Synopses & Reviews
This book is an important contribution to the study of West European fascism in the inter-war years. Focusing on the organizational and ideological relations of the German Nazis and French and Dutch fascists, Dietrich Orlow analyzes the evolving attitudes and conflicts among the Nazis toward the West European extreme Right, along with the conflicting views which French and Dutch fascists had about the Third Reich in the years from 1933 onward.
Review
"There have been a plethora of studies on western fascist movements, but no one has heretofore addressed the question of what the Nazi regime made of them and how they attempted to encourage them. Drawing on impressive archival research, Dietrich Orlow surveys numerous journals, writers, parties, and movements to untangle a complex but critical chapter in the history of European fascism."--William Irvine, Professor of History, York University, Toronto, Canada
“In this elegantly written book, Orlow uncovers a rich texture of transnational interconnections among the French, German, and Dutch fascist/Nazi parties during their ideologically most dynamic years in the 1930s. His profound knowledge of the original-language sources lets him portray the lure of a fascist “national rebirth” across the borders of the three traditional sworn enemy-nations—without losing sight of the ultimately boundless violence of fascism.” --Dr. Diethelm Prowe, Laird Bell Professor of History Emeritus at Carleton College and Editor, German Studies Review
Synopsis
This book breaks new ground by analyzing the reciprocal relationship between a fascism that had reached the power phase (Nazi Germany) and fascist movements in two neighbouring countries which were attempting to come to power in their respective societies.
About the Author
Dietrich Orlow is Professor Emeritus of History at Boston University. He is the author of numerous works on German and comparative European history, including The Nazi Party, 1919-1945: A Complete History, Common Destiny: A Comparative History of the Dutch, French, and German Social Democratic Parties, 1945-1969, and the textbook A History of Modern Germany, 1870 to the Present.
Table of Contents
Leaders, Agencies, Groups, Agendas * Between Angst and Euphoria: January 1933-August 1934 * Europe Will by a Fascist Europe: July 1934-May 1936 * Fascism, the Only Bulwark Against the Advance of Bolshevism: May 1936-March 1938 * "We Don't Understand Our Friends Anymore": March 1938-September 1939