Personal Reflection on Carlo Ginzburg's Methodological Influence

Alessandro Vanoli and Anita Romanello published a personal reflection on February 27, 2026, recounting a past conversation with historian Carlo Ginzburg. The author describes meeting Ginzburg at his home in Bologna years earlier, discussing doctoral research challenges and an unfinished project about Arabic translations of Machiavelli. The piece highlights Ginzburg's critical observation about the author's frequent use of the word 'functional,' which revealed methodological differences. Ginzburg is presented as a significant intellectual reference for emerging historians. The reflection explores themes of historical methodology and mentorship.