Don Harrison, the proprietor of the San Diego Jewish World, remains a close acquaintance of mine. I have always admired Don's work as a publisher, writer, and historian. His book on one of the first modern Jewish pioneers in mid to late 19th Century San Diego, Louis Rose, remains for me a great work of historical research. About six weeks ago, Don asked me to read and review a new book from Harvard U Press, "The Perfect Fascist," by noted Columbia University professor, Victoria de Grazia. I agreed, as, at the time, I had not been hired to work anywhere as a teacher. Then, of course, I did get a teaching job, and the nearly 500 page book arrived a week later. Sigh.
Anyway, here is my review of the book. It is an excellent work, and I am glad to have read through the entire work, including the copious and often fascinating endnotes.
UPDATE: September 14, 2020: I checked in at Harvard U Press to see if they posted any reference to my review of the book. I was shocked, and humbled, to find Harvard U Press has posted a portion of my review at the top--at the top!-- of the reviews which they received. I am so honored, as I continue to view Harvard as the pinnacle of American higher education.
