Fascism: A Warning by Madeleine Albright

Fascism: A Warning

by

Madeleine Albright

     Several years ago I visited the Indianapolis Museum of Art and had the privilege of viewing Madeleine Albright's pin collection.  I later purchased her book Read My Pins.  I also began a pin collection of my own.  Earlier this year, when I heard of the release of her new book, Fascism: A Warning,  I promptly put it on my to read list.   Two weeks ago I chose it as my audible book selection.   A 304 page non-fiction book, it is narrated by Madeleine herself and only takes ten hours to listen to.  She begins by relating history of the 20th Century and describes fascist leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler.  As the book progresses she describes current leaders who are approaching fascism with some of their leadership styles, but only calls out one county as being fascist today and that is North Korea.   She defines fascism clearly.  It is a style of leadership.  A liberal can be a fascist,  a conservative can be a fascist, a socialist can be a fascist, a capitalist can be a fascist,  as can a communist.   It is not an ideology. It is a means of seizing power and holding on to it.  It is a means of manipulation of a population.  Some of the  tactics a fascist leader uses include nationalism,  racism, the silencing of any opposition (including the press), fanning fears,  igniting division and suppression of rights.  As I listened to her read her book, I felt as if she was in my passenger seat.  I can't think of another book that has validated my value system as much as this one has.  It is not possible to force people to read or listen to this book, but I wish that everyone would.   At the very least,  I wish that those people who are my friends and relatives would - but I know they will not.  If any of them do take the time to read this book,  I will appreciate them for wanting to take the time to understand how important a democracy is to me.  I realize we don't have a democracy, instead what we have is more of a republic.  Never the less,  for me a democracy is the goal to strive for.  Madeline Albright's book calls for diplomacy and finding compromise in the middle ground between extremes.  Yet it stirs passion for ideals that are extremely important.  Please read this book! Click on the authors name and book title above to follow the link to more information.  And listen to the author speak in the video that follows.