I found this book interesting because I haven't read much about WWII from the perspective of an Italian civilian, (actually an English woman married to an Italian), caught between constantly changing governments and allegiances, hoping for the Allies to appear. The courage of her and her family, as well as the peasants in the surrounding farms, is astonishing and surprising. I will admit that the book was made even more interesting by our visit to Italy last summer, and the tour of La Foce by Origo's great granddaughter...

A very compelling and eloquent account by Iris Origo which conveys both the tempo and temper of life that existed in Italy as she went from being a sometimes uneasy German ally and neutral to a full-fledged co-belligerent with Germany after June 10, 1940. The diary begins on March 27, 1939 and ends on July 23, 1940.

When it comes to things like World War II, I prefer to read about the daily life of hoi polloi rather than battles won and lost and the big doings of world leaders. If you want a clear and unflinching picture of life for the Italian people late in the war, this book will serve better than any novel or formal history book. Iris Origo was an English woman who married an Italian. She kept a diary of her life in Tuscany during a time of constant uncertainty, privation, and senseless violence; but also great cooperation, selflessness, and unbelievable fortitude. The things these people witnessed and endured would be enough to give them post-traumatic stress symptoms for the rest of their lives. Just the noise from the shelling and bombs and war planes would have driven me to madness.This diary is a cure for self-pity. No matter how bad your life is, I'd be willing to bet as much as you're willing to lose that it's pretty cushy compared to what these people went through. And their suffering went on and on and on, while they waited to be liberated by the Allies who were moving toward them at a snail's pace. Thank you, Marchesa Origo, for having the presence of mind and dedication to continue making your diary entries when the world was crashing in around you.