The birth and rise of fascism in Italy, events that marked the history of the "short" 20th century, initially sparked intense interest and agitation around the world.

These developments naturally caused significant concern in the newly established and complex Yugoslav state, the cohesion and integrity of which was directly threatened by Italian imperialism even before Mussolini came to power.

Coming from this Yugoslav area threatened by fascist Italy, one of the most important writers of the 20th century, Ivo Andrić, had the opportunity at the beginning of his diplomatic career to closely observe fascism in its early mobilization steps and to subsequently watch its evolution into a regime and state.

Ivo Andrić will analyze the birth of fascism with remarkable acuity and eloquence in the few political texts he ever wrote.

These significant texts, along with related literary criticism articles by the Bosnian author, are included in this book.

The tragic historical trajectory of the interwar period in Europe and the Balkans and the personal journey of Andrić himself will years later bring the same man who in his youth dissected and vehemently denounced the barbarism of fascism to a position where he could converse and negotiate with its most prominent representatives.