MUSSOLINI: Twilight and Fall

by Roman Dombrowski ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 16, 1956

As closely as documents and records permit, this follows Mussolini's last months (from 1943 to 1945)- when impotent and irresolute- he turned back in memory to the early years of power, looked forward to necking absolution in the eyes of history. Knowing that he was now only Hitler's ""gauleiter"" and unequal to the demands he would impose, Mussolini saw the disintegration of the party, and the regime in Italy, had its confirmation when the Grand Council returned a vote of no confidence. Arrested and imprisoned (although he took no precautions against this); he was rescued by Skorzeny on Hitler's orders and he attempted to reassert his authority in the trial at Verona against those who had betrayed him- including Ciano who was executed in spite of Edda's intercession. This did not stay the revolution which followed, nor his own flight to Dongo where he was to die- and bang in public- with Clara, the woman he loved during the last years. The papers which he had with him, including his diary for posterity- ""That the Italians May Know""- and his cache of gold and foreign currencies are still missing.... For the record, and for future reference, an important postlude to the story of Mussolini's dictatorship; the Class disrice might indicate the availability of a more general audience.

Pub Date: April 16, 1956

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Roy

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1956

Categories: NONFICTION