Mussolini : A New Life

Library Journal

Sixty years ago, World War II ended in the European theater. A recent resurgence of interest in Benito Mussolini has resulted in several books published during the last two years attempting to decipher this dictator, most notably R.J.B. Bosworth's Mussolini. This most recent work by British journalist Farrell paints a "kinder, gentler" picture of the dictator, relying heavily on the multivolume biography by Renzo De Felice, who is considered one of the fathers of Italian revisionist history. Living in Mussolini's hometown, Farrell had access to newly released archival documents that bring into question some of the previously held assertions about Mussolini's health and mental state. Farrell also brings to light a different perspective on Mussolini's brand of dictatorship in relation to Stalin's and Hitler's. Although Farrell does not gloss over some of the atrocities committed by the Italians in Ethiopia and elsewhere, he does tend to put Mussolini's decisions and actions in a more positive light. This very detailed, chronological work will keep alive the debate about Mussolini's character and intentions. Included at the end of the book are an extensive source notes section, index, and photographs (but alas, no comprehensive bibliography). Any academic library with the Bosworth book should include Farrell's as a contrasting viewpoint.-Maria C. Bagshaw, Lake Erie Coll., Painesville, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.