THE POPE AND MUSSOLINI The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe

Two leaders came to power in 1922 in Rome. Achille Ratti was elevated to the papacy as Pope Pius XI, and Benito Mussolini was appointed prime minister of Italy. The relations between them until the pope's death in 1939 are the focus of this book. The material is interesting but detailed, yet Stefan Rudnicki carries the narration along well. He varies his pacing and the tone of his voice to suit the nature of each passage. He also pronounces Italian names and titles with ease and confidence, which keeps the narrative flowing effectively. The only drawback is in the book itself. The detailed history of the early Fascist movement becomes almost tiring at points. But as WWII looms, the pace picks up. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]