Italy is something of an overlooked relative in Mediterranean Europe, despite its non-negligible role there. In May 2006, Romano Prodi, former president of the European Commission, beat Silvio Berlusconi at the polls, and became President of the Council of Ministers. One of the major stakes of his term is to pursue the modernization of his country, while restoring its stature, which suffered a good bit of wear and tear at the hands of his predecessor. Sergio Romano, historian and former diplomat, kept a weekly journal throughout the year 2006 –  a chronicle based on events in Italy, with the intention of helping those outside the peninsula know what’s going on inside. He does it with acerbic humor and no holds barred: like an observer who is sometimes enraged to see his fellow citizens clinging to the past and to old habits; like a man who is passionate about freedom and progress. His in-depth knowledge of Italian and European history give his book exceptional depth. He shows that it’s not enough for Italy to have turned the Berlusconi page in order to be freed of its old bugaboos.
Italy is the world’s sixth largest economy, and one of the founders of Europe. A country that counts, but also an aging country, and one that’s entering a crisis. Berlusconi said he would bring the country the modernization it needed. Today, Romano Prodi wants to combine justice and progress. But will the Italians be able to shake off the weight of the past?