In 1881, Giovanni Verga defined Milan as ‘la città più città d'Italia’ (‘Italy's most urban city’). A statement of some significance, as at that time Rome and Turin could each legitimately claim to have much greater political if not economic clout. Almost one and a half centuries later, the role of the capitale morale as the pulsing heart of a country incessantly searching for both a modern national identity and a city-centred narrative remains unchallenged, as proved by two books straddling cultural history, personal memoir and current affairs.

中文翻译：

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当代米兰的文化：为辉煌的过去流泪，还是在全球机遇中冲浪？

1881 年，Giovanni Verga 将米兰定义为“ la città più città d'Italia ”（“意大利最都市的城市”）。一个具有一定意义的声明，因为当时罗马和都灵都可以合法地声称拥有更大的政治影响力，如果不是经济影响力的话。将近一个半世纪之后，首都士气作为一个不断寻求现代民族认同和以城市为中心的叙事的国家的心脏的作用仍然没有受到挑战，两本跨越文化历史的书证明了这一点，个人回忆录和时事。