Storia degli Italiani, vol. 11 (di 15)

The volume paints a vivid picture of Italy at the crossroads of the late medieval world and the emerging modern state. It follows the collapse of the once‑independent communes as they became entangled with regional kings, each trying to replace feudal fragmentation with a single law. Against this backdrop, the sweeping religious upheavals of the Reformation fracture the continent and force the papacy to retreat from its former political dominance.

Cantù examines how monarchs seized the opportunity to impose order, often at the expense of traditional privileges, while still promising liberty, education, and a sense of national unity. The narrative moves beyond Italy’s borders, showing how parallel struggles in England, the Dutch Republic, Germany, and France echoed the same tensions between faith, power, and emerging civic identity. The prose balances scholarly detail with an engaging, almost conversational tone, making a complex era feel immediate and human.