Author Description

"In 1996, Ignazio Silone, one of the most beloved folk heroes of the Italian Left, a novelist and high-ranking Communist Party member, was unmasked as a secret supporter of the Fascist movement. The discovery sparked a highly emotional response among scholars and the press in Italy and beyond, with reactions ranging from intense debate to disbelief." "Clearly written and carefully argued, this work will appeal to a wide readership, including those interested in the history of the Left and in literary criticism, as well as scholars of Italian history, literature, and politics."--Jacket.