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Mussolini: The Last 600 Days of IL Duce
In his last days, Mussolini, the tyrant, was in the grip of anger, shame, and depression. The German armed forces that had sustained his puppet government since its creation in September 1943 were being inexorably driven out of Italy, the frontiers of his Fascist republic were shrinking daily and Mussolini was aware that German military leaders were negotiating with the Allies behind his back in neutral Switzerland. Moseley's well-researched and highly engaging tome throws light on the last twenty months of the despot's life and culminates with the dramatic capture and execution of Mussolini (and his mistress Claretta Petacci) by partisans of the Italian resistance on April 28, 1945.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 7, 2024
I was deeply unimpressed by this account of Mussolini's last two years as 'leader' of the 'Salo' republic (and I know Salo is a inaccurate slang term of contempt but, it was a grotesque regime which would deserve the epitet absurd except that would be disrespectful of its many victims). In most respects it is not only not very good. Rather old fashioned in its views and sources.
That it trotes out the 'legend' of good Italians versus bad Germans in terms persecuting Jewish people can be excused as although there were many working on demolishing that canard it was not until 2015 that 'The Italian Executioners: The Genocide of the Jews of Italy' by Simon Levis Sullam finally and irrevocably buried the idea of the 'good' Italians forever.
What is more distressing is that a history/biography of Mussolini which deals with events such as the deportation of Rome's Jewish population can, without blushing, refer to Robert Katz's 1969 book on the deportation of Rome's Jews as 'definitive'. Mr. Katz was the first author in English, or possibly any language, to bring this event back from obscurity but there has been a huge amount of new research, much of it published before this book ('Under His Very Windows' by Susan Zuccotti is one excellent example). The role of Pius XII and the Vatican in the story of what happened to the Jews of Rome is considerably more problematic then the chapter devoted to in 'The Last Days of Mussolini' would lead to believe.
This is perfectly good popular history writing but it isn't very good history.
That it trotes out the 'legend' of good Italians versus bad Germans in terms persecuting Jewish people can be excused as although there were many working on demolishing that canard it was not until 2015 that 'The Italian Executioners: The Genocide of the Jews of Italy' by Simon Levis Sullam finally and irrevocably buried the idea of the 'good' Italians forever.
What is more distressing is that a history/biography of Mussolini which deals with events such as the deportation of Rome's Jewish population can, without blushing, refer to Robert Katz's 1969 book on the deportation of Rome's Jews as 'definitive'. Mr. Katz was the first author in English, or possibly any language, to bring this event back from obscurity but there has been a huge amount of new research, much of it published before this book ('Under His Very Windows' by Susan Zuccotti is one excellent example). The role of Pius XII and the Vatican in the story of what happened to the Jews of Rome is considerably more problematic then the chapter devoted to in 'The Last Days of Mussolini' would lead to believe.
This is perfectly good popular history writing but it isn't very good history.
July 1, 2024
Dealing with the end of Mussolini's life from the time of his removal by King Victor Emmanuel III up to his execution by the Partisans in 1945, this book serves as an excellent biography of not only Benito Mussolini but also the Italian Social Republic (the so-called Salò Republic) as the author takes care to detail not only the personal happenings of Mussolini's life but also the policies and structures of the Salò Republic and its German overseers.
A lot of care is put into showing just what was going in the heads not only of Mussolini but those around him including his family and mistress and certain sections such as those pertaining to Partisan attacks or the Gran Sasso Raid which freed Mussolini from the captivity of the Kingdom of Italy feel almost like parts of a thriller novel in how they grip the reader, really giving the reader an intimate feel as though seen on film or in-person of what was going on.
The only thing I wish this book dwelled more on, since this was the reason I had initially bought it, was the economy of the Salò Republic and the way it differed from the economy of the Kingdom of Italy when Mussolini was Prime Minister. But although I personally had bought the book hoping to acquire a greater understanding of the history of the Salò Republic itself and not so much the life of Mussolini, I nevertheless was not disappointed as the book still managed to capture my attention with its telling of Mussolini's story and window into the lives of many key figures in the Italian fascist movement and the German war in Italy. It is rare that I can go into a book and not necessarily find the desired information yet still thoroughly enjoy it, and so for that also I must praise this book.
Overall, this is one of the greatest biographies of any major personality of WWII I think I have yet read.
A lot of care is put into showing just what was going in the heads not only of Mussolini but those around him including his family and mistress and certain sections such as those pertaining to Partisan attacks or the Gran Sasso Raid which freed Mussolini from the captivity of the Kingdom of Italy feel almost like parts of a thriller novel in how they grip the reader, really giving the reader an intimate feel as though seen on film or in-person of what was going on.
The only thing I wish this book dwelled more on, since this was the reason I had initially bought it, was the economy of the Salò Republic and the way it differed from the economy of the Kingdom of Italy when Mussolini was Prime Minister. But although I personally had bought the book hoping to acquire a greater understanding of the history of the Salò Republic itself and not so much the life of Mussolini, I nevertheless was not disappointed as the book still managed to capture my attention with its telling of Mussolini's story and window into the lives of many key figures in the Italian fascist movement and the German war in Italy. It is rare that I can go into a book and not necessarily find the desired information yet still thoroughly enjoy it, and so for that also I must praise this book.
Overall, this is one of the greatest biographies of any major personality of WWII I think I have yet read.
July 9, 2024
Fascinating account of Mussolini’s “rule” during the Republic of Salo. After the Germans rescued him from imprisonment in Italy he was set up as Duce in North Italy. But he had limited real power, and was manipulated by his supporters, the Germans, and his family (including his loyal mistress, Clara Petacci).
The reader has to spend a lot of time in the index, because the cast of characters is huge (and compounded when focus shifts to negotiations to end the war in Italy). But the focus stays on Mussolini himself, his family, and the Germans who helped and hindered him. Then it shifts to those who captured and killed him.
The author is a skilled writer, and even if the ending is known, suspense builds swiftly. The reader will learn a lot.
My only real complaint is that we never really see how the Republic was supposed to work. It clearly failed; it’s not quite as clear how.
The reader has to spend a lot of time in the index, because the cast of characters is huge (and compounded when focus shifts to negotiations to end the war in Italy). But the focus stays on Mussolini himself, his family, and the Germans who helped and hindered him. Then it shifts to those who captured and killed him.
The author is a skilled writer, and even if the ending is known, suspense builds swiftly. The reader will learn a lot.
My only real complaint is that we never really see how the Republic was supposed to work. It clearly failed; it’s not quite as clear how.
July 5, 2017
Good coverage of Mussolini's last few days, but I would have preferred more on the Italian Social Republic.
August 15, 2025
This guy was a real jerk
November 9, 2011
Ray Moseley does an excellent job in bringing to light the final days of Italy under Mussolini. The Republic of Salo which is formed after the Nazi's free Mussolini from prison is a vague attempt to showcase that Italian people are still in control in Italy. As Moseley shows the Republic had no real power and Mussolini was consulted on almost nothing leaving the German military to run the state. The book jumps around on many topics and discusses Mussolini's stances on a variety of issues from anti-antisemitism to law and order in the fascist decrees he issued during this republic. The final fall of Mussolini and his capture amongst the mountains of lake Como are very well done and then the final part focuses on various myths related to Mussolini. While the book bounces around it is a great contribution to the last 600 days (594 to be exact) of Mussolini's empire and the tragic fall of Italy's most powerful leader.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews