As a nation state, Italy has emerged only in 1871. Until then the country was politically divided into a large number of independant cities, provinces and islands. The currently available evidences point out to a dominant Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultural influence on today's Italians.
There are so many boojk about Italian history starting with paleolithic times thru unrecorded and recorded history up to the present that will boggle your mind as it does mine. The best way is to choose the time period of italian history and then seek out history books either thru google or the internet. On the other hand references to Marche region number about 6000 in www.tiscali.it and you can rummage thru the english references after writing in MARCHE REHION in the title. Peter
History of the Italian people; by Giuliano Procacci
I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t own this book but it has been recommended by two Italians. The following excerpt is from http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDispl ... 01,00.html Ã¢â‚¬Å“From the early years, when its cities and towns were self-governing, to the national rise to power of fascism this century, Italy has undergone many upheavals: political, social, economic and cultural. Pinpointing the year 1000 AD as a time when European supremacy began to take root, the author traces Italy's progression within its European context. Communes of the eleventh century to the birth of the European Renaissance and on to the role of Italy in two world wars, this study of a people's evolution won the author the Viareggio Prize. Ã¢â‚¬Å“
The Oxford Illustrated History of Italy (Oxford Illustrated Histories)
by George Holmes
Good overview of Italian history.
A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics, 1943-1988 by Paul Ginsborg
The best work on postwar Italian history.
Italy and Its Discontents: Family, Civil Society, State by Paul Ginsborg
A more contemporary look at Italy.
Insight Guide Italy (Insight Guides Italy)
by Emily Hatchwell "
Though the insight guides are considered travel guides, they are a wonderful resource on the history and culture of the country. I have the Naples guide and found it very helpful on understanding the Neapolitans ethos and all the layers of history and culture present in Naples.
The Italians by Luigi Barzini
Not a history book and a bit dated but an interesting look at the national character.
The books mentioned are all available in Amazon. I read on another thread that youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re going to travel to Italy soon. Once youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re there you might want to find a bookstore that carries a good selection of books in English and check the Italian history section. You will find a larger selection than what Amazon carries. To assist you on a good book choice, ask the sales clerk for a book recommendation. Feltrinelli and Mondadori are two big publishing companies and book sellers with stores in all major Italian cities.
while i have enjoyed surfing the net and reading what is available
online...there is nothing like curling up with a good book.....
I have printed off the above list.....thank you...
we have yet to set a firm date.......there are at least four family
members going.....I want to go by August....my mother wants to wait
till next spring.. I want to stay near Talamello to enable more
research...my mother wants to stay with family in Collefero......
regardless...I am fully preparing for the background on history,
language lessons, ( I am the only generation that does not speak Italian,
the two before me does ) and I am buying a good quality digital camera
with cd capability in hopes that the parish will allow access to records.