Covers the history of Italy from the Risorgimento (Resurgence), the movement leading to Italian Unification in 1861, to the present; Addresses the question of whether modern Italy is a modern country, and explores the extent to which modernity still represents a shared vision among Italian intellectuals, political leaders, and ordinary people; Contemplates themes of identity and asks what Modern Italy stands for by looking at the different cultural and political projects of modernity which have unfolded in Italy since the Risorgimento; Part of the Very Short Introductions series - millions of copies sold worldwide"--The publisher.