Today, in an atmosphere of political corruption and economic upheaval, the condition of Italian national identity appears more fragile than ever. In this fascinating political, economic, sociological, and cultural history, Manlio Graziano traces Italy's notorious difficulties with the task of nation-building. As he shows, even after the nominal creation of the Italian state in the nineteenth century, Italy never became truly unified, and its political history has been defined by this fundamental failure. Offering provocative insights to non-Italian readers, this book is an invaluable guide to understanding both modern Italian politics and the ongoing struggles of the European Union.
