[.ca] Tuscan Year (ISBN 0752817140)

From Amazon.com:
Month by month, Elizabeth Romer details a year in a Tuscan kitchen. Noting farm recipes calling for olive oil measured in wine glasses, Romer recounts the way of life folks in Tuscany have enjoyed for centuries. In winter they spin wool and cure quantities of prosciutto. In springtime the pecorino cheese is made, while in summer the farm is ripe with corn, pears, and sweet peas. Then, of course, comes autumn, the time for wine, the time of the harvest. The rhythm of life naturally follows the foods of the seasons. You shouldn't read it without some good food nearby.

One of the better books on Tuscany:
The thing that made me buy this book was that it was written in the early 80's - long before countless people started jumping on the Peter Mayle/Frances Mayes bandwagon of writing about living abroad in warmer climes. Elizabeth Romer describes the joys and trials of living in Tuscany throughout the year, covering all the major festivals and occasions and providing numerous recipes from light Summer dishes to hearty, robust meals for the winter nights. Her decsription of the meal prepared for the harvest workers goes on for pages and is one of the most mouth-watering and evocative pieces of 'food literature' I have ever read! There is, however, a slight tendency to patronise the Tuscan locals in that 'simple country folk' manner so unfortunately evident in those who have spent many years living in cities. Luckily, this attitude does not pervade the book, but is nonetheless a little disapointing when encountered. Romer's writing flags in parts and the descriptive narrative so enjoyable in certain chapters becomes little more than padding until inspiration strikes her again. Her observations on the little things that are whittling away the centuries old practices and customs are poignant and well recorded, and the general tone of the book obviously delights in the many circumstances, characters and stories she portrays. A good read for those wanting to dream about life in such beautiful surroundings, and a must for anyone wanting to try out genuine Tuscan cooking.

More like a HISTORY of Tuscan food:
Don't expect this book to be another "Year in Provence" or travel in the Italian wilderness book. Elizabeth Romer documents the reasons the Tuscans -- and their predecessors -- eat like they do, plant like they do and live like they do. It carries us back to Roman times and tries to explain why Tuscans consider somone from the next valley to be a foreigner. A fascinating read for more than just cooks.

One of the better books on Tuscany:
The thing that made me by this book was that it was written in the early 80's - long before countless people started jumping on the Peter Mayle/Frances Mayes bandwagon of writing about living abroad in warmer climes. Elizabeth Romer describes the joys and trials of living in Tuscany throughout the year, covering all the major festivals and occasions and providing numerous recipes from light Summer dishes to hearty, robust meals for the winter nights. Her decsription of the meal prepared for the harvest workers goes on for pages and is one of the most mouth-watering and evocative pieces of 'food literature' I have ever read! There is, however, a slight tendency to patronise the Tuscan locals in that 'simple country folk' manner so unfortunately evident in those who have spent many years living in cities. Luckily, this attitude does not pervade the book, but is nonetheless a little disapointing when encountered. Romer's writing flags in parts and the descriptive narrative so enjoyable in certain chapters becomes little more than padding until inspiration strikes her again. Her observations on the little things that are whittling away the centuries old practices and customs are poignant and well recorded, and the general tone of the book obviously delights in the many circumstances, characters and stories she portrays. A good read for those wanting to dream about life in such beautiful surroundings, and a must for anyone wanting to try out genuine Tuscan cooking.

ONE TUSCAN HOUSEHOLD:
I found this book very disappointing. It could even be said to be boring. I guess I didn't read the description/reviews properly as I was expecting more of a story line, perhaps like Frances Mayes in Under the Tuscan Sun or Peter Mayle in A Year in Provence.

A Year in the Life of a Tuscan Family...with recipes to boot:
If you read cookbooks like novels, and sit at your kitchen table with five or so of them sprayed across its expanse, reading histories behind recipes and searching for ideas -- this book is for you. My vast collection of varied and sundry cookbooks is improved exponentially with the addition of "The Tuscan Year." Filled with month-by-month details of family, farm, food, and life -- this book reads more like a regional family historical novel interspersed with vivid descriptions of food and enchantingly detailed recipes ("one teacup of the best green olive oil," "a dessert spoon of tomato concentrate," "one hen pheasant"...). If you appreciate Italy for its food, regions, and the joyful, serious people who have made their varied and delicious cuisines beloved around the world, then this book will be one of your favorites year after year.