Alessandro Portelli Book order

The collection of three essays highlights the significance of oral narratives, exploring how they shape understanding through translation and interpretation. Each essay delves into the cultural and contextual nuances of storytelling, emphasizing the role of language in conveying meaning and preserving traditions. The work invites readers to appreciate the depth of oral histories and their impact on identity and communication.

Focusing on the industrial revolution's impact, this pioneering oral history explores Terni, a steel town in Central Italy, highlighting its significance as Italy's first large industrial enterprise. The narrative is enriched by over 200 voices spanning five generations, sharing stories, songs, myths, and memories. These personal accounts are intricately woven with archival materials, offering a comprehensive view of the labor movement's rise and decline, capturing the essence of a community shaped by its industrial past.

On March 24, 1944, Nazi occupation forces in Rome killed 335 unarmed civilians in retaliation for a partisan attack the day before.