Description
Book SynopsisA bracing account of liberalism’s most radical critics introducing one of the most controversial movements of the twentieth century
Trade Review“Powerful. . . . Bracing. . . . Part of the book’s eerie relevance comes from the role Russia plays throughout.”—Ezra Klein,
New York Times“Fascinating.”—G. John Ikenberry,
Foreign Affairs“Electric to read in this moment, and I strongly recommend.”—Ezra Klein, on Twitter
“Substantive, very well written. . . . Rich and provocative.”—Daniel J. Mahoney,
Law & Liberty“The radical right promises its followers fellowship and collective distinction as opposed to anonymity and alienation. It urges a heroic struggle rather than comfort, security, and ediocrity. How we respond to these thinkers will depend on how well we understand them. With this in mind, Rose is shining a much-needed light.”—Alejandro Castrillón,
Journal of Social and Political Philosophy“‘I get bored by reading people who are allies,’ liberal Isaiah Berlin once remarked. ‘What is interesting is to read the enemy, because the enemy penetrates the defences.’ Even for those more suspicious than Matthew Rose of once peripheral twentieth-century sages of the far right, this book is useful reading, for transatlantic politics are leading more people to revive these idiosyncratic but interesting reactionaries. Rose draws his portraits well; more every day, his gallery is worth the visit.”—Samuel Moyn, Yale University
“This is one of the best discussions of the extreme right’s intellectual foundations that I have ever read. It provides a balanced, thoughtful approach to a movement that we must take very seriously.”—George Hawley, author of
Making Sense of the Alt-Right“This book changed the way I think about radical right wing politics in America and Europe. Matthew Rose’s subjects rarely appear in conventional histories of conservative thought, but his nuanced, humane analysis shows that anyone who wants to understand today’s alt-right and the populist backlash against liberalism needs to take them seriously.”—Molly Worthen, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
“The five thinkers surveyed in this even-tempered book lie far outside the orbit of conventional liberal thought. But no liberal, progressive or conservative, can afford to ignore the challenge they pose. Anyone who wants to understand the origin and appeal of the alt-right needs to start here.”—Anthony Kronman, author of
The Assault on American Excellence“A fascinating read. I could not put it down. Rose tells the story of a transnational radical right, which is far more intelligent and worldly than the liberal-left claims.”—Tamir Bar-on, Tecnológico de Monterrey, School of Social Sciences and Government
