For those with a libertarian bent looking for something to challenge their fundamental assumptions about liberty and democracy, I highly recommend this book. Kuehnelt-Leddihn separates the values of liberty fr om democracy, laying out a detailed, well reasoned argument for why democracy not only not the best for of government for ensuring liberty, but in fact the worst. Not necessarily utterly convincing to an American reader, but fascinating nevertheless. The second half of the book deals with the historical trends and political developments that lead up to the formation and rise of the National Socialists in Germany and Austria. Written in the 50's, it offers a different, more holistic story of the rise of the party, and links it firmly to the (Non-National) Socialist movement of contemporary Europe. Not for those looking for "something to read by the pool," but for any fan of liberty and political theory, a must read.