Praise for On Fascism

"To prevent the ravages of fascism it’s essential to understand its roots in our national character and experience. The twelve lessons On Fascism draws from American history brilliantly complement those of Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny."

Laurence Tribe, the Carl M. Loeb University Professor and Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School

"MacWilliams guides readers in understanding how authoritarianism, through fear and ignorance, has shaped U.S. history, and will continue to do so if not properly addressed.... Written in a pithy manner, this is both a solemn reminder of America's unreckoned and yet celebrated past, and a course for a better future."

Booklist

“This book will alarm you, and it should. MacWilliams doesn’t pull punches. It’s not meant to be exhaustive. This small volume succinctly and bluntly makes the case that, frankly, we have problems. And the book seems to be intended for those who are perhaps less aware of our nation’s history.” Read the full review.

Crystal the Librarian

“This is a very scary book — and one that every citizen who wants America to remain a democracy needs to read. A University of Massachusetts Amherst expert on authoritarianism, Matthew MacWilliams demonstrates with a rich review of US history how fragile (and still flawed) our system is. And, he convincingly warns that ‘Trumpism’ has put us on a path toward ‘a hollowing out of our Republic’ that only work and dedication by every citizen can help us avoid.

Morton Kondracke, Journalist and Political Commentator

“It is comforting to assume our nation is built on a secure foundation that protects our right to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' But far from being on solid ground, we are instead walking a precarious tightrope with no net except our better angels. As MacWilliams shows, authoritarian demagogues and a frightening portion of the public have always been willing and eager to tear away the balance pole of reason and push democracy into the abyss. By showing the failures of the past and the present, this accessible, alarming, and insightful work is a much needed reality check and counterweight to the resurgent extremism of our times.”

Brian Baird, PhD, Former Congressman, Washington's Third District