Category: Blogs and Blessays

Thanks to Piemonte, Italy was united. But my next book “Personal Legends of Piemonte” isn’t about that history, or Turin – the former capital of Italy, the former capital of fashion. Agnelli was cool, as were his cars. But this book is about the small towns, where the heart of Piemonte lives and breathes. Where…

Finally, I sent my book to the editor. To proofread. After editing it 7 more times, just this past month; even he agreed. Proofread only. He’ll turn it around, then the translator will turn my words into Italian. It took me forever to figure out what I really wanted to say. I had to cross…

Vidal admits he didn’t speak Italian well – but is convinced they don’t have a word for wit. Vidal had many Italian friends and his partner, Howard, not only spoke fluent Italian, he understood different dialects – they did get nuance… The only word I know that comes close to wit – is arguzia, but…

The treasure beneath our feet. How often do we think of that way? The Piemontese I interviewed for my next book, they think of it that way all the time. That’s how artisans like Fabrizio think of it while making their world famous Robiola cheese in Roccaverano. They till the soil with care, and dearly…