The travels of a Deal author have informed his writings as published in his latest political biography.

Richard Bourne, who has lived in the town since 1985, has released Garibaldi in South America published by Hurst.

Mr Bourne has combined historical research with his travels in Uruguay and southern Brazil to explore contemporary awareness of and reflection on how the past can influence or be transformed by the needs of today.

It focuses on Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of Italian unification, who lived, learned and fought in South America for over twelve years in the first half of the nineteenth century.

He was tortured, escaped death on countless occasions, and met his Brazilian wife, Anita, who eloped with him in 1839.

From then on, she would share in Garibaldi’s personal and political odyssey, first in the breakaway republic of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, and then as Montevideo’s admiral and general in the Uruguayan civil war.

Mr Bourne breathes life and understanding into these spectacular South American adventures, which also shed light on the creation of Italy.

Garibaldi’s Redshirts liberated Sicily and Naples wearing ponchos adopted by his Italian Legion in Montevideo.

His ideas, his charismatic command of volunteers, and his naive dislike of politicking were all infused by his earlier experiences in South America.

A statement by Hurst says: "Now, at a time of narrow identity politics, Garibaldi’s unifying zeal and advocacy for subjugated peoples everywhere offer an exemplary lesson in transnational political idealism."

Book reviewer David McLean, Emeritus Professor of History, King’s College London said: "Bourne reveals one of the most adventurous and inspiring characters of the nineteenth century."

Richard Bourne has been writing about South America since his Political Leaders of Latin America was published in 1969, and his many books include Lula of Brazil: The Story So Far, published in 2008.

Garibaldi in South America by Richard Bourne was released in September and is available in hardback, priced £25 here.

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