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Leonard Peikoff

The Ominous Parallels: The End of Freedom in America Paperback – June 1, 1983

by Leonard Peikoff (Author)

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Ayn Rand chose Leonard Peikoff to be her successor as the spokesman for Objectivism. And in this brilliantly reasoned, thought-provoking work we learn why, as he demonstrates how far America has been detoured from its original path and led down the same road that Germany followed to Nazism. Self-sacrifice, Oriental mysticism, racial "truth," the public good, doing one's duty—these are among the seductive catch-phrases that Leonard Peikoff dissects, examining the kind of philosophy they symbolize, the type of thinking that lured Germany to its doom and that he says is now prevalent in the United States. Here is a frightening look at where America may be heading, a clarion call for all who are concerned about preserving our right to individual freedom.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Plume
Publication date

June 1, 1983
Dimensions

5.4 x 0.92 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

0452011175
ISBN-13

978-0452011175
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Leonard Peikoff

“Offers a truly revolutionary idea…The book is clear, tight, disciplined, beautifully structured, and brilliantly reasoned. Its style is clear and hard as crystal—and as sparkling… As to my personal reaction, I can express it best by paraphrasing a line from Atlas Shrugged: ‘It’s so wonderful to see a great, new, crucial achievement which is not mine!’”—Ayn Rand

“Extraordinarily perceptive…frightening insights…Everyone concerned with the collectivist trend in today’s world should read this book.”—Alan Greenspan

“A fascinating weave of German history, philosophic determinism, and Objectivist polemic.”—Chicago Tribune

“A revelation...Peikoff is an extraordinary communicator...He brings the most difficult intellectual ideas within the grasp of the general reader.”—Detroit Free Press

About the Author

Leonard Peikoff is the preeminent Ayn Rand scholar writing today. He worked closely with Rand in New York City for thirty years and was designated by her as heir to her estate. He has taught philosophy at several places, including Hunter College and New York University. Dr. Peikoff is the author of The DIM Hypothesis: Why the Lights of the West Are Going Out and The Cause of Hitler’s Germany. He grew up in Western Canada and now lives in Southern California. He also hosted the national radio talk show "Philosophy: Who Needs It."

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Plume (June 1, 1983)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0452011175
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0452011175
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.92 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #397,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #72 in Libertarianism
- #289 in Non-US Legal Systems (Books)
- #302 in Comparative Politics

Customer Reviews:
218 ratings

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Peter N

Only Ideas Can Defeat Ideas

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2019

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Two important, illuminating, relevant modern themes in this 37 year-old book by a disciple of Ayn Rand: (1) our currently prevalent collectivist, statist philosophy is real and significant and can be defeated only by a better idea — Peikoff proposes Ayn Rand’s (and Aristotle’s) individualism and objectivism as that better idea; and (2) the Ominous Parallels between pre-Nazi 1920-1930 Germany and 21st Century America.

I had previously been unaware of the leading role of the pre-Nazi German intellectuals in developing and popularizing the philosophical foundation for the rise of Hitler. (Although Peikoff’s finger pointing at Plato, Kant, and Hegel strikes me as bit overdone.)

But the overall cultural, sociological, educational, economic and political comparisons of pre-Nazi Germany with America today are obvious and chilling. (“When I hear the word ‘culture,’ ” said Hanns Johst (President of the Reich Theater Chamber), in an immortal line, “I slip back the safety-catch of my revolver.”)

The questions remaining to be answered are: (1) which of the competing political ideas in America will emerge as “the will of the people;” and (2) who will be the leader embodying that will?

Will the end of our political argument be that “the enemies of the people,” whomever they may be determined to be, are required to mark their clothing, observe curfews, and live and work only in designated ghettos, before their delivery to the killing fields?

Unfortunate multiple typos in the Kindle edition, an unnecessary minor flaw.

Highly recommend for those who believe we can learn from history.

9 people found this helpful

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ADA

Highly recommend if you are living in 2017 and are trying ...

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2017

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The ability of humans to process information is extraordinary and what makes us “human.” This book is a difficult read. There is no doubt about that. For people who still have that ability to process information, it’s a treasure trove. The human mind is extraordinarily malleable under stress. Under prolonged mental stress and state-sponsored disinformation, seemingly “normal” people are able to engage in or sanction the most horrific acts against their neighbors. This book focuses on the execrable German philosophical foundation of the Nazi regime but helps to understand how collectivist ideologies in general (Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Obama, Chavez) are able to strip away any sense of the individual in furtherance of the State. Highly recommend if you are living in 2017 and are trying to understand how and why the “deep state” is working overtime to keep their surrogates in positions of power after their preferred head of state (Clinton) was rejected. This will not end well.

20 people found this helpful

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el Gusano

Obligatory reading, sweeping generalizations

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2020

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This book is excellent to give you an overview of Nazi Germany, what led up to it, etc. It is thorough enough without being tedious, and is less reading than the thousands of pages required otherwise. I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5 star, however, because the author, while complaining about sweeping generalizations by others, makes sweeping generalizations about Christianity. He does not tend to make sweeping generalizations about other groups, and I understand that it's from his personal bias against Christianity, but as a scholar, he should have generalized a little less in that area, as he generalized less in other areas. Recommended overall.

6 people found this helpful

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wugu

If you want read THE book on this subject, this is that book.

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2019

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If you really want to know the reasons Germany ended down the nazi/ WWII/murderous self-destruction rabbit hole, you need to read this book. Comprehensive, yet concise, coherent analysis of post-enlightenment philosophies that marched cultural/societal thinking into an irrational, magical-thinking, tribal (ethnic), intolerant mentality, early in 20th century, setting the stage for Nazism. More frightening, lays out the ominous parallels in "modern" Western philosophy & current U.S. culture & politics/government. An illuminating, sobering read.

7 people found this helpful

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cmygd5

Illuminating

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2017

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I have long considered how certain ideas give way to others, and seen their practical directions. But I had no idea that any groups executed philosophy's worst ideas so wholly. This book began by affirming some of my thoughts, then proceeded to demonstrate, right down to the bone, the philosophical death march that Nazism had to make. From the second chapter, reading was as walking downhill on a narrow road: there were no turns, the destination was always in sight, with logic leading the way.

12 people found this helpful

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Edwin A. Locke

A brillaint analysis

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014

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The single most important book on the cause of Nazism and the only book that identifies the cause at the deepest level: philosophy. A brilliant analysis of the ideas that led to Nazism. Superficial thinkers will complain that, for example, Kant was not a Nazi. True but this misses the point. Kant destroyed both reason and values, including the morality of loving oneself. The assault on reason set up the Nazi worship of the irrational will. The assault on the self set up the Nazi demand that the self is of no importance and that man must sacrifice for the state (volk). Kant's apparent defense of rights in politics is meaningless since his epistemology and ethics destroyed the foundation of rights. Peikoff weaves in the ideas of Kant and other philosophers and ties it all into pre-Nazi culture and the philosophies of the contending political parties into an integrated whole. A brilliant piece of philosophical detection and integration.

32 people found this helpful

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Miguel Loureiro

Best explanation of the origins of Nazism( and Communism)

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020

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“How was it possible?” Is the common never fully answered question for the totalitarianism of the XX century. Ominous Parallels offers an in depth hypothesis that goes back to Plato and, mostly, to Kantian philosophy. Dr. Peikoff weaves a masterfully journey through centuries, facts, ideas and minds to give us an exceptional - though ominous - account of the possible real answer to the fatal question. And a dire warning. Must read.

2 people found this helpful

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Ominously Epic—An Essential Read

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2018

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I consider this to be one of the most important works of contempo philosophic literature to-date. All those concerned with the well-being and inalienable rights of man would do well to read this great gift to not only Americans, but to all the first-world.

6 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Alexander Mitchell

This is the best book I have ever read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2020

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Dr Peikoff is a real intellectual gem.

Every other book on this topic deals with EFFECTS and not CAUSES. Politics, economics, circumstantial issues... you name it... every other book talks about these as being the reasons for Nazi Germany happening. How can they be so wrong?

They simply don't understand conceptual philosophy - or any, it might appear - like Dr Peikoff does. Politics is a byproduct of earlier philosophical branches (metaphysics, epistemology and ethics). Dr Peikoff BRILLIANTLY shows how Nazi Germany happened and why we should remain vigilant today.

If you read only one book, read this.

Tom H.

Great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2020

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As the heir to the ayn rand throne of objectivism the author does a great job of comparing modern America to prewar Germany

Matthew

interesting book arrived when expected

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2018

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interesting book
arrived when expected

M M Bagshaw

so he is more than pleased. ( it would bore me to tears

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2015

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Arrived very quickly, thank you. Bought as a Christmas present, for my son. It was his request, so he is more than pleased. ( it would bore me to tears!)

MinimalMaximum

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2016

Verified Purchase

good book, great seller

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