John Hooper is a British journalist who has spent many years stationed in Italy. He has spent time in the various regions of Italy and has been able to observe Italians up close. He has really gotten to know the Italians; their passions, their quirks, and their idiosyncrasies.
It is easy to forget that the modern state of Italy did not even exist until the mid 19th century. Italy is a conglomeration of former city states and principalities that had their own distinctive cultures, dialects, and regional dishes. Many of these differences remain distinct today. If you have ever wondered about the Italian people, what they think, why they act the way that they do, then this book is well worth reading. Hooper does a splendid job exploring who the Italians really are and how they got that way.