If Venice Dies

What is Venice worth?

To whom does this urban treasure belong?

This eloquent book by the internationally renowned art historian Salvatore Settis urgently poses these questions, igniting a new debate about the Pearl of the Adriatic and cultural patrimony at large. Venetiansare increasingly abandoning their hometown - there''s now only one resident for every 140 visitors and Venice''s fragile fate has become emblematic of the future of historic cities everywhere as it capitulates to tourists and those who profit from them.

In ''If Venice Dies'', a fiery blend of history and cultural analysis, Settis argues that ''hit-and-run'' visitors are turning landmark urban setting into shopping malls and theme parks. He warns Western civilisation''s prime achievements face impending ruin from mass tourism and global cultural homogenisation.

This is passionate plea to secure Venice''s future, written with consummate authority, wide-ranging erudition, and elan.