Subject
World War, 1914-1918 -- Italy Books
Best books
Hugh Dalton Dalton
With British Guns in Italy: A Tribute to Italian Achievement
"With British Guns in Italy: A Tribute to Italian Achievement" by Hugh Dalton is a historical account written in the immediate aftermath of World War I, first published in the early 20th century. The author, a former lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery, shares his experiences serving alongside Italian forces on the Italian Front between 1917 and 1918. The book aims to highlight the significant contributions of Italian troops during the war and celebrate Anglo-Italian friendship through personal anecdotes and observations from the front lines. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for Dalton's reflections, discussing the historical context of Anglo-Italian relations and Italy's role in the Great War. The author emphasizes the mutual respect and camaraderie that existed between British and Italian soldiers, while also addressing the challenges they faced together on the battlefield. He recalls his journey from Folkestone to Italy, capturing vivid impressions of the landscapes and people he encountered along the way. Dalton's prose combines a sense of personal narrative with broader historical insights, establishing a tone of reverence for the bravery of Italian soldiers and a commitment to documenting their efforts during a strenuous period of conflict.
Guglielmo Ferrero
La guerra europea : $b studi e discorsi
"La guerra europea: studi e discorsi" by Guglielmo Ferrero is a collection of essays and speeches written during the early 20th century. This work explores the causes and consequences of World War I, delving into the philosophical and historical contexts that led to the outbreak of the conflict. Ferrero presents a critical analysis of modern civilization and the socio-political upheaval that accompanied the war, using a narrative that promises to provide deep insights into both contemporary issues and future implications. The opening of this publication establishes the author's intention to discuss the last days of peace leading up to the war, focusing particularly on the events from July 23 to August 1, 1914. Ferrero meticulously recounts the intricate diplomatic exchanges and tensions involved, emphasizing how Austria-Hungary's provocative actions towards Serbia triggered a chain reaction among the great powers of Europe. The text provides a detailed narrative of the moments leading up to the war and reflects on the broader themes of fear, ambition, and the ineffectiveness of diplomatic efforts, setting the stage for a profound discourse on the implications of the war for European civilization.
Robert Herrick
The World Decision
"The World Decision" by Robert Herrick is a historical account written during the early 20th century. This work delves into the complexities of Italy's political landscape during the tumultuous period leading up to its decision to enter World War I, exploring the psychological and social forces that influenced national sentiment amid external pressures and internal rivalries. The opening of the text sets the stage for the profound hesitation and deliberation within Italy as the country teeters on the brink of war. Herrick provides a vivid account of public sentiment in Naples and Rome, capturing the anxiety and quietude permeating Italian society as citizens grapple with their national identity amidst rampant rumors and impatient political maneuvering. As Italy's leaders engage in secret negotiations with Austria and the Allies, external events like the sinking of the Lusitania ignite national fervor, leading to a dramatic shift in public opinion and culminating in the rallying cry against perceived Teutonic aggressions. The narrative reveals the intricate interplay between political figures, renowned activists like the poet D’Annunzio, and the general populace’s evolving outlook toward war, all while highlighting the underlying themes of duty, nationalism, and the human struggle for civilization.
E. M. (Edward Manuel) Newman
The Mentor: Italy Under War Conditions, Vol. 6, Num. 23, Ser. No. 171, January 15, 1919
"The Mentor: Italy Under War Conditions, Vol. 6, Num. 23, Ser. No. 171, January…" by E. M. Newman is an informative publication likely written in the early 20th century, specifically during the tumultuous period of World War I. This book serves as a historical account detailing the challenges faced by Italy during the war, covering various aspects from the economy and supply issues to the impact on education and art preservation. In the text, Newman emphasizes Italy's struggles and resilience in the face of warfare. He discusses the impact of the war on Italy’s economy, particularly the shortage of resources like steel and coal, and how these deficiencies affected military operations. The author highlights the government’s efforts to ensure food supplies for both civilians and soldiers, adaptations in education to maintain schooling despite a war-torn society, and measures taken to protect Italy's rich artistic heritage from destruction. With powerful descriptions and a focus on the Italian spirit, Newman demonstrates how the populace rallied together, showcasing their bravery and determination to secure their nation's future while facing overwhelming adversity.
Luigi Ambrosini
Racconti di guerra : $b (Maggio 1915 - Novembre 1916)
"Racconti di guerra : (Maggio 1915 - Novembre 1916)" by Luigi Ambrosini is a collection of wartime reportage and sketches written in the early 20th century. Through first‑person dispatches from Italy’s Adriatic coast and the Alpine front, it portrays soldiers, volunteers, sailors, fishermen, and a frontline medical officer as they face mobilization and combat during World War I. The emphasis is on lived detail and character—marches, night watches, sea work, and field medicine—rather than strategy or heroics. The opening of this volume follows the narrator along the Adriatic in Romagna and the Marche, where the peaceful countryside gives way to the vast movement of men, guns, and supply columns, and where political “reds” and “yellows” now march together as soldiers. He rides at night with a platoon of volunteer cyclists, shares their rough lodging and restless humor, and contrasts their impatience for action with the calm vigilance of a lone sailor at a coastal semaphore, including an episode where volunteers mistake sea phosphorescence for enemy lights. A second section shifts to Fano at dawn, depicting fishermen and their lateen‑rigged boats working under wartime restrictions, recalling an Austrian bombardment, setting nets under the eye of the paròn Guideo, trading stoic talk about loss and honor, and watching dolphins tear their catch as if “even the dolphins wage war.” The third section sketches a newly minted doctor turned medical officer: a steady, practical man who earns his men’s respect by riding alone through the night to find the unit’s route, then later serves in the trenches. It closes with his letter from an assault near a fort: moonlit wire‑cutting, flares, machine‑gun fire, and the grim, methodical labor of rescuing and treating the wounded under shell and shrapnel.
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