The Illustrated Guide to American Fascism

The Illustrated Guide to American Fascism is a concise yet comprehensive exploration of the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of fascism in the United States leading up to and following the rise of Donald Trump, as well as a stark warning for the future.

This unique narrative intertwines the history of European fascism with the surprising emergence of authoritarian tendencies within the early years of the American Republic. Through captivating visuals and insightful prose, the book unpacks the threads of authoritarianism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and misogyny woven into the fabric of Trump’s presidency, the fervor of MAGA extremism, and the current political landscape, notably the upcoming election campaign in 2024.

Particular attention is dedicated to the attempt to steal the 2020 election, including the harrowing Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, and Trump’s efforts to evade legal consequences. Beyond the Trump era, the exploration extends to the manifestations of fascism apparent in current U.S. foreign policy under President Biden, including topics such as the proxy war against Russia, the U.S. support of a genocidal war against Palestinians following the horrific attacks of Oct. 7 2023, and the cruel treatment of asylum seekers along the U.S./Mexican border.

The art in the book is the product of Sue Coe’s unique vision. She is at once a zine illustrator like Art Spiegelman, a realist like Philip Pearlstein, a caricaturist like Honore Daumier, an Expressionist like Kathe Kollwitz, and a Dadaist like John Heartfield. Her art is by turns--or all at once--tough, satirical, bracing, sweet, and sober. It’s always incisive.

What sets this book apart is its accessibility, tailored for non-experts, especially younger audiences. The compelling narrative is complemented by masterfully-crafted illustrations by one of the world’s foremost political artists. The book is about a serious subject, plainly illustrated, and clearly explained in words by a leading art historian and social critic.

Sue Coe is an artist, animal rights activist, and anti-fascist. She has depicted the rights struggles of women, children, queers, animals, refugees, and political dissidents. She has exposed the suffering of AIDS patients, displaced persons, and domesticated animals. She has also peered inside factory farms, zoos, prisons, and refugee camps. Coe’s prints, drawings and paintings are found in many major art museums, and her illustrations have been published in The New York Times, The Nation and many other magazine and books.

Stephen F. Eisenman is Professor Emeritus of Art History at Northwestern University and the author of a dozen books including 19^th C, Art - A Critical History (Thames and Hudson, 1994), Gauguin’s Skirt (Thames and Hudson, 1997), The Abu Ghraib Effect (Reaktion, 2007), and The Cry of Nature: Art and the Making of Animal Rights (Reaktion, 2015). He is also art critic and columnist for Counterpunch. He’s co-founder of the environmental justice non-profit, Anthropocene Alliance.