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The Origins of Totalitarianism

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The Origins of Totalitarianism

Written by: Hannah Arendt
Narrated by: Nadia May
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A recognized classic and definitive account of its subject, The Origins of Totalitarianism traces the emergence of modern racism as an "ideological weapon for imperialism," begining with the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe in the nineteenth century and continuing through the New Imperialism period from 1884 to World War I.

In her analysis of the institutions and operations of totalitarian movements, Arendt focuses on the two genuine forms of totalitarian government in the twentieth century: Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, which she adroitly recognizes as two sides of the same coin rather than opposing philosophies of the Right and Left. From this vantage point, she discusses the transformation of classes into masses, the role of propaganda, and the use of terror essential to this form of government. In her brilliant concluding chapter, she discusses the nature of individual isolation and loneliness as preconditions for total domination.

©1966 Hannah Arendt (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ideologies & Doctrines Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government World Imperialism Socialism Russia Stalin Capitalism War Middle Ages Soviet Union Middle East Social justice Holocaust Latin America Self-Determination Africa Interwar Period
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Very few works, in my experience, have laid bare the true nature of totalitarianism as does Hannah Arendt's 'Origins of Totalitarianism', not only satisfying the many unanswered questions of why it happens, but in revealing the true naked shape of such a monster in our midst.

Beyond simply providing a comprehensive retrospective of events past, Arendt is able to provide a resolute picture of what totalitarianism looks like before it comes to power, and for any person troubled by the events of the world in the new century, it provides an absolutely chilling insight cum prediction of where the modern human once again finds itself in the present.

I'm closing, this is a must read for a world on the precipice of repeating history.

A prescient warning for the 21st Century

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I listened to the first 8 hours of this book and had to return it. I thought I was ordering a book about totalitarianism, nope. The 8 hours I listened to were all about the Jewish history. I have no interest in Jewish history. Narrator was good but content was off topic entirely. I had really high hopes for this title too. Unfortunate.

Book about Jewish history not totalitarianism

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