Italy has always captivated the imagination of foreigners, attracted many to its shores, and contributed more than its share to world culture and progress, not to mention its delectable cuisine. A small country, it is about 116,000 square miles, or roughly less than half the size of Texas. But despite its relative small size, during the Roman Empire its rulers dominated the Western world both politically and culturally for several hundred years. During the Dark Ages, monks kept the flicker of knowledge and culture alive, and during the Renaissance, while politically weak and divided, it was the birthplace and the European cradle of the arts and humanism. In the nineteenth century its music, in the form of opera, reigned supreme while the country ejected foreign rulers and established its independence. Italy’s influence continues today.Luciano Mangiafico captures all that and more, with fifty chapters on Italian culture, cuisine, and history. Italy’s Most Wanted™ provides a wonderful look for tourists-to-be, those who have visited Italy, and those who have come from Italy. Italy still sings its siren song to lovers of the “Italian Way of Life” the world over. Listen to the song and learn the words with Italy’s Most Wanted™. Read Less