A clear, friendly, and truly complete handbook to learning how to listen to opera, whether on the radio, on recordings, or live at the opera house.If you've decided that the time has finally come to learn about opera and discover for yourself what it is about opera that sends your normally reserved friends into states of ecstatic abandon, this is the book for you.Opera 101 is recognized as the standard text in English for anyone who wants to become...

Sip, savor, and get the most out of every bite with Rick Steves! With this fun and practical guide to eating well in Italy, you’ll:Indulge in the best of Italy’s cuisine, from tantalizing antipasti and saucy pastas to luxurious gelatoGet a taste of the coffee culture and vibrant wine sceneDiscover what to eat where with food and wine specialties from the country’s 20 regions...

The author who has taught tens of thousands of people to love opera now introduces readers to the rich and soul-stirring world of classical music.From the author of the bestselling Opera 101 comes a comprehensive and highly accessible guide to discovering the glories of classical music, based on the fundamental principle of developing the skills to truly listen. In clear and entertaining prose, Plotkin explores a thousand years of music, introducing listeners to more than ...

Opera is the fastest growing of all the performing arts, attracting audiences of all ages who are enthralled by the gorgeous music, vivid drama, and magnificent productions. If you’ve decided that the time has finally come to learn about opera and discover it for yourself, this is the book for you.Opera 101 is recognized as the standard text in English for anyone who wants to become an opera lover. It is a clear, friendly, and truly complete handbook for learning how to li...

From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fresh pasta, experience it all with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Italy you'll find:Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to ItalyRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favoritesTop sights and hidden gems, from the...

Swim in the sparkling Mediterranean, marvel at the peak of Mount Etna, and get to know this region's timeless charm: with Rick Steves on your side, Sicily can be yours! Inside Rick Steves Sicily you'll find:Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring SicilyRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-s...

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Spain. Savor authentic paella, run with the bulls in Pamplona, or relax on Barcelona's beaches: experience it all with Rick! Inside Rick Steves Spain you'll find:Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to SpainRick's strategic advice on how t...

Cross the Alps in a cable car, cruise Lake Geneva, and tour a medieval château: with Rick Steves, Switzerland is yours! Inside Rick Steves Switzerland you'll find:Comprehensive coverage for exploring SwitzerlandRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favoritesTop sights and hidden gems, from bustling Zürich to the co...

From fairy-tale castles and alpine forests to quaint villages and modern cities: experience it all with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Germany you'll find:Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip through GermanyRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favoritesTop sights and hidden...

Stroll Lisbon's cobbled lanes, cruise the Douro River, and soak up the sun on the Algarve's beaches: experience Portugal with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Portugal you'll find:Comprehensive coverage for exploring PortugalRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favoritesTop sights and hidden gems, from the bone cha...

Stroll through medieval squares with soaring bell towers and along quiet canals: experience Belgium with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Belgium: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent you'll find:Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring BelgiumRick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favoritesT...

**One of the New York Times’ 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.In this New York Times bestseller, four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family fight to control their destiny in 20th-century Japan—read by Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Sandra Oh.“Stunning.” —New York Times Book Review**In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger. When she discovers she is pregnant—...