Days of wrath: The ordeal of Aldo Moro, the kidnapping, the execution, the aftermath

by Robert Katz

Days of The ordeal of Aldo Moro, the kidnapping, the execution, the aftermath [Jan 01, 1980] Katz, Robert

326 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Christopher Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Katz's Days of Wrath is a blow-by-blow narrative of Italy's most notorious act of terrorism: the 1978 kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro, leader of the Christian Democrats and putative president, by the Red Brigades. Katz only lightly sketches the political backdrop - the "Years of Lead," a seemingly endless cycle of terrorism, assassinations and other political violence between extremists of left and right; the "strategy of tension" which normalized violence while allowing the government to crack down on perceived enemies - but there's enough context to raise questions about the affair. It's not surprising that Moro, a moderate center-right politician who sought accommodation with the Italian Left, would be targeted by the Red Brigades; after all, "heightening the contradictions" by targeting moderates is an MO of all militant revolutionary sects. What's harder to account for is the Italian government's perplexing response. Though Moro was widely respected, he was viewed warily by members of the DC for his support of the "historic compromise" allowing Italy's Communist Party a say in government. There's an undercurrent of self-serving behavior, even spite, in the reaction of Giulio Andreotti's government, particularly the decision not to negotiate for their colleague's release despite an intensive police investigation. Katz rejects the more outlandish conspiracy theories (about, say, Soviet or CIA involvement) but what exists is unsettling enough, reflecting the alternately dark and farcical labyrinth of postwar Italian politics. Adapted into an excellent film, The Moro Affair, starring Gian Maria Volonte in 1986.