This book introduces the reader to the relationship between the Italian national movement achieved by the Risorgimento & the Italian unification in 1860. These themes are discussed in detail & related to the broader European theatre. Covering the literary cultural religious & political history of the period Beales & 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 & the Unification of Italy remains the major text on nineteenth century Italy. The long introduction & useful footnotes will be of real assistance to those interested in Italian unification.