My Rise and Fall

by Benito Mussolini

Here, for the first time in one volume, are two rare autobiographical works by Benito Mussolini (1883-1945), founder of Fascism and Italian dictator for twenty-one years. The first volume (published in English in 1928 as My Autobiography) describes Mussolini's youth, years as an agitator and journalist, experiences in World War I, the formation and revolutionary struggles of the Fascist Party, the March on Rome, and his early years in power. The second volume (published in English in 1948 as The Fall of Mussolini) was written during the brief period between his rescue by the Germans in September 1943 and his execution by Italian partisans in April 1945. Here the Duce recounts his last year in power and the coup d'état that deposed him. My Rise and Fall allows readers to view the dictator from two unique vantage points: Il Duce, eyes on the horizon, chin thrust forward, as he nears his political zenith; and Mussolini at his nadir, a desperate, powerless, sawdust Caesar, soon to be shot and hanged, head down, for all to scorn.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Italy, Politics, Biography, World War II, Political Science

664 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 1998

About the author

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian dictator who founded and led the National Fascist Party (PNF). He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in 1943, as well as Duce of Italian fascism from the establishment of the Italian Fasces of Combat in 1919 until his summary execution in 1945 by Italian partisans. As dictator of Italy and principal founder of fascism, Mussolini inspired and supported the international spread of fascist movements during the inter-war period.

Reviews

[Chris Langer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was filled with obvious biases, especially once he was deposed, but it provided a fascinating look into the man that was Mussolini. From his hatred of material value and his love of the violin to his conspiratorial look at his fall from grace, the book was quite the interesting read.

[Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though written by a man of questionable means, this autobiography captures the actions and motives of the infamous prime minister’s rise through the ever-changing ideals of his country. As someone who enjoys Italian history, both ancient and modern, this book helped shed some light on the period of time between both world wars in the Kingdom of Italy. Though labeled a tyrant and a dictator, one can not help to see why he did make certain actions believing it to help the people he represented. This man, whether of malicious intent or not, propped up more leaders to follow in his footsteps to help their countries from certain peril, leading to new ideologies all over Europe and the modern world. It is seen, throughout the book, that he was faced with certain problems that were crucial to his rise and to his fall. Whether he is liked or not, despised or adored, he was struggling with his own issues, which this autobiography brings to light as it is further discussed.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compilation of the major writings of El Duce. Obviously biased but interesting to see how he wanted to be perceived. Balanced against other books about him it helps to gain insight as to his motivation.

[Matt Buchholz · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're looking for some hard history or insight into the Mussolini's perspective, getting through the transparent propaganda and into anything substantial is tough goings all around. Possibly someone familiar with Italian history/politics could find the cartoonish arrogance and skewed view of how things really happened amusing and perhaps even telling. If you know nothing, like me, this just feels like a waste of a time. Lots and lots of time.

[William Sariego · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazingly strange book that I liked. Actually two in one, the first written not too long after assuming power (1928) and the other after he became a political puppet (1944).

I assumed the first part would be full of bombast. You know, the "I'm the greatest thing to hit Italy since the pepperoni pizza." It actually wasn't, though the sin of omission was certainly evident. He glossed over or simply did not talk about Fascist mistakes.

Part two is written in the 3rd person, which I find very annoying. Yet it is a candid account of Italy's woes as the war turned against the Axis. Reading this it is easy to see him in a sympathetic light, yet that is not without issues. He never once acknowledged his complicity in allowing Italy to become dominated by the Germans.

As the Greatest Generation fades, I can only give a cautionary recommendation. If you are interested in Depression Era politics or World War Two in Europe, you might enjoy it. On a personal level I can certainly recommend Mussolini over his contemporary dictators. Hitler was a chaotic writer, and Stalin was boring as hell. Mussolini was both a teacher and journalist before becoming a dictator. His writings stand head and shoulders above the others.

[SH'DYNASTY · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's quite amazing to read two autobiographical accounts of Fascist Italy by its Duce. The first, the Rise, presents itself as an autobiography but it is really Mussolini explaining his roots, but also his about-face from socialism to fascism. He then goes on to defend everything he did and skewing things to the point where you almost start cheering for his accomplishments. The second part, the Fall, is a compilation of articles published by Corriere della Sera, penned by Mussolini, explaining how he had his power taken away from him. It's interesting, because again, the story becomes not Italy's, but Mussolini's and Mussolini's alone. In some ways, this is correct. He blames everything on everyone else, and sticks to his guns. It took me a while to read because it's heavy both physically and also in the sense that there is so much information in it that covers a very long period of time. He also fancied inserting various speeches and articles within the story. There were a few typos, but I can overlook that because this book is a real gem to anyone interested in history, Italy, WWII and/or megalomaniacs.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a combination of several primary sources related directly to Benito Mussolini. The first "My Rise" was Mussolini's account of how he came to power in Italy. It has its uses but the reader should be ware that it does omit several parts of his rise to power and it is worth keeping a good Mussolini biography close at hand to compare the account with. "My Fall" is a compilation of about a dozen articles penned by Mussolini about the time that occurred from the Grand Council meeting to the establishment of the Salo Republic. Overall these provide an interesting look into Mussolini's mind and a chance to understand what he considered important in his life. The accounts are well written and Mussolini does an excellent job of recounting the parts he feels are relevant. It is with an eye towards revisionist history but despite that the documents can still be useful. All of the preface and introductions are done by top notch historians and do an excellent job of putting things in perspective.

[Bot. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saddest story ever told of one of the greatest men who ever lived, his great heights, his mistakes, his victories. The side of the story which is not always told. Even those who do not wholly agree with Mussolini and who end up reading this will find themselves at least in understanding why Mussolini did the things he did, his regrets, and his ideas.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surely an other view on Mussolini. Seems he wasn`t such a George W. Bush-like bonehead I once thought. I don`t think it`s really arrogantly written, in "My Fall" he wrote the chapters anonymous, so he referred to him in the third person.

[? · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Roma O Morte"

[Da1tonthegreat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book combines two autobiographical works by Benito Mussolini, a seminal figure in 20th century European right-wing political ideology. In the first part, Mussolini chronicles his life and the early history of the Fascist movement. You can see the difference between the popular perception and the reality of the man. He is a far cry from the barbarian brute that the elite establishment insists he must be. The real Mussolini is erudite, philosophical, and extremely intelligent- a Renaissance man. Indeed, he was widely admired around the world prior to the Second World War.

The parallels between pre-Fascist Italy and our contemporary political situation in the Western world are illuminating. The corporate media loves to compare political figures it disapproves of to Mussolini. It's easy to see why the idea makes them quake in their boots, whether they're in Washington, Brussels, or Davos. Reading the text, it comes as a relief when Mussolini takes command over the moribund chaos, sets the trains running on time, and makes Italy great. However, I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to the topic of Italian Fascism; it presumes a decent amount of familiarity. The first part ends in the mid-20s, and the 1930s are almost entirely skipped.

The second part of the book, covering Mussolini's fall, is much weaker, unfortunately. My least favorite part is the heavily biased introduction by Max Ascoli, a Jewish-Italian left wing academic who clearly has no sympathy for Mussolini. The man himself doesn't come off as well here, to be fair. After detailing his overthrow, imprisonment, and rescue, Mussolini devotes most of the remaining text to denouncing and despising the three men he blames most for betraying him - Dino Grandi, King Victor Emmanuel III, and Marshal Pietro Badoglio. There are very few details about the short-lived Italian Social Republic and, for obvious reasons, Mussolini doesn't cover his own assassination by treasonous communist partisans.

Ultimately, like Mein Kampf, this book is a supplementary work and important historical document rather than a work of serious history and scholarship. It's fascinating to read Mussolini's own words. Even in translation, Il Duce's bombastic machismo comes through the text, as well as his brilliance. Benito Mussolini was one of the greatest figures of the 20th century and his name still strikes fear into the hearts of the New World Order.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Benito Mussolini was born in Italy in 1883. He attended a boarding school ran by Salesian monks, but left for Switzerland in 1902 to avoid having to serve in the military. He began studying several different philosopher's and adopted a lot of their ideas, which turned out to be quite unfortunate. He became involved in the Socialist movement in Switzerland, before returning to Italy in 1904. He wound up becoming a member of the Italian Socialists, but they kicked him out. He also served in the Italian Royal Army from 1915-1917, with the rank of First Marshal of the Empire Corporal. He abandoned his socialist ideas in favor of fascism. A lot of his concepts were similar to the Nazi ideals, such as the desire for more space they felt they owned and a racist undercurrent. He also wanted all the credit for any type of public works, better infrastructure, productivity, and economic increase. Of course he got heavily involved in World War II, which didn't work out as well for him as he had hoped. He was dismissed from his position of power, and summarily shot with some cohorts. His body was dumped on the ground where it was spat on and abused. He was hung upside down from a gas station and stoned.

This book is important in that it is two volumes of personal memoirs of Benito Mussolini. It is interesting to see how such a notorious figure came to be, and how he developed his ideas. I knew much less about him than I did Hitler and some of the prominent Nazi figures, so this book was worth it to me. The problem was that I got tired of reading him yammering on, much like I did when I read Mein Kampf, though this was certainly more lucid. This was great for insight though.

[Oto Bakradze · Rating 3 out of 5]

წიგნის პირველი ნახევარი - მუსოლინის მიერ დაწერილი ავტობიოგრაფია, ცარიელი ეგოცენტრიზმი და ნარცისიზმია, წიგნის მეორე ნახევარი - ომების პერიოდების იტალიური გაზეთებიდან ამოღებული კომუნიკეებია, რაც ზოგად წარმოდგენას გაძლევს მუსოლინის გარემოცვასა და ფაშიზმზე.

მთლიანობაში, ამ წიგნით ბევ��� ვერაფერ შეხედულებას ვერ შეიქმნი იმ პერიოდის იტალიაზე.

[Steven Godin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the life of II Duce that no biographer will ever get close to. This is his own words; his own story. Yes, he's arrogant - what leader isn't, but more often that not he's very sincere, It's a must for anyone interested in Italian history and the birth of fascism. As dictators go, he's also a much better writer than Hitler. More thoughts to come.... If I can find the damn time!

[monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

this had me giggling and kicking my legs like the stupid fucking school girl that everyone makes me out to be, especially my dad. gosh how he pisses me off. like today i did some fucking legal work for me and my mom and after he asked me if i even did it like ooh monica did u just fucking half ass everything r u sure u did it?? MOTHERFUCKER ALL HE EVER DOES IT JUST TREAT ME LIKE IM FOCKING STUPID. THATS ALL HE EVER SAYS TO ME HE PULLS SHIT OUT OF HIS ASS THAT I APERATNLY FOCKIN DID.
but anyways it was unironically a very interesting read

[Patricia Roberts-Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kind of fascinating in a train wreck way. He's completely unreliable on most things, and yet whinges about other people lying. When he's successful, that's proof that he's great, but failure is not proof that he's a loser--it means he's a victim.

[Kent]

so far so good