With Canto Per Mangiare, acclaimed musician Eugene Ruffolo pays homage to his Italian cultural roots with a fascinating exploration of the connection between his two great passions:music and cooking. The literary companion to his Italian recording of the same name, Canto Per Mangiare reads as part cookbook, part treatise on Italian food and culture, part memoir, and part extended liner note. In a beautifully written and designed book complete with original photographs, the author delights the reader with 14 cherished family recipes, interspersed with introspective essays that discuss aspects of Italian culture with subjects ranging from the authentic use of spices to the beauty of regional Italian dialect. A second section of the book is devoted to music and includes photos, credits, and stories of the recordings included on his companion musical offering. The book finishes with a thought provoking discussion of the elements that tie these two beautiful art forms together. Canto per Mangiare is a must read for anyone interested in Italian cuisine, culture and music.