Twentieth Century Italy

Italy in the twentieth century was marked by political violence and corruption. It was long associated with the rise of fascism. Yet, the personal, the familial and individual stories behind this are less well known.

`Twentieth Century Italy traces the impact of social, economic, cultural and political transformation on the lives of Italians. It assesses their living standards, their health and education, their working conditions and their leisure activities. It also examines the varying forms and survival mechanisms of the Italian family, the role of women, the development of community relations and political movements and the relationship between grass-roots Italian society and the nation state. It pays special attention to the effects on Italian life of major historical events, including two world wars, highlighting reaction to them in the community, in the family and among individuals. Finally, contemporary Italian society is viewed in the light of the political and moral crisis of the early nineties.

Jonathan Dunnage is Lecturer in Italian Studies at University of Wales Swansea. He is the author of `After the War: Violence, Justice, Continuity and Renewal in Italian Society (1999) and `The Italian Police and the Rise of Fascism (1997).