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The Anatomy of Fascism

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The Anatomy of Fascism

Written by: Robert O. Paxton
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
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What is fascism? By focusing on the concrete, what the fascists did rather than what they said, the esteemed historian Robert O. Paxton answers this question for the first time. From the first violent uniformed bands beating up "enemies of the state", through Mussolini's rise to power, to Germany's fascist radicalization in World War II, Paxton shows clearly why fascists came to power in some countries and not others, and he explores whether fascism could exist outside the early-20th-century European setting in which it emerged.

The Anatomy of Fascism will have a lasting impact on our understanding of modern European history, just as Paxton's classic Vichy France redefined our vision of World War II. Based on a lifetime of research, this compelling and important book transforms our knowledge of fascism.

©2007 Robert O. Paxton (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Europe Ideologies & Doctrines Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Western Western Europe Socialism Capitalism Latin America Interwar Period Russia Imperialism Soviet Union War Middle Ages Liberalism Self-Determination Refugee Italy Social justice
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It was a very well written, objective book on Fascism, it's history, and it's definition. The narrator did a great job and was very easy to listen to.

Well written, objective, great narrator.

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Despite coming to this book with a lack of comprehensive knowledge of 19th and 20th century European history, I found the concepts and arguments well charted and easy to digest.
Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in a stronger understanding of fascism and how groups on the right gain strength and mobilization.

Worthwhile and relevant.

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The word "fascist" has been applied liberally to a great deal of people and, perhaps more often then not, erroneously. Paxton reveals that the criteria for the label are rather nuanced. He states that only two regimes during WW2 were legitimately fascist: the German Nazis and Mussolini's Italy. Others frequently called fascist were generally just some form of totalitarian governments. This is not to say that there had not been fascist movements outside of those two countries, but only in those did fascism actually gain governmental power. Similarly, this is not to say that there are no active fascist movements today. As of the writing of the book, however, Paxton does not believe that any have taken government power.

I would seriously recommend this book to anyone who has ever applied the term to another group or individual. One might disagree with Paxton's definition, but one must take care to not disagree for the sake of making the definition fit a particular target. While modern forms of fascism may take a different form than the Nazis, there are certain attributes that must apply for the word to be used meaningfully.

Clarifying a misused term

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The author has made an exhaustive study of what fascism is beyond its trite but tautological application to the Mussolini and Hitler regimes. He has probed countries as disparate as Belgium and Japan to see if even incipient fascism can be detected. However, he gives only scant attention to the United States, and does not spend any time to analyzing whether the Trump movement fits in his definition. It does; and if it doesn’t he should have devoted two or three pages to explaining why.

Missed the elephant in the room

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