While doing research for my book on Zen and the Martini Cocktail, I had the chance to read again the Italian book In defence of the olive in a martini. This is a little wonder, where writer Vito Cassano explores all aspects connected to the green gem in our Martini: the olive.
The book talks about olives and martinis, but also about paintings, women, American literature, travel, old inns, solid and flat geometry, botany, chemistry, ancient crafts and dreams.
The thesis is clear: we must be absolutely and unconditionally in favor of those who require the olive to be the only, unique and indispensable element necessary to transform a mixture of gin and vermouth into a martini.
Nothing more to say: a short book, unfortunately available in Italian only, that explores with intelligence and irony one of the most pressing problems of our times, what should go in a Martini.
The Martini Hour 