Modern Rome: from Napoleon to the twenty-first century (original) (raw)

The reviewed book, "Modern Rome: From Napoleon to the Twenty-First Century," offers a critical examination of Rome's urban history and planning from the perspective of Italo Insolera. The author addresses the interplay between cultural, social, and political factors in urban development, highlighting a pessimistic trajectory over time regarding the city's growth and planning failures. Despite these challenges, the text emphasizes Rome's enduring identity and complexity, urging a reconsideration of modernity and its implications for the city's future.