Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com
Summary:
It becomes evident from the first page of The Stones of Florence that Mary McCarthy loves her subject. Yet hers is the steady love of a long acquaintance, an affection that has deepened from mere infatuation to a steady, clear-eyed regard. In this witty tribute to Florence, Mary McCarthy explores the city's past and present, in the process offering up a tour that covers everything from a description of oil painting to the remarkable history behind Florence's many towers. The Stones of Florence is ideal for reading on the plane ride to Italy, but it's also perfect for armchair travelers, art lovers, and students of the Renaissance.
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
A Satisfying Trip to Florence
Customer Rating:
Mary McCarthy didn't just love Florence, she truly knew it. The good, the bad, the ugly, the downright sad, she observed it all, and The Stones of Florence is her report on the city. The book is not for the faint of heart, as it is as complicated as the history of the city itself. There is no seemingly obvious structure, with history and art intermingled throughout the book. Each chapter has a major theme, such as how Florence is not tourist-friendly, the sculpture, the paintings, the architecture. But she seems to meander in her chapters, ostensibly without a goal in mind, other than to present the city as she saw it. Since the book was written in the 1950s, I suspect that some of what she saw might be different over half a century later. The Stones of Florence is not a travel guide, a history lesson, or a discussion of Florentine art. Other books must be consulted for that information. Instead, it is an essay on the city, written by a perceptive spectator who appreciated the beauty of what she saw. I don't know if I will see the same things in Florence that she did. However, I suspect that I will return to the book upon our return from the city. Only time will tell.
Concise Historical View
Customer Rating:
This account of the history of Florence is a good, basic, easy read. The opening chapter lowers any visitors' expectations of the area, especially in comparison to other cities in Italy. Yet, Ms. McCarthy reveals that this area has had a notable rich past. Her research discloses the unique historical events that took place over the centuries that allow us to understand the personalities of the people, the style of the architecture, and the originality of the art and sculpture.
Not a Florence guide book by any means, this narritive is aimed for those who are interested in a fresh, unique historical view of the city and surroundings without tedious complexity. However, it will certainly give the novice visitor a realistic insight into the fresh discoveries they are about to experience.
travel in Italy
Customer Rating:
An old book but nothing ever changes in Florence. it was an important town in Italy for many generations. I was there and the statues are stupendous. The town is still like it used to be so you get a real feeling for time past. Her book is filled with memories and since she is a wonderful writer makes the town really come to you.
Simply - still the classic for an excellent understanding of the city and its people.
Customer Rating:
Simply - still the classic for an excellent understanding of the city and its people.
Excellent short history, but a little difficult to read
Customer Rating:
This book was actually written back in the sixties and while the information in it is very inciteful and great historical perspectives, reading it is the difference between reading a Dickens novel and a Stephen King book today. Lots of big words and of course describing things most of us who are not familiar with have to look up and see what the author is referring to. Having said that, I highly recommend this book. I myself, enjoy the big words and I looked up much of what the author discussed on the Internet to get a visual. It made it more real and the material sink in. FYI: This is not a quick read for most.
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