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My Father II Duce: A Memoir by Mussolini's Son

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the book should not have included the introductory essay.this should have been done by another family member,such as italian senator alessandra mussolini, after all this is a mussolini perspective. the book is a son speaking of his father.this is from a son's perspective.the son will speak in a positive manner regarding his father-it is only natural.romano speaks well of a father who looked after him,provided for his needs,kept track of his homework,took him on picnics,made sure he had a piano to learn to play,took long walks with him,spent time listening to him speak of his dreams,sat by him at night to drive his fears away,and a thousand and one things a father,a good father,will do for his family.this is not an in-depth study of fascism.again, this is a son's recollection of his father.i thought it touching the love romano had for his father.i loved the story about the attic where romano had his time-to -himeself space.his father finds it and brings in a high powered telescope.'papa'did this without invading his son's space.the point was made that 'papa' cared.the italian family is a strong unit-loving and supportive of one another and romano brings this out.i think that romano was right in putting down his feelings before he died.romano wrote with love of family,while alexander stille writes like a country lawyer. look at this book as a unique opportunity to sit down and listen to what a son of benito mussolini has to say about his father,not as a historian,or a prosecutor, but as a son who loves his father very much--that is the beauty of the book,not the scorn that we can pour upon him.that would be the easy approach and the cowardly approach. he was a lucky person in having a good parent because many of us were on the streets at a very early age.---rest in peace-loyal son of your father.

My Father IL Duce: A Memoir by Mussolini's Son
Author: ROMANO MUSSOLINI
ISBN: 978-0-9670076-8-7 Pages: 180, $[...], Publication Date: Oct 2006

When looking back through portrayals of historical figures that were quite sinister; it is necessary to keep them in perspective of how horrendous they were. Benito Mussolini was one of those people who used his power for evil. The introductory essay by Alexander Stille sets the record straight before the memoir is presented by Romano Mussolini, Benito's son.

History is embellished to show that this horrific character was a family man. Loving, endearing, and quite captivating is the image discussed by Romano. However, an alliance with Hitler, the slaughter of Italian Jews, and sending thousands of soldiers to the Russian front are only a few of the real deeds laid upon the father by Stille in his introduction.

The family history from strictly a biographical standpoint is quite fascinating. Attempts on the life of Mussolini starting in 1925, are described in a manner which indicates the son believed his father had led a charmed life. Before the end of World War II the people in Italy caught up with Mussolini. They ended his life by firing squad, and then strung him up by his heels along with his mistress, displaying them in a public square. Yes, this portrait of a family man is smudged with the dalliances he had with many women during the course of his marriage.

Romano was a musician of some renown in Italy and throughout the jazz world. He played piano with many well known artists including Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, and Tony Scott. He lived in Rome and died in February 2006.

If you are a history buff, this would be a unique perspective into Benito Mussolini and his family's life. The book is well edited and presented by Romano, one of his sons.

This unique short memoir, a best seller in Italy, is really about a son's blind and unconditional love for his father, even if this father had been a member of the grotesque family of 20th-century fascist monsters who ultimately were responsible for the slaughter of millions. In a penetrating introduction by the Italian political culture authority Alexander Stille, the fond recollections of Mussolini as an attentive and loving father who encouraged his son to pursue music, who always "performed" his family duty toward his wife, and who frequently entertained the kids with fabulous family stories, are put into perspective with citations of the cold historical facts. One has to read this brilliant introduction to really get those facts, as Romano Mussolini fails to deliver any of them. In fact, his recollections are about a more or less normal family life, if that can be said, and about the unfair treatment his father suffered at the hands of an ungrateful public who forgot all he did for them. The allies also aren't presented with any love or affection. There are anecdotes here that are worth reading as well, but in the end, one wonders how Romano could have steered clear of all the blood and gore, cruelty and absurd bravado that his father brought into the world. To me, this is more of a psychological study of one man's delusions and prejudices than a historical document. Nonetheless, it's provocative and well worth the quick read.

The well written intro to this book explains in detail how the portion of the book written by Mussolini's son borders on the delusional.

I found this work to be seriously flawed.

Firstly, the introduction written by Alexander Stille is terrible. I must disagree with the other reviewers that Mr. Stille's intro helped to put the work into the proper "perspective." I am far from a Mussolini apologist but anyone seriously interested in 20th Century European history, must realize that while Hitler and Mussolini were allies during the Second World War, they are NOT interchangeable. One cannot lump Mussolini into "the monsters that were responsible for killing millions." Hitler and Stalin, yes. But what makes Mussolini so interesting is that he is a much more complex case. He was in power in Italy much longer than Hitler was in Germany and achieved some very great things. Of course his legacy is forever linked to the Nazi inspired polices during the war, but to reduce the man to that is a disservice to historical accuracy. In brief, I could have done without the intro. If Mr. Stille wants to write about Mussolini he should write his own account.

Secondly, Romano Mussolini's writing style (or perhaps the translation) was very choppy and made for unpleasant reading.

Overall, this book is very flawed but provides an inside look at Mussolini the Family man, which makes it worth the read. Although, I advise skipping the introduction entirely.

Written by Romano Mussolini, the son of infamous Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, My Father: Il Duce: A Memoir of Mussolini's Son contributes to history by shedding new light into aspects of the private life of "Il Duce". A riveting story of a state figure who went to great lengths to keep his private and public lives separate, who openly stated that he chose "Live dangerously" as his life's motto, and of a family that existed in continual danger of assassination, My Father: Il Duce reveals the human and family side of a complex historical figure. Highly recommended.