B.U.F: Oswald Mosley and British Fascism

Oswald Mosley was an English aristocrat who made his mark on British politics as the founder and leader of the British Union of Fascists. A man of intellect and determination, he rebelled against the establishment of his day. He rejected the authority of those who he believed acted not as shepherds of their people but their false friends, decrepit and slinking middle managers for international capital and finance.

James Drennan's B.U.F. Oswald Mosley and British Fascism

This book offers an internal history of the British Union of Fascists, chronicling Mosley's dramatic journey across the English political spectrum, which ultimately led to the formation of Britain's foremost Fascist movement.

Key Themes and Insights:

• Contemporary Politics:
  The book condemns the political class with dry, acrid wit, exposing the flaws and failures of the establishment.
• English History:
  It examines the ruin brought by the rise of capitalism and democracy, providing a historical context for Mosley's ideological evolution.
• Fascism as a Pan-European Movement:
  Drennan describes Fascism as both:
  • An economic revolt against the "obsolete capitalist system."
  • A spiritual reaction against the "materialist and internationalist concepts of Marxism."

A Heroic Challenge to Pessimism:

Drennan portrays Fascism as the heroic challenge of the men of Mosley's age to the "pessimism" of Spengler, an elite effort by European civilization to overcome its prophesied twilight and create a new and better world.

The book reflects the dazzling hope and confidence of 1934, making the tragedy of hindsight all the more poignant. Yet, the legacy of the men described in this book remains unforgettable.