The Anatomy of Fascism

By: Robert O. Paxton

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

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.

Read, don't listen

great book going into incredible detail and analysis, but it should probably be read in physical form rather than listened to as it's easy to miss details or start drifting during prolonged passages. Still, an impressive work.

interesting topic, dry narrator.

the subject matter is interesting and so is the text. I found the narrator's voice to be a little too soothing and dry. I had to listen to certain chapters several times because I started to daydream while he was talking.

Over my head

This author is writing for a PhD level audience and I feel like an eighth grader. He writes a very, very deep and nuanced analysis of fascism focusing on German Nazism and Mussolini’s Italy and he also covers other fascist movements, military dictatorships, authoritarian regimes, etc. Its a very interesting subject and his exhaustive research and knowledge on the subject is incredible. The last 10 minutes of the reading are a concise and prescient definition of fascism and it is chilling to see how closely it aligns with current US political, social, and economic conditions that would be moving us toward a fascist state.

Very Informative

Very thorough and informative. The author went into great detail and provided a lot of very accessible framing and content. This is a good read if you hear people using "Fascist" to refer to things that you don't think fit that term, or if you see someone who is acting like a fascist but is trying to hide it. Performance was very good. Just soft enough so he doesn't put you to sleep but that you can listen to for a long stretch of time if you wish.

A Historical and Unbiased look at Fascism.

Fascism is the prominent dirty world in world politics today, and this book looks back on the rise of the Fascist parties in Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, (sadly no references to Japanese politics or Fascism.) The book remains to be the best way to look at Fascism as the organic system that lends itself to being and ultra right movement, with the odd extreme leftist ideas from the foundation of their movements. All in all, if you want to use the word Fascism in the modern day, this book gives you the crash course on what it means.

Informative and relevant

The moat striking moment of the book is the explanation of what modern facism may look like.

well done

I dont want to have to write a review to rate the book I am.

Informative and a Clear Warning

The reading properly distinguishes the differences and relationship between fascism and other forms of dictatorship.

excellent book on a difficult topic

Well researched historical analysis of fascism and its close relatives.

On basis of this analysis Paxton makes well founded theoretical argument on fascism's nature. Even if I might sometimes disagree with Paxton's analysis, his arguments are well founded on a good research and he takes diverse approaches and facts into account.

Worth reading (and/or listening) for about everybody. Fascism is a difficult topic that hasn't lost its timeliness, and Paxton can set things straight quite convincingly.

Reader doesn't precisely please me, but there's nothing to really complain about in his performance.

Straightforward

Interesting information, a lot of jumping around time though, so at times difficult to follow. The structure also blends and compares Italy and Germany causing some temporary disorientation if you're not paying very close attention. The narration was straightforward and clear!