This is an auction for IN TUSCANY by Frances Mayes.

"Riding on the success of her previous books, Mayes, who here collaborates with her husband, returns with a curious amalgam of cookbook, coffee-table book, travel guide and memoir. As in UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN and BELLA TUSCANY, Mayes lovingly admires her adopted Tuscany, where she purchased a villa 10 years ago. Chapters are loosely organized around general concepts: for instance, "Baci (Kisses)" focuses on Italian effusiveness; "La Piazza" centers on the meeting place of Italian village life; and "La Festa (Celebration)" opens with a quote from a song by Jovanotti (an Italian pop band) and goes on to classify the many types of celebrations held in Italy, from Siena's Palio to weekly Sunday lunches. Mayes includes 25 recipes throughout the book, though concentrated in the chapters "La Cucina" and "Il Campo." There are local recipes such as Onion Soup in the Arezzo Style and Chicken Liver on Little Crusts. Mayes freely appropriates non-Tuscan items such as Capri's famed limoncello and Parmesan cheese and even provides a recipe for the mirepoix that is the base of many Italian dishes. A list of resources provides a calendar of festivals in the region as well as addresses and phone numbers for bars, restaurants and specialty stores."

• Publishers Weekly (US)

Very favourable reviews on Amazon.com.

Large format hardback 2000.

272 pages.

Amazing photographs by Bob Krist throughout.

Minor sunfade at the left of the dust jacket. Otherwise, very good condition.

The cost of shipping is $7.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.