"Robert Katz surveys the entire history of the dynasty, concentrating especially on the forty-six year reign of Victor Emmanuel III...Katz give a full account of the uninspired reign of the pathetic little king, a reign which left a power vacuum that encouraged rule by parliamentary dictatorship. He draws a fascinating picture of the complex relationship between Victor Emmanuel and Mussolini and shows how this relationship was largely responsible for Italy's destiny in World War II. Finally, he probes the many reasons for the ultimate downfall of the House of Savoy -- the political climate, the personalities, the unwillingness of the Savoys to lead or govern. His spellbinding story mounts in steady crescendo to its tragic climax with the flight of the royal family from the Germans following Italy's surrender to the Allies." -- Book jacket.