The Archipelago
Italy Since 1945
Published on 27. June 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
528 pages
978-1-4088-9314-2 (ISBN)
Description
'An enjoyable, highly readable history that manages to bring murky, often fiendishly complex events into the light' Sunday Times
Italy emerged from the Second World War in ruins. Divided, invaded and economically broken, it was a nation that some people claimed had ceased to exist. And yet, as rural society disappeared almost overnight, by the 1960s, it could boast the fastest-growing economy in the world.
In The Archipelago, historian John Foot chronicles Italy's tumultuous history from the post-war period to the present day. From the silent assimilation of fascists into society after 1945 to the artistic peak of neorealist cinema, he examines both the corrupt and celebrated sides of the country. While often portrayed as a failed state on the margins of Europe, Italy has instead been at the centre of innovation and change - a political laboratory. This new history tells the fascinating story of a country always marked by scandal but with the constant ability to re-invent itself.
Comprising original research and lively insights, The Archipelago chronicles the crises and modernisations of more than seventy years of post-war Italy, from its fields, factories, squares and housing estates to Rome's political intrigue.
Italy emerged from the Second World War in ruins. Divided, invaded and economically broken, it was a nation that some people claimed had ceased to exist. And yet, as rural society disappeared almost overnight, by the 1960s, it could boast the fastest-growing economy in the world.
In The Archipelago, historian John Foot chronicles Italy's tumultuous history from the post-war period to the present day. From the silent assimilation of fascists into society after 1945 to the artistic peak of neorealist cinema, he examines both the corrupt and celebrated sides of the country. While often portrayed as a failed state on the margins of Europe, Italy has instead been at the centre of innovation and change - a political laboratory. This new history tells the fascinating story of a country always marked by scandal but with the constant ability to re-invent itself.
Comprising original research and lively insights, The Archipelago chronicles the crises and modernisations of more than seventy years of post-war Italy, from its fields, factories, squares and housing estates to Rome's political intrigue.
Reviews / Votes
It's an astonishing achievement, and structurally so innovative: a pointillistic portrait of a complicated country as the title suggests. It captures the sweep of post-war Italian history but is so precise and detailed as well. The assembling of great stories, anecdotes, quotations and characters makes reading it effortless but also immensely rewarding -- Tobias Jones An enjoyable, highly readable history that manages to bring murky, often fiendishly complex events into the light, providing insight and clarity. That is no small achievement * Sunday Times * [A] lively history ... Superbly researched * Observer * '[A] breathless and entertaining (or despairing) voyage through postwar Italy ... A pleasure to read. It is not just about politics. It is also full of characters, vignettes and interesting facts -- Donald Sassoon * Literary Review * Admirable ... Foot's expertise in an illuminating range of subcultures is deep * Daily Telegraph * This deft history book guides readers through Italy's turbulent, complicated (and corrupt) postwar history * The Times * [A] fine, ambitious book ... A series of neatly written tableaux and portraits * Herald * A bold and challenging, accessibly written, portrayal of a country ... Even the expert reader will find much of interest in it. -- Stephen Gundle * Modern Italy *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
2x8pp colour plates section
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
364 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4088-9314-2 (9781408893142)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2018
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
€18.49
Available for download
Person
John Foot is the author of seven books, including Calcio: A History of Italian Football; Pedalare! Pedalare! A History of Italian Cycling; Milan Since the Miracle; Italy's Divided Memory; Modern Italy and The Man Who Closed the Asylums. He is Professor of Modern Italian History at the University of Bristol.