In his superb appraisal of Berlusconi's Italy, Tobias Jones investigates the country's kickback and bribery culture, as well as its football, film and food fads.
- Evening Standard

In 1999 Tobias Jones emigrated to Italy, expecting to discover the pastoral bliss described by centuries of foreign visitors. Instead, he discovered a very different country, besieged by unfathomable terrorism and deep-seated paranoia, where crime is scarcely ever met with punishment. THE DARK HEART OF ITALY is Jones's account of his three-year voyage across the Italian peninsula.

THE DARK HEART OF ITALY was first published by Faber in January 2003.

“Essential reading for anyone who wants to see beyond the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Pavarotti arias.”
- Scotland on Sunday

“This is the book to take on your Italian holiday.”
- Condé Nast Traveller

“A provocative, entertaining polemic on the state of modern Italy.”
- Sunday Times

"A brilliant and funny account of a country under the rule of one all-powerful ruler."
- Guardian

"Indispensable... should be packed in the travelling bags of all visitors to the bel paese."
- Independent on Sunday

"Subtle, witty, inventive and intelligent... illuminating and entertaining."
- Observer

"Excellent."
- Andrew Marr, Daily Telegraph