This is the first wholly new collection of Don Camillo stories to be translated into English for over forty years - novel enchantments for those who already know the hot-headed village priest and his adversary Peppone, the communist mayor, and a very special entré for those who don''t.Set against the background of the rise and fall of fascism (Mussolini, Hitler) and post-war communism (Stalin, Khrushchev and Mao''s China), the author looks down with hawk''s-eye vision into the lives of the ordinary people of La Bassa, and delivers his message with great humour and insight - to cut through prejudice and political correctness and follow one''s inner voice rather than any political dogma.''So concerned with the trivialities of everyday life ... and so shrewd.'' London Evening NewsABOUT THE AUTHORGiovannino Guareschi, known as Giovanni to his millions of English language readers, was born at Fontanelle in the Valley of the Po on the 1st of May, 1908. His father wanted him to become a naval engineer. He, for the very enjoyment of going the opposite way, determined to become a lawyer, but found his vocation when he sent some cartoons he had drawn to the satirical magazine, ''Bartoldo''. Later he founded the satirical magazine, ''Candido'', and wrote 346 stories featuring Don Camillo, a character who has done for Italy what Cervantes Don Quixote did for Spain.