Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine K. AlbrightMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Secretary Albright gives a fascinating lesson in the history and political science of the past century. This timely and extremely relevant book is eye opening. Albright discusses the peril we confront and it is clear that the election of Trump is a shadow that looms over this book. The book goes into detailed accounts of how famous historical and current fascists achieved power. Albright shares that Fascism poses a more serious threat now than at any time since the end of World War II. I listened to the audio book, which added to the message by hearing it in Secretary Albright’s own voice.
Relaying her own family’s escape from two different fascist regimes, she doesn’t resort to hyperbole or dramatics, but instead lets the facts speak for themselves. Her accounts of her time as Secretary of State are engaging and enlightening, from her visits with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to her interactions with Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin, her credibility on the subject is well established.
Albright refrains from lecturing the reader; instead she lays out a complex and detailed set of facts and challenges the reader to ask their own questions about the likelihood of fascism’s possible rise here in the United States. She asserts that we should all be awake to the assault on democratic values that has gathered strength abroad and has been diving America at home. According to Albright history tells us that for Freedom to survive it must be defended.
The parallels to historical events that Albright describes astounded me. I was completely engrossed in this book and felt as I was taking a graduate course on the subject as I read (listened).
Her closing words are chilling in their simplicity; she implores us that recent events are a warning we dare not ignore.
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