Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
When your name's on the label, you take great joy in sharing.
On my last visit, I remember enjoying Cecilia's pride and happiness as she
popped open that bottle of their fine Orvieto Classico wine. Watching my glass fill,
I noticed her hand gripped the bottle in a way that framed the family name on the
label. And I noticed how her mother and now-frail grandmother looked on silently
and proudly as visitors from the other side of the world gathered in their home.
On that remote farm in Italy, where the Bottai family had been producing wine for
countless generations, my group was tasting the fruit of their land, labor, and cul-
ture. And our hosts were beaming with joy.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, a history degree
is
practical. Back when I got my de-
gree, I was encouraged to also earn a business degree, so I'd leave the university with
something “useful.” I believe now that if more Americans had a history degree and put it to
good use, this world would be better off. Yesterday's history informs today's news…which
becomes tomorrow's history. Those with a knowledge of history can understand current
events in a broader context and respond to them more thoughtfully.
