History of Italian Literature. Translated by Joan Redfern. by De Sanctis, Francesco. Redfern, Joan, translator - 1959

"This book is one of the most notable works of literary history of the romantic and idealistic school, and may perhaps be regarded as its masterpiece. Though not published until 1870-71, it was really a product of the school that De Sanctis had opened in Naples and in which he had taught from 1839 to 1848, that is to say, at the height of the Italian romantic movement and the cult of German philosophy. It was nourished by his studies while in the prisons of Naples, into which the Bourbon government had thrown him on account of his liberalism; and it grew and gathered strength in the series of lectures which he delivered while in exile at Turin and Zürich between 1853 and 1860. Later, when he had entered politics and had become a Member of Parliament and Minister of Education for the Kingdom of Italy, he prepared it for the press..." Two volumes paged consecutively: ix, 972 pages; bound in blue cloth with clear plastic protective jackets (small tears); 22.5 cm.; Good+, no marks. Stock#ofc0684.