'A compelling and sobering read' JOHN DICKIE, author of Mafia Republic

'Deeply researched and powerfully written' ROSS KING, author of Brunelleschi's Dome

The explosive story of the terrorist group that stopped Italy in the 1970s.

In March 1978, the Red Brigades abducted former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, killing his bodyguards. They held him hostage for almost two months as the world watched in shock, before finally killing him and throwing his body into the middle of Rome.

But who were this terrorist group? What did they want? And how did they manage to operate for nearly twenty years, terrorizing a country from 1970 to 1988?

In the remarkable new book by John Futt, we learn how they became the most powerful left-wing terrorist organization in post-war Western Europe. Drawing support from the protest student movements of the 1960s, activists and workers radicalized by the 'hot autumn' of 1969, the Red Brigades were inspired by terrorist groups from around the world, particularly in Latin America. They created their own rules and wielded power, launching a campaign of murders, kidnappings, horrific attacks, and harassment that paralyzed the Italian judicial system and reshaped the political landscape.

For a time, they were regarded by the Italian left as fighters for freedom and honored as martyrs.

Through careful research, Futt reveals the true story behind the myths that have grown around the Red Brigades, emphasizing the human cost of their actions and their impact on Italian society. He explains how contradictions within their actions ultimately led to their downfall through a series of high-profile mass trials.

The Red Brigades shed new light on the dark world of brigatisti, and highlight the legacy of planning, distrust, and bitterness that continues to remain in Italy today.

Pages: 464, Year of Publication: 0930, Dimensions: 16.4x16.4cm