«Just like every history read from a 'minor' view point, this history recalled in Places of memory is veined with self-ironic, slightly desperate and nostalgic affection. Almost as if that 'humble Italy', which fed on anecdotes, tasty banalities, collective infatuations and mistakes, ill-placed enthusiasm, were seen today from above (or below) by a country turned to plastic.» (Nello Ajello in «La Repubblica»). «Possibly the most authoritative scholar of the political immagery of the Italians, a historian highly qualified to record it in an indipendent fashion. The spirit animating this book is the civil intention of reacting to that system of destroyal of the past that today appears to be so fashionable and the intention of re-establishing the identity of the Italian nation» (Giampiero Carocci, «Diario della settimana»). «It could be described as a great journey within the wealth of memory collected by the Italian people, from the unification of the state to date» (Alberto Pupazzi, «tuttolibri»)