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Edda Mussolini

The Most Dangerous Woman in Europe
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( 599 ratings, 90 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Edda Mussolini by Caroline Moorehead, readers are introduced to the complex and fascinating life of Edda, the eldest child of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. This biography delves into her influential role in Italy during the Fascist regime, highlighting her political acumen and personal struggles within the tumultuous historical context of World War II. Edda's story offers a unique perspective on power, loyalty, and survival during one of history's most challenging periods.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this riveting biography if you're fascinated by influential historical figures and the complex interplay of power during tumultuous times. It delves deeply into the life of Mussolini's daughter, providing unique insights into her influence, personal struggles, and the political landscape of the era. This book may particularly appeal to those interested in exploring personal narratives behind significant historical events.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From Sunday Times bestseller Caroline Moorehead comes a thrilling and immersive look at the life of Mussolini's favourite daughter and a heart-stopping account of the rise and fall of the fascist dream in Italy.

Edda Mussolini is a thrilling biography of Benito Mussolini's favourite daughter, and a heart-stopping account of the unravelling of the Fascist dream in Italy.

'Engrossing... Moorehead has a spirited turn of phrase, a keen eye for the telling detail and pungent quote, and a gift for marshaling complex material' - Jenny Uglow, New York Times Book Review

Edda Mussolini was Benito's favourite daughter - spoilt, venal and uneducated, but also clever, brave, and ultimately loyal. She was her father's confidante during the 20 years of Fascist rule and married Foreign Secretary Galeazzo Ciano, making them the most celebrated couple in Roman fascist society.

Their fortunes turned in 1943, when Ciano voted against Mussolini in a plot to bring him down. In a dramatic story that takes in hidden diaries, her father's fall, and her husband's execution, we come to know a complicated, bold, and determined woman who emerges not just as a witness but as a key player in some of the twentieth century's defining moments.

'Vividly told, engrossing history' - Clare Mulley, author of The Women Who Flew for Hitler

'Precise, empathic . . . a profoundly satisfying, albeit wistful, read and . . . a worryingly relevant one' - Guardian

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Caroline Moorehead's biography of Edda Mussolini is praised for its precise, empathic prose that presents Edda as a complex, wounded figure rather than simply a villain. It is considered a satisfying and relevant read in light of recent political events. The book is described as interesting and original, highlighting Moorehead's skills as a writer and historian. Reviews commend its meticulous research and engaging narrative, with a focus on Edda's conflicted nature. Moorehead’s writing style is noted for its elegance and thorough attention to detail.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529112016

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 September 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 345g

Pages: 432

About the Author

Caroline Moorehead is a bestselling and prize-winning author, and the biographer of Bertrand Russell, Freya Stark, Iris Origo, Madame de la Tour du Pin and Martha Gellhorn. Her recent books - a quartet focussed on resistance to dictatorship, particularly in Italy - were shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Orwell Prize and the Costa Biography Award. She lives in London.

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