What is fascism? Many authors have proposed definitions, but most fail to move beyond the abstract. The esteemed historian Robert O. Paxton ...
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Jul 26, 2011
David
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Sure, calling people ‘fascist’ is lots of fun. There’s no denying that. Whether you’re a teenager revolting against the ruthless Gestapo comprised of teachers, parents, and Denny’s night shift managers or you’re a fussbudget Berkeley yippie who detects a whiff of the counterrevolutionary even in the most innocuous conventions (‘I will not have a nice day! Fuck you, Big Brother!’), the exaggeration of one’s own paranoid sense of victimization by glibly appropriating the suffering of millions a
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Jul 15, 2011
Chris
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It is difficult to imagine how this book could have been improved upon—Paxton, after opening with the hard-to-argue proposition that Fascism was the major political innovation of the twentieth century, and the source of much of its pain, avoids any manner of definition of his thematic prey, preferring to avoid painting himself into a corner before tackling the various elements and stages that comprise this elusive interwar upstart. Paxton notes the surprising adaptability of fascism during the c
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Jan 26, 2011
Jim
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One of the best books I have read in some time. The book is not long, but it contains a tremendous amount of information and is very tightly written. Each paragraph could easily be a 10 page journal article.
Paxton attempts to examine the nature of fascist regimes and determine what they had in common. Although he explicitly refuses to give a precise definition, he does establish a set of common criteria that Fascist regimes have in common-mainly the idea of rebirth/renewal and the i More...
Paxton attempts to examine the nature of fascist regimes and determine what they had in common. Although he explicitly refuses to give a precise definition, he does establish a set of common criteria that Fascist regimes have in common-mainly the idea of rebirth/renewal and the i More...
Jun 29, 2010
James
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Excellent - a bit slow at first as the author described the early history of Italian fascism and German Nazism in detail, but very good once he got to analysis.
Paxton's basic point, which he makes convincingly, is that fascism is better defined by what fascist movements do than by what they say. They may make any number of ideological pronouncements, but they tend to ignore or change them as is convenient (for example, Mussolini at first advocated equal rights for women and Hitler w More...
Paxton's basic point, which he makes convincingly, is that fascism is better defined by what fascist movements do than by what they say. They may make any number of ideological pronouncements, but they tend to ignore or change them as is convenient (for example, Mussolini at first advocated equal rights for women and Hitler w More...
Jun 12, 2011
Abailart
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This is an extremely lucid exposition which examines and cuts through various inadequate 'definitions' of fascism. It looks at five stages of fascism proper - essentially, Italian and German - with each stage necessarily building on the preceding (though allowing for concurrence). Rather than what a manifesto or explicit project stated, Paxton looks at how fascism actually behaved during its rise to power, and at the vital contribution of (usually conservative) other parties, all in the context
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 26, 2011
James
rated it:
One of the best books I have read in some time. The book is not long, but it contains a tremendous amount of information and is very tightly written. Each paragraph could easily be a 10 page journal article.
Paxton attempts to examine the nature of fascist regimes and determine what they had in common. Although he explicitly refuses to give a precise definition, he does establish a set of common criteria that Fascist regimes have in common-mainly the idea of rebirth/renewal and the More...
Paxton attempts to examine the nature of fascist regimes and determine what they had in common. Although he explicitly refuses to give a precise definition, he does establish a set of common criteria that Fascist regimes have in common-mainly the idea of rebirth/renewal and the More...
Aug 05, 2011
John
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In “Il Gattopardo,” Guiseppe di Lampedusa said of the Sicilian nobility that, “if we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.” Robert Paxton asserts that the same can be said for the scholarship of fascism in “The Anatomy of Fascism,” his insightful analysis of the rise, entrenchment, and political development of this body of political movements in twentieth century Europe. Instead of arguing that fascism is “of the left” or “of the right,” Paxton both escapes those narrow
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Apr 02, 2009
Brad
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The Anatomy of Fascism. By Robert Paxton. (New York: Vintage Books, 2004. Pp. xii, 220).
In our post-World War II society, the word fascism has come to symbolize the epitome of evil and totalitarianism. Its association with the destructive forces of the Nazi regime and the radical agendas of Italy has caused many in our modern society to view fascism as the embodiment of malevolence, yet the word is often thrown around by politicians, theologians and others in a manner that misr More...
In our post-World War II society, the word fascism has come to symbolize the epitome of evil and totalitarianism. Its association with the destructive forces of the Nazi regime and the radical agendas of Italy has caused many in our modern society to view fascism as the embodiment of malevolence, yet the word is often thrown around by politicians, theologians and others in a manner that misr More...
Jan 29, 2012
Mark
rated it: 
Ian Kershaw sagt wohl, es sei eine meisterhafte Studie. Der Verlag wirbt mit der Aktualität der Ergebnisse dieser Studie: „Auf der ersten Stufe existiert er (der Faschismus) auch heute in allen größeren Demokratien“ prangt es auf dem Schutzumschlag. Die auch ansonsten ansprechender gestalteten Einbände der Originalausgaben (siehe hier, hier und auch hier) kommen ohne solchen, im Ergebnis auch noch irreführenden Firlefanz aus. Denn der Satz ist ohne Kenntnis über den Inhalt der „ersten Stufe“ off
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Aug 03, 2011
Randy
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Could have been half the length, but still an enlightening read that isn't too demanding. Examines fascist movements of the twentieth century in various cultures (Cambodian, Italian, German, Romanian) and doesn't ignore less successful movements in other countries. Wrestles with what actually constitutes a fascist doctrine by examining traits that all such movements have in common and doesn't ignore the social and economic factors that conspire to form these bizarre political beasts.
Jun 16, 2007
stephanie
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paxton came to my WWII seminar and talked to us about this book. my signed copy is one of my most prized possessions. and i could talk for hours about how amazingly cool paxton is, but what you should know is that if you think you know what fascism is, was, you should read this book. if you never understood what the difference between mussolini and hitler was, you should read this book. if you didn't know hitler and mussolini were ideologically linked, you should read this book. if you are inter
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Dec 21, 2011
Isaac
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I find it amazing how much I have been misled in my public schooling with easily verifiable misinformation. This was a great read.
I felt the 'round the world look at failed fascism-states was a bit tedious, however pertinent the information may have been.
I felt the 'round the world look at failed fascism-states was a bit tedious, however pertinent the information may have been.
Jul 04, 2009
Kevin
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Quite a good review of the historical facts related to fascists movements in the 20th century, which is built around the organizing question, "What is fascism?" Paxton's answer is both more thoughtful and less reassuring than most.
Jun 24, 2011
Jeff
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Excellent analysis as to how fascism could not have existed before the 20th century. The librarian within me loved the bibliographical essay.
May 30, 2009
Dianna
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This book would have been better had it combined the theory/conclusions along with the examples themselves. The first part of the book outlines the various facets of fascism that the author has gleaned from studying both the Italian fascists and the Nazis (and a bit of a few other movements); the second part of the book, which is the larger part, focuses on looking at what these groups actually did. But I was not always really clear on what specific actions by the groups led Paxton to make the
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Aug 01, 2011
Philip A.F.
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Re-reading after six years later. Seems to have aged well but for the margin notes of an ex-girlfriend.
Sep 24, 2010
Kaci
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Well written, conveniently organized, but dreadfully boring.
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Sep 05, 2011
Yago
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Great book on early 1900s politics. Fantastic analysis of different paths fascism took in different countries and the neccesary conditions to succeed. If anything this book concludes that pure fascism is only possible when democracy fails and when a society doesn't have safety checks for control of power.
Nov 15, 2010
Roy
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"Surverys and immense literature," knowing where he's going and what he has that's worthy of emphasis, "with great skill and incisive analysis."
Highly recommend...Fascism is no joke and not that far from us. Proto-fascists are in our legislature and more are coming.
Highly recommend...Fascism is no joke and not that far from us. Proto-fascists are in our legislature and more are coming.
Dec 27, 2011
Gina
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This book kinda sucks. Surprising, since Paxton is a reputed historian. I have trouble with the dumbing down of his writing, and the blatant mistakes like using repression when he means suppression. Is this what it means to 'make it' in academia? sigh. I hope not.
Jan 14, 2011
David
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A sprightly and rational treatment of fascism and theories of fascism, focused on Germany and Italy, but with comparative excursions elsewhere.
Fascism is the hobbyhorse of ideologues of all kinds. This book is refreshingly rational.
Fascism is the hobbyhorse of ideologues of all kinds. This book is refreshingly rational.
Sep 11, 2010
Shawn
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A very good, concise study of a complex series of related movements. Paxton is particularly strong when analyzing Italian Fascism, but Nazism is his weakness.
Feb 21, 2011
Michael
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Thoughtful and accessible. Easily the most comprehensive study on the subject that I have read.
Oct 02, 2010
Mat
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Aan iedereen die denkt dat het wel meevalt met Blondie... Lezen, lezen, lezen en inprenten. Een geweldige erudiete maar zeer toegankelijke analyse over de oorzaken, werking en gevolgen van fascisme. (NB. niet nazisme, maar fascisme)
Feb 05, 2012
