Uncovering the Roots of Totalitarianism: Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism

Edward M. Janes: "The Origins of Totalitarianism" by Hannah Arendt (1951; 527 pages).

I first read this book in college; this now the third and most impactful read. The book might be quoted in its entirety to emphasize the need to study, understand and be challenged by the material. Instead, I read each chapter while also taking in lectures by Professor Roger Berkowitz of Bard College (link below to 18 lectures; thank you Dr. Bard for your important work).

I found this a terrifying book; not just in terms of looking in the rear view mirror of history but also looking ahead at what might be. The book is divided into three sections; 1) Antisemitism, 2) Imperialism and 3) Totalitarianism. Below are some quotes and comments I drew from this epic work.

"Totalitarian movements are mass organizations of atomized, isolated individuals." (p323)

"What convinces the masses are not facts, and not even invented facts, but only the consistency of the system of which they are presumably part. What the masses refuse to recognize is the fortuitousness that pervades reality. They are predisposed to all ideologies because they explain facts as mere examples of laws and eliminate...

United States on Dec 17, 2023

T. Peters: Not a light read. I will leave to the philosophers wiser descriptions. However if one wants to both understand totalitarianism as well as see solutions to prevent or get rid of it, this book is excellent.

Canada on Sep 02, 2022

Emmanuel JOUAN: How on earth can Amazon put in the same category, i.e. fascism, hannah arendt reference work on totalitarianism together with Alex Jones and other conspiracy theories jugglers.
and they are number one in that very category !!!

this is a sign of our times... and Amazon holds responsibility in spreading and promoting gut-grabbing instincts and books.

it is enough to read the presentation of Alex Jones item for sale and compare that with the presentation of Hannah Arendt's book to see that for Jones the riding of "totalitarianism" wave is only a sales pitch and an argument for making money, this was not Hannah Arendt intent.

Do yourself a favour and take the time to nurture your critical mind with a genuine work, result of years of research, the Origins of Totalitarianism will leave a strong imprint that will, no doubt, help you understand the confusion that is developing

To understand a little further the complexity of our world and how Totalitarianism is now being wrapped up in Internet connectivity, refer to Zuboff's Age of Surveillance Capitalism and you will not need the Jones and company to sell you their biased commercial addictive...

Italy on Aug 05, 2022

Amazon Customer: Book is in incredibly great condition; Service is prompt and good.

Japan on Mar 15, 2021

Clay Garner: “ IT IS ALMOST impossible even now to describe what actually happened in Europe on August 4, 1914. The days before and the days after the first World War are separated not like the end of an old and the beginning of a new period, but like the day before and the day after an explosion.’’

This work focuses on the post WW1 period. Nevertheless, covers the development of European thought after the French Revolution. Uses anti-semitism to illustrate the degrading of human life and loss of human dignity. Detailed analysis of the Dreyfus affair and the role of Disraeli in England. Outstanding!

“Yet this figure of speech is as inaccurate as are all others, because the quiet of sorrow which settles down after a catastrophe has never come to pass. The first explosion seems to have touched off a chain reaction in which we have been caught ever since and which nobody seems to be able to stop. The first World War exploded the European comity of nations beyond repair, something which no other war had ever done.”

The central role of 1914 in history is key in understanding present.

“Inflation destroyed the whole class of small property owners beyond hope...

United States on Sep 20, 2020

Sof: la letra es demasiado pequeña
Contenido excelente

Mexico on Aug 14, 2020

Fernando A.M.S. Pompeu: Importante descrição da instalação de regimes totalitários. Ligação histórica entre o imperialismo e o nazismo e comunismo. Muitos fato é condutas agora aplicado pelas políticas neoliberal.

Brazil on Nov 08, 2018