In early 1999 Australian television personality George Negus signed off from Australia to spend a 'working sabbatical' in Italy with his partner and two sons. Residing in a poky apartment in San Giovanni Valdarno, a Tuscan town south of Florence, Negus and his family absorbed themselves completely in the rhythms of Italian life.

On one of their forays into the bustling daily market, they came across a T-shirt bearing the words: 'Football is life … all the rest is mere detail'. Se began Negus's journey into the heart and soul of Italian life and the holy trinity of passions – football, food and politics.

The World From Italy offers a thought-provoking and challenging insight into how the world works today, how it could work, and how, despite the mad global rush to nowhere in particular, the Italians still manage to go their own wonderful way.

"A colourful and thought provoking book, which offers a far better insight into Italy than 10 travel guides."-Sun-Herald

"A delightful melange of observations and postulation, both humorous and engaging … The World From Italy … is written with a genuine affection and delight that comes through chapter after chapter."-Matt Condon, SundayLife!

"A sincere and generous book … throughout this entertaining and informative book, Negus assesses Italian society with panache and wit."-Christopher Bantick, Canberra Sunday Times

George Negus is one of Australian television's most respected journalists and popular personalities. He has hosted a number of current affairs shows including 60 Minutes and Foreign Correspondent and has interviewed high profile personalities such as Steven Spielberg, Ronald Reagan and George Schultz. He has also independently produced documentaries on Russia and children's rights, has served on various boards and committees and was the author of a successful children's book in Australia.