<DIV><p>Originally published in Paris in 1931 and banned in Italy, this book quickly reached twenty editions, earning a jail sentence for its author. To be called a student of Marxism who engineered a successful coup, such worldwide success irritated Benito Mussolini, coming from former fascist journalist such as Curzio Malaparte. The main thesis is that the political takeover of a country has nothing to do with right or wrong or ideology but is entirely a matter of technique. Among the many examples cited are Mussolini and Leon Trotsky, who both receive the highest marks for effectively carrying out a textbook coup d'état.</p><p><B>Curzio Malaparte</B> (1898-1957) is the author of <I>Kaputt</I> and <I>The Skin</I>.<BR></DIV>