Benito Mussolini: A Biography (1962) By Christopher Hibbert
 
Benito Mussolini, the son of a peasant, held absolute rule over the Italian nation for the best part of a generation, and played a leading role in high world drama. What happened to Italy was therefore in the fullest sense his personal responsibility, and by this History -- whose ultimate verdict was his constant self-conscious preoccupation -- must judge him. The clue to his character as revealed in this remarkably detailed biography is to be found in a web of almost pathological contradictions. This pretender of jutting chin and iron will was at times of crisis quite incapable of making up his mind or of holding a line of action for more than a few minutes. And when at last his power began to crumble, he remained obstinately blind to all warnings, resolutely irresolute, almost indifferent to his own downfall. While, on the historic plane, power worked on this man its usual corruptions, in one particular he remained incorruptible: for material riches and aggrandisement he cared nothing. Underneath the bombast there lurked a core of human kindness and of physical courage. Still posturing, before the mirror of history, he met his infamous end with dignity.
 
Hard Cover
374 Pages
In Fair to Good Condition