{"product_id":"9780007579709_the-pike-gabriele-dannunzio-poet-seducer-and-preacher-of-war","title":"The Pike: Gabriele d’Annunzio, Poet, Seducer and Preacher of War","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n          \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTHE TIMES\u003c\/em\u003e BIOGRAPHY OF THE DECADE\u003c\/strong\u003e\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n          \u003cstrong\u003eWINNER OF THE 2013 SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION\u003c\/strong\u003e\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n          \u003cstrong\u003eWINNER OF THE 2013 COSTA BOOK AWARDS BIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR\u003c\/strong\u003e\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story of Gabriele D’Annunzio, poet, daredevil – and Fascist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn September 1919 Gabriele D’Annunzio, successful poet and occasional politician, declared himself Commandante of the city of Fiume in modern-day Croatia. His intention – to establish a utopia based on his fascist and artistic ideals. It was the dramatic pinnacle to an outrageous career.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLucy Hughes-Hallett charts the controversial life of D’Annunzio, the debauched artist who became a national hero. His evolution from idealist Romantic to radical right-wing revolutionary is a political parable. Through his ideological journey, culminating in the failure of the Fiume endeavour, we witness the political turbulence of early 20th-century Europe and the emergence of fascism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn The Pike, Hughes-Hallett addresses the cult of nationalism and the origins of political extremism – and at the centre of the book stands the charismatic D’Annunzio: a figure as deplorable as he is fascinating.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pike, long-listed and winning multiple awards, is a testament to Lucy Hughes-Hallett's prowess in weaving history and autobiography. It is a bestseller that delves into the life of a man who was as fascinating as he was deplorable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor fans of Helen Castor (Joan of Arc), Philippe Sands (The Ratline), Andrea Wulf (Magnificent Rebels), Sonia Purnell (A Woman of No Importance), and Tom Holland (The Rest is History).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lucy Hughes-Hallett, Read by Karoline Newman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46889088385173,"sku":"9780007579709","price":66.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0484\/3175\/9509\/files\/9780007579709_eb389443-52ea-4691-ac1a-4493857ffc0d.jpg?v=1776888370","url":"https:\/\/harpercollins.com.au\/products\/9780007579709_the-pike-gabriele-dannunzio-poet-seducer-and-preacher-of-war","provider":"HarperCollins AU","version":"1.0","type":"link"}