Liberal Fascism

The Secret History of the American Left

By: Jonah Goldberg

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

"Fascists", "Brownshirts", "jackbooted stormtroopers" - such are the insults typically hurled at conservatives by their liberal opponents. Calling someone a fascist is the fastest way to shut them up, defining their views as beyond the political pale. But who are the real fascists in our midst?

Liberal Fascism offers a startling new perspective on the theories and practices that define fascist politics. Jonah Goldberg reminds us that the original fascists were really on the left and that liberals from Woodrow Wilson to Franklin Roosevelt to Hillary Clinton have advocated policies and principles remarkably similar to those of Hitler's National Socialism and Mussolini's Fascism.

Contrary to what most people think, the Nazis were ardent socialists (hence the term National Socialism). They believed in free health care and guaranteed jobs. They confiscated inherited wealth and spent vast sums on public education. They purged the church from public policy, and inserted the authority of the state into every nook and cranny of daily life. The Nazis declared war on smoking and supported abortion, euthanasia, and gun control.

Do these striking parallels mean that today's liberals are genocidal maniacs, intent on conquering the world and imposing a new racial order? Not at all. Yet it is hard to deny that modern progressivism and classical fascism shared the same intellectual roots. The modern heirs of a "friendly fascist" tradition include the New York Times, the Democratic Party, the Ivy League professoriate, and the liberals of Hollywood. The quintessential Liberal Fascist isn't an SS storm trooper; it is a female grade-school teacher with an education degree from Brown or Swarthmore.

These assertions may sound strange to modern ears, but that is because we have forgotten what fascism is. In this angry, funny, smart, contentious book, Jonah Goldberg turns our preconceptions inside out and shows us the true meaning of Liberal Fascism.

©2007 Jonah Goldberg (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Certain to attract interest...across the political spectrum." ( Booklist)
"Provocative and well-researched....Seriously argued and funny." ( Publishers Weekly)

Mindblowing Exposé of Progressivism, Leftists, and Socialism

Absolutely brilliant, replete with excellent history and not only a recitation of facts but a tying together of facts, events, themes, philosophies, movements, regimes, and personalities in modern American and Western politics. You'll have to read it at least twice to fully comprehend all of what's here, but it won't be a chore either the first or second time through.

Amazing! Extremely eye opening.

The reader discovers the history of Fascism, and how people are often mislabeled "Fascist".

solid book

hard to argue against his thesis when it was so thoroughly researched and explained.

Worth reading twice.

An interesting look at todays " left". A must read for todays youth and anyone confused as to whats happening in modern America.

A must read

For anyone interested in the true, dark history of progressivism, this read is exceptionally illuminating. Although very accurate Goldberg is far more generous to the “well intentioned” progressives than they honestly deserve. Progressivism is, and always has been a cancer; wherever it goes. Just in case you’re wondering, this is all coming from someone of Mexican background.

Having been called a facist...

...by a liberal friend of mine, I found the book enlightening into why she called me that and how mis-informed she is. This book is filled with historical references but don't think it's a boring read. Quite to the contrary, the sarcasm and wit will keep you laughing as much as the analytical dissection of the term facism and the historical links to the Left will keep your mind engaged and enthralled.

A must read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes,I would recommend this book to a friend.Why? Because it defines what a leftist is and it shows how leftist dogmas don't work .

What other book might you compare Liberal Fascism to and why?

Still the Best Hope: Why the World Needs American Values to Triumph by Dennis Prager.

Have you listened to any of Johnny Heller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No .

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

In the words of Albert Arnold Gore, An inconvenient truth!

Any additional comments?

It must have taken Goldberg at least a year to write this book.I commend him for it.Everyone on both sides of the political spectrum should read it .

Thorough, entertaining catalogue of lib fascism

Loved it. Jonah Goldberg uses his usual wit and great writing style to create an encyclopedia of the broad array of fascist applications over time and across the globe. He does an excellent job of linking the modern-day liberalism to it's roots in early progressivism and ideological origin in Europe's various fascist movements.
This book really is a must-read.

Should be required reading for anyone on the left.

This should be required reading for anyone on the left or anyone learning political philosophy.

Exhaustingly Thorough and Wonderful

There are so many examples, and the story told is so complete, it is a wonder there could be any pushback at all. I have no need for the reader to imitate the accents of various presidents and leaders. But the reader was pleasant to hear overall.