Diplomat Says Real Communication Really Fast.......2001-03-12
Language Dynamics courses are the only courses I know of that are truly dedicated to effective and immediate communication in the target language. Academic courses often reflect the literary interests of professors, many of whom never had the experience of learning the target language as a second language. With these courses, you can hit the streets after every lesson knowing you can say more than you could yesterday. Reviewer: An international business consultant and former US diplomat from the San Francisco Bay Area
Former U.S. Diplomat Says Real Communication Really Fast.......2001-03-12
Language Dynamics courses are the only courses I know of that are truly dedicated to effective and immediate communication in the target language. Academic courses often reflect the literary interests of professors, many of whom never had the experience of learning the target language as a second language. With these courses, you can hit the streets after every lesson knowing you can say more than you could yesterday. Reviewer: An international business consultant and former US diplomat from the San Francisco Bay Area
Book Description
Observant, imaginative, rich with literary allusions and historical echoes, James's travel writings are both literary masterpieces and unsurpassed guidebooks, here together for the first time in one authoritative set (in two volumes: Vol. 1, Great Britain and America: English Hours, The American Scene, Other Travels, and Vol. 2: The Continent: A Little Tour in France, Italian Hours, Other Travels), including four books and 32 essays, most previously uncollected. From a radically changing New York to Provence, Tuscany, and Rome, James visits all the places still on the traveler's itinerary, capturing radiant impressions of French countryside, the hauntingly desolate Suffolk coast, Florentine masterpieces, Venetian color and light. Joseph Pennell's exquisite drawings are reproduced from the original editions.
Customer Reviews:
A Masterpiece of perception, understanding, and interpretation.......2006-12-18
Henry James' travel writings on France and Italy are a case study in fine arts perception, understanding and interpretation. He treats each new locale as a new horizon to be engaged, absorbed, and internalized through a hermeneutic of analogical interiority. Roaming within the halls and chambers of French and Italian architecture opens, through the text, new conduits for an understanding of the vast interiority that exists within the self-examining-self. James is a master at relating the space of each location with the thoughts, instincts, relational perceptions and education of the observer. Reading these texts is like engaging each site oneself and discussing with a learned and trusted friend about what one is experiencing, not just what one is seeing. The art work of Joseph Pennell is an amazing addition to these works and masterpieces on their own. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It will be a cherished addition to your collection and a book you will pick-up time and again to walk with the "Master" through France and Italy as you discuss, reflect and remember literary events that where home to these marvels. If you happen to be planning a trip to either France or Italy, take this along to add a level of historical and cultural depth to your experience. Some of what you will read has disappeared into history, but what remains is a beautiful historical and cultural continuity with Henry James as your guide.
Book Description
One of the most important Italian manuscripts in the Getty Museum, the lavishly illustrated Gualenghi d'Este Hours was created around 1649 on the occasion of the marriage of diplomat Andrea Gualengo to Orsina d'Este, a member of Ferrara's ruling family. The devotional manuscript featured
brilliant figured decoration of the suffrages--short prayers to saints--and was created by Taddeo Crivelli, one of the most important manuscript illuminators of the Renaissance.
This volume includes reproductions of all the illuminations in the original manuscript plus selected text pages, each with commentary. Kurt Barstow examines the book's vivid devotional imagery in relation to works of art of the period that help explain the Hours significance for the
fifteenth-century patrons. This beautifully illustrated book is published to coincide with an exhibit featuring the manuscript that will take place at the Getty Museum from May 9 to July 30, 2000.
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Work.......2003-11-18
This is a wonderful book that blends the visual and historical elements of illuminated manuscripts in a highly accessible way. The realm of scholarship involving Renaissance illuminated manuscripts is one typically reserved for those few who have the extensive academic background often assumed necessary to appreciate this form. Barstow's book opens wide the door to a much broader audience of interested lay people and invites them in. He is a wonderful host in addition to being an exceptional art historian. He offers a combintation of qualities often lacking from such scholarship, but Barstow is not a typical scholar. This book will be a treasure to anyone with the interest and the foresight to purchase it.
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Books Index
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