Robert Mallett is an experienced academic researcher and author of six books on Fascist foreign and strategic policy, ideology, and political religion theory. He has researched and taught at City University of New York, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Universities of Hanyang, Seoul, Leeds, Cambridge, Birmingham, Rome La Sapienza and Wisconsin, Madison, as well as the United States Naval Academy. He founded and edited the political science journal and book series Totalitarianism Movements and Political Religions (now Politics, Religion and Ideology) and has organized major international conferences in the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the United Kingdom. He has appeared on various radio and television programs.

'Historians who have been anxiously waiting for a successful updated history of the lead-up to Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 need wait no longer. Robert Mallett's meticulously researched account skilfully ties together Italy's diplomacy, military strategy and political calculation. Professor Mallett carefully guides us through Mussolini's tortured manoeuvrings in holding Hitler at bay from seizing Austria while proceeding with his own overseas invasion plans. The Duce's aggression was no bizarre flight of fancy but integral to Fascism's way of doing business. Resting his narrative on solid archival sources, Professor Mallett, in marvellous prose, gives us an eminently readable narrative that at the same time is an historical tour de force of research and creative thought.' H. James Burgwyn, West Chester University

• 1. Post-war realities: Italy 1919; 2. A mutilated peace: Italy, 1919–29; 3. The impending war of revenge: Europe and Africa, 1932; 4. Containing the Führer: 1933–4; 5. Achieving an empire: 1934–5; 6. Darkening waters: January–May 1935; 7. Facing down the British: May–July 1935; 8. Battle lines: August–October 1935.

Robert Mallett is an experienced academic researcher and author of six books on Fascist foreign and strategic policy, ideology, and political religion theory. He has researched and taught at City University of New York, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Universities of Hanyang, Seoul, Leeds, Cambridge, Birmingham, Rome La Sapienza and Wisconsin, Madison, as well as the United States Naval Academy. He founded and edited the political science journal and book series Totalitarianism Movements and Political Religions (now Politics, Religion and Ideology) and has organized major international conferences in the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the United Kingdom. He has appeared on various radio and television programs.

'Historians who have been anxiously waiting for a successful updated history of the lead-up to Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 need wait no longer. Robert Mallett's meticulously researched account skilfully ties together Italy's diplomacy, military strategy and political calculation. Professor Mallett carefully guides us through Mussolini's tortured manoeuvrings in holding Hitler at bay from seizing Austria while proceeding with his own overseas invasion plans. The Duce's aggression was no bizarre flight of fancy but integral to Fascism's way of doing business. Resting his narrative on solid archival sources, Professor Mallett, in marvellous prose, gives us an eminently readable narrative that at the same time is an historical tour de force of research and creative thought.' H. James Burgwyn, West Chester University

• 1. Post-war realities: Italy 1919; 2. A mutilated peace: Italy, 1919–29; 3. The impending war of revenge: Europe and Africa, 1932; 4. Containing the Führer: 1933–4; 5. Achieving an empire: 1934–5; 6. Darkening waters: January–May 1935; 7. Facing down the British: May–July 1935; 8. Battle lines: August–October 1935.

Robert Mallett is an experienced academic researcher and author of six books on Fascist foreign and strategic policy, ideology, and political religion theory. He has researched and taught at City University of New York, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Universities of Hanyang, Seoul, Leeds, Cambridge, Birmingham, Rome La Sapienza and Wisconsin, Madison, as well as the United States Naval Academy. He founded and edited the political science journal and book series Totalitarianism Movements and Political Religions (now Politics, Religion and Ideology) and has organized major international conferences in the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the United Kingdom. He has appeared on various radio and television programs.

'Historians who have been anxiously waiting for a successful updated history of the lead-up to Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 need wait no longer. Robert Mallett's meticulously researched account skilfully ties together Italy's diplomacy, military strategy and political calculation. Professor Mallett carefully guides us through Mussolini's tortured manoeuvrings in holding Hitler at bay from seizing Austria while proceeding with his own overseas invasion plans. The Duce's aggression was no bizarre flight of fancy but integral to Fascism's way of doing business. Resting his narrative on solid archival sources, Professor Mallett, in marvellous prose, gives us an eminently readable narrative that at the same time is an historical tour de force of research and creative thought.' H. James Burgwyn, West Chester University

• 1. Post-war realities: Italy 1919; 2. A mutilated peace: Italy, 1919–29; 3. The impending war of revenge: Europe and Africa, 1932; 4. Containing the Führer: 1933–4; 5. Achieving an empire: 1934–5; 6. Darkening waters: January–May 1935; 7. Facing down the British: May–July 1935; 8. Battle lines: August–October 1935.