John Gooch's book is a concise introduction to the unification of the Italian states and the legacy of this union. Starting in 1815 at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the book goes on to explain how, despite the causes of disunity, these Italian states shared racial, linguistic, and cultural factors, which led to their eventual political unity.

Traces the history of prostitution during the period, when all prostitutes were required to register with the police, live in licensed brothels, undergo health examinations, and be treated in a special hospital if they were infected with venereal disease. Records of the era are used to examine how laws affected prostitutes' lives. Gibson teaches history at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and at City University of New York. First published in 1986 by Rutgers, The State University. This second edition contains a new introduction, a new Part I, and a new bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This book introduces the reader to the relationship between the Italian national movement, achieved by the Risorgimento, and the Italian unification in 1860. These themes are discussed in detail and related to the broader European theatre. Covering the literary, cultural, religious and political history of the period, Beales and Biagini show Italy struggled towards nation state status on all fronts. The new edition has been thoroughly rewritten. It also contains a number of new documents. In addition, all the most up to date research of the last 20 years has been incorporated. The Risorgimento and the Unification of Italy remains the major text on nineteenth century Italy. The long introduction and useful footnotes will be of real assistance to those interested in Italian unification.