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John Dickie

@johndickie.bsky.social

320 followers 56 following 42 posts

Prof of Italian Studies at UCL. Historian. Books on mafia crime, Italian food, Freemasonry, etc. Updated edition of Delizia! The epic history of the Italians and their food. Paperback out now! www.johndickie.net

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Professor John Dickie is a British author, historian and academic who specialises in Italy.

Source: Wikipedia

Political science 25%

Sociology 25%

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Sep 16

Calling the United States of America! At long last the paperback of #TheCraft is landing on 23 September.
Www.johndickie.net

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Sep 3

I do a nesting arrangement with my ex wife like this too. It’s the best for the kids. But I know from experience that’s it’s hard to get a straight legal answer on anything tax-related about it (and my arrangement is simpler than hers). This is hounding and she should be defended to the hilt.

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jul 11

2023. The most recent year for which stats are available. *Zero* mafia murders reported again in Sicily.

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jul 1

First review by him that mentions the mafia and doesn’t tell the same old mistaken anecdote about cosca meaning artichoke

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jun 26

Great cover!

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jun 6

www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/the-...

This quietly radical garden tells a story of homelessness, healing and hope – I think it is the most important design at Chelsea Flower Show

The Pathway Garden showcases the healing power of horticulture

www.homesandgardens.com

Reposted by John Dickie

John Foot @footymac.bsky.social · May 14

Two events linked to my book on the Red Brigades - published on 19 June
9 June Bookhaus - Bristol - booking required
hdfst.uk/e125273 - 18.00 pm
10 June - Italian cultural institute London with John Dickie - 18.30 - booking required
iiclondra.esteri.it/.../the-red-...

The Red Brigades launch with John Foot at Bookhaus

In March 1978, the Red Brigades kidnapped former Italian prime minister Aldo Moro, murdering his bodyguards. For nearly two months, they held him hostage while a shocked world looked on, before eventu...

hdfst.uk

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · May 13

iiclondra.esteri.it/en/gli_event...

The Red Brigades. The Terrorists who Brought Italy to its Knees, by John Foot

Monday 10 June, 6.30pm The Red Brigades: The Terrorists who Brought Italy to its Knees by John Foot (Bloomsbury 2025) The author in conversation with John Dickie The explosive story of the terrorist g...

iiclondra.esteri.it

Reposted by John Dickie

Oh God, What Now? – the politics podcast @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social · Apr 23

🚨OUT NOW🚨 Trump behaves like a mob boss, complete with extortion and protection scams against universities, businesses, and governments. But is he a real Godfather or just cosplaying as one? @johndickie.bsky.social joins us to get into it! 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Apr 22

I’m backing Peter Turkson from among the papabili.

But only so I can say I’ve interviewed the Pope.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Who will be the next pope? Some potential candidates to succeed Francis

A ‘continuity’ pick, the possible first Asian pope or first black pontiff in centuries are among likely contenders

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by John Dickie

Modern Italy (Cambridge University Press) @modernitaly.bsky.social · Mar 31

Modern Italy turns 30—see the editorial written by the general editors Gianluca Fantoni and @milenasabato.bsky.social at the link.

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Modern Italy turns 30! | Modern Italy | Cambridge Core

Modern Italy turns 30! - Volume 30 Issue 1

www.cambridge.org

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Mar 12

AI HAS THE ANSWER:
Vindrheim:God of the Shifting Winds.
Jordvefr:Goddessof the hidden earth weavings
Straumsvalr:
God of the Rushing Currents.
Skuggsmiðr:
God of Shadow-Crafting.
Morgunroði:
Goddess of the Dawns first blush
Tíðskipti:
God of the Changing tides.

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Mar 5

search.app/bKELJeACEQP3...

I had lunch with Bruno Pizzul in Genoa once. Lovely man

Bruno Pizzul, icon of sports journalism, dies at 86 | ANSA.it

search.app

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 22

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

A raid and a secret tape exposed a Sicilian mafia that is shrunken, whiny and clinging on for survival | John Dickie

A historic number of arrests were made, but the days of targeted murder or massive political influence are long gone, says John Dickie, a professor at UCL

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by John Dickie

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Feb 22

A raid and a secret tape exposed a Sicilian mafia that is shrunken, whiny and clinging on for survival | John Dickie

A historic number of arrests were made, but the days of targeted murder or massive political influence are long gone, says John Dickie, a professor at UCL

www.theguardian.com

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 20

The new, updated edition of Delizia! Out in paperback very soon.

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 17

Freshly baked first copies of the paperback! Yum! Available for pre-order now

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 15

Very kind!

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 15

In theory yes I think. But possibly not in practice. Needs researching

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 11

There’s not been an antimafia operation this big in Palermo for more than 15years.

Mafia, maxi operazione a Palermo: oltre 180 arresti. In azione oltre 2 mila carabinieri

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 6

Btw there’s new scholarship about the origins of the first Prince Hall Lodge which I integrated into the paperback edition of The Craft

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 6

It’s London. If you go to the Museum of Freemasonry in Covent Garden you can see the charter

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Feb 3

Good piece on the Med diet and gastronationalism

www.politico.eu/article/medi...

The Mediterranean diet is a lie

Italy’s food is supposed to be the world’s healthiest. So why are so many of its kids obese?

www.politico.eu

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 30

Thanks! There’s stuff on slavery in the book esp chapters on British Empire and early US masonry

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 23

How I became a historian of Freemasonry johndickie.net/books/the-cr...

How I came to write The Craft – JOHN DICKIE

johndickie.net

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 8

Crumbs! It’s SAS vs the mafia in #SASRogueHeroes

I can feel a long pedantic historical thread coming on about the mafia, Fascism and the Allies.

Not

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 3

PS The pessimistic tone in the comments quoted in the piece is illustrative of an unduly pessimistic mood abroad in Sicily. The reason for the pessimism isn’t anything to do with the current battered state of Cosa Nostra

John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 3

5) A bigger story, in my view, is the ongoing trial of people paying protection money in Brancaccio who have refused to denounce their extortionists—the implication being that they are allies of Cosa Nostra not victims. They is the last redoubt of the Mafia’s power base. Ends.

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 3

4) The background is important here: Cosa Nostra is in the worst state ever

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John Dickie @johndickie.bsky.social · Jan 3

3) If they try to reform the Cupola the overwhelming likelihood is that a) lots of mafiosi won’t join because of the risk and b) they will be bugged, filmed and arrested

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