I Want You! To Start an Antifascist Book Club
Explore key books and resources to understand and resist authoritarianism, and learn how local book clubs can empower you to go on offense for democracy.
Welcome New Readers
Since publishing my recent Substack post, "Organize Locally: How Antifascist Book Clubs Can Build Power," on January 20, 2025, three thousand of you have joined me here. First off, welcome! If you haven't already read that post, it's a great introduction to starting your very own local Antifascist Book Club. You can read it here.
In today’s post, I want to introduce some additional books and resources for the Antifascist Book Club. These texts offer valuable insights into the rise and resilience of democratic institutions under threat and connect directly to the work being done by Task Force Butler, Veterans Fighting Fascism, and our partner organization, Common Defense.
These materials aren’t just about education—they are tools for organizing and taking action. By reading and discussing them with your community, you’re helping build the networks of solidarity needed to resist authoritarianism today.
But first, let me get a little more personal and explicit as to why I'm encouraging you to start your local Antifascist Book Club:
A Surge of Support
Since the second inauguration of Donald Trump, I've been flooded with messages from veterans and supporters, people looking to get involved in Task Force Butler and Veterans Fighting Fascism. When Elon Musk performed two Nazi salutes at Trump’s victory event at the Capital One Arena, many rightfully understood just how bad things were about to get. Shockingly, one of the world's most well-funded "anti-hate" organizations, the ADL, attempted to downplay the incident, immediately dismissing the event. One would think that an organization that brands itself as "the leading anti-hate organization in the world" and the "global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry" would have ceased to give Musk the benefit of the doubt after he deliberately turned Twitter into a cesspool of Nazis and violent extremists. Or, perhaps, after he recently adopted a symbol of bigotry and hate as his Twitter name and profile photo. Or, maybe, when he repeatedly retweeted and algorithmically forced hundreds of millions of his followers to see the same dangerous anti-Jewish conspiracy theories that have led mass shooters to commit atrocities at synagogues and Walmarts. Did we mention how Musk just made a guest appearance at a fascist German party’s rally?
With gigantic “anti-hate” institutions bending the knee to fascism, and the tech oligarchs helping to facilitate its takeover of virtually every aspect of our lives, it’s no wonder so many people have been trying to get a hold of Task Force Butler and Veterans Fighting Fascism.
Some folks who have been reaching out want to join up, get trained to start collecting intelligence on fascist gangs in their neighborhoods, and work with us to see arrests and lawsuits happen. Others want to organize protests with our help: at the White House, in cities where ICE activity has kicked up, and at Trump's various commercial properties. I've even had federal employees across several departments reach out to me asking for me to help them blow the whistle on the corruption, incompetence, and perhaps even felonious actions of Trump's new political appointees.
People who I've never met are asking me at what point should they know it's time for them to leave the country. (My response to that serious question: This is impossible for me to answer for someone I don't know. But a soldier and veteran who watched the decades of damage caused by Iraq and Afghanistan's "brain drain" and exodus of wealth after the United States invaded those two countries, I have a hard time advocating for people on my side here in the United States to flee, knowing I would be left here to fight fascists without them.)
I wish that I, and my organizations, had the capacity to respond to each and every person who has tried to contact us across all of these various platforms. But I am just one man, and my organizations are far too small to keep up with the demand for our work.
Building Organizational Capacity
Full disclosure: Task Force Butler has only two paid staff, VFF has none. We have all of the volunteers that we can handle at the moment. (I know this may seem paradoxical to anyone who hasn’t run a volunteer program before, but volunteers require weeks if not months of investment from staff in terms of time and resources before those volunteers are actually expanding that organization’s capacity. So more volunteers = more work for us, and we’re beyond capacity already.)
Task Force Butler's staff must grow to meet this influx of support and interest. This growth will enable us to take on more volunteers, collaborate on additional projects, and strengthen our operational capacity. This is what needs to happen to help us meet the moment:
We need to raise funds to hire a full-time volunteer coordinator who can help us to harness the power of this movement. (You can donate here.)
We need to pay our staff salaries that reflect the risks they face every day in the fight against extremism.
We must establish enough of a runway that we can guarantee salaries for at least two years for every new hire.
I've personally spent far too much time in this industry not knowing whether I was going to have an income the following month. After that experience, I am committed to ensuring that anyone who works for my organizations is spared the stress of financial instability.
The more successful we are in fighting fascists, whether they're the swastika-flying neo-Nazis in the street or working in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the bigger a target we become, and the greater our collective and individual risk. The risks are multifaceted—not only do extremist groups pose physical threats, but government retaliation could involve weaponized bureaucratic systems like the IRS, DOJ, and intelligence agencies to stifle or silence opposition. Understanding these stakes is crucial to sustaining our resistance efforts. I and my family have already been targeted by extremists with credible threats, resulting in one neo-Nazi going to jail (he was released just days ago) and at least two unrelated, ongoing FBI investigations. To face this in addition to harassment by the government would be completely overwhelming.
Another full disclosure in the interest of transparency: This is why I'm also trying to diversify my sources of income, and have made it so that people can support me directly through subscriptions here. All new posts (those that have been up for less than 2 weeks) at On Offense are free for anyone to read. I'm thankful to the dozens of paying subscribers who, by supporting me directly through On Offense, are helping others to gain access to the information I'm putting out there!
One more reason to upgrade to a paid subscription: Paying subscribers will have access to the full archives of On Offense as this publication continues to grow.
The Importance of Local Networks
Now, back to today's post: The primary reason I'm really leaning in on this Antifascist Book Club thing is that your ability to go on offense against fascism depends entirely on your bonds within your local community.
Throughout history, communities that banded together—whether through underground networks during World War II or local resistance movements during the Civil Rights era—have played crucial roles in resisting authoritarianism. These networks provided not only moral support but also the logistics necessary for survival and resistance. While I hope that I and my organizations are helpful to you, I recognize that we're vulnerable to the whims of tech oligarchs and corrupt Trump Administration officials who could effectively "delete" us without warning.
I want you and your trusted local network, your Antifascist Book Club, to be well-established and autonomous by the time anything happens to us at the national level.
Recap: The First Five Resources
Here’s a quick overview of the resources introduced in the last post:
"What is Fascism?" (Task Force Butler website)
A simple introduction that explains how fascism has manifested historically and helps readers draw connections to what we see today. Share this with anyone in your life who may not yet understand the threat posed by modern extremist movements like MAGA.
"On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder
A brief but impactful read that offers 20 lessons for resisting authoritarianism. It’s easy to finish in one or two sittings, making it a great starting point for developing lifelong habits of learning and activism.
"Strongmen" by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
This book connects the tactics of historical figures like Mussolini and Hitler to modern-day authoritarian leaders, including Trump, Putin, and Erdogan. It provides a roadmap for recognizing and resisting these tactics in the present.
"Surviving Autocracy" by Masha Gessen
A reflection on the first Trump presidency, this book examines how democratic institutions can endure—or crumble—under pressure from autocratic leadership. It’s a sobering reminder that while we've survived one challenge, the fight is far from over.
"How to Be an Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi
Racism is a core pillar of fascist ideology. Kendi’s book provides practical guidance for incorporating anti-racism into everyday life. This is essential reading for anyone committed to fighting authoritarianism and building an inclusive democracy.
New Additions to the Reading List
These next five books offer deeper dives into history and the analysis of how average human beings engage in the “banality of evil” that allows fascism’s most horrific crimes to occur. They're heavier in content, so be kind to yourself. Consider mixing them with lighter reads, and think about spending some time getting your nose out of the pages and doing something fun with your Antifascist Book Club. (Remember those “third places” like the bowling alley, ice skating rink, or town dive bar? You should go there with your new friends and strengthen those bonds.)
"The Origins of Totalitarianism" by Hannah Arendt
Arendt’s analysis of totalitarian regimes focuses on themes like propaganda, violence, and the erosion of democratic norms. A Holocaust survivor, Arendt explores how both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union developed and sustained their regimes. This book should serve as both a warning and a guide to recognizing the political and social dynamics that allow authoritarianism to take hold.
How it connects: Task Force Butler, Veterans Fighting Fascism, and Common Defense work to prevent the kind of societal collapse Arendt describes. Task Force Butler investigates and exposes extremist networks that use propaganda to destabilize communities. Veterans Fighting Fascism raises awareness of these dangers, while Common Defense organizes veterans to strengthen democratic institutions at the grassroots level.
"How Democracies Die" by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Levitsky and Ziblatt examine how democracies don’t usually collapse in a single, dramatic event but instead erode gradually. They highlight warning signs like the weakening of checks and balances, the erosion of voting rights, and the normalization of political violence. The authors emphasize that active civic engagement is necessary to counter these trends.
How it connects: Common Defense trains veterans to be leaders in their communities, ensuring that citizens stay engaged in defending democracy. Veterans Fighting Fascism educates the public on the ways extremist ideologies undermine democratic norms, while Task Force Butler’s work identifies groups that seek to exploit political instability for their own ends.
"The Complete Maus" by Art Spiegelman
This Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel tells the story of a Holocaust survivor through anthropomorphic characters. It addresses themes of trauma, survival, and resistance to oppression, offering a powerful, accessible way for readers—especially younger audiences—to learn about the Holocaust and its lessons for today.
How it connects: Task Force Butler’s investigative reports and legal strategies disrupt hate groups that threaten vulnerable communities. Veterans Fighting Fascism draws parallels between historical and contemporary fascist movements, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and action. Common Defense advocates for policies that protect human rights, ensuring that systemic oppression has no place in a democratic society.
"They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933–1945" by Milton Mayer
Mayer’s interviews with ordinary Germans after World War II reveal how they became complicit in the Nazi regime. He explains how small, incremental changes allowed fascism to take root, eventually leading to widespread acceptance of totalitarian control. This book serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who believes that “it couldn’t happen here.”
How it connects: Task Force Butler works to expose and disrupt extremist organizations before they can gain significant influence. Veterans Fighting Fascism emphasizes the importance of recognizing and resisting the early warning signs of authoritarianism. Common Defense mobilizes communities to act proactively, ensuring that today’s democratic institutions are not eroded through complacency.
"Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism" by Rachel Maddow
Maddow uncovers the forgotten story of how American fascist movements sought to infiltrate politics in the early 20th century. She documents how veterans and activists fought back by infiltrating and sabotaging these movements from within. Maddow highlights the role of powerful figures like Henry Ford, who used their wealth to spread fascist propaganda, and the courageous efforts of those who resisted them.
How it connects: Task Force Butler’s mission parallels the efforts of the veterans Maddow writes about. Like their predecessors, today’s veterans are infiltrating and exposing extremist networks. Veterans Fighting Fascism brings this history to life, showing that American democracy has faced—and defeated—fascist threats before. Common Defense continues this legacy by mobilizing veteran-led communities to push back against modern authoritarian forces.
These books and resources offer both historical context and actionable lessons for today. Starting a local Antifascist Book Club can provide an opportunity to learn, organize, and build the relationships necessary for meaningful action. Together, we can ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Let me know which of these books resonates with you most, and feel free to suggest more titles for the Antifascist Book Club!
Also adding, for the heavier subject books that feel very gloom and doom, I suggest not just meeting at fun places but also doing community work. Action diminishes fear and anxiety. Pick up trash in the neighborhood, feed people, garden. Something to help people. And talk and laugh while doing it.
Punk Rock's not Dead.