‘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.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781408893142
Number of pages: 528
Weight: 372 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
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
