Modern Fascism - Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

This is a very good book on the rise of German Fascism. I was expecting (hoping) that it would be more focused on fascism as it is alive today. The history and defining of fascism was what I found most helpful. I always assumed it was based on hyper-nationalism but found that it is more based on a rejection of transcendence with pagan roots, seeds of environmentalism and grounded in existentialism. I suppose one smarter than myself can make the connection from the environment of the early 20th century that gave rise to fascism and the intellectual climate of today. I'm not going to lie, I was hoping Veith was going to do that for me.

Another interesting part of the story is the development of the phrase "will to power." Power seems to be a major theme of fascist thought and what better basis for it than the autonomous will of man. This of course comes from the rejection of transcendent truth and law (something the Nazis blamed Jewish thought and religion for) and is easily identifiable with Heidegger's existentialism.

Overall a good read, just not what I was expecting.