Mussolini Unleashed, 1939 1941: Politics and Strategy in Fascist Italy's Last War

This is one of the most thorough accounts of Mussolini and the Italy's foray into the World War. The author provides an almost overly thorough analysis with literally almost every sentence packing maximum information punch. If you want to have a one book summary of how Italy became involved in war in Europe this is a great start. It glazes over some areas but when it comes to the time period covered this literally is a day by day and event by event account of the war. Top notch analysis provides wonderful diplomatic discussion and very clear conclusions. For those interested in diplomatic history this is a great book to take a look at. I have read over thirty books related to Mussolini and world war II and this is easily in the top three.

One of the very few books on Mussolini that shows the true causes of Italy's failure in her war aims during World War II. MacGregor Knox does not fall into the trap that so many other historians show when retelling the total and abject failure of Italy's land, sea and air forces during the last world war. This is not simply a retelling of a dictator leading his country to ruin.The poor leadership of Italy's military leaders are shown in full light (Marshal Badoglio's vascillations, General Graziani's timidity and Admiral Cagnari's fabian tatics). The book also shows Mussolini's problems with the monarchy, the church, and the unwillingless of the Italian people themselves to be drawn into another world war.A must read for anyone who wants to read an unblemished account of Italy's performance in the last world war.