Failed Fuhrers

This book provides a comprehensive history of the ideas and ideologues associated with the racial fascist tradition in Britain. It charts the evolution of the British extreme right from its post-war genesis after 1918 to its present-day incarnations, and details the ideological and strategic evolution of British fascism through the prism of its principal leaders and the movements with which they were associated. Taking a collective biographical approach, the book focuses on the political careers of six principal ideologues and leaders, Arnold Leese (1878 1956); Sir Oswald Mosley (1896 1980); A.K. Chesterton (1899 1973); Colin Jordan (1923 2009); John Tyndall (1934 2005); and Nick Griffin (1959 ), in order to study the evolution of the racial ideology of British fascism, from overtly biological conceptions of white supremacy through racial nationalism and latterly to cultural arguments regarding ethno-nationalism . Drawing on extensive archival research and often obscure primary texts and propaganda as well as the official records of the British government and its security services, this is the definitive historical account of Britain s extreme right and will be essential reading for all students and scholars of race relations, extremism and fascism.