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Fascism Comes to America

A Century of Obsession in Politics and Culture
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Fascism Comes to America offers a deeply relevant examination of how the concept of fascism has been perceived and employed in the United States since Mussolini's rise to power in 1922. Bruce Kuklick explores the rhetoric of politicians, academic analyses, and the portrayal of fascism in popular culture, including film and theatre. The book argues that in the US, 'fascism' often serves less as a precise descriptor and more as a term of political denigration. It highlights how entertainment, especially cinema, has shaped American understanding of fascism, supported by many illustrations that track the absorption of fascist ideas into public consciousness.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in political history, American culture, and the evolving meanings of political terminology. It will appeal to students and scholars of politics, history, and media studies, as well as general readers seeking to understand the cultural impact of fascism in the United States.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A deeply relevant look at what fascism means to Americans.

From the time Mussolini took power in Italy in 1922, Americans have been obsessed with and brooded over the meaning of fascism and how it might migrate to the United States. Fascism Comes to America examines how we have viewed fascism overseas and its implications for our own country.

Bruce Kuklick explores the rhetoric of politicians, who have used the language of fascism to smear opponents, and he looks at the discussions of pundits, the analyses of academics, and the displays of fascism in popular culture, including fiction, radio, TV, theatre, and film.

Kuklick argues that fascism has little informational meaning in the United States, but instead, it is used to denigrate or insult. For example, every political position has been besmirched as fascist. As a result, the term does not describe a phenomenon so much as it denounces what one does not like.

Finally, in displaying fascism for most Americans, entertainmentβ€”and most importantly filmβ€”has been crucial in conveying to citizens what fascism is about. Fascism Comes to America has been enhanced by many illustrations that exhibit how fascism was absorbed into the US public consciousness.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Wall Street Journal praises the book for its insightful exploration of Hollywood's portrayal of fascism and its use as a political smear, noting Bruce Kuklick's skill as a historian of ideas. The review highlights the book's discussion of Americans' ambivalence about democracy and fascism, suggesting a complex relationship between historical ideals and contemporary politics.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226821467

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 November 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Illustration: 22 halftones, 1 line drawings

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 513g

Pages: 264

About the Author

Bruce Kuklick is the Nichols Professor of American History, Emeritus, at the University of Pennsylvania. He is mostΒ recently the author ofΒ Death in the Congo: Murdering Patrice LumumbaΒ written with Emmanuel Gerard, andΒ The Fighting Sullivans.

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