Italian Modernities / Italian and Italian American Studies (PDF)

“The authors have taken on a daunting task: they do not confine themselves to a narrow analysis of various ‘narratives of modernity,’ but in effect present these narratives as vehicles for explaining all of modern Italian history. … this book is most useful as an introduction to the intellectual and political history of modern Italy. Forlenza and Thomassen do an excellent job of explaining major theorists and key junctures in the country’s twentieth-century development.” (Joshua Arthurs, American Historical Review, Vol. 123 (04), October, 2018)

“Through the prism of modernity, this book seeks to provide an engaged narrative of the history of united Italy … The authors, Rosario Forlenza and Bjørn Thomassen, have extended their scope to include political and literary approaches that were defeated, or left unfinished. In doing so, they allow the reader to reflect on the words, expectations and reflections of contemporaries.” (Claudia Baldoli, English Historical Review HER, September, 2018)



“It provides the reader with an overview of the development of the concept of modernity in Italy, bringing together the ideas of some of Italy’s most important intellectuals. … Italian Modernities represents a rich account of the evolution of the concept of modernity in Italy, bringing together and re-elaborating canonical authors in Italian theory.” (Enrico Zammarchi, Italian Studies, Vol. 73 (02), March, 2018)
“Forlenza and Thomassen have produced a thoroughly useful overview of modern Italian history, structured around different conceptions of modernity that are likely to remain controversial in the future. Their book will be invaluable for students and specialists in Italian history and culture, together with specialists in development who may want to look at Italy in broader comparative studies. They show beyond doubt that we all have a great deal to gain from properly multidisciplinary perspectives.” (Bruce Haddock, Journal of Modern Italian Studies, Vol. 22