Italian history is not widely read but the period under Mussolini's
shadow is both interesting and relevant to understanding the
wheeling and dealings of the 1930s and into WWII. Through sheer
nepotism Galeazzo Ciano married Mussolini's daughter and became
Italy's Foreign Secretary, the youngest in Europe and at first
scorned at home and abroad. There are many salacious stories of
their open marriage and promiscuity, but the focus is Ciano's
political life as a man regarded as second only to Mussolini.
Through his diary and diplomatic papers, access is gained to the
European diplomatic squabbles of the 1930s. The study of Ciano
provides insights into Hitler and his leading henchmen, especially
Ribbentrop and Goering, as well as the Spanish dictator Franco.
Most importantly the figure of Mussolini is exposed in both his
professional and somewhat dubious private life. The book explores
the question of the Italian Fascist attitudes towards the Jewish
population, the Vatican, and the monarchy. The Nazis at first
courted him but soon realised he saw them for what they were, and
he proved incapable of containing either his criticisms or the
growing threat against him. Ciano finally turned against Mussolini
only to find after his master's downfall that he had left himself
encircled by personal enemies. His flight to Germany initiated his
descent into personal chaos, leading to his trial and execution in
Italy seemingly supported by his father-in-law. Perhaps the
strangest twist in the personal story is the way his wife Edda
turned to support him after years of an open and promiscuous
marriage. There was considerable German and international interest
in his diaries and diplomatic papers because of their revealing
insights. He has been described as egotistical and arrogant,
clever, perceptive, corrupt and a man with potential. Many despised
him, but historically he was an interesting personality who above
all left historians with some incisive observations of the critical
years of 1935 to 1942.
General
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