The Origins of Totalitarianism: 0244 (Harvest Book) - Softcover

Arendt, Hannah

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0156701537 ISBN 13: 9780156701532

Publisher: Mariner Books, 1973

Synopsis

Recognized on publicaton as the definitive account of its subject and ten years later hailed as a classic by the "Times Literary Supplement," this remarkable book has been foremost wherever the characteristics and problems of the twentieth century are discussed. Dr. Arendt's study begins with an account of the rise in the nineteenth century and continues with an examination of European colonial imperialism from 1884 to the outbreak of World War I. The final section deals with the institutions, organizations, and operations of totalitarian movements and governments, focusing on the two genuine forms of totalitarian dominion in history - Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia. Dr. Arendt discusses the transformation of classes into masses, the role of propaganda in dealing with the nontotalitarian world, and the use of terror, the very essence of this form of government. And in a brilliant concluding chapter she analyzes the nature of isolation and lonelines as preconditions for total domination.

The present edition includes all of the material in the 1966 "New Edition, " together with the prefaces to the 1968 Harvest editions of "Antisemitism" and "Imperialism."

About this title

Review

"I'm more convinced than ever that this book, conclusively developed out of your clarity of vision, represents a major breakthrough for our political world, the first of its kind amid all the current talk of totalitarianism. Every politician ought to read it and understand it. If another author should follow you and put what you have grasped into a logical structure that is simple and easy to teach, one will still always have to go back to the source to participate in that power that enables others to see."
--Karl Jaspers, in a letter to Hannah Arendt (1955)

I m more convinced than ever that this book, conclusively developed out of your clarity of vision, represents a major breakthrough for our political world, the first of its kind amid all the current talk of totalitarianism. Every politician ought to read it and understand it. If another author should follow you and put what you have grasped into a logical structure that is simple and easy to teach, one will still always have to go back to the source to participate in that power that enables others to see.
Karl Jaspers, in a letter to Hannah Arendt (1955)"

About the Author

Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) is considered one of the most important and influential thinkers of the twentieth century. She is the author of numerous articles and books, including The Origins of Totalitarianism and the essay collection Men in Dark Times.

About this edition

• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Publication date: 1973
• ISBN 10: 0156701537
• ISBN 13: 9780156701532
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 576