A book concentrating solely on vocabulary may not be everyone's cup of tea, but this guide manages to be very readable as well as a useful reference tool when living or holidaying in Italy. A lengthy introductory section contains information on pronunciation, grammar, spelling and useful phrases, while the main section of the book is divided into 16 subject chapters, including sections on food and drink, tourism, the media and hobbies. The range of subjects makes it a useful tool for both temporary visitors and long-term residents, and it is very accessible for dipping into when you have a spare few minutes.

