49 - The Harsh Light of Day

6/11/2017

We’re closing in on the end of the story of the Italian unification. Through both force of arms and cunning, Piedmont has conquered almost all of Italy - from the perspective of grand, heroic history, we’ve already passed the climax and we’re just tying up loose ends. But that’s not how I feel about it - because we’re about to leave the heady days of high hopes and dreams for the future into the murky realm of mistakes, and of what might have been. Download Episode 49

9 Comments

7/6/2017 05:56:31 pm

Delighted to see you're back. Have been hoping to get to the ending of this fascinating epic. As a Napoleon fan, I wanted to learn more about what happened to Italy after he'd had his wicked way with her!

Stephen

7/11/2017 03:16:41 pm

I like history. I like this podcast. It helps me learn about the period in Italian history which led to "independence". But you guys seem smart, shouldn't you be looking at things on a more fundamental level. The position, not the status, of women in society. Especially outside the western world, though things are not great there.

R c

8/31/2017 08:27:32 pm

Stephen
Non sequitur

Steve

9/3/2017 12:00:29 pm

You guys are amazing!!! What an informative, thorough presentation. I drove across the USA this summer, about 7,000 miles, my wife our our five kids are all addicted to your podcast on Italian unification. Please keep going!! I would live to hear the reasons for the massive immigration to America in the late 19th century.

Benjamin

10/22/2017 08:16:27 pm

Wow, I'm surprised (and thrilled) that the podcast has family appeal! Glad you like it, I won't stop till I'm done!

Stefano Bodini

9/27/2017 02:54:04 pm

Well, you guys are really great.
I restarted to listen the entire podcast again because is really well done.
I really, REALLY, wish this podcast was in Italian because too many Italians don't know NOTHING about this very important piece of history.
Yes, is "teached" at school but without the details that really make you understand WHY things happened, not to mention the errors in judgment and the incredible amount of wrong facts and motivations.
The USA are not the only country with a lot of believers on secret societies and hidden powers to justify history.
Your approach and way to tell this piece of history is simply great.
And I can see how the "unification of Europe" is so so so similar to the Italian unification !
If only people would better know what happened then, maybe, just maybe, would do better now.

So .. thank you !

Benjamin

10/22/2017 08:19:15 pm

Hi Stefano,

It's very touching to hear how much you enjoy the podcast! I've gotten a lot of lovely emails and messages from Italians who like the show. It seems that the subject isn't very exciting when it is taught in school, which is a shame. Thanks for the message!

Edward Thomas

10/17/2017 05:26:11 am

Hi Benjamin and Adam,

I discovered your podcast while walking the streets of Rome a few months ago (having spent 2 weeks driving down through Tuscany from my small holiday home on the shores of Lago Maggiore). Now, back 'home' in Qatar and the thought of enjoying your podcasts while driving around helps me look forward to the bad traffic, rather than dread it! I just wanted to give you some motivation to help you finish your epic. I am sure it has been a major undertaking to get this far but I can guarantee you'll feel a massive sense of achievement when you do finish. And us listeners too will be extremely grateful! Keep up the good work...

Benjamin

10/22/2017 08:20:37 pm

Hi Edward,

We're glad you like the show so much, and it's exciting to know that we have a listener as far away as Qatar! Don't worry, I think I'm over my writer's block. I got 1,000 words done today, and we'll see what I can manage tomorrow.

Thanks for the nice message!

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