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jencunn2024's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting perspective of Chris Hedges, a journalist who has written stories The Christian Science Monitor among other publications and traveled the world for his career. In this book he combines the knowledge gained from his own experiences with research and his seminary training to discuss, analyze, and compare the emerging evangelical conservative Christian movement of the early 2000s and before. His critiques are intelligent, well researched, and informative. He presents background information, motives/inspiration, beliefs, and effected political goals. I learned quite a bit reading this and would really like to see a follow-up revised outlook in the post-Trump era, although everything presented is still current and relative information. Highly recommend.
bweaver1962's review against another edition
5.0
All liberals and moderate Christians need to read this.
djbeyers75's review against another edition
5.0
Despite having been written six years ago, "American Fascists" remains to be a must read for those concerned by the continued influence of the religious right in American politics. Hedges exploration of the religious right and its ideology are relevant today - perhaps even more so - given the increasing claim that 'religious liberty' is being eroded in the US. This book offers an insightful and accessible look into perhaps one of the modern world's most frightening phenomena. Perhaps we should worry less about Islamic fundamentalism and more about the Christian fundamentalism growing in our own midst.
berglie1's review against another edition
5.0
Terrifyingly relevant. With all of the strange legislation restricting the rights of women and the queer communities all over the country going on right now in 2023. This book describes how this is all happening. Please read this book especially if you describe yourself as a Christian.
mwplante's review
3.0
A nice, brisk eye on the religious life of the radical right.
I would love see, in person, Hedges' field interview style. From his writing and lectures and debates online he seems so consistantly dour, I have no idea how he establishes any kind of rapport. I would think people he interviews would just sort of shrivel up and start crying under his gaze.
I would love see, in person, Hedges' field interview style. From his writing and lectures and debates online he seems so consistantly dour, I have no idea how he establishes any kind of rapport. I would think people he interviews would just sort of shrivel up and start crying under his gaze.
_sleslie's review against another edition
3.0
very enlightening. very frightening. a good peek into the underground world of the christian right. a side of the story not usually told... especially here in the south.
chencholaga's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
jedwardsusc's review against another edition
3.0
I found plenty to criticize. Hedges skips too quickly through disjointed anecdotes. He links people like R.J. Rushdoony and Pat Robertson together through a vague and underdeveloped conception of Christian Dominionism. Etc.
But coming to this book in 2018, I also found plenty of insights. Hedges’s discussion of the fundamentalist degradation of truth in his chapter on creationism and his discussion of prosperity preaching’s links to politics are, if anything, more relevant in America today than they were in 2007. Overall, it’s a more thoughtful, insightful and prescient analysis than I expected going in. Imperfect, but recommended.
But coming to this book in 2018, I also found plenty of insights. Hedges’s discussion of the fundamentalist degradation of truth in his chapter on creationism and his discussion of prosperity preaching’s links to politics are, if anything, more relevant in America today than they were in 2007. Overall, it’s a more thoughtful, insightful and prescient analysis than I expected going in. Imperfect, but recommended.
tittypete's review against another edition
4.0
Christo-fascism is rooted in despair and since there's a lot of that going around in the USA, Christo-fascism is on the rise. Everything is on its way to being fucked. All is not lost though but in reality it pretty much is.
Interesting to read this now. When it was written during the Bush years I remember being swept up in the hand wringing about the prevalence of the Christian right in government. Now that we've got Trump in office things seem less religious but adhere just as much to the tenets of nascent fascism forewarned of in this book. There is only one right, one truth. Our way or the highway. Enemies are everywhere and the good guys are under constant attack.
Hedges says liberal tolerance for others' intolerance is going to fuck us all and that seems about on the money.
Interesting to read this now. When it was written during the Bush years I remember being swept up in the hand wringing about the prevalence of the Christian right in government. Now that we've got Trump in office things seem less religious but adhere just as much to the tenets of nascent fascism forewarned of in this book. There is only one right, one truth. Our way or the highway. Enemies are everywhere and the good guys are under constant attack.
Hedges says liberal tolerance for others' intolerance is going to fuck us all and that seems about on the money.