Manuel and Me: Looking for the Soul of America in the Heart of Italy

By Spyridon Andrews

What if the only way to rediscover the soul of America was to follow a forgotten Byzantine scholar back to Italy?

Disillusioned by what his country has become—fractured, fast, and spiritually empty—a Greek American lawyer and jazz musician looks for a way out. He does what any reasonable person would: he takes his two Pomeranians and goes off to Italy.

So begins a journey that is deeply researched, gripping at times, humorous and always thought-provoking. Anchored in the life and legacy of Manuel Chrysoloras—the overlooked Byzantine scholar who helped ignite the Italian Renaissance—Manuel and Me weaves travel, memoir, and cultural history into a powerful meditation on tradition, memory, and meaning in an age of decline.

Set in Florence, Lucca, and the Tuscan countryside, this book invites listeners into a world where the past is not dead but whispering truths to those who still listen. With the loyal Shorty and Milo trotting alongside, Spyridon reflects on faith, family, beauty, and the possibility of spiritual renewal—not just for himself, but for the West.

Lyrical, intellectually rich, and filled with warmth, Manuel and Me will resonate with lovers of Italy, students of history, and anyone searching for a more rooted and reverent way to live.