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  • Published: 13 April 2021
  • ISBN: 9780141992037
  • Imprint: Penguin Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $26.00

War for Eternity

The Return of Traditionalism and the Rise of the Populist Right




A riveting exposé 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. Gábor 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 René Guénon 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.

  • Published: 13 April 2021
  • ISBN: 9780141992037
  • Imprint: Penguin Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $26.00

Praise for War for Eternity

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

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

A fascinating book ... informed, engaging and insightful

Irish Times

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

Very, very interesting indeed

Freddy Gray, The Spectator

A must read

Halli Casser-Jayne

A major new book on contemporary Traditionalism...based on thorough research...required reading

Mark Sedgwick

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