Mussolini and the Rise of Fascism - Hardcover

Sassoon, Donald

3.59

63 ratings by Goodreads

9780007192427: Mussolini and the Rise of Fascism

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007192428 ISBN 13: 9780007192427

Publisher: HarperPress, 2008

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In this fascinating look at the unique conjuncture of factors surrounding Il Duce’s seizure of power, eminent historian Donald Sassoon traces the political circumstances that sent Italy on a collision course with the most destructive war of the century.

On the morning of 30 October 1922, Mussolini arrived in Rome to accept the premiership of a constitutional, conservative government. Within five years, however, his regime would morph into a dictatorship that neither his fascist supporters nor the conservative old order could have predicted, and Mussolini himself would be transformed from figurehead to despot.

A multiplicity of personalities and wider impersonal forces, including the social upheaval caused by the previous world war, combined to make possible the crisis of 1922 and the Fascist ‘March on Rome’. But in fact, Donald Sassoon argues, things could have gone very differently and the core focus of this illuminating study is not so much what happened, but how. How did Mussolini seize power so effectively that he maintained it for the next twenty years, until he dragged his country, disastrously, into World War II? Social fragmentation, unionization, inflation and nationalism all played a part in weakening the old political system, while Mussolini seemed to provide answers in a troubling new era. In the event, Il Duce's ruthless political ambition and cruel authoritarianism would surprise his supporters and opponents alike.

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Review:

Praise for ‘The Culture of the Europeans’:

‘An absorbing, illuminating and enjoyable book...anyone with an interest in the development of culture...will find it interesting, informative and surprisingly entertaining. It is also packed with good sense.’ Daily Telegraph

‘Never less than penetrating in his comments...this...book shows how British historians such as Sassoon...now occupy the commanding heights of comparative European history and analysis.’ Financial Times

‘Convincing and well–written...Sassoon limits himself to the issue of fascism's rise to power which he explains well.’ Sunday Times

‘A clear, concise analysis of Mussolini's 1922 power grab...Sassoon is as adept at micro-history as the grand sweep.’ Daily Telegraph

Praise for ‘Mona Lisa’:

‘Sassoon’s style is witty and elegant...He has created a scholarly and entertaining book that says as much about global celebrity as it does about the painting itself.’ The Observer

‘This skilfull investigation...is a treasure trove of historical detail...it almost makes it possible to look at the picture with clean eyes.’ Daily Mail

‘Enormous, unique and encyclopedic ... a monument to streetwise and cosmopolitan scholarship.’ Eric Hobsbaum, Guardian

‘Absorbing, illuminating and enjoyable ... informative and surprisingly entertaining.’ Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph

‘This is an extremely valuable book.’ Sunday Times

About the Author:

Donald Sassoon is Professor of History at Queen Mary, University of London. He is author of several books, including ‘Contemporary Italy: Politics, Economy and Society Since 1945’, ‘One Hundred Years of Socialism’ (Fontana 1997), ‘Mona Lisa: The History of the World’s Most Famous Painting’ and ‘The Culture of the Europeans: From 1800 to the Present’.

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