Comrade from Milan

Rossana Rossanda, a legendary figure on the Italian left, has written a memoir that reflects on a life of radical commitment. She was a communist militant in the Italian Resistance during World War Two and became editor of the Communist Party weekly paper and a member of parliament. She was critical of the party's conservatism and moved into opposition during the late 1960s. She created the influential daily il manifesto, which continues to this day.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2020
Publisher: Verso Books

Rossana Rossanda, a legendary figure on the Italian left, has written a memoir that is acclaimed for its blend of literary elegance and political passion. Active as a communist militant in the Italian Resistance against fascism during World War Two, Rossanda rose rapidly in its aftermath, becoming editor of the Communist Party weekly paper and a member of parliament. Initially a party loyalist, she was critical of the party's conservatism in the face of new radical movements and moved into opposition during the late 1960s. The breach widened after she and others publicly opposed the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, and they were expelled in 1969. She went on to create the influential daily il manifesto, which continues to this day.

Her unique experience enables her to reconstruct that period with flair and authority. She paints a revealing picture of fascism, communism, post-war reconstruction, and the revolts that shook Europe in the 1960s. In The Comrade from Milan, one of the most influential intellectuals of the European Left relives the storms of the twentieth century. Both cool-headed and precise, Rossanda provides a rare insight into what it means to be politically engaged.

Rossana Rossanda's memoir is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the cause of social justice and her unwavering belief in the power of literature to inspire change. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the twentieth century and the struggles of the European Left.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 152 x 233 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788739634