"Not England being guided and instructed about Italy, but Italy showing herself as she thinks, and feels, and hopes, and lives—this is the subject of Miss Zimmern's book. Miss Zimmern has lived long and observantly in Italy; for twenty years she has not only studied her, but has succeeded in seeing things from the Italian point of view, and now writes of the real country, her hopes, works, true life and modern thought and influence. It is entirely different from books which describe Italy for the English person, and therein lies its novelty. The generous allowance of full-page plates carry out the intention of the author admirably, and show us the alluring country at her best." — The Bookman, 1906