The deep historical analysis of Michael Burleigh, Nonino Prize “Master of Our Time 2012” moves from the times of the French Revolution to the present day.

Anticipating future scenarios, which have later proved to be true, analyzing “earthly powers and sacred causes” with a particular consideration for totalitarianisms (Sacred Causes); his analysis of Nazism in The Third Reich is masterly.

With a fascinating writing, without however sacrificing scientific rigour, Burleigh composes a scenario that explains the latest centuries of events while showing a worldwide becoming in which there is an urgent need of the optimism of reason, since the definition of what is at stake is itself – surely – part of the solution.

The prize is delivered by V.S.Naipaul