Against the backdrop of the growing scholarly interest in fascist cultural diplomacy, Mauro Canali’s monograph highlights how American correspondents from Italy portrayed Benito Mussolini and his regime. Canali takes a few cases of early criticism into account. But he concludes that overall admiration prevailed until the passing of the 1938 racial legislation, even if appreciation began to undergo a decline in the aftermath of Italy’s 1935 attack on Ethiopia. The volume, however, focuses less on the evaluations and perceptions per se than on the means - from flattery and the supply of fringe benefits to intimidations and coercion - by which the regime endeavoured to have U.S. reporters construct a positive image of fascism and the duce for their readers.
Keywords: Fascismo, Stampa, USA, Diplomazia culturale