The Fall of Mussolini: DON'T READ

After dragging my feet on this blog after launching it some time ago and having read a number of books in that period, I have finally read a book that has motivated me to take action so as to spare anyone else from reading it.

Here is what I plan to do with this blog:

First, I'm going to keep it simple. I'm not trying to write an introduction and as I won't receive school credit in an English class for writing a report on this. My goal is to keep reviews under 100 words for your sake and my own, as the less time it takes and less likely I am to put off writing future reviews. Also the more time I have to spend on writing on politics and the New Orleans Saints.

Second, to put the review in the title. There's no need to keep readers in suspense.

That simple.

On to The Fall of Mussolini.

It read like a college course book. And that's not a compliment.

Reading it reminded me of a course I took at LSU on German Civilization, where I was surprised that "history" had little to do with "civilization". In fact I learned more about obscure German art groups than I did about the raise of the Kaiser.

Despite the book's title, there's little about Benito Mussolini in the book or his reign. The author admits as much...after you have already purchased the book and started reading it.

Who is covered in the book is current Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, in an unflattering light.

The book is mistitled, likely intentionally in order to boost sales and sneak in front of a reader's eyes a critique on modern Italian politics.

Don't read.