In "Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, First Series," John Addington Symonds presents a captivating exploration of the cultural and artistic landscapes of Italy and Greece during the 19th century. This meticulously crafted collection employs a blend of vivid descriptive language and reflective prose, revealing Symonds's reverence for classical antiquity and the Renaissance. Within its pages, he traverses various themes such as history, architecture, and the visual arts, beautifully ...

Leo Beagle has spent two years writing a 638 manifesto on human harmony that just might change the world. The problem is only that no one wants to read it, especially not Leo’s unharmonious family.An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring Barbara Bain, Arye Gross, Mary Gross, Valerie Mahaffey, Marc-Bradley Phillips and Robert Symonds.Directed by Steve Albrezzi. Recorded before a live audience in Santa Monica, CA in March, 1992.

In "Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, First Series," John Addington Symonds presents a vivid tapestry of his travels through the cultural landscapes of Italy and Greece. This collection marries travel literature with personal essay, bringing forth not only the external beauty of these regions but also an exploration of their rich historical contexts and artistic legacies. Symonds's prose is imbued with a lyrical quality, characterized by eloquent observations and reflective musings...

Memories and Vagaries have been out of print for long. Death was due to natural cause, and the few mourners who accompanied the book to the common grave of oblivion, have so far borne their loss with stubborn resignation. So have I, until the long-forgotten book was read to me the other day by a friendly voice. As I listened with a compassionate smile on my lips to these humble stories, I suddenly felt a pang in my heart, and I wished I could write to-day just such a book as this with all ...

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...

"Old Calabria" by Norman Douglas is a captivating exploration of the southern Italian region of Calabria, known for its rugged landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, Douglas paints a portrait of a land steeped in history, tradition, and the complexities of rural life. His observations reveal the beauty and challenges faced by the locals, as well as the influence of the Mediterranean climate on their way of life. The book serves as both a t...

Old Florence and Modern Tuscany is an overview of the area by Janet Ross, a British expatriate.

In "Passages from the French and Italian Notebooks, Complete," Nathaniel Hawthorne presents an evocative collection of reflections and writings that capture his observations during his time in Europe. Characterized by a richly poetic style, the text seamlessly weaves narrative and observation, showcasing Hawthorne's keen insight into human nature, culture, and the landscapes of France and Italy. This work stands as a testament to the author'Äôs appreciation for the subtleties of beauty and...

In 'The Complete Travel Books of W.D. Howells (Illustrated Edition)', readers are treated to a collection of travel essays written by the renowned American author William Dean Howells. Through his descriptive and engaging prose, Howells takes his readers on journeys through various regions of the United States and Europe, offering unique insights into the cultures and landscapes he encounters. The book combines elements of memoir, travelogue, and commentary, providing a rich tapestry of ex...

In her poignant work, "The Diary of an Ennuyée," Mrs. Jameson invites readers into the introspective world of a disenchanted woman grappling with profound ennui. Written in a confessional style that echoes the literary traditions of the Romantic era, the diary format allows for intimate glimpses into the protagonist's thoughts and feelings, reflecting the complexities of her identity and societal expectations. Jameson deftly employs lyrical prose interspersed with sharp observations, illu...

With that genially serious attention to minute details, that humorous circumstantiality in treating the commonplace, which we have all come to know so well and to like (or dislike) so heartily in Mr. Howells, he has filled a substantial volume with his easily-flowing narrative of a Mediterranean vacation journey, naming his book 'Roman Holidays and Others.' The first landing of his party was made at Madeira, whence they proceeded to Gibraltar, and then to Genoa, Naples, Rome, Leghorn, Pisa...

A large part of Howell's time in Venice was given up to a critical study of life in that city, and in his "Venetian Life," which appeared in 1866, he has given to the world the result of his observation and study. The book abounds in dainty pen pictures of the beauties of Venice ; as he tells us of the Grand canal, we can almost hear the dipping paddles of passing gondolas, and the barcarolle wafted on the evening breeze. It may seem almost sacrilege to lovers of the old legends, that he e...