Remote from the rest of war-torn Italy, the little town of Santa Vittoria has but one thing to boast of: its fabulous wine cellars. For this cause, the citizens, led by their wine-loving mayor Bombolini, scheme and plot to prevent the Germans from locating and looting the town's only treasure.
A bestseller and the inspiration for the famous film starring Anthony Quinn, this warm, rich novel has already drawn thousands upon thousands into the exuberant and perilous life of Santa Vittoria, the little Italian town that stands alone against the German army to affirm, for all time and all people, the fundamental dignity of man.
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"A second world war story about the Germans taking over a small Italian wine growing town. Beautifully told and a great insight into the peasant mind when they hide the wine and refuse to tell it's location. Full of humour, love, courage, cruelty, honour and cowardice. A must read story. " — Spook (5 out of 5 stars)
"A second world war story about the Germans taking over a small Italian wine growing town. Beautifully told and a great insight into the peasant mind when they hide the wine and refuse to tell it's location. Full of humour, love, courage, cruelty, honour and cowardice. A must read story. "
“Charming, horrifying, touching, and funny…Narrative gold.”
“Will lift you up and fill your soul with delight.”
“This is comedy in the classical manner, with echoes all the way back to Don Quixote.”
“[A] well written novel...The author’s skill as a writer comes through strongly.”
" a classic, could not put it down. "
" This was made into a very good movie in the 60s, with Anthony Quinn as the main character. Finally I'm reading the book. A very good novel--much more depth to it than the movie. "
" Old book but one of the most memorable I've read. Italy, wine, comedy, suspense, it has it all! "
" The Nazi's shall not get the Italian wine!!!! "
" One of the best stories ever told! "
" Such a great book and most people have never heard of it. About a small Italian village who must hide their wine supply from the Nazi'z after Italy's surrender. "
" this book is wonderful. a little history, a little comedy. "
Robert Crichton (1925–1993) an American novelist, served in the infantry during World War II and was wounded in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he attended Harvard University on the GI Bill. His bestseller, The Great Imposter, was adapted into a successful film. His novel The Secret of Santa Vittoria was on the New York Times bestseller list for over fifty weeks, became an international bestseller, and was adapted into a Golden Globe–winning film of the same name in 1969.
Christopher Hurt is an accomplished narrator with a lengthy résumé of popular titles for Blackstone. A graduate of George Washington University’s acting program, he currently resides in New York City.
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