Physician, patriot, and freemason, Ferdinando Zannetti (Monte San Savino, 1801 - Florence, 1881) is chiefly famous for having extracted the bullet from Giuseppe Garibaldi s leg after the battle of Aspromonte in 1862. This claim to fame, however, may overshadow his other achievements: a volunteer in the wars of independence, Zannetti held high office as member of the Provisional Government of Tuscany in 1849 and General of the Civil Guard, member of the Governing Council of Tuscany, Senator of the Kingdom of Italy, and Chairman of the Higher Council for Health. Rejecting compromise, he paid a heavy price for his beliefs in his medical and research career. In this volume, Olinto Dini tells the story of Zannetti s life amid the events that led to Italian independence and unity, emphasizing his consistency of purpose, generosity, practical commitment, and ideals. Foreword by Riccardo Nencini; introductory essays by Guglielmo Adilardi and Paolo Piazzesi.