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Entry: D'Annunzio, Mussolini, and the Fate of Empires Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/dannunzio_mussolini_and_the_fate_of_empires#5407 Post contents: A number of years ago I read a book called The Italians by the late Luigi Barzini. He explained the conundrum mentioned by Mr. T; namely, how the Italians can be so personally tough but such poor soldiers. The typical Italian's loyalties shrink as the distance to the object of loyalty increases. One is true-blue to family, then city, then region with perhaps a little left over for country. In addition, Italian armies tend to be poorly led. Barzini comments acidly that the typical Italian would not dream of putting his life in the hands of an incompetent surgeon but thinks nothing of putting his country's life in the hands of incompetent generals! Sent at: 2008 08 21