Book Club in Review
On today’s Anti Fascist Book Club (AFBC), Banner & Backbone Media welcomes on our panel — Nick Paro, Tara Devlin, Kristofer Goldsmith, and Stephanie G Wilson, PhD — to begin their discussion into the 3rd book on the Veterans Fighting Fascism’s reading list — Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present. Strongmen is Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s landmark study into authoritarianism. The AFBC team explores how modern strongmen — from Mussolini to Trump — use carefully crafted personas of virility, rampant corruption, propaganda, and cooperation of the elites to consolidate power. The team connects these themes to current U.S. political dynamics — focusing in on Abrahamic Nationalists, tech-billionaires and the elites, and the erosion of democratic norms.
The major takeaway from today’s discussion: authoritarianism is not a single leader — it is a system. It spreads through the merging of political and personal identities, capturing the media infrastructure and distribution mechanisms, and the deliberate creation of instability — yet, authoritarianism is historically fragile. Strongmen fall when communities organize, effectively message, and reclaim democratic power at the local level.
The AFBC’s mission reflect this truth: we are building networks of informed, connected, and active citizens who will break the authoritarian cycle. Patriotism is both knowledge and action — this path forward requires long-term thinking, authentic leadership, and being courageous by telling and creating a better national story.
Where to find resources
How to Access the material
We encourage you to read along with us, with get a copy of your own — we recommend these resources:
Go to your local library and checkout a copy, if available
Start & Support Your Own Book Club
Actions You Can Take
Call your public servants on important issues:
Join the efforts to unmask law enforcement and feed America:
Sign the Move-On Petitions:
Investigate Presidential Use of the Autopen for Pardons and Executive Actions
A Petition to End the Shutdown and Restore Representation: Remove Speaker Johnson
Service members can get un-biased information on legal vs illegal orders:
Reach out on Signal: @TheOrdersProject.76
Thank you Cat, Beth Cruz, Cris, Donna Dupont, William Rochelle, and many others for tuning into my live video with Stephanie G Wilson, PhD, Tara Devlin, Kristofer Goldsmith, and Nick Paro! Join me for my next live video in the app.
Banner & Backbone Authors’ Notes
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The America we strive for — it is one where we willingly remember the teachings of our past, humbly learn from our failings, proudly celebrate our successes, and boldly lead the way into a future for all people.
