This is a detailed account of the Fascist regime in Italy after the hammer blows of Alamein, the landings in French North Africa, and Stalingrad, and of the stages leading to the dramatic downfall of Mussolini after the all-night session of the Fascist Grand Council in July, 1943. The narrative then traces Mussolini¿s return to power as head of a puppet satellite Nazi republic in the north after his abduction from internment by SS paratroopers in September, and then follows the dictator¿s fate through the Six Hundred Days of the final disintegration of Fascism. Using source materials ranging from summit conference records on the Axis side to private correspondence, police files and spy reports, the author throws fascinating light on how Mussolini ran his government, his relations with leaders, his handling of subordinates and above all his ¿brutal friendship¿ with Hitler.