Independent Venice: Art, Culture and Canals

When Maestro Helmut Wellauer, a renowned conductor, is found dead during an intermission at the prestigious La Fenice opera house, the city's commissario, Guido Brunetti, is tasked with unraveling the intricate web of secrets that surrounds the case. As he delves deeper into the world of high-stakes music, fierce rivalries, and long-buried resentments, Brunetti uncovers a multitude of suspects and hidden motives. With the backdrop of Venice's enchanting canals and historic opera scene, this novel offers readers a spellbinding combination of murder, music, and the dark underbelly of an artistic elite. Donna Leon's masterful storytelling and rich character development make "Death at La Fenice" a must-read for fans of crime fiction and Venetian culture.

Following a devastating fire at the historic Fenice Opera House, Berendt delves into the lives of Venetian locals and expatriates, unveiling a tapestry of eccentric personalities, enigmatic characters, and long-held secrets. The narrative explores the city's unique charm, artistic treasures, and challenges in preserving its cultural heritage. As Berendt immerses himself in the city's social circles, he uncovers a world of opulence, artistry, and cultural rivalries. Through this rich and immersive storytelling, "The City of Falling Angels" offers a vivid portrait of Venice, highlighting its timeless allure and the complexity of the people who call it home. Berendt's masterful narrative combines history, art, and human drama to create a mesmerizing and unforgettable exploration of a city like no other.

The hugely popular Venetian novelist, poet and playwright makes his English-language debut with these marvelously digressive essays on the many moods and pleasures of La Serenissima.

With 112 color illustrations and four maps, the Genius of Venice presents the magnificent buildings of the celebrated piazza as, in the words of John Ruskin, the "living books of history" in this handsome cultural history.

A professor of urban studies and popular author, Rybczynski is an enlightening guide to Palladio and his influence in Italy and abroad.

From local authors to classic writers like Dickens, Byron, Kafka, Poe, Rousseau, Thomas Mann, John Ruskin and Ezra Pound, this literary survey reveals Venice's multifaceted personality through literature.

This compact volume evokes the spirit of Renaissance Venice with authoritative essays and 120 full-color illustrations.

Synopsis from Amazon.com: "This novel guidebook to the famous Italian city combines a personal narrative with historical and social information, and includes a comprehensive gazeteer of every building mentioned in the text and every monument and work of art of importance in Venice. Christopher Hibbert is the author of many works of history and biography, including "The Rise and Fall of the House of Medici" and guidebooks to Florence and Rome."

A collection of 50 of Leon's funny, charming, passionate and insightful essays, ranging from battles over garbage in the canals to the troubles with restoring Venetian real estate.

From Amazon: A vivid and surprising portrait of the Italian people from an admired foreign correspondent.

A walking tour, history and celebration, this masterly, personal guide to Venice includes a short account of McGregor's favorite sites, 10 maps and suggested walks (and boat rides).

From Barnes and Noble website: "A fascinating exploration of the history, sights, seasons, arts, food, and people of an incomparable city. “A highly intelligent portrait of an eccentric city, written in powerful prose and enlivened by many curious mosaics of information...a beautiful book to read and to possess” (The Observer)."

A metaphysical, metaphorical meditation on Venice by poet Joseph Brodsky. His ruminations take the form of 48 short chapters, each prompted by an idea, memory or scene associated with his much loved city.

Features color photography, dozens of excellent maps (including a pullout map) and a synopsis of the region's attractions.