To understand the whole, you have to understand the parts.

Hello, I’m Jordan, and Italian Histories is a product of my passion for all things Italian, and my proclivity to read lots of books, because books are more affordable than international travel.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved Italy. It is easy to love – a place rich in history, food, and wonderful people – and even when its people have been forced to leave, that love has endured. As the grandson of a first-generation Italian-American, I learned first to love Italy through traditions and food, and then her expansive history and world-shaping cultural contributions. When I moved to Italy in 2002 and really fell in love with the people, the food, the way of life. But as I moved around Italy, and made friends with Italians from other regions, I realized that Italian history isn’t a simple thing – the same forces did not shape each of the regions, and those different historical experiences have greatly influenced how the peoples of Italy define themselves – Italians always identify first with their region, and then with the nation. I’ve been exploring these historical threads on and off for the better part of twenty years now, and I look forward to exploring them with you through the podcast.