Venice Observed
by Mary McCarthy
Amazon Reader’s Review: “This is one of McCarthy’s most delightful books, although it may also be her least controversial. Venice Observed might be the best single travel book ever written on Venice, and McCarthy’s tone is leisurely and informative, her style witty and engaging. Her asides about her personal experiences in the city complement her grander historical and artistic musings: you never feel alienated from her prose (the way you can in her earlier The Stones of Florence). Her anecdotes about the doges, Tintoretto, Veronese, the Councils, etc. greatly enhanced one’s understanding of the city, and her musings on the art are thoughtful and illuminating.”