Deirdre Pirro leads the way through modern Italy s trials and triumphs, showcasing the country s ingenious savior-faire and shouldering its inherent social dilemmas. The icons of contemporary culture finally find a forum in Italian Sketches: the faces of modern Italy, a book that dares to investigate the whos and whys behind one of the world s most-loved countries. Drawn from Pirro s column in The Florentine, Tuscany s English-speaking newspaper, Italian Sketches portrays a nation whose modern cultural landscape remains largely undiscovered. The author s articulate prose, accompanied by Leo Cardini s eye-catching illustrations, captures the lives of those used to the limelight and shines a spotlight on many of Italy s lesser-known masters whose savvy or sacrifice should not be left untold. Both dramatic and surprisingly candid, these intriguing essays reveal a country whose questions can only be answered one sketch at a time.