Fascism: A History

Description

Fascism is one of the most destructive and influential political movements of the 20th century. Its imagery - of mad dictators and nihilistic violence - haunts our imaginations, and its historical legacy is momentous. At the same time, it is curiously elusive: how do we define fascism? What is the basis of its appeal? And why did it take root so successfully in Germany and Italy, and not in France or Britain. Eatwell's study tackles these questions and considers fascism in the round. It draws together its different strands, in Italy, Germany, France and Britain, looking at its evolution up to and during World War II. It also assesses post-war fascism and examines its future in Europe, whose boundaries continue to change. Along the way, this book provides vivid portraits of Mussolini, Hitler, Oswald Mosley and other key figures within the movement.

Roger Eatwell is Professor of European Politics at the University of Bath. He has published many articles and several books on politics and fascism. He has contributed to programmes on Radio 4 and the World Service, and has advised and appeared on television programmes on fascism. He is married and has two children.

Mr Eatwell is a learned and careful scholar who has read a formidable list of sources, often very recondite, and he handles his material judiciously -- Hugh Trevor-Roper * Sunday Telegraph * A wide-ranging and thoroughly up-to-date survey... bravely argued, for there still exists a good deal of scholarly hostility to the idea that fascism did constitute a serious intellectual alternative -- Richard Overy * Sunday Times * Stands out from almost everything else which has appeared on the subject by being as illuminating to the specialist as to the general reader -- Searchlight * Roger Griffin * It takes us from Nietzsche and Romantic movement to cyber space oiks who swap neo-fascist sentiments... on the Internet -- Ian Thomson * Guardian *