Fascism and Communism (European Horizons) [Paperback]

Francois Furet (Author), Ernst Nolte (Author), Katherine Golsan (Translator), Tzvetan Todorov (Preface)

Book Description

Series: European Horizons | Publication Date: December 1, 2004

In his major work on communism, the international bestseller The Passing of an Illusion, the eminent French historian François Furet devoted a lengthy footnote to German historian Ernst Nolte’s interpretation of fascism. Nolte responded, a correspondence ensued, and the result was the remarkable exchange presented in this volume. Fascism and Communism offers readers the rare opportunity to witness and learn from a confrontation between two of the world’s most distinguished historians over one of the most serious subjects of our time. Each from a different perspective, Furet and Nolte offer compelling arguments for the common genealogy of these two ideologies as well as reasons for the intellectual community’s rejection of this explosive thesis throughout the twentieth century. This discussion leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of totalitarianism as well as the trajectory and interpretation of modern European history.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In his major work on communism, the international bestseller The Passing of an Illusion, the eminent French historian François Furet devoted a lengthy footnote to German historian Ernst Nolte’s interpretation of fascism. Nolte responded, a correspondence ensued, and the result was the remarkable exchange presented in this volume. Fascism and Communism offers readers the rare opportunity to witness and learn from a confrontation between two of the world’s most distinguished historians over one of the most serious subjects of our time. Each from a different perspective, Furet and Nolte offer compelling arguments for the common genealogy of these two ideologies as well as reasons for the intellectual community’s rejection of this explosive thesis throughout the twentieth century. This discussion leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of totalitarianism as well as the trajectory and interpretation of modern European history.

François Furet (1927–97) was one of France’s most respected historians. His books include The Passing of an Illusion: The Idea of Communism in the Twentieth Century and Revolutionary France, 1770–1880. Ernst Nolte is a leading German historian and the author of major works on fascism. Katherine Golsan, an associate professor of French at the University of the Pacific, is cotranslator of Tzvetan Todorov's Life in Common: An Essay in General Anthropology (Nebraska 2001). Tzvetan Todorov is the author of numerous works, including Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps.

About the Author

François Furet (1927–97) was one of France’s most respected historians. His books include The Passing of an Illusion: The Idea of Communism in the Twentieth Century and Revolutionary France, 1770–1880. Ernst Nolte is a leading German historian and the author of major works on fascism. Katherine Golsan, an associate professor of French at the University of the Pacific, is cotranslator of Tzvetan Todorov's Life in Common: An Essay in General Anthropology (Nebraska 2001). Tzvetan Todorov is the author of numerous works, including Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps.

Product Details

• Paperback: 101 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; 1st Ed. edition (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803269145
• ISBN-13: 978-0803269149
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,690,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Small Book, January 13, 2003

By 

JamesNYC "JamesNYC" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fascism and Communism (European Horizons) (Hardcover)

This book is made up of correspondence between the French historian Francois Furet (best known for "The Passing of an Illusion") and German historian Ernst Nolte (best known for "Three Faces of Fascism" and more controversial later writings such as "The European Civil War"). The correspondence takes the form of a stimulating, respectful debate, sparked by Furet's footnote on Nolte's interpretation of fascism in "The Passing of an Illusion."
Furet takes the position that fascism and communism are parallel movements with common roots. Nolte takes the view that fascism was a reaction to communism. The two positions are not necessarily mutually exclusive, however, and there is much agreement between the two. Tzvetan Todorov, in the preface, finds Furet's arguments more convincing. This reviewer, however, was more impressed by Nolte.
The books main shortcoming (and the reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five) is it's length. At only Ninety-one pages, excluding the preface and forward, it might leave the reader unsatiated, wanting more.
But if you prefer quality over quantity, and don't mind a high price/page ratio, you will not be disappointed. Ninety-one pages of Furet and Nolte is worth a lot more than a thousand pages of David Halberstam drivel.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short but thought-provoking discussion, April 30, 2007

By 

D. McClain (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fascism and Communism (European Horizons) (Hardcover)

This is a wide-ranging albeit somewhat meandering conversation between two eminent scholars that I found to be worthwhile for the questions that emerge from its pages. Central to the discussion is the question: how much did the "Bolshevik threat" contribute to the rise of Nazism? Both historians agree that the fascist movement, and Nazism in particular, was fueled in some degree by the fervor of anticommunism - and vice versa, for as Furet points out, no less was communism positioned as antifascism...perhaps to hide its philosophical and socio-economic bankruptcy from the world. Benefits from the rivalry accrued on both sides in typical cola war fashion - each brand attacking and asserting its superiority over the other thereby distracting devotees from the realization that both taste like malted battery acid.

The divergence of opinion on this point of Bolshevism's influence becomes a matter of accentuation. Nolte's position emphasizes the apparent reactive character of Nazism and stresses Bolshevism as the actualizing catalyst, while Furet points to doctrinal roots which precede the October Revolution. The conversation goes on to raise other important questions which touch on issues including origins and traits common to the two ideologies, as well as their mutual interdependence.

On some points I found Nolte more convincing, on others Furet. Ultimately I think what makes this collection of correspondence work well, apart from the refreshing iconoclasm of the two men, is the complementary way in which their opposing approaches and interpretations seem to fit together, creating a fuller picture. If I were a publisher of scholarly books I think I'd try to cultivate more yin/yang dialogues like this. Among its many virtues this book provides an education on how to have a passionate and respectful salon-style conversation and is a delight for that reason alone. It also advances a laudable approach to historical analysis - the "geneological" method, as the authors call it. The book's weakness is its lack of depth; it isn't nearly as penetrating of its subject as I'd like it to be. Still worth the read.