This was a really good primer on Mussolini and Pius XI. I’ve read a lot of books on World War II, but mainly focused on Germany. I had only seen Mussolini as a puppet of Hitler. I was incorrect – Mussolini came to power in the 1920’s and had a vise grip on Italy from then until shortly before his death. The interplay between Mussolini and the then current Pope was fascinating and horrifying. This book opened my eyes even further into the depths humans are able to descend.
