Revealing the Unspeakable
“Liberatori Senza Gloria”, written by Gianfredo Ruggiero, presents itself as a work of courageous historical revelation, which intends to highlight the dark and often ignored actions of the victors of the Second World War. The book aims to rebalance the prevailing narrative, the one that often glorifies the winners while exclusively demonizing the vanquished, revealing that even among the “liberators” there were morally questionable behaviors and choices.
A Vortex of Heroes and Monsters
Ruggiero skillfully navigates the complicated landscape of the conflict, exploring the heroic deeds and atrocities committed by both sides. The loss of the “human dimension” that war entails is analyzed through concrete examples of violence, injustice and abuse that marked both the allied armies and the resistance groups in Italy.
The Dark Side of the Resistance
Particularly touching is the analysis of partisan actions, often idealized in modern historiography. Ruggiero does not hesitate to discuss the most controversial aspects such as summary trials, executions without due process and violence committed against women, presenting them as historical facts that need to be explored and understood in their context, rather than being hidden or ignored .
An Invitation to Complete Reflection
The book is an invitation not to accept a monolithic version of history, but to explore all its facets, including the uncomfortable ones. Ruggiero maintains that “the story is either told in its entirety, or it is better to remain silent”, proposing a narrative that moves away from silence and hypocrisy to embrace a more complete and complex truth.
Conclusion
“Inglourious Liberators” is essential reading for anyone seeking a deeper and less partial understanding of the conflicts of the twentieth century. With incisive prose and detailed research, Gianfredo Ruggiero offers a significant contribution to the debate over how the history of the Second World War is told and remembered, encouraging a more open and honest dialogue about the events that have shaped the modern world.
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