'Garibaldi and the Making of Italy' Summary

George Macaulay Trevelyan's 'Garibaldi and the Making of Italy' is a detailed and engaging account of the life and exploits of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a prominent figure in the Italian Risorgimento, the 19th-century movement for Italian unification. The book traces Garibaldi's early life and his military career, starting with his experiences in South America, where he gained valuable military skills and a reputation as a skilled and daring leader. Trevelyan meticulously chronicles Garibaldi's involvement in the Italian unification process, focusing on his leadership of the 'Expedition of the Thousand,' a campaign that brought Garibaldi and his 'Red Shirts' to Sicily. He then led his forces through the Italian peninsula, ultimately playing a crucial role in the unification of Italy under Victor Emmanuel II. Trevelyan explores Garibaldi's political ideology, highlighting his commitment to republicanism and liberalism, and his complex relationship with the Italian monarchy. He also details the international support Garibaldi received, notably from figures like Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, and George Sand, as well as from nations like the United States and Great Britain. Through vivid descriptions and meticulous research, Trevelyan provides a compelling portrait of Garibaldi's role in the Italian Risorgimento, emphasizing his charisma, military brilliance, and enduring legacy as one of the 'fathers of the fatherland.'