This book provides an easy-to-follow introduction to the unification of Italy--the Risorgimento--using a wide range of contemporary documents to guide the student through the topic. A brief general introduction puts the whole subject into context, while each of the chapters contains commentary, and questions to encourage the student to approach the documentary evidence from different perspectives. A variety of original source material is used including letters, speeches, memoirs, and cartoons. This new edition also contains rare and valuable material written by a female American foreign correspondent who was in Europe in the 1840s.