Mussolini's Island

Mussolini's Island

by JohnFollain (Author)

Synopsis

"Mussolini's Island" is an exceptional account of the battle that showed Hitler's Fortress Europe could be vanquished, told for the first time by a talented young historian. In July 1943, the Allies launched their first assault against the "Fortress Europe", which Hitler thought invincible. "Mussolini's Island" captures for the first time the full horror and glory, the fear and the foul-ups of one of the least known, but most dramatic and controversial battles of World War II. "Mussolini's Island" is not a conventional military history. It tells the story of otherwise faceless men and women - American and Italian soldiers, a British Navy officer, and a Spitfire pilot - whose lives and loves are changed by the choices of Hitler and Mussolini, and of two star commanders locked in a personal rivalry: old "blood and guts" Patton and Montgomery, the best-known British Army commander of World War II. Based on in-depth interviews with the main characters, and hundreds of interviews with survivors, unpublished letters and diaries, "Mussolini's Island" sweeps the reader across stormy seas and onto the landing beaches in the first D-Day.

$13.39

Quantity

Temporarily out of stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 368
Edition: illustrated edition
Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks
Published: 08 May 2006

ISBN 10: 0340833637
ISBN 13: 9780340833636

Media Reviews
* 'It is a rare thing for a work of military history to be so compulsively readable and yet so humane. Follain weaves together stories from all sides of this terrible conflict, from the powerful and the humble, with understated mastery.' - John Dickie, author of COSA NOSTRA * 'Extremely readable. A fascinating collection of eyewitness accounts...A thoroughly recommendable book.' - Scotsman on Sunday * 'We are given fascinating insights into the characters of the two competing Allied generals. Gripping... if you like your history visceral, emotive and first-hand, this is the book for you.' - Saul David, Sunday Telegraph * 'Riveting... it is in the detail that Mussolini's Island really triumphs. The book is full of remarkable stories.' - The Sunday Times
Author Bio
John Follain is a journalist and writer. His previous books include JACKAL, A DISHONOURED SOCIETY, CONFRONTING FEAR, ZOYA'S STORY and CITY OF SECRETS. He is the Rome correspondent for The Sunday Times, and covers European issues for The Sunday Times Magazine. He is married and lives in Rome.