Sommario
"Mezzo secolo di patriotismo: Saggi storici" by Romualdo Bonfadini, is a collection of historical essays. It meticulously examines a crucial fifty-year period of Italian patriotism, focusing on the political and social transformations in Lombardy, particularly Milan, during the Napoleonic era and the subsequent struggles for independence.
The essays delve into the roles of key figures like Francesco Melzi, Giuseppe Prina, and Federico Confalonieri, and extensively cover significant events such as the "Five Days of Milan" (Cinque Giornate) of 1848, analyzing their preparation, execution, and aftermath.
The author aims to recall the "vigorous emotions" of the past for older generations and instill respect for historical efforts and patriotism in the young.