{"product_id":"the-generalissimo-luigi-cadorna-and-the-italian-army-1850-1928-hardback-9781009098670","title":"The Generalissimo; Luigi Cadorna and the Italian Army, 1850–1928 (Hardback) 9781009098670","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eThe Generalissimo\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cfont size=\"5\"\u003eLuigi Cadorna and the Italian Army, 1850–1928\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMajor new biography tracing the rise, command, and reputation of Italy's most controversial general.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eMarco Mondini (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781009098670, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eHardback, published 14 August 2025\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e280 pages\u003cbr\u003e23.5 x 16 x 2.1 cm, 0.56 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e'The leading Italian First World War historian of his generation, Marco Mondini expertly presents a convincing and balanced reappraisal of Cadorna's command. This long-overdue critical study of Italy's controversial chief of general staff makes an essential contribution to debates over leadership, strategy and tactics in the First World War.' Vanda Wilcox, John Cabot University, Rome\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eLuigi Cadorna remains one of the most controversial generals in Italian history. Appointed chief of the armed forces in 1914, he led the Italian army in the field from May 1915 until the aftermath of their calamitous defeat at Caporetto in 1917. In this major new biography, Marco Mondini traces Cadorna's rise, the nature of his command, the course of the Isonzo campaign, and the battles over his post-war reputation. He brings a new cultural perspective to Cadorna's life, demonstrating the role of Italy's military and national culture, the myths of the Risorgimento, and the mobilization of propaganda in creating an effective cult of personality. Utilizing ego-documents, memoirs, letters and public writings, Mondini delves into the ideology and psychology that combined to create such an untouchable autocrat, arguing that the history of fascism in Italy cannot be fully understood without appreciating Cadorna's role in the First World War.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntroduction: forgetting Cadorna\u003cbr\u003e Part I. The Ascent: 1. The force of destiny\u003cbr\u003e 2. 'That most imperfect military organization': the army in Cadorna's time\u003cbr\u003e 3. Waiting for war\u003cbr\u003e Part II. The Enigma of Consensus: 4. Preparing for war\u003cbr\u003e 5. The real thing\u003cbr\u003e 6. Man management\u003cbr\u003e Part III. The Downfall: 7. At Cadorna's court\u003cbr\u003e 8. Caporetto according to Cadorna: a moral autobiography of the Italians\u003cbr\u003e Conclusion: The Memoir Battle.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Military history [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Military history\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Military%20history%20%5BHBW%5D%22\"\u003eHBW\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Brand New","offer_id":52410774028568,"sku":"9781009098670","price":77.56,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/files\/9781009098670i.jpg?v=1784252112","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/the-generalissimo-luigi-cadorna-and-the-italian-army-1850-1928-hardback-9781009098670","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}