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Blood and Power

The Rise and Fall of Italian Fascism

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Blood and Power

By: John Foot
Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents Blood and Power by John Foot, read by Daniel Philpott.

'Clear, cool, plainly written and devastating’ Lucy Hughes-Hallett, Times Literary Supplement

A major history of the rise and fall of Italian fascism: a dark tale of violence, ideals and a country at war.

In the aftermath of the First World War, the seeds of fascism were sown in Italy. While the country reeled in shock, a new movement emerged from the chaos: one that preached hatred for politicians and love for the fatherland; one that promised to build a ‘New Roman Empire’, and make Italy a great power once again.

Wearing black shirts and wielding guns, knives and truncheons, the proponents of fascism embraced a climate of violence and rampant masculinity. Led by Benito Mussolini, they would systematically destroy the organisations of the left, murdering and torturing anyone who got in their way.

In Blood and Power, historian John Foot draws on decades of research to chart the turbulent years between 1915 and 1945, and beyond. Drawing widely from accounts of people across the political spectrum – fascists, anti-fascists, communists, anarchists, victims, perpetrators and bystanders – he tells the story of fascism and its legacy, which still, disturbingly, reverberates to this day.

©2022 John Foot (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Italy Military Politics & Government War

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a timely reminder of the dangers of fascism

wonderfully written account of the rise and fall of fascism told through individual stories and experiences.

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Not what the title suggests

If you’re looking for a good narrative of the history of fascist Italy, this is not it. Barely mentions Mussolini and focuses WAY too much time on telling sideline stories about minor characters in the rise of fascism. While interesting at times, it brushes past most of the major events from 1918-1945, instead zooming in on a few people who are not typically the centre of the story. Not a bad read if you’ve immersed yourself in this topic and want some quirky anecdotes about minor players, but not a very good book if you want a good general overview of this period of Italian history.

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