All I know about Italy in WWII is a vaguely-remembered 50’s movie with partisans. I think Anthony Quinn was in it, and maybe Sophia Loren.
I’m almost finished reading A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell. It’s fiction but based on real events, and tells how Italians sheltered 43,000 Jews toward the end of the war. News to me!
I’ve read many books about WWII, including some non-fiction, but the focus was on Germany, France, England, and the US. Italy and Mussolini are almost footnotes, a side action that nobody paid much attention to.
Any recommendations that focus on/include Italy?
Umberto Eco has written about it in various places - I think there might be some in Foucault’s Pendulum amongst others.
Captain Correlli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres is largely concerned with the Italian Army and their dealings with the Greeks and the German Army, though many people dispute its accuracy in places.
Have you gotten to the point where Renzo . . . no, I can’t say it. I just can’t.
Sigmagirl, you owe me a spoiler, after what I did to you on that Robertson book. 
No, I haven’t gotten there yet. I’m almost afraid to pick the book up every night. I love all these people but the things they’re doing are so dangerous – they’re all on borrowed time. When Claudia and Cicala took their first walk together and talked about their future – it broke my heart.
G. Odoreida, I can’t do Eco (brain too small) but I’ll try Captain Correlli’s Mandolin. Thanks. 
Edited for grammar