A History of Italy begins with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and, in particular, the reign of Odoacer, the first monarch to style himself King of Italy. From there, the host, Mike Corradi, tells tales of successive invasions by Germanic peoples, each of which, after a century or two of rule, found itself absorbed into the melting pot of the broader Italian population. This done, Mr. Corradi lavishes attention on the many interesting people, few of whom attained much fame in the English-speaking world, who shaped the fates of the various cities and regions into which Italy is divided.
While serious about his subject, the host of A History of Italy presents his stories with a light touch, making many gentle jokes and enlivening each episode with a short comic skit or two. (The actors in these skits seem to be members of the podcaster’s family.)
Listeners who enjoy the History of the Germans podcast will find that it often covers the same ground as A History of Italy, particularly where the many conflicts between Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire are concerned. However, where the History of the Germans usually looks at such events from the point of view of the various emperors, A History of Italy often looks at them from the perspective, not only of the popes, but of the many other people and places caught in up in these great events.