Mazzini

by Denis Mack Smith

This book by one of the most distinguished historians of Italy is the first modern biography in English of Giuseppe Mazzini, one of the leading figures in the political and intellectual world of mid-nineteenth-century Europe. Denis Mack Smith reexamines Mazzini's ideological impact and portrays him as a vigorous proponent of patriotism, a pre-eminent figure in the struggle for Italian independence and unity, and a fascinating personality whose ideas brought him into contact with Marx, Carlyle, Mill, and Bakunin. 'Denis Mack Smith's new biography easily surpasses its predecessors in any language. This is not surprising, since Mack Smith is one of the finest living writers of historical biographies and the most distinguished living historian of the Risorgimento.' Derek Beales, New York Review of Books 'This is the definitive biography: the job will not need to be done again.' A. L. Rowse, London Evening Standard 'The doyen of historians of modern Italy, Mack Smith has written a book which has all the usual admirable qualities of his earlier work, combining an accessible and fluent narrative style with lightly worn but meticulous scholarship ... It is to be hoped that Mack Smith's book heralds a reassessment, not just of Mazzini's place in nineteenth-century Italian history, but also of his intellectual contribution to the creation of a Europe of the nations that remains as urgent in our time as it was in his.' Richard Bellamy, Times Literary Supplement 'Definitive, highly readable biography of a revolutionary far more relevant to our time than Marx, Lenin, or Mao.' The London Times 'Superbly reasonable and eminently readable ... It should and most probably will be required reading for all students of modern European history.' Patricia A. Kollander, Historian Denis Mack Smith is a fellow of the British Academy and a Commendatore of the Italian Order of Merit. Fellow of Wolfson College and Emeritus Fellow of All Souls, Oxford, he has written many books, including biographies of Mussolini, Cavour, and Garibaldi, as well as 'Italy and its Monarchy', published by Yale University Press.

Genres: History, Biography, Italy, Italian Literature, 19th Century

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 1994

About the author

Denis Mack Smith was an English historian.

Reviews

[Eoghan Rua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giuseppe Mazzini is the founder of Italy and the father of Italian nationalism, period. As far as I am aware this book is the only major biography of his life available in English.

The vision of this man eventually led to his nation going from being the playtoy of bloated and decrepid powers; the Austrian monarchy, the Papacy and the Bourbons; to being a significant power in Europe. Even if he didn't exactly get his way (Mazzini had no time for the Savoy monarchy).

Whether you love or hate him, he was an exceptional man and though the two went their separate ways ideologically, he and Louis Auguste Blanqui were arguably the two most remarkable revolutionaries in the 19th century. I see in Pádraig Pearse many of the same characteristics as Mazzini. Certainly these men were far more impressive than whatever inhabits Europe today.

[Umberto Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storiografia di classe e scrittura di pregio per un lavoro che restituisce un'immagine del grande rivoluzionario ben lontana dai santini che si studiano a scuola, e proprio per questo ancora più impressionante e avvicente. Mazzini, con i suoi limiti ed errore, ne esce ancora più titanico, e il suo messaggio agli italiani ancora più vivo di quanto si riscontri nelle varie agiografie stereotipate (risuscitate stancamente in occasione del centocinquantenario). Forse ci voleva un inglese per scrivere un libro come questo.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am re-reading this book for the umpteenth time because it gives a wonderful portrait of not only one of the great Italians, but one of the great Europeans of the nineteenth century. I have been fascinated by Mazzini since studying the Risorgimento for my Scottish Certificate of Education 'Higher' grade History course in High School (1984-85). Mack Smith deserves his reputation as one of the leading English language scholars in this field.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very intelligent man but hard to validate his renown and achievements. Clearly someone with an aspiration and vision for their country, but one that wasn't effectively realized.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazone

Word portrait of a wannabe revolutionary
8/10

I was disappointed by "Mazzini" only because I expected more of a biography rather than an explanation of what his ideals were. The explanations confused me even more, as this idealist seemed to be able to hold opposing points of view, while agreeing with both of them, for instance with regard to politics and Church. But at least it answered one of my questions, i.e., where was Mazzini living in London at the time of the 1851 census.

DorothyP

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SOUL OF ITALIAN UNITY
8/10

A clear, compelling biography of the man who was "the soul of Italian unity".
John Conforti

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THE book on Mazzini
10/10

It is not only an excellent book on the figure, it may be one of the best written biographies I have ever read. Smith is very thorough in his analysis of Mazzini and does justice to Mazzini's efforts to better Italy.

Jason Frey

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It's really not a biography and gives little insight into actions and motivations
2/10

There is no story of Mazzini's life here, just an outline of his ideas and paraphrases of his many writings. It's really not a biography and gives little insight into the actions and motivations of a morally complex soul who was either a great champion or nefarious villain.
One person found this helpful

Reader I

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Mazzini, the official profile
8/10

The politician, the strategist. It lacks the man of feeling, the artist, though.
The work of D.M. Smith remains the model, the track.

Davide C. Crimi

[Marco Svevo · Rating 2 out of 5]

"la chiesa era governata da una piccola cricca impegnata in una politica di potere e incapace di adattarsi a una società irreversibilmente cambiata.". Era ed è tutt'ora. Cricca.

"politica fatta di espedienti, di opportunismo, di occultamenti, di intrighi, di reticenze e di compromessi parlamentari;una politica tipica della vita fiacca e apatica delle nazioni in sfacelo" ma allora non è proprio cambiato niente, chezzo!!!

"Accettare compromessi era per lui immorale, come farsi corrompere dal denaro..."
Avercene di uomini così, oggi....invece abbiamo Fassino...
Anyway! Finito anche questo: i primi due terzi così così (tranne qualche sprazzo ); il meglio è il finale.

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

dense and boring at times.

Read for class and research job.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Denis Mack Smith presents... his love poem to Giuseppe Mazzini.