This Beautiful Country

‘This marvellous, kaleidoscopic paean to a world of Italian nature that is nearly unknown is divine. While I might have considered Edward’s start-up salamander of a speckled sort, the pale, quivering olm, night-black squirrels or violent gladiator crabs to be fantasies, I have visited his world and truly believe. Years ago, I observed speckled nocturnal geckos race to devour great green mantis in the eaves of his cottage, while wolves sang outside and his bevy of garden tortoises blundered back to their beds. Scops owls piped away the night hours before a symphony of songbirds and striating cicadas clarioned a new dawn. This book is a must-buy for travellers and dreamers or any naturalists who wish to be wary of porcupine quills in the sand. I, for one, will be revisiting soon.’ Derek Gow, author of Hunt for the Shadow Wolf

‘From the bubbling quadruple summit craters of Mount Etna to the subterranean weirdness of the sightless, lungless ancient olm, Edward Cutler takes the reader through a kaleidoscopic compendium of Italian natural history and wonderment. He has sparked in me a fresh and lifelong interest and love for his beautiful home country. This is a truly magical and important book.’ Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, author of Our Oaken Bones

‘In This Beautiful Country, Edward Cutler describes in epic, beautiful detail the unique natural wonders of his adopted country, Italy.’ Ben Goldsmith, author of God Is an Octopus

‘A deep dive into how hundreds of millions of years of evolution and Earth history have shaped the beauty of modern-day Italy. This engaging and enlightening book will give you a whole new perspective on how one of the world’s most fascinating countries and cultures came to be.’ Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh palaeontologist; New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

‘Probably the best book on the natural and cultural history of Italy since Pliny the Elder.’ Clive Oppenheimer, author of Mountains of Fire

‘Edward traces Italy’s deep and extraordinary food and agricultural traditions, going back to its geological and evolutionary history, and shows how the land itself shaped what grows and how people eat. I’ve always known, through the work we do at Natoora, that Italy gives us more diversity, more fruits and vegetables, than anywhere else we source from. It was an instinct, yet This Beautiful Country opened that understanding in a way I wasn’t prepared for. Reading it gave depth to a feeling I’ve carried for years, that quiet certainty of why we return to Italy again and again. For anyone interested in food, culture and the importance of biodiversity to the health of our planet, this book is a must.’ Franco Fubini, founder and CEO, Natoora; author of In Search of the Perfect Peach

‘If you want to really know Italy, this beautiful, enchanting, witty book is as essential as a visit to the Uffizi or a plate of cacio e pepe in Rome. It reveals the real bella Italia for the first time.’ Tim Flannery, author of Europe: The First 100 Million Years

‘With a rigorously documented perspective, This Beautiful Country guides readers through the immense richness of Italy’s biological and cultural diversity – species, ecosystems, landscapes, arts, customs, dialects, culinary traditions and more. It is a love letter to the country Cutler has chosen as his home, an erudite exploration across multiple disciplines, a unique field guide, and a heartfelt reflection on past human history and the present challenges of preserving this extraordinary heritage. It is also a gentle but effective call to action. Essential reading for anyone who appreciates the privilege of living in Italy.’ Luigi Boitani, professor emeritus of conservation biology, Sapienza University of Rome