Fascism and Communism

by François Furet, Ernst Nolte, Tzvetan Todorov (Preface)

In his major work on communism, the international bestseller The Passing of an Illusion , the eminent French historian François Furet devoted a lengthy footnote to German historian Ernst Nolte’s interpretation of fascism. Nolte responded, a correspondence ensued, and the result was the remarkable exchange presented in this volume. Fascism and Communism offers readers the rare opportunity to witness and learn from a confrontation between two of the world’s most distinguished historians over one of the most serious subjects of our time. Each from a different perspective, Furet and Nolte offer compelling arguments for the common genealogy of these two ideologies as well as reasons for the intellectual community’s rejection of this explosive thesis throughout the twentieth century. This discussion leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of totalitarianism as well as the trajectory and interpretation of modern European history.

Genres: History, Politics, Russia, Philosophy, Nonfiction

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

François Furet (27 March 1927, Paris – 12 July 1997, Figeac) was a French historian, and president of the Saint-Simon Foundation, well known for his books on the French Revolution.

He was elected to the Académie française in March 1997, just three months before he died in July.

Reviews

[Aelena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una correspondencia entre dos historiadores y por tanto, no ahonda tanto como quizás sería deseable, y tampoco se le puede esperar el enfoque más riguroso de un ensayo. No obstante es breve y bastante interesante. Sería muy recomendable para muchos personajes de izquierda que no han entendido, ni vislumbrado siquiera, que fundamentalmente son lo mismo que sus odiados "fachas", con solo alguna diferencia superficial que no altera esa identidad compartida. Sería una buena caída del caballo para alguno.

[Colm Gillis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a great cover and, don't get me wrong, the idea of the book is fascinating. But this collection of letters was a little disappointing.

[OSCAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

El libro no me decepcionó pero es tan rico en referencias y alude a tantos temas y visiones sobre ellos que es imposible seguir las ideas y ocurrencias de estos dos grandes historiadores. Lo anterior lleva a la fatiga y a la dificultad de recordar lo mencionado previamente. Valdría la pena una relectura.

Considero que el género epistolar, si bien es más íntimo, es inadecuado para una discusión tan amplia y a ratos tan rica. Eso se nota cuando cualquiera de los interlocutores termina soslayando algunos puntos tratados anteriormente y abre discusión sobre nuevos asuntos. Lo que rescató yo del libro es el reconocimiento que hacen ambos historiadores de haber sido defenestrados por causa de sus tesis insólitas, lo cual los hacía "infrecuentables". El libro gana la atención de uno en tanto confesión personal y revelación autobiográfica que como tratado sistemático sobre los dos sistemas políticas que intentaron infructuosamente luchar contra la democracia liberal. Para gente que le molesta lo subjetivo lo mejor es pedirle que se abstenga de hojear este texto.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is really a mail correspondence between two incredibly well read historians of 20th century European facism and communism.

I think the way they speak to one another is profound because they both have a lot of respect for each other but also disagree on some key points.

Regardless of how they speak to each other, the book focuses on their disagreements on the origins of fascism: Essentially arguing if Fascism a reaction to Bolshevism or not.

Incredibly interesting read and I think gives more perspective to what Fascism is.

[Ernst Aristo Meister · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing honest dialogue.