The Pursuit of Italy

A History of a Land, Its Regions, and Their Peoples

By: David Gilmour

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Did Garibaldi do Italy a disservice when he helped its disparate parts achieve unity? Was the goal of political unification a mistake? These questions are asked and answered in a number of ways in this engaging, original consideration of the many histories that contribute to the brilliance - and weakness - of Italy today.

David Gilmour's exploration of Italian life over the centuries is filled with provocative anecdotes as well as personal observations, and is peopled with the great figures of the Italian past - from Cicero and Virgil to Dante and the Medicis, from Garibaldi and Cavour to the controversial politicians of the 20th century. Gilmour's wise account of the Risorgimento, the pivotal epoch in modern Italian history, debunks the nationalistic myths that surround it, though he paints a sympathetic portrait of Giuseppe Verdi, a beloved hero of the era.

Gilmour shows that the glory of Italy has always lain in its regions, with their distinc­tive art, civic cultures, identities, and cuisines. Italy's inhabitants identified themselves not as Italians but as Tuscans and Venetians, Sicilians and Lombards, Neapolitans and Genoese. Italy's strength and culture still come from its regions rather than from its misconceived, mishandled notion of a unified nation.

©2011 David Gilmour (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Gilmour's compelling look into Italy's past as a way of understanding its present offers a fascinating glimpse of the failures and triumphs of the country." ( Publishers Weekly starred review)

Eye opening

Learned a ton about history geography economics politics architecture music conflicts wars oppression. Italy as well as Normans Spanish Austrians Communists Croatians Yugoslavs. Triumphs as well as setbacks. Things to emulate at the commune level as well as mistakes to avoid at international and national levels. Like being informed before making my 3d or 4th journey through parts of Italy. Helps explain what all those commemorative street names and statues are about.

Decent Book. Terrible Narration.

While this is an interesting book on the Risorgimento, the narration is stilted and emphasizes the wrong words, ruins the flow of the writing, and is difficult to stand for more than a bit at a time. Truly a shame.

Ties the pieces together

I wish I'd read or listened to before or while living in Italy. It ties the pieces I'd heard here and there. Really great book

worth the time.

I wanted a concise review of Italian history (from the Middle Ages forward. This book gave me what i wanted!

A Great Narrative History Beautifully Read

I'll probably listen to it again soon. And buy the print book. Great adds to my understanding and appreciation of that wonderful country.