The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe
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The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in Europe

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The Pope and Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the Rise of Fascism in EuropePULITZER PRIZE WINNER NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE From National Book Award finalist David I. Kertzer comes the gripping story of Pope Pius XI's secret relations with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. This groundbreaking work, based on seven years of research in the Vatican and Fascist archives, including reports from Mussolini's spies inside the highest levels of the Church, will forever change our understanding

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER - NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

From National Book Award finalist David I. Kertzer comes the gripping story of Pope Pius XI's secret relations with Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. This groundbreaking work, based on seven years of research in the Vatican and Fascist archives, including reports from Mussolini's spies inside the highest levels of the Church, will forever change our understanding of the Vatican's role in the rise of Fascism in Europe.


The Pope and Mussolini tells the story of two men who came to power in 1922, and together changed the course of twentieth-century history. In most respects, they could not have been more different. One was scholarly and devout, the other thuggish and profane. Yet Pius XI and "Il Duce" had many things in common. They shared a distrust of democracy and a visceral hatred of Communism. Both were prone to sudden fits of temper and were fiercely protective of the prerogatives of their office. ("We have many interests to protect," the Pope declared, soon after Mussolini seized control of the government in 1922.) Each relied on the other to consolidate his power and achieve his political goals.

In a challenge to the conventional history of this period, in which a heroic Church does battle with the Fascist regime, Kertzer shows how Pius XI played a crucial role in making Mussolini's dictatorship possible and keeping him in power. In exchange for Vatican support, Mussolini restored many of the privileges the Church had lost and gave in to the pope's demands that the police enforce Catholic morality. Yet in the last years of his life--as the Italian dictator grew ever closer to Hitler--the pontiff's faith in this treacherous bargain started to waver. With his health failing, he began to lash out at the Duce and threatened to denounce Mussolini's anti-Semitic racial laws before it was too late. Horrified by the threat to the Church-Fascist alliance, the Vatican's inner circle, including the future Pope Pius XII, struggled to restrain the headstrong pope from destroying a partnership that had served both the Church and the dictator for many years.

The Pope and Mussolini brims with memorable portraits of the men who helped enable the reign of Fascism in Italy: Father Pietro Tacchi Venturi, Pius's personal emissary to the dictator, a wily anti-Semite known as Mussolini's Rasputin; Victor Emmanuel III, the king of Italy, an object of widespread derision who lacked the stature--literally and figuratively--to stand up to the domineering Duce; and Cardinal Secretary of State Eugenio Pacelli, whose political skills and ambition made him Mussolini's most powerful ally inside the Vatican, and positioned him to succeed the pontiff as the controversial Pius XII, whose actions during World War II would be subject for debate for decades to come.

With the recent opening of the Vatican archives covering Pius XI's papacy, the full story of the Pope's complex relationship with his Fascist partner can finally be told. Vivid, dramatic, with surprises at every turn, The Pope and Mussolini is history writ large and with the lightning hand of truth.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade
Published: 01/06/2015
ISBN: 9780812983678
Pages: 592
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 9.00h x 5.90w x 1.40d

Review Citations: New York Review of Books 04/23/2015 pg. 48
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SKU: 84963412900

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MEV
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 3
Not indestructible
Color: C-Navy+Oak, Color: C-Navy+Oak
I assume it is probably hard to create an indestructible product, but my puppy had it apart in no time.
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Nirpno
Draper, US
★★★★★ 2
NOT DURABLE, LONG-LASTING, OR USEFUL
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
I gave this dog toy 2-stars based on my dog toy rating system (DTRS) for “Albert” the Blue Bear! Safety (1-rating): Albert fell apart after 4-hours of use. 1. The ears were chewed off and I was only able to find one of them, which means my dog swallowed the other ear. Very big concern as it depends on how big your dog is to pass this object. The ear is about the size of 1.5-quarters. 2. The tail was almost chewed off entirely and was hanging on by a thread before I threw it out. 3. After the ears came off, the inside foam started to come out, which raised my concern for my dog’s saftey. 4. The entire body was soft and did not cause any harm to teeth, gums, paws, nose, etc. Durability (3-rating): 1. The ears and tail are the weakest parts of Albert as they can easily be chewed off. 2. The body is durable enough to sustain 4-hours of use, as I threw Albert out after the ears and tail were torn off within 4-hours. 3. The small squeaker inside Albert’s belly was broken after 15-minutes of use. Thank Goodness! 4. My next concern was how long the arms and legs would last; TBD! Squeaker (1-rating): 1. Small plastic squeaker, the size of a half-dollar, with a high pitched noise. Fatality (2-rating): 1. Albert was put to rest after 4-hours of use as I was concerned for the safety of my dog with continued use. 2. If Albert didn’t come with ears or a tail, I can only imagine how long he would’ve survived as the material seemed to be durable enough to withstand continued use. In conclusion, “Albert” the Blue Bear is not worth the money for a toy that falls apart after 4-hrs of use and with the concerns of safety. I was surprised that it was only 8-inches tall, next time I’ll confirm the size of the toy before I purchase the next one. About my dog “Cannoli” for comparison: Breed: Blue Healer / Lab mix Weight: 40-lbs Energy Level: High Age: 7-months Chew Rating: Aggressive
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Steven D'Arcangelo
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 3
The dog won!
Color: A-Navy, Color: A-Navy
It’s not indestructible. Wonder if I can get a refund or another toy. It did last longer than most so I give them credit for that!
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Heidi fishel
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Almost good enough
Color: E-Navy+Purple
My dog chewy can rip through anything, even these. I do love the toys they’re great. They’re made with coconut on the inside, but could somebody please!, make a chew toy worthy of my dogs teeth, cause this ain’t it. But it is the strongest so far . I would recommend it. My doodle chewy short for Chewbacca is insane about chewing.
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Robin Weesner
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 3
Could be more durable.
Color: A-Navy
It’s not as durable as I’d hoped. I’ve had to mend it. It’s cute, though, and my dog likes it. He’s an Aussie, so not great bite strength.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026

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