The Beast Reawakens
1997 book by Martin A. Lee
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The Beast Reawakens (later prints carried the subtitle Fascism's Resurgence from Hitler's Spymasters to Today's Neo-Nazi Groups and Right-Wing Extremists) is a 1997 book by investigative journalist Martin A. Lee documenting the transition of classical fascism to modern day neo-fascism.
Cover of the 1997 edition | |
| Author | Martin A. Lee |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Neo-Nazism |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
| Publication date | 1997 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 546 |
| ISBN | 0-316-51959-6 |
| OCLC | 36066018 |
| Dewey Decimal | 320.53 |
| LC Class | JC481.L43 1997 |
Contents
The book opens with a quotation from T. E. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1922), a favorite of Hitler's favorite commando, SS-Standartenführer Otto Skorzeny. A large portion of the book focuses around Skorzeny, and Lee traces several "personalities" as throughlines in fascism's ideological development.[1]
The author discusses old-guard fascists' strategy for survival and the revival of fascism since 1944.[2] Special attention is given to ODESSA actions during the Cold War, international fascist networks, and political inroads to the right-wing mainstream.
Background and publication history
Martin A. Lee is an American investigative journalist.[3] The Beast Reawakens was published by Little, Brown and Company in 1997.[3] Routledge published a revised paperback edition in 2000.[4]
Reception
Joshua Rubinstein, reviewing the book for The New York Times, called it "a vivid survey of fascist resurgence throughout Europe".[5] Publishers Weekly described it as a "compelling, intelligent investigation, which reads more like a thriller than a history lesson",[6] while Library Journal praised it as a "compelling work", especially in light of recent developments in militia movements.[1] A review in Shofar gave a more mixed review, with reviewer David Meier calling its thesis "a disappointment" for the discerning reader, though entertaining.[3] The Sunday Telegraph also disagreed with its main thesis, though called it "far better at the margins", praising its account of the ties between Nazis and government officials.[7]