Giorgio Spini americanista

Italian early modern historian Giorgio Spini has long been considered, by Italian Americanist historians, one of them. By re-reading Spini's opera omnia, the author shows how Spini's real interest has always been not America. but the English-speaking world, and England in particular, the cradle - in his view - of modern liberalism and democracy. By studying the Reformation and English Puritanism Spini went on to work on the American Puritans and produced at least one major book of international significance. Aside from his scholarly interest, the major driving force behind Spini's work was his Evangelical affiliation, that he never forgot either in his own life or in his scholarly production. Lastly, the author shows how this background explains Spini's fascination for the American New Left, which he personally encountered during his visits to the United States and that he always contrasted with mainstream America, that he disliked and actually despised.