Subjects:
Australasian & Pacific history
Second World War
Fascism & Nazism
A dark chapter in Australias wartime history has often been minimised or overlooked in mainstream history books. This collection of five scholarly essays, and 15 testimonials, offers new insights into the deeply personal experiences of Italian Australians whose families experienced World War II on the home front. It is the first such compilation by authors originating from northern, central, and southern Italian provinces, and from five Australian States. Although each story is unique, the authors share many Italian cultural values, language, history, and a profound sense of Italianness, as well as a connection to their Australian selves. These essays and narratives consider the often-unintended negative consequences of war, describing our commonalities through their personal struggles and a fundamental human resilience.
Mia Spizzica has taught at the University of Siena in Italy, the University of Melbourne, and RMIT University in the Humanities and Social Sciences. She is a Melbourne Museum Research Associate. Her PhD at Monash University has focused on the internment of Italians in Australia.