Detailed and informative

A detailed and informative analysis of a complex subject. while I usually enjoy detailed and well argued analyses, I can imagine that this level of details could become boring for some.

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It can't happen here! ?????

The author near the end of the book raises doubts that Fascism could reoccur in most countries unless some unforeseen event occurred - 9/11, financial crisis of 2007 onwards with the austerity, Brexit, Trump. Attacks on the ' Other' immigrants Antisemitism. I long for the 1990s when I had hope. By the way. very good and thoughtful book giving analysis and not just a narrative historical account.

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7 people found this helpful

Genuinely enlightening

My mum grew up next to a concentration camp in Austria in the 30s-40s and my dad was in the RAF. I have a genuine lust for knowledge about fascism, especially why and how it came about. Also about the signs of it happening again. This book brought some well needed perspective to my mind. If you are looking for an all right wing people are fascists narrative, go elsewhere. I will listen to it again, probably more than once. Without stopping being a liberal. It confronted some of my assumptions though, and what more could I ask of a book

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9 people found this helpful

Excellent

A fascinating and somewhat worrying analysis and history of fascism. The main focus is obviously on Germany and Italy, but there are some interesting discussions on fascism outside of Europe and in the modern age. The narrator was excellent as well in an understated way. Overall a fascinating book throughout.

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5 people found this helpful

Fantastic

An absolutely fantastic examination of what exactly fascism is and what always for it to flourish.

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Thematical yet narrative.

Clearly and expediently delivered by Arthur Morey, Robert O.Paxton presents a nuanced, multi-faceted view of the Fascist regimes of the 20th century. Withholding generalisations, Paxton details the attributes of the Third Reich and RFP, distinguishing the differences between the two as well as the factors which led to their rise. Paxton places this analysis in a wider European, and then global, context, leaving the listener with a multiplicitous portrait of Fascism, which goes beyond its common attributes.

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8 people found this helpful

Chillingly Timely

A subtle and measured analysis of the key features and techniques of fascism. By focussing on the deeds and strategies of various fascist parties and regimes, rather than their words or public image, Paxton arrives at an effective working model of what constitutes fascism. In the present political moment, such an account has never been more urgently necessary or seemed more soberingly accurate.

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5 people found this helpful

Excellent

Brilliant analysis of the concept of fascism built around a broad narrative history of its development in Italy and Germany, but touching on other possible fascisms and almost-fascisms elsewhere. This structure gives it momentum and shape which makes it very engaging as well as theoretically satisfying. Basically I enjoyed it a lot and I learned a lot. It certainly helped that the narrator is the best I have ever listened to.

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How is such an important topic so boring?

I got this as a free listen for a limited time. I'm so glad I did not spend actual money or credits on it. I thought that, in the current crisis situation where we have a dictator invading a neighbouring country, it would be essential listening, but I've tried twice now, and just can't get into it at all. I find the narrator off-putting. Apparently, he's a well-loved and award-winning voice artist, but not only do I find his voice monotonous and soporific, there's also a distracting accent I can't quite place. It's American English, but not quite, as if it wasn't his first language. I haven't been able to find out much about him, to check whether my hunch is correct. "Morey" sounds a pretty English/American name, so I'm not sure what other accent there could possibly be. Maybe it's just a verbal affectation, rather than a foreign accent, but it's very annoying. I find myself dwelling on it, instead of on the actual content, and the next stage is that I zone out and fall asleep. Surely it shouldn't be this dull? All very well if you wanted to go to sleep, but not if you hoped to learn anything from the content.

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Hard to follow the speaker.

It was hard for me to follow the speaker, though my level in English listening is medium.

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1 person found this helpful