about the cover illustration
The figure on the cover of Apache Kafka in Action is “La Nocellara,” or “The Nocellara,” taken from Uses and costumes of Naples and surroundings described and painted, a literary work by Francesco de Bourcard published in 1853 and related to the customs and traditions of the Kingdom of Naples in the 19th century.
In those days, it was easy to identify where people lived and what their trade or station in life was just by their dress. Manning celebrates the inventiveness and initiative of the computer business with book covers based on the rich diversity of regional culture centuries ago, brought back to life by pictures from collections such as this one.