285 pages, indexed, glossary, illustrated throughout with coloured and black and white full page plates. The boards are lightly rubbed, internally the book is immaculate and the binding solid. Overseas customers please note the book is heavy and will attract additional postage. "The energetic and passionate Luciana Sampogna, of the popular cooking school Cucina Italiana, shares the rites of passage of the Italian woman from childhood to motherhood, mapped by Italian tradition, superstition and celebration through food. Learn why flour is 'god' and be swept away by the romance of eating pizza on the back of a Vespa with your bello. This is Italian cooking from the heart." (publisher) Title on front cover: Light of Lucia : a celebration of Italian life, love & food ; la celebrazione dell'anima italiana"