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

by MacGregor Knox

This book explores the motives, preparation, objectives, contact and consequences of Italy's war of 1940, which ended the country's role as a great power and reduced it to the status of first among Germany's satellites. What Professor Knox demonstrates more clearly than any previous biographer or historian is the limits of Mussolini's power. In particular, thanks to exhaustive research in the relevant archives, he has been able to throw important new light on Mussolini's relations with his military advisers and commanders. His scholarship is first-class, and for once a publisher's blurb does not exaggerate in claiming that his book is 'superbly written'.

Genres: History, Italy, Military History, World War II, War, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explores the motives, preparations and consequences of Italy's 1940 wars - against France, Greece and the British forces in Libya. Mussolini's urge for imperial expansion, coupled with his expectation of the downfall of France and Britain, made sure he didn't want to miss this 'historical moment', but only caused a lack of consistency in planning, with principal objectives and enemies being changed with little regard for the consequences.

Any normal and balanced leader would never have dared to allow Italy enter the war on Germany's side - its industrial strength was more that of a underdeveloped country, lack of strategic materials meant that most of it needed to be imported (mainly from Britain) and the Italian army needed to be modernized before it even could think of waging modern war.

But Mussolini was no normal and balanced leader. His fascist beliefs meant that he entered the war without any serious planning and preparations necessary for a war with the Western powers. The Italians could win on motivation alone, the Greeks were untermenschen and the British would never be able to put up a fight in the desert, as any Italian paisano would be able to cope with the heat without any issues.

This book gives a good description of Italy's industrial strength, economy and Mussolini's relations with his generals, although a little dry and academic here and there. All in all three stars.

For a more accessible account of Italy I suggest this book:
Mussolini's War: Fascist Italy from Triumph to Collapse, 1935-1943

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Zorbosito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that make you cry

[Mike Harbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knox presents a thorough and very readable account of Mussolini's management (mismanagement) of fascist Italy's war. He does a great job of setting the stage for Italy's ineptitude in fighting their Mediterranean and North African campaigns and clearly shows how Mussolini's ambitions greatly outreached Italy's ability to wage war. No doubt Mussolini's Italy was more of a factor in the war when they were a non-belligerent than when they actually engaged in fighting.

This is a thorough and very readable history that is a good fit for both the serious student and the armchair historian. One does not need a thorough or detailed knowledge of the Second World War to understand and appreciate Knox's book. I recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about Italy's role in the war.

[Andrew Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic