This is a translation and new edition of Masaniello. La sua vita e il mito in Europa (Rome, 2007), the first historical biography of the leader of the revolt that broke out in Naples in 1647–48. Initially, its main objectives were the cancellation of the many taxes introduced in previous decades and a political reform that would allow the people to have their voice in the civic parliament. Thanks to Masaniello, the Neapolitans were able to compel the Spanish viceroy to sign new ‘capitoli’ (popular desiderata) but soon after, Masaniello was isolated by his main counselor, Giulio Genoino, and others, and ultimately abandoned to a tragic fate. From the moment of his death, a fascinating new life began in which Masaniello was exalted and condemned in many texts (historical volumes, plays, and even a dialogue with Wilhelm Tell) until, by the Risorgimento, he was remembered as an Italian hero.

Silvana D’Alessio teaches Early Modern History at the University of Salerno, having trained at the University Federico II in Naples, with periods in England and Germany. Besides the Masaniello revolt of 1647, she has worked on the devastating 1656 bubonic plague outbreak in Naples, focusing on physicians and their world.

Introduction to the English edition
Premise
PART I
The Life
II. A Job for Masaniello
III. Portrait
IV. The First "Successes"
V. Among the Great
VI. A Plot and the Death of Peppe Carafa
VII. The Visit to the Palace (Thursday, day 11)
VIII. A Day of "Justice" (Friday, day 12)
IX. The Oath of the Duke of Arcos (Saturday, day 13)
X. The Excursion to Posillipo
XI. Epilogue
XII. The Funeral
XIII. The Judgments of those who knew the most
PART II
A brief history of a Myth
I. A Voice During the Revolt
II. European Stage Plays
III. The Seventeenth Century: People and Plebeians
IV. An Italian Hero during the Risorgimento
V.Part of Naples
Bibliography
Index