This brief version of the best-selling beginning Italian text Prego! is perfectly designed for those programs that are interested in a successful four-skills and communicative introduction to Italian language and culture but whose curriculum necessitates a concise text. The text features an innovative four-part chapter structure that facilitates lesson planning and study.

The Giro d’Italia is one of the world’s most important and popular bicycle races, yet there is almost no information in English about this magical Italian race’s rich past. With “The Story of the Giro d’Italia”, the fabulous history of Italy’s national tour is at last available. Volume One takes the story of the Giro from its origin as a desperate promotional gamble by a nearly broke newspaper to Eddy Merckx’s convincing 1970 victory.

Volume 1 of “The Story of the Giro d’Italia” tells of Italy’s most celebrated riders: Costante Girardengo, the first campionissimo, or “Champion of Champions”; Alfredo Binda, who so dominated the Giro that one year he was paid by the organizers not to enter; Gino Bartali, who looked to become the dominating rider of his era; and Fausto Coppi, a fascinating personality and Bartali’s great rival, who became not only Italy’s, but the world’s finest rider.

The great rivalry between Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali is known to many cycling fans, mostly because of their adventures in the Tour de France. But for much of bike racing’s history, the Alps have been a high wall, and Italian sponsors preferred to keep their racers at home where they could earn valuable publicity. Because of this, there is a whole world of great athletes who are virtually unknown to the non-Italian cycling fan. How about Giovanni Valetti? In 1939 Valetti beat Bartali when Gino was at the very peak of his powers. Has anyone heard of Giuseppe Enrici, the Giro winner who was born in Pittsburgh? Alfonsina Strada was the only woman who entered (and unofficially finished) a Grand Tour. And there was Giordano Cottur, who won a Giro stage in Trieste while guns blazed.

Clearly, this is a story that has to be told, and it’s all there in “The Story of the Giro d’Italia”.

“Bill and Carol McGann had set a high standard with their compelling and authoritative ‘Story of the Tour de France’, and now they follow up with Le Tour’s inspired Italian offspring in ‘The Story of the Giro d’Italia’. In this Volume I covering the Giro’s debut in 1909 through 1970, this work of patient research, passionate writing, and insightful analysis lays out the struggles, battles, and rivalries in detail and sweep that have made Italy’s grand tour endure. And the American audience can read about Joseph Magnani―a native of LaSalle, Illinois―who rode in the 1946 Giro on the Olmo team and quietly made history as the first U.S. rider to compete in one of the grand tours in the era of dusty roads against Italy’s heroes Bartali and Coppi”. —Peter Joffre Nye, author of “The Six-Day Bicycle Races: America’s Jazz Age Sport” and “Hearts of Lions” and trustee of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame

Volume Two of “The Story of the Giro d’Italia”, which will take the story from 1971 through 2011, is scheduled to be published in early 2012.

This new beginning Italian text is a brief version of the best-selling "Prego!", perfectly designed for those programs that are interested in this successful four-skills and communicative introduction to Italian language and culture but whose curriculum necessitates a briefer text. In addition, the communicative activities and even more streamlined vocabulary and grammar presentation have been re-organized into a four-part chapter structure including a beautiful, new mid-lesson cultural spread.

THE RED PRIEST'S ANNINA, based on actual events, tells the story of 15-year-old Annina Giro, an aspiring singer who faces abandonment, cruelty, and harassment in her quest for theatrical stardom. Annina arrives in Venice in the winter of 1722 in hopes of studying with the great Venetian priest-violinist and opera impresario Antonio Vivaldi, known as the Red Priest because of his fiery red hair. But on her arrival she discovers that he has left for Rome. Her dream of singing in the opera is further hindered by family problems, a disparaging singing master, a malicious rival singer, a noble patron who becomes a sexual predator, and a mysterious Gypsy's prediction that she will suffer much and be silenced. Annina's struggle to break into and survive the treacherous, cutthroat world of Venetian opera is set against the colorful back-drop of 18th-century Venice, with its carnivals, masks, drama, intrigue, and music.

CD to accompany the book.