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War for Eternity

The Return of Traditionalism and the Rise of the Populist Right

Benjamin R. Teitelbaum

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English
Penguin
13 April 2021
A riveting expose of the hidden philosophical movement that drives the Far Right around the world

Steve Bannon in the United States. Olavo de Carvalho in Brazil. Aleksandr Dugin in Russia. Gabor Vona in Hungary. All rising to power in the past decade. All affiliated with an obscure philosophical movement called Traditionalism.

Since the early 20th century, Traditionalism has defined itself against modernity and Enlightenment values. Traditionalist thinkers such as Rene Guenon and Julius Evola celebrated hierarchy, denounced the idea of progress, and regarded liberal secularism, capitalism, and communism as aligned forces working to replace social, cultural and political norms. Ethnographer Benjamin Teitelbaum had been studying Traditionalism for years as a sort of novelty, associated with a restless subsection of the right - too antisocial for activism and largely without influence. And yet when Steve Bannon entered the White House in 2017, reports suggested he was an avid reader of Traditionalist teachings.

Through exclusive interviews and deep historical context, Teitelbaum reveals the radical worldview infusing the thinking of powerful actors and inspiring a renegade reinterpretation of humanity, geopolitics and history. Fast-paced and gripping, War for Eternity is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the Far Right's vision to change the world.

By:  
Imprint:   Penguin
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 198mm,  Width: 129mm,  Spine: 19mm
Weight:   247g
ISBN:   9780141992037
ISBN 10:   0141992034
Pages:   336
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  ELT Advanced ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Benjamin Teitelbaum is a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. His first book, Lions of the North was widely reviewed and critically acclaimed. He has published opinion pieces in Foreign Policy, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and the Atlantic, as well as multiple op-eds in the New York Times, all of them dealing with far-right politics and activism.

Reviews for War for Eternity: The Return of Traditionalism and the Rise of the Populist Right

All politics are now internationalized, and it is impossible to understand one country's internal dynamics without that recognition. In his new book, Benjamin Teitelbaum's examination of three critical figures shaping the global right in three vital countries -- the U.S., Russia and Brazil -- is such an indispensable text not only for understanding those nations but also some of the most profound and tumultuous political shifts defining societies on every continent -- Glen Greenwald A major new book on contemporary Traditionalism...based on thorough research...required reading -- Mark Sedgwick A must read -- Halli Casser-Jayne Very, very interesting indeed -- Freddy Gray * The Spectator * This is a most alarming book, with a terrible, pertinent relevance...a book to make us tremble...Given the complexity of the subject, it is surprisingly easy to read -- Julia Langdon * The Tablet * A fascinating book ... informed, engaging and insightful * Irish Times * Timely, insightful and often troubling. . . War for Eternity is predominantly an attempt to understand the ideology of Bannon and other important alt-right figures. . . Teitelbaum enjoys remarkable access to them and uses his background research into the contemporary far right to fill in the gaps, draw connections and explain the bigger picture -- Kieran Pender * Literary Review * Insightful and immersive. . . Teitelbaum argues that Bannon's rise, alongside counterparts in countries such as Brazil and Russia, can be traced to an obscure intellectual current that you have never heard of. . . If you are interested in exploring the intellectual traditions that underpin today's populist revolt, this is a useful place to start -- Mathew Goodwin * The Sunday Times *


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