History of fascist-leaning Italian poet wins UK book prize

LONDON, Nov 5:   A history of the Italian poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, who tried to set up a fascist state in Italy in the early 20th century and was an influence on the dictator Benito Mussolini, won Britain’s Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction yesterday. Author Lucy Hughes-Hallett’s “The Pike” focuses on the life of “the debauched Italian artist who became a national hero”, the prize committee said in a statement. (agencies)