Mussolini also did a lot of good : the spread of historical amnesia / Francesco Filippi ; translated from the Italian by John Irving.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Filippi, Francesco, 1981- author.

Contributor:

Irving, John (Editor), translator.

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Standardized Title:

Mussolini ha fatto anche cose buone. English

Language:

English

Italian

Subjects (All):

Mussolini, Benito, 1883-1945.

Mussolini, Benito.

Fascism--Italy.

Fascism.

Italy--Politics and government--1922-1945.

Italy.

Italy--History--1922-1945.

Politics and government.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

214 pages ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

Montréal : Baraka Books, [2021]

Language Note:

Translated from the Italian.

Summary:

"Surgically, but with wit, Francesco Filippi demolishes each and every myth that has taken root about Mussolini and fascism in an uplifting handbook for political and intellectual self-defense. No stones are left unturned, including the colonial devastation of Libya and Ethiopia. Legend would have it that Mussolini put roofs over Italians' heads, developed the economy, had trains running on time, stood up for justice and against the mafia, protected the Jews from Nazi Germany, was a feminist, and put Italy on the map as a respected power. The founder of fascism's only mistake was allying with Hitler. Though this is entirely false, it didn't prevent Antonio Tahani, president of the European Union, from declaring in 2019 that "if we must be honest, he [Mussolini] did positive things to realize infrastructures ... he reclaimed many parts of our Italy." In fact, only 6 percent of the improvements referred to were done during the 21 years of fascist rule. Though written first for Italians, this book is relevant and timely for North Americans. Through a study of Mussolini and Italy, Filippi shows how such legends are built on webs of lie, manipulation of History, and constant uncontested repetition, explaining at the same time why so many people fall victim to the propaganda." - publisher's description.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: 1. Mussolini the Provident and Prudential

Was the Duce the first man to give Italians pensions?

2. Mussolini the Champion of Land Reclamation

Did the Duce drain the marshes?

3. Mussolini the Builder

Did the Duce give all Italians a home to live in?

4. Mussolini the Man of Law

Was the Duce an upright defender of justice?

5. Mussolini the Economist

Did the Duce raise the Italian economy to its highest point?

6. Mussolini the Feminist

Did the Duce improve the status of women in Italy?

7. Mussolini the Condottiere and Statesman

Was the Duce a great leader?

8. Mussolini the Humanitarian

Was the Duce a "benign" dictator? Assorted Information (and Idiocies)

Everything you always wanted to know about the Duce that actually turns out to be false.

Notes:

Originally published as: Mussolini ha fatto anche cose buone : le idiozie che continuano a circolare sul fascismo. Torino : Bollati Boringheri, 2019.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-194).

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

ISBN:

9781771862622

1771862629

OCLC:

1268133185