Historian Jasper Ridley brings us this comprehensive biography of the man who invented fascism: Benito Mussolini, widely regarded as one of the arch villains of the twentieth century. A complex and contradictory figure, Mussolini won the fascination of many statesmen and writers—and their wives. From his early years, raised in the traditions of revolutionary Italian Socialism, to his violent execution by Communist partisans at the end of World War II, we watch Mussolini's power ambitions erode his political ideals as he evolves from brilliant orator and journalist to empire-building dictator, enforcing his authority by death squads. A man initially admired by such Western luminaries as Winston Churchill, or underestimated as a posturing buffoon, he eventually showed his true colors as a racist and persecutor of the Jews. He sought equal stature with Hitler, but his alliance with him would prove disastrous.
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"Really good biography about the founder of fascism. This book really changed my opinion about Mussolini. Ridley does a good job bringing out the human being inside the dictator. " — Andrew (5 out of 5 stars)
"Really good biography about the founder of fascism. This book really changed my opinion about Mussolini. Ridley does a good job bringing out the human being inside the dictator. "
“In crisp British tones, Nadia May delivers an exceptionally lucid oral interpretation of Ridley’s snaky prose.”
“A well-written and balanced account of one of the more enigmatic figures of the twentieth century.”
“This book has great detail and remains the most comprehensive biography to appear in over a decade.”
“This new biography will refine our portrait of a 20th-century dictator.”
“This is a competent study by an experienced biographer.”
" The Denis Mack Smith is the one to read if you're reading only one. "
" A very interesting take on the dictator and his roots. I enjoyed it. "
" Really good biography about the founder of fascism. This book really changed my opinion about Mussolini. Ridley does a good job bringing out the human being inside the dictator. "
Jasper Ridley has written many successful biographies of forceful and vivid characters in the sixteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, among them Lord Palmerston, Napoleon III and Eugénie, Henry VIII, and Garibaldi. His books have been acclaimed in the United States, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Latin America. His most recently published book is a biography of Marshal Tito.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
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