Margin notes

Thomas Mann wrote in his essay Bruder Hitler that the German dictator, in his “dreamy arrogance,” did not have the discipline to learn how to ride a horse, drive a car or pilot a plane; the man could not even father a child. (A little below the waist, the last bit.)

Mussolini learned to ride a horse, drive a car, and pilot an airplane; he fathered at least six children. He was a competent fencer and, for a while, an active duelist. He had edited three newspapers before coming to power, one of which he co-founded.

Both dictators were good at oratory; Mann claimed it was the only thing Hitler was good at.