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monicaa_d's review against another edition
challenging
informative
4.5
Despite my lack of knowledge about governments, this book was an approachable and understandable introduction to the workings of fascism and it's long history. Extreme nationalism and in-grouping make it easy to spread fear and misinformation, which in turn make it easy to slowly slide into near dictatorship. Albright defines the steps of fascism, explains examples from not-too-distant history, and then points to the warning signs rising in the US during Trump's time in office. A must-read
birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning how the grim history of the pre-WW2 and WW2 compares to what is happening in American right now. Trump is Hilter reborn.
alexandrabree's review against another edition
5.0
I thought the entire book page for page was perfect
Until the last two chapters and while it was still amazing - I found the author went from a strong neutral perspective to playing favourites - but I commend her on being very reasonable, and while I didn’t agree with all her opinions, she’s was clear that they were her opinions and that everyone was entitled to there own moderate views. I would describe her in this political climate as a centrist and the world (the bystanders to the extremism and the “great silent majority” happy to stay on the sidelines of the culture wars) to educate themselves with these resources
Until the last two chapters and while it was still amazing - I found the author went from a strong neutral perspective to playing favourites - but I commend her on being very reasonable, and while I didn’t agree with all her opinions, she’s was clear that they were her opinions and that everyone was entitled to there own moderate views. I would describe her in this political climate as a centrist and the world (the bystanders to the extremism and the “great silent majority” happy to stay on the sidelines of the culture wars) to educate themselves with these resources
jasperburns's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. She touched on both history and modern politics, although I couldn’t help but feel that the book is tinted with a bit of Trump Derangement Syndrome, although less than I would've imagined coming from a former Clinton cabinet member.
Although she makes direct invective against him (much of which is fair), I appreciated that she did occasionally critique the excesses of the left as well. The most interesting thing for me is when Secretary Albright focused on the descriptive properties of fascism, how much both aspects of the left and the right fit. On the one hand, Trump is undermining the news and other American institutions, and on the other hand, the left-leaning news organizations shut down conservative opinions and leftists sometimes attempt to stifle free speech they disagree with. It’s a depressing lose-lose where few people in power are holding fast to our founding ideals and Bill of Rights. It would be a false equivalency to state both sides were equally culpable here, but there is room to look within and improve for everyone.
The most interesting takeaway for me was that she described a meeting with Putin when she was Secretary of State where he said to the cameras “the US is really pressuring us,” or something to that effect, and then he told Secretary Albright as an aside that he said it so they could work together without the media painting her as soft. I found this fairly mind-blowing in that it makes political media seem even more of a sham and charade than before. People knowing they have an audience makes them actors, not sincere politicians.
I learned some intricacies of history and modern politics from this book, but besides the passage above, I can not say that I am more equipped than before I began it. I liked it though and would recommend if someone was already inclined to read it.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.blog.
Although she makes direct invective against him (much of which is fair), I appreciated that she did occasionally critique the excesses of the left as well. The most interesting thing for me is when Secretary Albright focused on the descriptive properties of fascism, how much both aspects of the left and the right fit. On the one hand, Trump is undermining the news and other American institutions, and on the other hand, the left-leaning news organizations shut down conservative opinions and leftists sometimes attempt to stifle free speech they disagree with. It’s a depressing lose-lose where few people in power are holding fast to our founding ideals and Bill of Rights. It would be a false equivalency to state both sides were equally culpable here, but there is room to look within and improve for everyone.
The most interesting takeaway for me was that she described a meeting with Putin when she was Secretary of State where he said to the cameras “the US is really pressuring us,” or something to that effect, and then he told Secretary Albright as an aside that he said it so they could work together without the media painting her as soft. I found this fairly mind-blowing in that it makes political media seem even more of a sham and charade than before. People knowing they have an audience makes them actors, not sincere politicians.
I learned some intricacies of history and modern politics from this book, but besides the passage above, I can not say that I am more equipped than before I began it. I liked it though and would recommend if someone was already inclined to read it.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.blog.
princesspersephone's review against another edition
5.0
Madeleine Albright - herself a refugee immigrant who has lived in multiple countries and served as secretary of state - brings forth the clarity and experience of her lived experiences to cement this book as a critical thought piece (see: "A Warning") for our modern landscape. This is a book that I will recommend to others for years to come. I listened to it on audiobook which triumphed with albright's strong and sure voice.
From the first chapter, and again throughout the book, Albright, once serving under the democratic presidency of Clinton, assures readers that fascism is not a partisan issue. On the contrary, fascism is used as a derogatory slur to and from both sides of the political spectrum. Beyond ideology, fascism stands as extreme authoritarian rule characterized by provocation of fears, simplistic empty promises to cull them, and the overreaching powers that extort them for personal gain. My one disappointment with the book is that she offers up no clear and concise definition of fascism itself. Instead, she nods at its ambiguity and consults her international affairs students to help form a more precise picture of where the semantic boundaries of fascism lie.
“A mentality of ‘us against them,’” offered one. Another ticked off “nationalist, authoritarian, antidemocratic.” A third emphasized the violent aspect. A fourth wondered why Fascism was almost always considered right-wing, arguing, “Stalin was as much a Fascist as Hitler.”Still another noted that Fascism is often linked to people who are part of a distinct ethnic or racial group, who are under economic stress, and who feel that they are being denied rewards to which they are entitled. “It’s not so much what people have,” she said, “but what they think they should have—and what they fear.” Fear is why Fascism’s emotional reach can extend to all levels of society. No political movement can grow without popular support, but Fascism is as dependent on the wealthy and powerful as it is on the man or woman in the street—on those who have much to lose and those who have nothing at all.
Not only did Albright intend this book to be a warning, but she understood that without context, many of the assumptions and concerns contained within fall flat. Warning people in and of itself is alarmist (which Albright admits to be a welcoming label for her book), but with the added micro histories offered, the book transforms itself, as well, into a history of fascism and the roots it holds. Understanding the history behind it is of critical importance as our current world powers shift more and more into the self-bolstering grip of fascist influence as a response to globalization and the growing refugee crisis.
Few people elect to be ruled under a fascist government themselves. Instead it often finds its hold through democratic means, and through the slow loss of liberties that are all but unseen to the indifferent eye of the average citizen (It doesnt affect me, its not my problem).
Her historical accounts of countries like Hungary, Venezuela, France, Italy, Russia, China, Korea, the Phillipines, Turkey, and more, paint the signposts of the warnings that she urges us all to be weary of.
In terms of America's future concerning fascism, Albright makes a case of familiar american self-aggrandizement - that the american people are too comfortable and sure of their democratic safeholds to ever think it a possibility to which we might fall. To me this came as both a surprising confession and a natural truth. We as a people need look no further than our dwindling voter turn out to see we are all but idle in the democratic processes of our country. From there she goes on to offer three possibilities for our future as a nation after our current presidency. As a self describe "optimist-who-worries" she is both hopeful and cautious of where we as a world leader will take our own government, as well as how we will influence the less established countries among us. Overall, she offers many informative, calculated, and surprising points throughout the book - which ranks as my favorite read of the year so far.
From the first chapter, and again throughout the book, Albright, once serving under the democratic presidency of Clinton, assures readers that fascism is not a partisan issue. On the contrary, fascism is used as a derogatory slur to and from both sides of the political spectrum. Beyond ideology, fascism stands as extreme authoritarian rule characterized by provocation of fears, simplistic empty promises to cull them, and the overreaching powers that extort them for personal gain. My one disappointment with the book is that she offers up no clear and concise definition of fascism itself. Instead, she nods at its ambiguity and consults her international affairs students to help form a more precise picture of where the semantic boundaries of fascism lie.
“A mentality of ‘us against them,’” offered one. Another ticked off “nationalist, authoritarian, antidemocratic.” A third emphasized the violent aspect. A fourth wondered why Fascism was almost always considered right-wing, arguing, “Stalin was as much a Fascist as Hitler.”Still another noted that Fascism is often linked to people who are part of a distinct ethnic or racial group, who are under economic stress, and who feel that they are being denied rewards to which they are entitled. “It’s not so much what people have,” she said, “but what they think they should have—and what they fear.” Fear is why Fascism’s emotional reach can extend to all levels of society. No political movement can grow without popular support, but Fascism is as dependent on the wealthy and powerful as it is on the man or woman in the street—on those who have much to lose and those who have nothing at all.
Not only did Albright intend this book to be a warning, but she understood that without context, many of the assumptions and concerns contained within fall flat. Warning people in and of itself is alarmist (which Albright admits to be a welcoming label for her book), but with the added micro histories offered, the book transforms itself, as well, into a history of fascism and the roots it holds. Understanding the history behind it is of critical importance as our current world powers shift more and more into the self-bolstering grip of fascist influence as a response to globalization and the growing refugee crisis.
Few people elect to be ruled under a fascist government themselves. Instead it often finds its hold through democratic means, and through the slow loss of liberties that are all but unseen to the indifferent eye of the average citizen (It doesnt affect me, its not my problem).
Her historical accounts of countries like Hungary, Venezuela, France, Italy, Russia, China, Korea, the Phillipines, Turkey, and more, paint the signposts of the warnings that she urges us all to be weary of.
In terms of America's future concerning fascism, Albright makes a case of familiar american self-aggrandizement - that the american people are too comfortable and sure of their democratic safeholds to ever think it a possibility to which we might fall. To me this came as both a surprising confession and a natural truth. We as a people need look no further than our dwindling voter turn out to see we are all but idle in the democratic processes of our country. From there she goes on to offer three possibilities for our future as a nation after our current presidency. As a self describe "optimist-who-worries" she is both hopeful and cautious of where we as a world leader will take our own government, as well as how we will influence the less established countries among us. Overall, she offers many informative, calculated, and surprising points throughout the book - which ranks as my favorite read of the year so far.
tmgroe's review against another edition
this is an interesting book, at least from a historical perspective. It paints rather large strokes in order to fit in the personal anecdotes the author has. With that in mind, much of this speaks of those on the fringes of fascism but does not do enough to deal with it within the US's own borders or how US imperialism plays into it.
There is the occasional tone of US exceptionalism that I expect from a US politician, but that is always slightly jarring and aggravating in these types of historical books.
There is the occasional tone of US exceptionalism that I expect from a US politician, but that is always slightly jarring and aggravating in these types of historical books.
julieverive's review against another edition
4.0
I wish there had been more coverage of lesser known fascists - I have a working understanding of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin. But the warning is certainly chilling and it seems we are on a very bad path.