Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Rather than a chronological account, this history contains discussions of topics ranging from economics and diplomacy to industrial capacity and armored doctrine. The author challenges claims that Italians were militarily incompetent by examining the influence of demography, natural resources, industrial capacity, and Italy's allies on its war efforts during both world wars. He also challenges assertions that ideology determined the choice of allies and formulation of military doctrine, and arguments that Italy's war effort was negligible in world wars. Based on primary and secondary sources, this revisionist history contains seventy-four tables and arguments rarely found in the literature in English"-- Provided by publisher.