The Wrath of Nations: Civilization and the Furies of Nationalism

Pfaff ( Barbarian Sentiments ) calls nationalism the most powerful political force of our century. In this valuable historical survey, he identifiesresurgent nationalism as the phenomenon that destroyed Western imperialism, undermined colonial systems and defeated the totalitarian internationalism of Marxist-Leninism. Pfaff argues against the opinion that Nazism was also an international movement because the Nazis envisaged Europe's unification under Nordic peoples. The Nazi threat, in his analysis, was overcome through resistance fueled largely by nationalist feelings. Pfaff, who writes regularly for the New Yorker , considers American nationalism as a force capable of great altruism but also of vindictive violence. Ranging from the spread of Islamic fundamentalism to the Yugoslav War, this clear-sighted report highlights the potential of nationalism for progressive change or irrational hatred and chauvinist aggression. History Book Club alternate; author tour. (Nov.)