A Traveller in Southern Italy

by H.V. Morton

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0396089267
• ISBN13: 9780396089261
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Dodd Mead
• Length: 420 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Classic on Southern Italy

"A Traveller in Southern Italy" carries on in the fine tradition of "A Traveller in Rome" and the imprecisely-named "A Traveller in Italy." Like them, "A Traveller in Southern Italy" is as entertaining as it is enlightening, and it is immensely sad that, unlike them, it is still out of print in the US (it is in print in the UK). I write this review in homage to a writer who has given me so much pleasure and in the hopes that his third Traveller book on Italy will be reprinted in the near future. In case you're new to H.V. Morton, you should be aware that his "Traveller" books are not traditional guide books, but rather accounts of his travels into which he seamlessly weaves descriptions, observations, and fascinating history. For example, his discussion of Mount Vesuvius begins with an amusing account of his arduous trek up to the top, proceeds to a reflection on how modern man is tougher than his ancestors (the young Goethe was pulled to the top hanging onto the belt of a guide), detours to a pleasant Vesuvius story concerning the 18th century Mrs. Thrale, and concludes with a dramatic description of Vesuvius's eruption as seen through the eyes of Pliny the Elder, who died trying to rescue Pompeians by ship. I read this book before a trip to southern Italy last fall and was glad I did. Morton's wonderful narrative on Paestum gave life to my trip to this lovely 6C BC Greek site south of Salerno, his insights into the Neapolitan persona delighted me, and his account of Cumae, the very ancient shrine of the Sibyl, beckoned to me. However, because the book was first published in 1969, there are some lacunae in it: for example, his account of Reggio di Calabria lacks a description of the magnificent 5C BC bronze Riace Warriors which were pulled out of the Mediterranean in 1972 and which would surely have made Morton swoon if he ever saw them.This argues strongly for supplementing your research with, say the Michelin Green Guide. But if you can get your hands on a copy of this splendid book by H.V. Morton, you will find that reading it is like taking a vacation in your armchair.