Spencer M. Di Scala is Professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in modern Italian and European history.  He has won awards for his scholarship, held Fulbright Fellowships and visiting professorships at Italian universities, and has published groundbreaking books in twentieth century European history.

Emilio Gentile is an award-winning Professor Emeritus at the University of Rome and has been visiting professor at several American universities.  He has published fundamental works in the history of Italian Fascism and has led the field in researching the theme of politics as a secular religion.