Under the Axe of Fascism

Originally published in 1936, this is an examination of the rise and rule of fascism in Italy.

Fascist realities, as opposed to the Fascist fictions fostered by propaganda agencies and misguided enthusiasts, are the subject of this classic study by one of Italy’s leading historians, who fled to the United States during the thirties and became a lecturer at Harvard University.

Despite all the talk of prosperity and happiness bestowed on the people by Mussolini, Salvemini maintained – and history was to prove him right – that the Italians in fact were groaning under an oligarchy of big business men, military chiefs, high civil servants, and Fascist political leaders.

This is a vigorous and persuasive study, documented in large part from Fascist sources. Unquestionably it is one of the most important book ever written about the creation and maintenance of the Italian Fascist state.