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Naples '44

An Intelligence Officer in the Italian Labyrinth
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( 2,517 ratings, 310 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Naples '44 by Norman Lewis is a captivating memoir that depicts the author's experiences as a British intelligence officer in war-torn Naples during World War II. As Lewis navigates the chaotic environment of post-liberation Italy, he encounters an intriguing mix of poverty, resilience, and recovery in local society. His keen observations and vivid storytelling bring to life the stark realities and unexpected humanity found amid the ruins.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by vivid, first-hand accounts of life in war-torn Italy during World War II. As a memoir, it captures the resilience and complexity of human nature amidst chaos, offering a unique perspective on the impact of war. If you appreciate detailed and empathetic storytelling with historical insights, this might be a captivating read for you.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Naples '44 follows Norman Lewis as he arrives in war-torn Naples as an intelligence officer in 1944. The city is a world where the starving population has devoured all the tropical fish in the aquarium, respectable women have been driven to prostitution, and the black market reigns supreme.

Lewis finds little to admire among his fellow soldiers, but he gains sustenance from the extraordinary vivacity of the Italians. The narrative introduces memorable characters: a lawyer who earns his living by bringing a touch of Roman class to funerals, a gynaecologist who "specializes in the restoration of lost virginity," and a widowed housewife who times her British lover against the clock.

"Were I given the chance to be born again," writes Lewis, "Italy would be the country of my choice."

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Naples '44 by Norman Lewis receives high praise as a masterful work by one of the finest British writers of the twentieth century, highlighting its significant literary contribution.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780907871729

Publisher: Eland Publishing Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 July 2002

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Eland Publishing Ltd

Edition: New edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 250g

Pages: 192

About the Author

Norman Lewis is Britain's greatest living travel writer, with a list of some 10 travel books and several books of collected journalism to his name. However Lewis regards his greatest achievement to have been the reaction to his article Genocide in Brazil, published in The Sunday Times in 1968. It led to a change in Brazilian law relating to the treatment of the Indians and to the formation of Survival International which fights for the survival of indigenous peoples everywhere.

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