Mussolini 1883-1915: Triumph and Transformation of a Revolutionary Socialist

Spencer M. Di Scala · Emilio Gentile

Oct 2016 · Springer

About this ebook

This book presents an organic view of Benito Mussolini's youth as a radical Socialist. Because of his later career as the founder of fascism and of the first Fascist regime that set the tone for subsequent similar dictatorships, and the historical polemics regarding these developments, Mussolini's life before fascism has been neglected or distorted. The essays presented in this book will add another dimension to the interpretation of Mussolini's life in two ways: by making his activities as a revolutionary Socialist widely known and by presenting interpretations of the first phase of his political career that will be free of the polemics that frequently characterize the writings of observers and scholars in the United States, Italy, and other countries. Scholars and readers will be better equipped to understand for themselves whether and if so, how Mussolini's youthful political career influenced his later life.

About the author

Spencer M. Di Scala is Professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in modern Italian and European history. He has won awards for his scholarship, held Fulbright Fellowships and visiting professorships at Italian universities, and has published groundbreaking books in twentieth century European history.

Emilio Gentile is an award-winning Professor Emeritus at the University of Rome and has been visiting professor at several American universities. He has published fundamental works in the history of Italian Fascism and has led the field in researching the theme of politics as a secular religion.