The Beast Reawakens
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 |
| 320.53 | |
| LC Class | JC481.L43 1997 |
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.
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 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]
References
- ^ a b Noble, Dennis L. (1997-06-01). "The Beast Reawakens". Library Journal. Vol. 122, no. 10. New York City. p. 114. ISSN 0363-0277.
- ^ Bill Weinberg, "The Beast Reawakens" (review), The Nation, July 14, 1997.
- ^ a b c Meier, David A. (1999). "Review of The Beast Reawakens". Shofar. 17 (2): 153–155. ISSN 0882-8539. JSTOR 42942882.
- ^ "Martin Lee". Grove Atlantic. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ Joshua Rubinstein, "Hitler's Legacy", The New York Times, September 21, 1997.
- ^ "The Beast Reawakens". Publishers Weekly. 244 (23). New York City: 32. 1997-06-09. ISSN 0000-0019. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ^ "More neo than Nazi". Sunday Telegraph. London, Greater London, England. 1997-08-10. p. 42. Retrieved 2025-06-19 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- Introduction to The Beast Reawakens by Martin A. Lee.