Four Days of Naples

By: Aubrey Menen

Narrated by: Nadia May

In September 1943, Naples, under an iron occupation by the Germans, lay devastated by incessant bombing from Allied planes. The city was without food.

As the bombardment continued, the famed scugnizzi - the street boys of Naples - grew increasingly exasperated by the passiveness of their elders. Known for centuries for their daring, verve, and enterprise, the boys staged an incredible revolt against the occupying Germans on September 28, 1943. Dragging furniture into the streets, they built barricades and shot at the enemy with stolen guns, inspiring many adults and Italian army deserters to join their ranks. Three days and hundreds of deaths later, the Germans left the city for good.

Author and novelist Aubrey Menen was in Naples in 1948 and heard the story of those historic four days first-hand from the scugnizzi themselves. Here he recreates the street-by-street, house-by-house battles that were part of this extraordinary human drama.

©1979 Aubrey Menen (P)1995 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Based on personal interviews and previously secret U.S. government archives, this well-written account is fascinating." (Library Journal)

Leave it to the young kids to start a revolution!

I’m fascinated by this time and place in history because my parents were part of it. It’s a great story about fighting for what you believe in no matter the odds.

One of my favorite Audible reads

Great, compelling story about the street boys of Naples who launched a revolt against Nazi Germany occupiers, which the adults ultimately joined. A piece of World War II Italian history that everyone should know. Delightfully read.