Louise Fili is a graphic designer specializing in logo, package, restaurant, type, and book design. She was art director of Pantheon Books from 1978 to 1989, where she designed more than 2000 book jackets. She has received awards from every major design competition, has taught and lectured on graphic design and typography, and her work is in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress, the Coooper Hewitt Museum, and the Bibliotheque Nationale. She was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and is the co-author of 11 books on design. Fili was recently inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame. Lise Apatoff, originally from Chicago, has been living on a farm in the Tuscan countryside north of Florence since 1978. She shares her intimate understanding of Italy as a teacher, travel coordinator and museum lecturer by making the "the living classroom of the Renaissance" come alive for visitors of all of ages by imparting a passion for art, history, and the countless delightful nuances of the Italian culture.
"The hysterical Italianissimo: The Quintessential Guide to What
Italians Do Best by Louise Fili and Lise Apatoff had me in tears of
laughter. The book covers the prerequisite fabulous wine, olive oil
and vegetables and also touches on other important culinary
strengths like making coffee. Some of the funnier pages highlight
Italian idiosyncrasies like the inability to stand in line and the
adoration of Italian men of their mothers." --The San Francisco
Examiner
"As you would expect from a designer of Fili's caliber, the book is
not only charming but gorgeous. Essays are elegantly laid out and
accompanied by memorable photos, collages and, best of all, an
illustrated chart of hand gestures. Weight and comprehensiveness
are not the objectives here; the diminutive size of Italianissimo
makes it ideal for carrying in purse, suitcase or even backpack, in
case you plan on trekking across Italy. This little book may entice
you to do so." --STEP inside design
"What do Italians do best? Many things, according to
'Italianissimo,' a most unusual and idiosyncratic guide to Italian
culture. The list includes things that one might expect, such as
balsamic vinegar, coffee, soccer, gelato and the art of eating, to
quirky items such as hand gestures, neorealist cinema, patron
saints, the motor scooter and, my personal favorite, Pinocchio.
What makes the book especially enjoyable is the surprising quality
of the choices. The Fiat 500 (the Italian car made for the masses,
was introduced in 1936, followed by the Nuova Fiat 500 in 1957.
Discontinued for a while, it reappeared in 2007 in time for its
50th anniversary) Also here is the piazza, or town square, as
Italian an icon as you'll get." --The Chicago Tribune
"Italianissimo: The Quintessential Guide to What Italians Do Best
is a slight but informative and entertaining compendium of all
things Italian. Authors Louise Fili and Lise Apatoff write brief
and engaging summaries of mores and manners, cultural traditions
and icons. The encyclopedic book covers patron saints and
Pinocchio, opera and olive oil; gelato and gondolas...While the
book is a diverting read, there's also practical advice for those
who will be traveling to Italy." --The Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review
"From the A of aceto balsamico to the V of vespa, this gorgeous
little hardback has a classy 1920s look, each double-page spread
introducing a different element of Italian culture with a short
explanation alongside bright, appealing and often vintage
photos...What makes this book really stand out is that it sparkles
with so many overlooked elements of life in Italy...There is also
practical information although the focus is definitely on culture
and the tone is light and fun...it pays homage to Italy and does so
in a stylish and eclectic way, making the country's icons burst
with life. In short, this sleek and sassy guide to Italian culture
fa molto bella figura." --The Florentine
"Italianissimo – The Quintessential Guide to What Italians Do Best
is a small book, just over 100 pages, but it packs an enormous
amount of pleasure into its modest borders. We shouldn't be
surprised—it's designed by Louise Fili, one of the truly great
graphic designers, and written with Lise Apatoff. Within: Vespas,
pasta, Italian light, shoes, soccer, and more. A cover-to-cover
delight. " --Manhattan User's Guide
"With the help of Italianissimo: The Quintessential Guide to What
Italians Do Best, I can do some delightful armchair
traveling...This nice square book, with glorious photos and great
design, is itself very Italian-and, like a serving of pasta at Dal
Bolognese in Rome, just enough to satisy. The book is a list of 50
categories. Each gets a two-page spread: smart text, full-page
photo. Like a luxury magazine, only on a single subject-the glory
of the Italian spirit...Good enough to eat, yes?" --Jesse
Kornbluth, HeadButler.com
“For the veteran or budding Italophile, there's a new book,
Italianissimo: The Quintessential Guide to What Italians Do Best,
by Louise Fili and Lise Apatoff, that offers a special look at all
things Italian, from L'Aceto Balsamico (balsamic vinegar) to
La Vespa (the wasp-shaped motor scooter)–all in alphabetical order
too. For my money, this (and watching almost any Fellini film) is
the next best thing to being there. And there's no fare la coda
(waiting on line–or not) at il mercato (the market) or
suffering le autorita (authority figures) oril
maschio (the Italian male) to get a copy.” –The Daily Heller,
by Print Magazine
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