The liberation of Italy, 1815-1870.

An account of events during the years 1815-1870 leading to the liberation and unification of Italy. Doubtless many more recent books exist on the history of the Italian quest for national unification during the nineteenth century, benefitting from hindsight to provide a more objective picture of that complicated period. Notwithstanding its academic shortcomings from today's standpoint, the author's position as the English wife of an Italian nobleman brought her into social contact with many of the personalities involved in that struggle. This gives her account a singularly front-line view, placing the reader in the midst of events as they unfolded. In this respect the book has the vivacity of current affairs rather than the detached perspective of a historical record. Many of the descriptions are taken from eye-witness accounts, collected first hand by the author from those who were intimate with the events. At times her style is almost journalistic.