"Michael Mann is the outstanding historical sociologist of his generation. He invariably asks penetrating questions and his rigorous comparative method enables him to reach novel and striking conclusions. He has now produced one of the most original studies of Fascism ever written, a brilliant and disturbing analysis which constitutes a seminal work on the most destructive political phenomenon of the modern era." Sir Ian Kershaw, Professor of Modern History, University of Sheffield

"This incisively written and boldly argued book is full of insights and offers many challenges to the specialists. Mann breathes fresh life into this complex topic, and this study is bound to stimulate renewed discussion across the disciplines." Prof. Robert Gellately, Earl Ray Beck Professor of History, Florida State University

"Michael Mann here applies his legendary combination of historical sweep, synthetic verve, and common sense to a major unsolved problem: what and why was European fascism? We leave his company much the wiser." Charles Tilly, Joseph L. Buttenwieser Professor of Social Science, Columbia University

"Mann's newest book provides fascinating insights into the sources of European fascism. Erudite and theoretical, yet plain-speaking, Mann analyzes the beliefs and actions of fascists themselves, coming to the conclusion that youth culture and society across class played a critical part in this ultimately self-destructive movement." Norman Naimark, Robert and Florence McDonnell Professor of History, Stanford University

"Michael Mann, one of the great sociological thinkers of our day published two impressive books this year (both from Cambridge University Press)...in "Fascists" he analyzes the development of right-wing authoritarianism in several European countrieso [and] unlike most sociologists, Mann does not write in jargon. Though certainly dense, these books will reward the effort of any non-scholar willing to tackle them." Newsday

"This is by far the best comparative study in recent years of interwar fascisms, an analytical tour de force." American Historical Review, Robert J. Soucy

"This is a thoughtful, clearly written, convincing study. Highly recommended." CHOICE May 2005

"Fascistsis extremely useful for anyone interested in a synthesis of the latest work on the social history of fascism. The author does not try to force everything into a rigid framwork. When a case is exceptional, he recognizes it." - Alexander De Grand, North Carolina State University

"As mentioned, Mann's ambition is to offer a synthesis of the materialist and the ideological interpretations of fascism. The overall result, as we have seen, is that he uses the methodology of the materialist school and ends up with an interpretation of fascism that largely resembles the ideological ones already formulated. In other words, in his conquest of historiographical terrain, he reaches territory that has already been captured. Nonetheless, the route he takes to get there is novel, and the traveler reaches the destination having accumulated a great deal of useful baggage. And that is a laudable achievement. " - Per Biensø, Department of History, Aalborg University, Denmark, H-NET