An Italian Journey ~ A Harvest of Revelations in the Olive Groves of Tuscany ~ A Pretty Girl, Seven Tuscan Farmers, and a Roberto Rossellini Film ~ Bella Scoperta
Review appeared in the Summer Issue 2012 ofFARMING MagazineDavid Kline - EditorAn Italian Journeyby James Ernest ShawPublished by Campagna Books$15.95Reviewed by Joann HershbergerAn Italian Journey is the fascinating story of a man of great faith on a quest born of his fascination with all things Italian. His trip to Tuscany takes him to carefully selected farms where he helps harvest the olive crop. He learns to understand the people with their great passion and love for their land and each other. In excellent prose he shares his love for the food and musical sound of their language.His faith is challenged but clarified as he interacts with the people he meets. The journey becomes a spiritual experience for him. As he is relating this journey he slowly reveals a life-changing incident in his past that challenged his values.One one farm he is intrigued by the relationship of a mother and son. The mother, a former professor, is the present owner of the farm, but the son will soon inherit it. The mother values the old, simple ways of farming, but the son wants to change to more "progressive ways."What begins as a romantic pilgrimage for the author soon evolves into a story of the plight of the independent farmer struggling to sell farm products for a fair price. Farmers are turning to creative ways to generate income, inviting guests to share the farming experience and selling directly to the consumer. Changes are underway and many Italian farmers are embracing a simpler life. We can learn from them that the things of real value are people, family, and relationships.An Italian Journey is much more than a story about the olive groves of Tuscany. It is a harvest of revelations found in the heart of the land and its people.