The Ciano Diaries, 1939-1943

Book excerpt: The inside story of international politics in Nazi-controlled Europe during World War II, told by the ultimate insider, Count Galeazzo Ciano—Italian Foreign Minister and son-in-law of Mussolini—who was ultimately charged as a traitor and killed by the Fascists in 1943. “In this state of mind, which excludes any falsehood, I declare that not a single word of what I have written in my diaries is false or exaggerated or dictated by selfish resentment. It is all just what I have seen and heard. And if, when making ready to take leave of life, I consider allowing the publication of my hurried notes, it is not because I expect posthumous revaluation or vindication, but because I believe that an honest testimonial of the truth in this sad world may still be useful in bringing relief to the innocent and striking at those who are responsible.”—(signed) GALEAZZO CIANO, December 23, 1943, Cell 27 of the Verona Jail.