Liberal Fascism

I am almost finished with my latest “great” book, Jonah Goldberg’s Liberal Fascism. For me, one of the marks of a great book is that it does not (as many books do) start off with a general thesis and decline soon after the point is made, and while still early in the book. Jonah Goldberg evidences himself as a deep scholar of world and American history. He manages to give new insights and twists on almost every page, citing illustrations that prove his point.

His moderation, a compelling sense that seems to intuit itself fairly often, makes his comments and comparisons to be more powerful because he consistently softens his thoughts, trying to make an objective appraisal. He definitely does not overstate his case, but his knowledge is so replete that I was left terrifically impressed with his case.

If nothing else take food for thought: early in the book Mr. Goldberg borrows from George Carlin in calling our day “smiley-face fascism”. My only caution would be that the reader better be versed in history. I do feel that I am, yet frequently I found myself googling people or movements that Mr. Goldberg refers to.