The most brilliant and stimulating analysis of the rise of Fascism that has appeared. Ramifies into all fields of human action and reaction. The author, a scholar, diplomat and man of profound literary achievements, has traced the fascist embryo from Dante, Machiavelli, Garibaldi etc. to Mussolini's rise to power and his throttlehold over church, press, king and army. Then follows the march of fascism on the world. Emotional, intellectual, economic, social, political motivations of men and society and continual contrast with alien phases and projection into fields of literature, art and psychology. Not easy reading; but immensely rewarding -- intellectual challenge -- amazing style. One of the big books of the season.