StevieJ wrote:
Who am I to disagree with what you say about the ould drivel penned by Brother Steve, Bill

but on the other question, regarding books on the Irish accordion, from what I know you are dramatically overstating the case.
It all depends what Frank's Italian friend is looking for and what type of accordion he or she plays or wants to play. There are some tutorials for the B/C accordion, most of them DVDs rather than books.
The only books I can think of are
1) "The Box" by David Hanrahan, which has an accompanying CD, not necessarily supplied with it. I can't recommend the book - it is exceedingly basic, to the point where it will be almost useless to anyone who knows anything at all about button accordions. I haven't heard the CD.
2) "The Irish Accordion Tutor" by Damien Connolly, which comes with a DVD. This is a much more comprehensive book - a complete method for beginners through to intermediate level, really. Very well thought out. But more expensive.
Then there are DVD only tutorials by John Williams, P.J. Hernon, Derek Hickey (MadForTrad, probably unobtainable), plus a DVD focused on right-hand ornamentation and wizardry by Peter Browne.
If Frank's friend is interested in another type of diatonic accordion for Irish music - C#/D or other tunings - he/she is out of luck. If he/she is a piano accordion player, look for Karen Tweed's tutorial.
Cheers
Steve
Now Steve, is the "type of accordion" really that important? I play the PA and am in the process of picking up the CBA. My main influences are BC, C#D, and concertina players--not to mention the flute players, pipers, fiddlers, and yes, even the odd piano accordionist (I know, they're all odd)! If yer man's a True Believer, he'll be piling up recordings of Joe and Josephine, Paddy and Patty, James and Jimmy, Jackie, Bobby, Tony, Finbar, Mirella, Karen, Mary Mac, Mrs. Crotty, and the whole crew of new young fellas and lasses, and it won't matter a flyin' poop what kind of box they're playing. If he's not, no book is going to serve. Indeed, they can be very misleading. Mel Bay has book of 100 Irish Tunes for Piano Accordion. Take a listen the the companion CD, and no need to say more.
In any case, it sounds like what he really needs is tune books. Again, there are lots and lots. A few off the top...
O'Neils 1001
Ceol Rince na h'Eireann vols 1-5
The Joe Burke Music Collection
300 tunes by Mike Rafferty
300 more tunes by Mike Rafferty
A trip to Sligo
Fluit 1 & 2 by June McCormac
The Ceoltas Session Tune Series, etc., etc.
All the Best,
Bill