Mussolini and Hitler

The Forging of the Fascist Alliance

By: Christian Goeschel

Narrated by: Matthew Waterson

From 1934 until 1944, Mussolini met Hitler numerous times, and the two developed a relationship that deeply affected both countries. While Germany is generally regarded as the senior power, Christian Goeschel demonstrates just how much history has underrepresented Mussolini's influence on his German ally.

Goeschel, a scholar of 20th-century Germany and Italy, revisits all of Mussolini and Hitler's key meetings and asks how these meetings constructed a powerful image of a strong Fascist-Nazi relationship that still resonates with the general public. His portrait of Mussolini draws on sources ranging beyond political history to reveal a leader who, at times, shaped Hitler's decisions and was not the gullible buffoon he's often portrayed as. The first comprehensive study of the Mussolini-Hitler relationship, this book is a must-listen for scholars and anyone interested in the history of European fascism, World War II, or political leadership.

©2018 Christian Goeschel (P)2018 Tantor

Excellent book, well written

An unusual angle on WWII from the axis point of view. Also, a number of myths about the German-Italian cooperation are debunked.

The reader is excellent. I am looking up any other books he read.

WW2 from a very informative perspective

WW2 is usually presented from the perspective of German actions: the assimilation of Austria, taking the Sudetenland, invading Poland, the fall of France, etc. So what was Italy doing during all this time? It was the other major axis country, but it's hardly mentioned. This book tells the whole story of what Germany was doing and what Italy was or was not doing. The relationship between Hitler and Mussolini is critical to a deeper understanding of the war, imo, and this book gives it to us. It is well-written, detailed, and provides the context for what and why these two dictators took the actions they did, starting in the '20s when Mussolini came to power and the early '30s when Hitler rose, and continuing to their deaths.

I always thought Germany lost the war because Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. I now believe a major reason was his alliance with Italy and rather inexplicable admiration of Mussolini even long after he deserved such admiration, imo.

Highly recommended for WW2 buffs.

Exceptionally well done

When one considers all the books written about WWII it seems impossible that there hasn’t yet been a work devoted to the relationship between Hitler and Mussolini. This book does an exceptional job of correcting this oversight. The book is well written and very well performed. It’s a must have for anyone who is interested in the Second World War.

Interesting details

Interesting side of the German and Italian leaders relationship over the years. Not an exciting listen but still a good listen.

Excellent

I found ft book full of information that I had not read before.
Anywhere else