Aaron reviewed America Last by Jacob Heilbrunn
America Last
3 stars
Heilbrunn's book examines the American right wing's fascination with dictators throughout the twentieth century and up through the present day. The book reads like an accretion of anecdotes and stories -- all of which are interesting in their own right, but I did not get a sense of historical development or change. Rather, this appears to be one thing after another. Nevertheless, the evidence that Heilbrunn has amassed leaves no doubt that there is a significant right wing obscession with/appreciation for dictatorship, with Savimbi, Pinochet, Franco, Orban, Hitler and others all receiving praise from prominent Americans. A profoundly disturbing catalog of people's willingness to abandon democratic principles and values when tempted by the appearance of strength abroad.