The History of Italy

by Charles L. Killinger, Frank W. Thackeray, John E. Findling

Overview

What is Italy? In 1814 Austrian Chancellor M. de Metternich dismissed it as a mere geographical expression, because political control of the peninsula had long been divided among self-governing cities, possessions of foreign dynasties, and the Vatican. Prior to that, Italy had formed the home base of the Roman Empire. It was not until 1861 that a united Italy emerged. This concise, and clearly written account explores Italian history and culture from the Etruscans to the present day.

Starting with an introduction providing data on Italy's geography, people, and current government, the book examines the political and cultural history of the country in eleven chapters. Readers will discover the Romans, Lombards, popes, Guelphs, Ghibbellines, the Medici, the Risorgimento, sculptors, composers, Fascists, Christian Democrats, and many other people and events of Italy's rich history. Included are a biographical section with portraits of noteworthy Italians, an extensive bibliographical essay, a glossary of terms, and an index, making this book the most complete and up-to-date general history of the nation available.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313314834
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/30/2002
Series:	The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)
Lexile:	1430L (what's this?)

About the Author

CHARLES L. KILLINGER is Professor of History at Valencia Community College and Adjunct Professor at the University of Central Florida where he teaches Italian history. He is the author of Rebel in Two Worlds: Gaetano Salvemini in Italy and America (Praeger, 2002).

Table of Contents

Series Foreword
Timeline of Historical Events
An Introduction to Modern Italy
Italy in the Ancient and Classical Ages
Italy in the Middle Ages, 400-1300
Renaissance Italy, 1300-1500
Italy, 1500-1789
The French Revolution, Napoleon and the Restoration of Austrian Power in Italy
Unification of Italy: The Risorgimento and the "Making of Italians"
The Era of Giolitti and the Great War, 1900-1919
The Fascist Era and World War II, 1919-1945
Postwar Italian Political and Economic Life
Postwar Italian Society and Culture
Notable Persons in Italian History
Bibliographic Essay
Glossary
Index