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Mussolini and Hitler: The Forging of the Fascist Alliance
From 1934 until 1944 Mussolini met Hitler numerous times, and the two developed a relationship that deeply affected both countries. While Germany is generally regarded as the senior power, Christian Goeschel demonstrates just how much history has underrepresented Mussolini’s influence on his German ally.
In this highly readable book, Goeschel, a scholar of twentieth-century Germany and Italy, revisits all of Mussolini and Hitler’s key meetings and asks how these meetings constructed a powerful image of a strong Fascist-Nazi relationship that still resonates with the general public. His portrait of Mussolini draws on sources ranging beyond political history to reveal a leader who, at times, shaped Hitler’s decisions and was not the gullible buffoon he's often portrayed as. The first comprehensive study of the Mussolini-Hitler relationship, this book is a must read for scholars and anyone interested in the history of European fascism, World War II, or political leadership.
In this highly readable book, Goeschel, a scholar of twentieth-century Germany and Italy, revisits all of Mussolini and Hitler’s key meetings and asks how these meetings constructed a powerful image of a strong Fascist-Nazi relationship that still resonates with the general public. His portrait of Mussolini draws on sources ranging beyond political history to reveal a leader who, at times, shaped Hitler’s decisions and was not the gullible buffoon he's often portrayed as. The first comprehensive study of the Mussolini-Hitler relationship, this book is a must read for scholars and anyone interested in the history of European fascism, World War II, or political leadership.
388 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 8, 2021
" سيتطلب الامر عقودا من الزمن لمحو الاثار المدمره الناجمه عن هذه العلاقه المشوهه ".. هكذا انهى الكاتب هذا التسجيل المؤرخ لعلاقه اكثر الرجال عنفا و دمويه فى القرن العشرين ... و السؤال المطروح : لما يحتاج العالم للشيطان حتى يدمر ذاته ؟! ... الكتاب يجيب بان العقول البشريه بانحرافاتها كفيله بهذا .. لم يكن هتلر و موسولينى هم فقط " الاشرار" لهذه الحقبه ، فقذ ذهبت وراءهم عدد كبير من عامه شعوبهم ،امنوا بهم و برغباتهم فى الاستحواذ و شاركوهم ميولهم للعنصريه و الدم ...
February 18, 2023
Typical bias that one expects given the subject matter. Some useful information is contained therein as the author manages to have more integrity than is to be expected these days. Even the drunken buffoon Winston Churchill kept an autographed picture of Mussolini in his office. Attention is drawn to the animosity that existed between Italians and Germans in relation to their history.
August 30, 2020
Anyone who starts this book with the intention of understanding the foreign policy background behind the alliance between Mussolini and Hitler will not be disappointed.
Traditionally, the alliance between Germany and Italy has not received too much attention and is usually seen as a product of the common ideology. Goeschel's book begins in the 20's and illustrates the great ideological differences that existed from the beginning between Italian fascism and German National Socialism. This book makes it much clearer that Mussolini did not seek an alliance with Germany and actually did not want one. Hitler, on the other hand, wanted an alliance with fascist Italy from the time he wrote his "Mein Kampf" and had it as one of the priorities during his term of office.
The character of both statesmen is treated seriously in this book, but in the end it was not the two dictators who were behind the alliance, but rather the foreign policy realities that existed at the time that brought these countries together. The military, political and diplomatic realities beginning from the failed putsch in Austria in 1935 to the outbreak of war in 1939 are presented particularly clearly .
In general, I can only recommend this book to beginners as well as people who already have more knowledge in the area of the Second World War and the foreign policy situation of the time!
Traditionally, the alliance between Germany and Italy has not received too much attention and is usually seen as a product of the common ideology. Goeschel's book begins in the 20's and illustrates the great ideological differences that existed from the beginning between Italian fascism and German National Socialism. This book makes it much clearer that Mussolini did not seek an alliance with Germany and actually did not want one. Hitler, on the other hand, wanted an alliance with fascist Italy from the time he wrote his "Mein Kampf" and had it as one of the priorities during his term of office.
The character of both statesmen is treated seriously in this book, but in the end it was not the two dictators who were behind the alliance, but rather the foreign policy realities that existed at the time that brought these countries together. The military, political and diplomatic realities beginning from the failed putsch in Austria in 1935 to the outbreak of war in 1939 are presented particularly clearly .
In general, I can only recommend this book to beginners as well as people who already have more knowledge in the area of the Second World War and the foreign policy situation of the time!
August 15, 2025
My goodness they were petty, janus-faced, fragile and pathetic!
Goeschel provides an excellent balance of analysis and anecdote that makes this a very easy and interesting read, full of little surprises into the personalities and politics of the 30s and 40s. Goeschel also does a good job at relating this to some contemporary politics and historical memory, such as the worrying rise of Mussolini apologists.
Goeschel provides an excellent balance of analysis and anecdote that makes this a very easy and interesting read, full of little surprises into the personalities and politics of the 30s and 40s. Goeschel also does a good job at relating this to some contemporary politics and historical memory, such as the worrying rise of Mussolini apologists.
August 30, 2020
Jeder, der dieses Buch mit der Absicht anfängt, die außenpolitischen Hintergründe zu verstehen, die hinter der Allianz zwischen Mussolini und Hitler standen, wird nicht enttäuscht sein.
Traditionell wird dem Bund zwischen Deutschland und Italien keine zu große Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt und wird normalerweise als ein Produkt der gemeinsamen Ideologie angesehen.
Goeschels Buch fängt in den 20'er Jahren an und illustriert die großen ideologischen Differenzen, die von Anfang an zwischen dem italienischen Faschismus und deutschen Nationalsozialismus existierten.
Dieses Buch stellt es viel klarer dar, dass Mussolini kein Bündniss mit Deutschland anstrebte und dieses eigentlich auch nicht wollte. Hitler widerrum wollte bereits seit der Zeit, als er seinen "Mein Kampf" schrieb, ein Bündniss mit dem faschistischen Italien und es auch in seiner Amtszeit für eine der Prioritäten hatte.
Der Charakter beider Staatsmänner wird in diesem Buch seriös behandelt, aber es waren im Endeffekt nicht die beiden Diktatoren, die hinter der Allianz standen, sondern die außenpolitischen Realitäten, die damals existierten, die diese Länder zusammentrieben. Die militärischen, politischen und diplomatischen Realitäten von dem gescheiterten Putsch in Österreich im Jahr 1935 bis zu dem Kriegsausbruch im 1939, werden besonders klar und gut dargestellt.
Allgemein kann ich dieses Buch Anfängern, wie auch Menschen, die in dem Bereich des Zweiten Weltkriegs und der außenpolitischen Situation der damaligen Zeit bereits von mehr Wissen verfügen, nur empfehlen!
Traditionell wird dem Bund zwischen Deutschland und Italien keine zu große Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt und wird normalerweise als ein Produkt der gemeinsamen Ideologie angesehen.
Goeschels Buch fängt in den 20'er Jahren an und illustriert die großen ideologischen Differenzen, die von Anfang an zwischen dem italienischen Faschismus und deutschen Nationalsozialismus existierten.
Dieses Buch stellt es viel klarer dar, dass Mussolini kein Bündniss mit Deutschland anstrebte und dieses eigentlich auch nicht wollte. Hitler widerrum wollte bereits seit der Zeit, als er seinen "Mein Kampf" schrieb, ein Bündniss mit dem faschistischen Italien und es auch in seiner Amtszeit für eine der Prioritäten hatte.
Der Charakter beider Staatsmänner wird in diesem Buch seriös behandelt, aber es waren im Endeffekt nicht die beiden Diktatoren, die hinter der Allianz standen, sondern die außenpolitischen Realitäten, die damals existierten, die diese Länder zusammentrieben. Die militärischen, politischen und diplomatischen Realitäten von dem gescheiterten Putsch in Österreich im Jahr 1935 bis zu dem Kriegsausbruch im 1939, werden besonders klar und gut dargestellt.
Allgemein kann ich dieses Buch Anfängern, wie auch Menschen, die in dem Bereich des Zweiten Weltkriegs und der außenpolitischen Situation der damaligen Zeit bereits von mehr Wissen verfügen, nur empfehlen!
July 9, 2025
While it does not overturn prevailing knowledge and perspectives regarding their mutual relations, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the concept of fascism and the characteristics of a fascist ruler. A particularly egregious aspect of the fascist rulers' regime was the replacement of experts and bureaucrats in pivotal fields with their own supporters, effectively excluding individuals from the scientific community.
It is widely documented that Mussolini was regarded as the most intelligent fascist leader in history. Conversely, Hitler's actions, such as the extermination of Jews, are often perceived as misguided, as this policy ultimately contributed to Germany's economic and scientific decline. It is noteworthy that Jewish scientists possessed the expertise necessary to develop nuclear weapons for the fascist regime if Hitler had not adopted racist policies. However, the two fascist leaders did not sever their friendship, and they maintained a certain degree of camaraderie until the eventual collapse of the movement.
The conclusion drawn from this analysis is that the subjects' strength and power were significantly diminished as a result of their own ideological frameworks. Upon completion of the text, readers are inclined to perceive fascism as a system that lacks strength.
It is widely documented that Mussolini was regarded as the most intelligent fascist leader in history. Conversely, Hitler's actions, such as the extermination of Jews, are often perceived as misguided, as this policy ultimately contributed to Germany's economic and scientific decline. It is noteworthy that Jewish scientists possessed the expertise necessary to develop nuclear weapons for the fascist regime if Hitler had not adopted racist policies. However, the two fascist leaders did not sever their friendship, and they maintained a certain degree of camaraderie until the eventual collapse of the movement.
The conclusion drawn from this analysis is that the subjects' strength and power were significantly diminished as a result of their own ideological frameworks. Upon completion of the text, readers are inclined to perceive fascism as a system that lacks strength.
April 21, 2019
I'm certain this would be much more interesting for those interested in the art of subtle diplomacy but that's not me so I didn't finish it... I got bored @ around 25% through and gave up.
January 18, 2025
WW2 from a very informative perspective.
WW2 is usually presented from the perspective of German actions: the assimilation of Austria, taking the Sudetenland, invading Poland, the fall of France, etc. So what was Italy doing during all this time? It was the other major axis country, but it's hardly mentioned. This book tells the whole story of what Germany was doing and what Italy was or was not doing. The relationship between Hitler and Mussolini is critical to a deeper understanding of the war, imo, and this book gives it to us. It is well-written, detailed, and provides the context for what and why these two dictators took the actions they did, starting in the '20s when Mussolini came to power and the early '30s when Hitler rose, and continuing to their deaths.
I always thought Germany lost the war because Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. I now believe a major reason was his alliance with Italy and rather inexplicable admiration of Mussolini even long after he deserved such admiration, imo.
Highly recommended for WW2 buffs.
WW2 is usually presented from the perspective of German actions: the assimilation of Austria, taking the Sudetenland, invading Poland, the fall of France, etc. So what was Italy doing during all this time? It was the other major axis country, but it's hardly mentioned. This book tells the whole story of what Germany was doing and what Italy was or was not doing. The relationship between Hitler and Mussolini is critical to a deeper understanding of the war, imo, and this book gives it to us. It is well-written, detailed, and provides the context for what and why these two dictators took the actions they did, starting in the '20s when Mussolini came to power and the early '30s when Hitler rose, and continuing to their deaths.
I always thought Germany lost the war because Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. I now believe a major reason was his alliance with Italy and rather inexplicable admiration of Mussolini even long after he deserved such admiration, imo.
Highly recommended for WW2 buffs.
September 18, 2025
Goeschel reexamines the relationship between Mussolini and Hitler by focusing on their meetings and correspondence, along with the public-facing messages they intended to convey. He concludes that their alliance was based more on their practical needs for an ally rather than ideological affinity, though they did share that. Over time, Hitler went from being the supplicant to the master, with Italian military failures driving the overall pattern of relative decline.
March 28, 2025
Almost a case of master being overtaken by apprentice. Mussolini seemed to like diplomacy and hedging Italy's bets and Hitler, he was more likely to smash and grab type of guy. He didn't have the constraints of a royal family and ceremony to restrict him. The shift in power dynamics was fascinating. This book complimented recent books I've read on Hitler and the Nazi party.
March 30, 2025
Excellent Read!
Was always curious when reading other books involving Hitler or Mussolini what their real relationship must have been. This book provides great insights into that relationship. Interesting to see how enamored Hitler was toward Mussolini and how much that relationship turned 180 degrees!
Was always curious when reading other books involving Hitler or Mussolini what their real relationship must have been. This book provides great insights into that relationship. Interesting to see how enamored Hitler was toward Mussolini and how much that relationship turned 180 degrees!
March 14, 2019
3.5-4 stars
February 16, 2020
Spændende og overraskende analyse af et historisk set underbelyst personligt forhold mellem de to diktatorer.
April 24, 2021
Made some sense of the Axis powers.
November 24, 2024
A tedious historical scholarly book covering all correspondence and meetings between the two dictators. It was a slog, but insightful related to the personalities and history.
October 27, 2022
DAnsk udgave
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews