The Anatomy of Fascism

“So fair, so thorough and, in the end, so convincing, it may well become the most authoritative … study of the subject… . A splendid book.” “-The New York Times Book Review” “Useful and timely… . Mussolini and Hitler were the prototypical fascist leaders, and Paxton chronicles their rise to power–and their global influence and ultimate fall–with a brilliant economy.” -“San Francisco Chronicle” “A deeply intelligent and very readable book… . Historical analysis at its best.” -“The Economist ”“[A] helpful contribution, thoughtfully mapping out the descent of a civilized people – first the Italians, then the Germans – into a primal state (and state of being) ruled by mythology, symbol and emotion… . Serves as a reminder of our power and responsibility.” -“The Washington Post Book World” “Until now there has been no satisfying account of fascism that includes a convincing diagnostic kit for identifying its symptoms… . Robert Paxton steps in to restore sanity, with his view that fascism is not what was believed but what was done.” -“Los Angeles Times Book Review”

Robert O. Paxton is Mellon Professor Emeritus of the Social Sciences at Columbia University. His other books include Vichy France, Parades and Politics at Vichy, Europe in the Twentieth Century, and French Peasant Fascism. He lives in New York City.