‘The Pike,’ a biography of Italian fascist D’Annunzio, wins Samuel Johnson Prize in nonfiction

LONDON — A biography of Italian fascist Gabriele D’Annunzio has won Britain’s leading nonfiction book prize.

“The Pike,” by Lucy Hughes-Hallett, was awarded the 20,000 pound ($32,000) Samuel Johnson Prize on Monday. The book tells the story of D’Annunzio, a debauched Italian artist who became a national hero....