Mark Gilbert Books

A comprehensive survey of international affairs from the end of the Second World War, through to the Cold War and up to the present day--Provided by publisher.

Focusing on European integration from the postwar era to the present, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the EU's history. It examines the challenges faced in recent years, including the global recession, the refugee crisis, and Brexit, while offering insights into the future of the EU. Gilbert's balanced narrative serves as a definitive resource for understanding the complexities and developments of European unity and cooperation.

The book explores the turmoil in Italy as the government confronts the Mafia amidst escalating economic challenges. It delves into the societal conditions and events that have contributed to a revolutionary atmosphere, offering insights into the political and economic landscape that shapes contemporary Italy.

The book delves into the Cold War, highlighting its significant impact on postwar Europe through the lens of key political, intellectual, and social developments. By focusing on European actors and events, it provides a fast-paced and engaging narrative that reveals the lasting effects of this pivotal conflict on contemporary world politics. The exploration of these themes offers readers a deeper understanding of the Cold War's enduring relevance.

This engaging history examines the Cold War's significant impact on postwar Europe, highlighting key events and actors. Gilbert provides a fast-paced narrative that combines political, intellectual, and social perspectives, shedding light on a conflict that still influences global politics today.

A major new account of the emergence of Italian democracy after the Second World WarThe rebirth of Italy after the Second World War is one of the most impressive political transformations in modern European history. In 1945, post-fascist Italy was devastated by war and its reputation in the international arena was nil. Yet by December 1955, when Italy was admitted to the United Nations, the nation had contested three acrimonious but free general elections, had a flourishing press, and was a leader in the re- building of Europe. The contrast with Fascism was stark.This book charts the descent of Italy into Fascism, the scale of the wartime disaster, the Italian resistance to Nazi occupation, and the establishment of the Republic in 1946. The Cold War divided, in 1947, the coalition of parties that had led the resistance to Fascism and Nazism.The book's final chapters deal with the consolidation of Italian democracy and with the statesmanship of Alcide De Gasperi, the premier from December 1945 to August 1953. The book argues, first, that De Gasperi deserves more credit than he has typically been accorded for Italy's post-war democratization and, second, that Italian democracy was constructed on a sound foundation - which is why it has been able to survive its many post-war crises.Largely based on contemporary Italian sources, the book is written in an engaging, lively way for both the general reader and specialists in Italian history.