The Italians: A Full-Length Portrait Featuring Their Manners and Morals

by Luigi Barzini

In this consummate portrait of the Italian people, bestselling author, publisher, journalist, and politician Luigi Barzini delves deeply into the Italian national character, discovering both its great qualities and its imperfections. Barzini is startlingly frank as he examines "the two Italies": the one that created and nurtured such luminaries as Dante Alighieri, St. Thomas of Aquino, and Leonardo da Vinci; the other, feeble and prone to catastrophe, backward in political action if not in thought, "invaded, ravaged, sacked, and humiliated in every century." Deeply ambivalent, Barzini approaches his task with a combination of love, hate, disillusion, and affectionate paternalism, resulting in a completely original, thoughtful, and probing picture of his countrymen.

Genres: Italy, History, Nonfiction, Travel, Italian Literature, Sociology, Cultural

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Luigi Barzini was an Italian journalist, writer and politician most famous for his 1964 book The Italians, delving deeply into the Italian national character and introducing many Anglo-Saxon readers to Italian life and culture.

Son of Luigi Barzini (1874-1947)

Reviews

[Seán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do journalists write books like this anymore?

Spectacular, surpasses Peter Robb's Midnight in Sicily and nearly Di Lampedusa's The Leopard in my personal canon of Italo social history and gorgeous prose. Perhaps only a disappointed ex-pat returned home can temper love of country with such sharp insight. Barzini matches qualities and defects like a sociological pimp.

Italian life is gay, effervescent, intoxicating. The dolce vita looks now more dolce than it ever was. Very few travellers see the ugliness underneath, the humiliation, the suffering. Not one in a hundred perceives the fundamental dreariness of everything under the glittering ormolu, the bitter fate of men who are condemned perennially to amuse themselves and the world, to hide their innermost feelings, to be simpatici at all costs in order to make a living. ... 'I think that there has never been a race of men so fundamentally desolate and desperate as these gay Italians.'

The mind of one somewhat deracinated Irish-American struggles mightily for corresponding Hibernian texts. O'Flaherty's The Informer? Ó Faoláin's The Irish? If anybody knows, please give a holler.

P.S. This Francesco Guicciardini sounds like an interesting guy.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a monumental effect on the direction of my interests entering middle age. It was this book together with A Farewell to Arms that solidified my resolve to learn the Italian language. When favorite books discussions have come up I have often included Barzini's The Italians in my top ten. And even with the passage of time I think I can still say that. If you are reading this review, I beseech you to find a copy of this book and read the first few chapters. I've always wanted to put together a full length book review of The Italians but that is a lot of work to not have to be doing for a grade.

[Bob Newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like books about unicorns, read this

I'll put my opinion first, so there won't be any doubt in your mind. I don't believe that you can write useful books about national character. Is there really such a thing as "national character"? People are just too different, too unpredictable. How well can you predict the behavior of the people closest to you ? How well can you predict what people in your own country will do ? Would every Italian, if they could write well, have written the same book as Mr. Barzini ? I seriously doubt it. So what we have in THE ITALIANS is one man's views on the conglomerate nature of 50 million Italians. After reading it, I felt even more strongly that such books, though possibly entertaining, are a waste of time. An informative book about unicorns--but do they exist ? Anthropologists have been concerned, for many years, in getting the "inside view"--the view of a culture as seen by the person within it. While Barzini is indisputably Italian, he tries to visualize Italians as seen by foreign visitors, then explain to those of us not lucky enough to travel there, why they are as visitors see them, or why they are not as foreigners may think. This is not a successful gambit. Cultures are based on many general factors--like history, socio-economic patterns, religion, family, etc.---but the specific results are just that, specific. Barzini covers many topics--the importance of spectacle and giving an illusion of something rather than actually having that quality; the family vs. the state; Italian modes of achieving success; the north-south split; Sicily and the Mafia; and last, the tragedy of Italy's long domination by foreigners. But nothing really connects. There are only superficial, scattered impressions, nothing very concrete to grasp. The reader is left with a handful of stereotypes. Barzini is at his best when describing the lives and modus operandi of particular characters in Italian history. These sections were well-written and interesting. But his portrayal of Italian "character" is fuzzy, contradictory, and ultimately, unconvincing. Finally, if you are a lover of lists, you will thrill to this book, because there is a list on nearly every single page. Myself, I got pretty tired of those lists. If you want to know something useful about Italy, read another book. If you just want entertainment, which might support any stereotypes you have about Italians, then this book could be for you.

[William J. 'Bill' McCalpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in Italy in the 1970s and learned to speak Italian as an expatriate during that time. I read "The Italians" during that time, and found that Dottore Barzini very accurately described his countrymen when I was there, even if the publication date was ten years before. For example, Barzini wrote about "sorpassare", the Italian verb that means both "to pass [another car]" and "to surpass someone physically, morally, and sexually". Hence his statement that it did not matter to Italian drivers how fast they drove from point A to point B, but what mattered is how many people they "sorpassato" on the way. I cannot tell you if you haven't lived there how accurate this description was.

Of course, that was in the 1970s, and on my return visits, I see that in some ways, Italy is not the same country. The birthrate in the 70s was quite high while now (in the second decade of the 21st Century) it is not even at replacement levels, which has a huge social effect. But given that many of the people who, like me, lived there in the 70s are still around today and have raised the subsequent generations there, reading Barzini's book will give even the most recent arrivals insights into why Italians are the way they are.

No, this book will not be properly appreciated by those who merely visit Italy...but those who speak Italian or have the happy opportunity to live there, will be delighted to read and understand the habits and patterns that they see in Italy on a daily basis.

[Valentina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book in one of those independent small family-owned bookstores that I love so much. I knew it was published in 1964, but as a native Italian, I wanted to learn how my countrymen were back then and purchased it anyway. Although the book is funny, entertaining and the writing is exquisite, Italians have changed. I believe to write about a population, one must generalize about the traits and customs, and cannot be too precise, this really detracts from the way a population really is. One thing bothered me: the author constantly compared Italy to "better" countries, which are…? Every country has its own downfall, government corruption, disservices, old legacies, and anything else. People are the way they are due to the many events in history that have left a mark on them. In fact, the author makes a lot of reference to how history shaped Italians, even Mussolini.
In the end, I thought if I wanted to know how Italians were in the 1960s, I had to buy a historical book, this one came close. If nothing else foreign readers will get the kick out of it.

[Michael Bagnoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Barzini argues that the idea of the Italian dolce vita is ultimately a facade, I’m nonetheless left convinced that the Italians know something that we do not, how to live well.

“The Italians seem happy. They show a porpoiselike eagerness and zest in everything they do which are contagious. One of Goethe’s traveling companions tried to teach him the secret: ‘Why think?’ He told the young poet. ‘Man must never think. Thinking makes you grow older. Man must have many things, a great confusion in his head.’ One must allow contradictory tendencies to proliferate, one must cultivate opposite ideals, one must follow reason alone, one must not fret over the imperfections of life on earth. One must carry on. The pleasure of Italy cokes from living in a world made by man, for man, on man’s measurements.”

I look forward to learning more this semester in Bologna, where I hope to nurture my own italianità.

[Sian O'hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable if you are to spend a lot of time in Italy, though perhaps more enjoyable after having established impressions of one's own. It's dated, decades ago, yet some parts of Italy and certain aspects of Italian mentality are so conservative that Barzini's account still applies. Besides, it's funny.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to a most excellent people.

[Fluvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 1'5/5 stars

It's over, finally, grazie Dio!

I love Italy, Italian, the Italians, Italian food, Italian culture... anything related Italian. When I picked up this book in a second-hand bookshop, what I wanted to find was an entertaining reading that would help me understand those bits of Italian life that I, as a foreigner and only seldom (to my dismay) visitor, I couldn't fully understand.

If I don't rate it with only one star, it's because it has, until certain extent, reached that prospect.

I had to wade through this book, because it bored me to tears. My main issue has to be Barzini's views: we simply collide, I can't swallow the pill he's trying to sell me. During the book, he seemed to me as a man completely upset with the current (mind you, this book is from the 60's), past and future situation of his country. He wouldn't stop comparing Italy to "better" countries and point out all the mistakes and wrongs of Italian people. Yes, he also said good things about the country, but on the whole I would say that for him Italy is 80% bad and 20% good. It was very, very annoying after a while.

Moreover, I simply couldn't get past the book structure and his writing style. Chapters were long, disorganised and not following any logical scheme. Long paragraphs, filled with endless enumerations (most times of superficial things), that made reading a tedious duty.

Good things about this book? Well, even if I really don't see the point of the biographical chapters, they were enlightening: I didn't know anything about Cola di Rienzo, and Mussolini's one was also very useful. Even though I didn't like how at times he seemed to romanticise and even justify Sicilian's Mafia, it was also an educational chapter.

I guess that il signore Barzini would define me as one of those "tourists" that fall in love with Italy's fake and empty "charm" and that's why I disliked this book. Who knows, maybe? But see how much do I care! Evviva l'Italia!

[Mohammed Galal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book,it gives a true account of the Italians.The author,in effect,demythologizes some of long-accepted stereotypes about his people.I enjoyed reading this book very much.Barzini collects data to write about his country objectively.He manages to do that to a great extent.Actually,he could detach himself from it as much as he could.But at the end of the day,it s Italy that we r speaking about,the land of milk,honey,and mafia..To add,he traces what Italy signified for different people at different points in time, and the thoughts it provoked in travelers and writers alike.I like it when I discover that I ve chosen the right book,and that all the time I spent reading it was not of no avail.Viva l Italia.Mi e piacciuto questo libro(this book appealed to me..)Grazie signor Barzini..

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men, and German to my horse.”
That is how Barzini, the great journalist, would describe the people who were misunderstood for centuries. Assuring us that everyone inside is a little Italian, the author describes the journey of the great nation during all regimes, all kings and emperors. Trying to prove that Italians are not the worst in the Europe only thanks to the fact there are the Spaniards too, the book colorfully presents the life of a nation which is definitely not the healthies one, but made to be considered the most appealing this world ever seen.
Now, Italy will definitely have a different face when I will come back there.
Hats off to Barzini. Journalists, for some reasons, stopped writing these kind of books.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written analysis of the Italian psyche is rich in detail and deeply heartfelt. While foreign visitors may think that they understand Italy and the Italians, Luigi Barzini reveals what is really going on beneath the surface.

[Marc Lamot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting facts and views, but not always coherent and quite romanticizing. Lack of synthesis.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like this is basically an attempts to explain the appeal now and historically of travel to Italy. The diverse character of the nation is explored, which leads into a history of the nation from, basically, the 14th Century. Some of what jumped out to me was the clear distinction made between an urbane, refined, ruling North Italy and a more bucolic, less sophisticated South. Among the historical details, which include a lengthy review of Mussolini's long career and misguided alliance with Hitler is the history of colored shirts to advertise political allegiance, the ambitious revolutionary Cola di Rienzo, the Baroque era under the rule of the conqueror Charles V, and even the etymology of "zany" in commedia dell’arte.

[Miles Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essential book Italians I read while I lived in Italy.

[Kim Johnson]

An astute and wickedly amusing presentation of the Italian approach to life.

[Giulio Ciacchini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un testo prezioso da far leggere in tutte le scuole d'Italia
La prima cosa da dire, che spiega gran parte delle scelte dell'autore, è che l'opera fu commissionata da un editore americano all’inizio degli anni ’60.
Non nacque come opera “per gli italiani”, ma come una sorta di ritratto antropologico per lettori stranieri che volevano capire l’Italia e i suoi paradossi.
Questo spiega anche il tono un po’ da osservatore esterno, a volte critico ma sempre affascinato.
Il fatto cruciale per cui l'ho inserito nel mio scaffale tra i migliori, è che questo testo (purtroppo) non è invecchiato di un giorno.
Come documento storico e culturale, mimane uno dei ritratti più lucidi e ironici dell’Italia del dopoguerra: Barzini coglie con grande intelligenza certi tratti del carattere nazionale - l’arte dell’arrangiarsi, la teatralità, l’importanza dell’apparenza, la capacità di sopravvivere a tutto, la diffidenza verso il potere, l’individualismo - che sono tutt’altro che scomparsi.
Molte delle sue osservazioni, come quella sull’ipocrisia civile o sulla tendenza italiana a preferire il bel gesto alla sostanza, risuonano ancora oggi.
Come analisi sociologica contemporanea, invece, è ovviamente datato.
Barzini scriveva negli anni ’60, quando l’Italia era ancora un Paese in bilico tra il mondo contadino e il boom industriale, con la Chiesa e la famiglia come centri morali indiscussi. La sua visione riflette un’Italia pre-globalizzazione, pre-europeista, molto più omogenea socialmente e culturalmente di quella attuale.
Oggi fenomeni come l’immigrazione, l’influenza dei media digitali o la frammentazione politica hanno cambiato radicalmente il quadro.
Per usare le sue stesse parole

Questo libro è un saggio, non "saggio" nel senso di prova compiuta di perizia in un'arte o una disciplina, ma "saggio" nel senso di essay, tentativo o ricerca. Non è quindi una storia d'Italia né un trattato sul contributo del genio italiano alla civiltà del mondo. Il lettore non vi troverà argomenti che egli forse pensa vi dovrebbero essere, un elenco dei nostri innumerevoli meriti, fortune, vittorie, che lusingano la nostra vanità e ci tranquillizzano, cose che si trovano in molti altri libri. Si suppone che il lettore le conosca. E neppure vi troverà le vite dei grandi italiani, perché come si è detto, non è in loro che si ritrovano piú chiaramente quelle tendenze che determinano il corso di molti inspiegabili eventi. Ciò che il lettore vi troverà è una dissertazione attorno ad alcuni temi. Questi: per quale ragione l'Italia ha attirato, fin dai tempi della preistoria, pellegrini stranieri che cercavano tra noi il sollievo e la consolazione per oscure angoscie? Qual è la qualità della nostra vita che ha fatto del nostro paese un rifugio ideale per gli infelici? E quale legame è tra il fascino dell'Italia e le sue sfortune? Il legame è stato intuito dai poeti. Il Filicaia gli ha dedicato un celebre sonetto, in cui deplorava che la sorte avesse fatto all'Italia un "dono infelice di bellezza " e chiedeva: "Deh fossi tu men bella e almen piú forte!". Noi aggiungeremmo: piú prospera, giusta, generosa con tutti i suoi figli. Il saggio è condotto, malgrado le apparenze, come un lungo ragionamento concatenato. Non è una collana di capitoli indipendenti. Non si può leggere e giudicare che di seguito. Infine è onesto aggiungere che è stato scritto per gli stranieri, per gli americani in particolare. Si dilunga qua e là a spiegare cose che sappiamo e ne tace altre che dovremmo sapere.

Da Italiano non ho potuto che ridere, sorridere con piacere ed amarezza allo stesso tempo per la precisione con cui Barzini descrive i nostri tratti caratteristici, sempre in bilico tra il serio ed il faceto.
L’autore mette in evidenza difetti strutturali e vulnerabilità sociali, come la tendenza a obbedire solo a chi è vicino, la facilità di essere manipolati, l’adulazione diffusa e la difficoltà di organizzarsi secondo regole trasparenti.
Tuttavia, non si limita a un giudizio negativo: riconosce anche virtù reali, come l’ingegno, la laboriosità, la lealtà all’interno della famiglia e la capacità di sacrificio. Il pessimismo deriva più dal modo in cui il potere e le circostanze storiche hanno plasmato queste caratteristiche, non da una condanna assoluta degli italiani.

Tutti continuano ad essere vagamente lodati da ogni altro. A un uomo decrepito si dice sempre che dimostra parecchi anni di meno; a una vecchia megera si dice che è bella, piú bella quest'anno dell'anno prima, piú bella oggi di ieri, piú bella questa sera di stamane; a un malato che è il ritratto della salute. V'è adulazione quasi impercettibile nella prontezza con cui i tuoi ordini vengono eseguiti, o nell'ossequiosità con cui ti si chiede un consiglio in questioni nelle quali non hai alcuna particolare esperienza. L'adulazione è nell'impiego dei titoli accademici o d'altro genere; la gente li appiccica al tuo nome come per dimostrare che meriti tanto palesemente tali onori da sembrare impossibile che non ti siano stati conferiti. Un uomo dall'apparenza borghese viene chiamato dottore in gioventú e diviene commendatore quando supera i quarant'anni. Le buste vengono indirizzate all' esimio ", "egregio ", " illustre ", " chiarissimo ", " illustrissimo " signore, o semplicemente al "Nobil Uomo". I sarti lodano la tua figura. I dentisti esclamano: "Lei ha i denti di un antico romano! ". Il medico non può fare a meno di osservare che non ha mai visto una grippe ingannevole e difficile come la tua. Il mercante di oggetti d'antiquariato, il gioielliere, il cameriere, il macellaio, tutti esclameranno che hai gusti squisiti, che è un piacere servirti, che non venderebbero a nessuno quanto stai acquistando, e senz'altro non al prezzo ridicolo che ti è stato chiesto.

Ma a fianco delle descrizioni più simpatiche ed umanizzanti, il giornalista affianca capitoli di vera e propria storiografia.
È questo il caso del capitolo stupendo sul fascismo e Mussolini.
La sua analisi non è animata da polemica o rancore, ma da una volontà di comprendere come un popolo intero poté lasciarsi trascinare da un’illusione collettiva - e come quell’illusione fosse, in fondo, coerente con alcuni tratti profondi dell’italianità che il libro mette sotto la lente.
Mussolini è per Barzini il simbolo di una tendenza nazionale a credere alle proprie messinscene, a confondere la retorica con la realtà - proprio come il popolo che “credeva ai suoi stessi giornali”.
Barzini smonta la mitologia delle “grandi opere” fasciste con un tono quasi contabile, ironicamente asciutto. Dopo averne riconosciuto il valore estetico o tecnico, le ridimensiona con un semplice gesto intellettuale: “dedurre dal totale tutto ciò che sarebbe stato compiuto da qualsiasi altro governo”. È un modo elegante ma impietoso per dire che il fascismo costruì più fama che sostanza, più immagine che progresso reale.

In pratica, fu sconfitto da un solo uomo: se stesso. Si trovò impotente di fronte alla forza schiacciante dei nemici che aveva evocato, e all'alleato arrogante che aveva incoraggiato e coltivato, con le scarse risorse predisposte da lui stesso, le modeste industrie arretrate che aveva protetto soffocandole e le armi che aveva progettato e costruito. Fu lui a porsi in questa situazione senza speranza come ministro degli Esteri (il suo giudizio della situazione mondiale era stato pericolosamente ultra-ottimista), come ministro delle Forze Armate (aveva sbagliato nella scelta dei comandanti, delle strategie e delle armi), come ministro degli Interni (aveva sopravvalutato la volontà del popolo italiano di soffrire e morire per una guerra che non capiva), come ministro della Propaganda (aveva creduto ai suoi stessi giornali) e come capo del Partito fascista (si era disinvoltamente persuaso di aver trovato la soluzione di tutti i problemi contemporanei).
(...)
Anche se l'esperimento non si fosse concluso con una catastrofe, gli storici si sarebbero stupiti senza dubbio per la strana scarsità di realizzazioni concrete nei vent'anni del governo fascista. Che cosa aveva compiuto in realtà Mussolini durante il regime? Favorí i lavori pubblici, certo, costruí porti, ferrovie, strade, scuole, autostrade, monumenti, acquedotti, ospedali, reti di canali di irrigazione e di bonifica, edifici pubblici, ponti, e cosí via. Alcune di queste opere furono belle e utili: vennero ammirate e invidiate da amici e nemici. Eppure, in retrospettiva, il risultato di tutta questa attività sembra modesto. Per avere un'idea esatta delle realizzazioni del regime occorre, anzitutto, dedurre dal totale tutto ciò che sarebbe stato compiuto da qualsiasi altro governo. È difficile ritenere che, senza un dittatore, le strade di terra battuta non sarebbero state rivestite d'asfalto, come accadde in tutta Europa nello stesso periodo. Alcune paludi erano state bonificate, acquedotti e linee ferroviarie erano stati costruiti, industrie erano state favorite in Italia dai governi liberali prima del colpo di stato fascista, e ancor prima dai Borboni di Napoli e dagli inefficienti governi pontifici. Una volta sottratti dal totale tutti i lavori che, ipoteticamente, sarebbero stati realizzati ugualmente, il contributo di Mussolini, benché sempre importante, si riduce in misura percettibile. E si riduce ancora un poco di piú se si considera quanti progetti furono ovvi errori, decisi per ragioni politiche e spettacolari piú che per la speranza di risultati pratici, e il denaro che scomparve nelle tasche di qualche imprenditore disonesto. Il complesso delle realizzazioni fasciste in questo campo sembra sproporzionato al chiasso che le circondò, alla loro fama e al loro costo morale.

In un altro passaggio fondamentale Barzini mette il dito su una differenza strutturale, non morale, nel modo in cui molti italiani si rapportano al noi e all’altro.
Una differenza che spiega gran parte dei problemi del nostro bel Paese.
Questa propensione non nasce dal nulla: deriva da secoli di frammentazione politica (signorie, dominazioni straniere, papato), da amministrazioni spesso arbitrarie, da clientelismi consolidati. Quando lo Stato appare lontano o predatorio, la solidarietà si concentra sul nucleo familiare — è lì che si trova sicurezza reale.

Occorre qui sottolineare un punto fondamentale che sfugge a quasi tutti gli osservatori stranieri. La maggior parte degli italiani ubbidisce ancora a un duplice codice morale. Vi sono norme valide nell'ambito della cerchia familiare, che comprende i parenti e i parenti onorari, gli intimi amici e i conoscenti piú stretti, diverse da quelle che regolano la vita fuori di casa. Nell'ambito familiare, gli italiani danno assiduamente prova di tutte quelle qualità che di solito non vengono loro attribuite dai forestieri superficiali: sono relativamente degni di fiducia, onesti, veritieri, giusti, leali, ubbidienti, generosi, disciplinati, coraggiosi e capaci di sacrifici. Esercitano cioè quelle virtú che gli altri uomini dedicano di solito al bene del loro paese; la lealtà degli italiani nei confronti della famiglia è il loro patriottismo piú forte. Nel mondo esterno, fuori di casa, nell'incertezza e nel disordine della società, essi si sentono spesso costretti a ricorrere alle astuzie dei combattenti clandestini nei territori occupati dal nemico. Ogni autorità ufficiale e legale viene considerata da loro ostile finché non abbia dimostrato di essere amichevole o innocua; se non la si può ignorare, la si deve aggirare, neutralizzare, o, se necessario, ingannare.

Infine Barzini fornisce una sintesi perfetta del perchè sessant'anni dopo siamo ancora allo stesso punto di partenza

Ecco la formula. È stata efficace in passato e probabilmente continuerà ad essere valida ancora per anni. Si prenda una popolazione numerosa, laboriosa, duttile, umana, ingegnosa, preoccupata per il proprio pane quotidiano, capace a volte di accettare sacrifici inenarrabili, ma irrequieta e avida di novità. La si mantenga nell'ignoranza, fornendole il minor numero possibile di scuole. La si mantenga nel bisogno, inquadrandola burocraticamente in modo che solo con grandi difficoltà l'individuo riesce a migliorare la sua condizione; si perseguitino in tutti i modi l'agricoltura, l'industria e il commercio. Si mantenga il popolo nello smarrimento e nell'incertezza mediante l'arbitraria manipolazione di leggi formulate in modo vago. Ci si accerti che non esistano diritti e doveri ben definiti, ma sempre favori dall'alto o abusi di potere. Si mantenga la popolazione felice con un'incessante pioggia di miserabili elemosine, distratta con molte feste. Si spenda la maggior parte del denaro in cose vistose, superflue o dannose, le forze armate e le guerre in passato, ed oggi i lavori pubblici stupendi, le riforme dannose o inutili, i divertimenti, gli spettacoli, i giochi sportivi; si spenda il meno possibile per migliorare le condizioni morali e fisiche del popolo. Lo si mantenga sempre commosso da emozioni primitive, la paura del nemico, l'entusiasmo nazionalista, l'odio di classe, e via discorrendo.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely fond of a period piece. Like talking to a fascinating person at a party.

[Peter Allum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elegantly-written, considered, convincing portrait of the Italian people.

Published in 1964, this remains a very informative guide. It was written against the backdrop of WW2, Italy's fascist dictatorship, and fears that Italy might succumb to post-war communism. Although the tone reflects recent events, Barzini takes a long view, identifying influences on Italian development that date back more than 600 years.

Barzini identifies a profound sense of debility or impotence at the heart of the Italian spirit. In his view, this reflects the prolonged powerlessness of the Italian state, dating at least to the 1490s. A key event was the 1495 battle of Fornovo, where the combined forces of the Italian princes were defeated by an invading French army. This loss confirmed Italy's inability to defend itself, and in the following three decades it was repeatedly invaded, culminating with the brutal sacking of Rome in 1527. After this date, often cited as the end of the Italian renaissance, Italian states fell under Spanish control.

Under foreign political and economic control, the energies of aspiring Italians went in two directions. Many worked to build the power of the Church, while others contributed to the artistic works of the baroque period (painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater). While Italian artists were highly successful, Barzini suggests that "behind the splendor and ingeniousness of everything, was a tragic feeling of despair, a spiritual frustration so intense as to be embarrassing."

With little scope to acquire and use political power for personal advancement at home, many ambitious Italians found employment abroad and became successful soldiers, engineers, and diplomats for foreign powers. Those who remained developed their family networks as a source of power and protection. Loyalty to the family was more important than loyalty to the state, and economic advancement was achieved by using family connections and by building alliances with other successful families. Over time, this produced a vicious cycle with weak central authorities creating powerful clan-based loyalties which, in turn, stymied efforts to build effective and impartial government institutions.

Barzini suggests that many of the most attractive features of life in Italy are symptoms of failure, rather than success. Italy is known for the theatrical nature of everyday life (florid gestures, dramatic arguments), the flattery employed in everyday speech, and the practice of looking good in all circumstances ("la bella figura"). For Barzini, these have evolved as a way of saving face (or putting on a brave face) in circumstances where the real power was held by outsiders and where Italians were perennially treading water.

Overall, this is an excellent and thought-provoking work. It would be fascinating for a similarly learned author to revisit Barzini's analysis two generations later, to assess whether much if anything has changed.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luigi Barzini tries to answer two questions with this book: what fuels the world's fascination with Italy and Italian culture, and how can a country that has produced an impressive list of masters throughout recorded history, in philosophy, arts, sciences, government, and more, be in such poor shape? In essence, what is it about the "Italian character" that is so alluring, yet prevents Italy from becoming a top European and Global power? Barzini answers these questions by turning to historical figures and events, painting a picture of a people whose joie de vivre hides an embedded cultural shame as the result past humiliations. At turns both a glowing review and incisive critique of Italian life, The Italians is written by someone who loves his people, making their dysfunction all the more painful.

That said, this book is not without its flaws. It is difficult to paint an accurate portrait of any community, let alone an entire nation. Barzini attempt is valiant, and I think he succeeds in describing various traits he recognizes in the Italian people at large. However, he is trying to describe traits common to over 50 million people; any conclusions he reaches are, by necessity, going to lean towards superficiality, and should by no means be accepted as the final word on the matter.

I would be more inclined to accept Barzini's descriptions, I think, if he cited sources throughout the book. While he effectively employ primary sources to drive home his points, Barzini's summarizations of Italian history include no citations. Perhaps Barzini made this decision due to this book's intention for a popular audience instead of an academic one, and I would go so far as to say that that decision is sound. The result, however, is a book that reads like a long-form op-ed piece: interesting, informative as far as it goes, but hard to trust as an authoritative description.

There is also an entire chapter to the Mafia that, while providing some interesting history, is uncomfortable in the way it romanticizes its members. Barzini mentions in passing the high body count produced by this particular iteration of organized crime, and is far more enamored with the "gentleman" Don Vito Cascio Ferro, one of the most powerful members of the Sicilian Mafia at the turn of the 19th century.

Overall, I found The Italians a thoroughly enjoyable read, though flawed. I give it 3.5 stars, but I'll round up to 4 for goodreads.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for personal historical research. A fun, and sometimes 'grain-of-salt' literary work. I found this of immense interest and its contents helpful and inspiring - star rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs. Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast.
- - Excerpts:
-“I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men, and German to my horse.”
-"Fascists, Communists, and left-wing revolutionary Socialists notoriously deride liberty as a silly and sentimental weakness of their enemies, a 'petit bourgeois' prejudice, which can be utilized to provoke disorders, to disrupt the functioning of the State and carry on preparations for their particular revolutions with greater ease."
-"Have you not heard of the peril which threatens the very existence of books? Here there is no one who for many years will write... As you love me and yourself, sit and look at your bookcases without opening their doors, and beware lest the very cracks let emanations come to you from the forbidden books of learning." -Latino Latino, Italian scholar, 1559.
-"Prison, sickness, and necessity reveal the real heart of man."
Don Vito Cascio Ferro (Mafia Leader) Carved this on a wall in Ucciardone prison.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and a half stars.

This book was it, the last book I will read in order to understand Italian culture. This, though, was the best of the lot, despite being decades older than the others like Under A Tuscan Sun. Most books on Italian culture deal with living in Tuscany, which is nothing like living in Sicily, or Calabria, or Molise.

This book tries to explain Italian culture in all of Italy, and it was written by a man born and raised in Italy, not an expatriate. This book also has superior prose; Barzini's background in journalism shows itself.

Still, I found him to contradict himself in each chapter. At times, it was like he was trying so hard to be poetic that he wasn't saying anything significant at all.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a completely different kind of book for me so I feel that I don't have the proper knowledge to rate this book, but it was a wonderfully told story that slowly unraveled as it went on, slowly unfurling several layers of Italy and it's people, with history and culture being the main themes present. I wouldn't necessarily call this a history book, as it is more about the Italian people and their history just happen to be a big part of understanding who they are and it is also unchronological, so I think this book it more about the Italians, as it is aptly titled

[Paul Howlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a Polish Expat who arrived with the Allies in Italy during the war and who had reread it every five years since its publication in the 1960s .Having been in Italy 30 odd years myself, I picked it up again recently and see it now as less an informative guide , but more a work of art, even the brio and vivacity of its presentation revealing much of an Italian character.Finally it doesn't shy away from the more tragic failings perceived of this people otherwise known for their brilliant cultural heritage .

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent two and half months plowing through this, because—despite being beautifully-written—it is dense with background on each of the historical subjects tackled in this weighty tome.

I first became aware of this book in the early 1990s while reading Joseph Page's The Brazilian, which was often compared to Barzini's The Italians for being as comprehensive a survey of a country and it's people.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating review, albeit one that is dated and a necessarily individualistic view. How can one sum up the psyche of an entire nation? There will always be something missing from any attempt, but Barzini's thorough exploration of history and the personalities that built Italy are probably as good as it gets. I wonder how a similar treatment of American would fair...

[Sayed · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب رائع رشيق الأسلوب عن جيراننا عبر المتوسط ، يتناول فيه كاتبه موضوعات عدة بأسلوب جميل للغاية ، وقد كانت طبعة دار المعارف ممتازة ، وكان ثمن الكتاب جنيهاً كاملاً . أيام ...

[Hit No · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Italians by Luigi Barzini is a timeless exploration of Italian character, culture, and society. Barzini, both an insider and a keen observer, provides a vivid, sometimes satirical, and deeply entertaining look at what it means to be Italian. Written in 1964, the book remains surprisingly current and insightful, serving as an essential read for anyone seeking to understand Italy beyond its picturesque facade and clichés.

What makes The Italians particularly enjoyable is Barzini’s wit and sharp prose. He masterfully blends storytelling with critical analysis, offering readers a wide-ranging perspective on the quirks, contradictions, and complexities of Italian life. From the love of spectacle and the art of “bella figura” (presenting oneself in the best possible light) to the deeply ingrained sense of fatalism and the clever maneuvering in both politics and daily life, Barzini unpacks the cultural traits that make Italy both a fascinating and perplexing place.

A compelling aspect of the book is Barzini’s own complicity in what he criticizes. He is quick to point out the performative nature of Italian society, the emphasis on appearances over substance, and the country’s struggles with corruption and inefficiency, all while writing with a flair that echoes the very theatricality he examines. There is a sense of irony throughout, as he himself embraces the Italian love of drama and contradiction, making the book an entertaining paradox: a critique that itself revels in the flaws it seeks to dissect.

The longevity of The Italians as a cultural touchstone is remarkable. Although it was written in the 1960s, the observations resonate with modern readers, capturing enduring elements of Italian culture. Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in Italy—more than a tourist’s visit—will find the book rich with truths that explain not only the charming surface of Italian life but also its more perplexing depths. It reveals why Italy, despite its political and social challenges, continues to inspire, frustrate, and enchant visitors and residents alike.

In essence, The Italians is not just a book about Italy; it is a book about the human condition, seen through an Italian lens. Barzini’s prose is both incisive and elegant, making the book a delight to read. It offers an engaging blend of history, sociology, and anecdote, all wrapped in a narrative style that draws readers into the peculiar magic of Italy.

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You know what the fellow said. In Italy, they had five hundred years of war, terror, and the Borgias and it produced Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love and what did it produce? The cuckoo clock".---Orson Welles, THE THIRD MAN

Only an Italian-American like Luigi Barzini could have produced a provocative petit masterpiece like this, both hailing a cursing, in the spirit of warning, the land of his paisan. "How could the nation of the Etruscans and Romans, who invented finance, modern war, and politics fail so miserably at warfare in both World Wars, be perpetually on the brink of bankruptcy and raised and shattered hundreds of governments since the end of World War II?" Barzini finds the answer in the Italian family. Italians are taught from a very early age not to trust anyone outside the family, and trust is what holds an army together, keeps your financial investments in good hands, and takes it for granted the government will make the best decision for the majority of the people. All these elements are missing in the Italians. As Sonny Corleone says to Michael in THE GODFATHER, PART II, on not fighting for America after Pearl Harbor: "You don't risk your neck for strangers. You risk it for your own blood". This family-centric attitude, of course, can also be found among the Arabs and Chinese, among others, but not to the same degree. Yet, Italy survives and even thrives, when compared to the late-Sixties publishing date of this piquant volume. To paraphrase John Kenneth Galbraith, "Italy is anarchy that works". Don't fret, though. Italians are masters at literature, painting, and pasta. Also worth mentioning is that Italians who emigrate, to America, Brazil, or Australia, tend to do better at business than the locals. Think of the Italian-American founder of Bank of America. Some flowers and wine grow better and stronger abroad.

[Sofia Capriani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Actually, "the psychology of nations" is no more accepted and, if used, often spirals down into caricature or shallowness. But Barzini is such an excellent writer, conoisseur and observer that he succeeds in writing totally compelling book which is fresh even fifty five years after it was written. Compare it to, for instance, to Francis Mayes' "Under the Tuscan Sun" - which I find also good, although a bit too romantic and, of course, written from the point of view of a foreign visitor to Italy. In comparison, Mayes' book is just one piece of a puzzle, while Barzini's consists of at least thousand pieces People don't write like him anymore, they don't know to write like that even if he was "only" a journalist.