This essay ideally concludes the substantial historiographical output of Simonde de Sismondi, and embraces all the fundamental ideas advanced in his long career as a historian, economist, and political thinker. Conceived as a text for a non-specialist readership (both English and French), in Italy this book did not enjoy the same success as the various editions of the Histoire des Républiques italiennes du moyen âge, in spite of Cesare Cantù’s early translation (1836). Nevertheless, it represents a definitive and unwavering affirmation of Sismondi's love and admiration for the Italian peninsula and the Italian nation. In the course of twenty four chapters, the Genevan reiterates some of his favourite themes while adding another milestone to the image of Italy that had been constructed from the early 19th century.