{"product_id":"ciao-america-an-italian-discovers-the-u-s-paperback","title":"Ciao, America!: An Italian Discovers the U.S. - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eBeppe Severgnini\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn the wry but affectionate tradition of Bill Bryson, \u003ci\u003eCiao, America  \u003c\/i\u003eis a delightful look at America through the eyes of a fiercely funny guest--one of Italy's favorite authors who spent a year in Washington, D.C.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e When Beppe Severgnini and his wife rented a creaky house in Georgetown they were determined to see if they could adapt to a full four seasons in a country obsessed with ice cubes, air-conditioning, recliner chairs, and, of all things, after-dinner cappuccinos. From their first encounters with cryptic rental listings to their back-to-Europe yard sale twelve months later, Beppe explores this foreign land with the self-described patience of a mildly inappropriate beachcomber, holding up a mirror to America's signature manners and mores. Succumbing to his surroundings day by day, he and his wife find themselves developing a taste for Klondike bars and Samuel Adams beer, and even that most peculiar of American institutions--the pancake house. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The realtor who waves a perfect bye-bye, the overzealous mattress salesman who bounces from bed to bed, and the plumber named Marx who deals in illegally powerful showerheads are just a few of the better-than-fiction characters the Severgninis encounter while foraging for clues to the \u003ci\u003ereal\u003c\/i\u003e America. A trip to the computer store proves just as revealing as D.C.'s Fourth of July celebration, as do boisterous waiters angling for tips and no-parking signs crammed with a dozen lines of fine print. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e By the end of his visit, Severgnini has come to grips with life in these United States--and written a charming, laugh-out-loud tribute.\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wry but affectionate tradition of Bill Bryson, \"Ciao, America! is a delightful look at America through the eyes of a fiercely funny guest -- one of Italy's favorite authors who spent a year in Washington, D.C. \u003cbr\u003eWhen Beppe Severgnini and his wife rented a creaky house in Georgetown they were determined to see if they could adapt to a full four seasons in a country obsessed with ice cubes, air-conditioning, recliner chairs, and, of all things, after-dinner cappuccinos. From their first encounters with cryptic rental listings to their back-to-Europe yard sale twelve months later, Beppe explores this foreign land with the self-described patience of a mildly inappropriate beachcomber, holding up a mirror to America's signature manners and mores. Succumbing to his surroundings day by day, he and his wife find themselves developing a taste for Klondike bars and Samuel Adams beer, and even that most peculiar of American institutions -- the pancake house. \u003cbr\u003eThe realtor who waves a perfect bye-bye, the overzealous mattress salesman who bounces from bed to bed, and the plumber named Marx who deals in illegally powerful showerheads are just a few of the better-than-fiction characters the Severgninis encounter while foraging for clues to the \"real America. A trip to the computer store proves just as revealing as D.C.'s Fourth of July celebration, as do boisterous waiters angling for tips and no-parking signs crammed with a dozen lines of fine print. \u003cbr\u003eBy the end of his visit, Severgnini has come to grips with life in these United States -- and written a charming, laugh-out-loud tribute. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"From the Hardcover edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeppe Severgnini\u003c\/b\u003e is a columnist for Italy's \u003ci\u003eCorriere della Sera\u003c\/i\u003e and also writes for \u003ci\u003eThe Economist\u003c\/i\u003e. A bestselling author in Italy, his books include \u003ci\u003eInglesi\u003c\/i\u003e, a portrait of modern Britain. Severgnini lives with his wife in Crema, Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 258\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 8 x 5.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 13, 2003\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47456707969202,"sku":"9780767912365","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0770\/3891\/1666\/files\/6202514b7b3f8a77097efdab1e0c60b1.webp?v=1778870225","url":"https:\/\/box.dadyminds.org\/products\/ciao-america-an-italian-discovers-the-u-s-paperback","provider":"DADYMINDS BOX","version":"1.0","type":"link"}