Books by Dianne Hales

A jubilant celebration of Italy's outsize impact on culture, from literature to art, music to movies, that "masterfully examines the multitude of reasons why so many people fall in love with Italy and the Italian lifestyle" (Forbes)Can you imagine painting without Leonardo, opera without Verdi, fashion without Armani, food without the signature tastes of pasta, gelato, and pizza? The first universities, first banks, first public libraries? All Italian.New York Times bestselling author Dianne Hales attributes these landmark achievements to la passione italiana, a primal force that stems from an insatiable hunger to discover and create; to love and live with every fiber of one's being. This fierce drive, millennia in the making, blazes to life in the Sistine Chapel, surges through a Puccini aria, deepens a vintage Brunello, and rumbles in a gleaming Ferrari engine.Our ideal tour guide, Hales sweeps readers along on her adventurous quest for the secrets of la passione. She swims in the playgrounds of mythic gods, shadows artisanal makers of chocolate and cheese, joins in Sicily's Holy Week traditions, celebrates a neighborhood Carnevale in Venice, and explores pagan temples, vineyards, silk mills, movie sets, crafts studios, and fashion salons. She introduces us, through sumptuous prose, to unforgettable Italians, historical and contemporary, all brimming with the greatest of Italian passions-for life itself.A lyrical portrait of a spirit as well as a nation, La Passione appeals to the Italian in all our souls, inspiring us to be as daring as Italy's gladiators, as eloquent as its poets, as alluring as its beauties, and as irresistible as its lovers.Praise for La Passione"[An] effervescent love letter to all things Italian."-Newsday "In this sweeping account of la passione italiana from ancient to modern times, Dianne Hales shows once again why she is one the world's foremost guides to the riches of Italian culture. Every page resonates with the author's love for Italy and her joy in sharing its remarkable discoveries and exquisite pleasures with her readers." -Joseph Luzzi, author of My Two Italies and In a Dark Wood "Hales takes us on an enriching and delightful journey, filled with fascinating characters, scintillating sensual details, and an authentic connection to the ever-inspiring Italian heart and soul that has given the world boundless pleasures." -Susan Van Allen, author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go

EVERY DAY STARTS WITH A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEPDid you just suppress a yawn?Are you one of the walking weary—the 100 million Americans who suffer from occasional or chronic sleep problems? If so, you know how serious the problem can be: troubled sleepers can lead troubled lives. On an average, we spend one third of our lives sleeping—and how we sleep can make the difference between feeling tired all of the time and facing each day with a fresh, energetic attitude.   This practical guide to healthy sleep by sleep expert Dianne Hales can help you get the rest you need to get the most out of life. It covers the latest discoveries of “sleep scientists”—whose probing of the mysteries of sleep has led to breakthroughs in treating sleep problems—and includes:• 101 mental maneuvers for putting yourself to sleep• New treatments for age-old complaints like snoring and sleepwalking• Effective methods for overcoming sleep rhythm disorders caused by jet lag or shift changes• New insights into how dreams can help you solve daytime problems• Simple self-tests to determine if you need professional help—and where to turn if you doYour sleep problem is not insurmountable. You, too, can sleep like a baby and wake up ready for a healthy, active life.