William I. Hitchcock’s new book, *A Shadow Over the World*, offers a detailed exploration of antifascism’s origins, legacy, and complexities within the broader context of World War II and its aftermath. Hitchcock, a historian at the University of Virginia and Pulitzer finalist for his previous work, approaches antifascism not only as a historical phenomenon but as a continuing influence shaping domestic politics, race relations, and international efforts toward democracy.

The book centers on Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s evolving stance toward the fascist threat and the efforts to build an international coalition to oppose the Axis powers. Hitchcock challenges the traditional narrative that casts Roosevelt as the resolute leader of the antifascist cause. Instead, he portrays the president as somewhat hesitant and influenced by prevailing internationalist currents in American intellectual and political life. Roosevelt, he argues, was slow and reluctant to fully embrace the idea that fascism and American democracy were fundamentally incompatible.

Hitchcock also highlights the internal contradictions within antifascist movements of the era. For instance, the 1935 invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini’s Italy galvanized support among Black Americans, who often viewed antifascism as interconnected with struggles against both European imperialism abroad and racial segregation at home. Roosevelt’s Democratic Party included both staunch internationalists and members with overtly racist views, forcing the president to navigate a delicate balance in mobilizing antifascist support.

The book further explores conflicting perspectives on fascism and imperialism in East Asia. While Japan’s 1937 invasion of China and subsequent atrocities drew widespread condemnation in the United States, some observers, including African American intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois, saw Japan as representing empowerment for “colored people” in contrast to Western colonial powers. This nuance complicates the conventional framing of the Allies as unequivocal liberators.

Hitchcock also seeks to clarify what fascism is not. Although Roosevelt faced accusations of authoritarianism for policies like the National Recovery Administration, these initiatives do not equate to fascism. The book differentiates between genuine fascist regimes—such as those led by Hitler and Mussolini—and American figures like Senator Huey Long and Father Charles Coughlin, who, despite their demagoguery, did not fit the fascist mold.

While the book is praised for its nuanced analysis, some readers may find its extensive detail and length—over 700 pages including endnotes—excessive. Hitchcock’s comprehensive approach sometimes slows the narrative with repetitive coverage, including lengthy quotes and thorough background on well-known events and speeches.

Despite occasional indulgence in patriotic rhetoric about freedom and democracy, *A Shadow Over the World* gains strength in its attention to the ambiguities and contradictions that defined antifascism in practice. Drawing on Ernest Hemingway’s writings on the Spanish Civil War, Hitchcock underscores that antifascists were neither flawless heroes nor wholly virtuous, embodying a struggle marked by moral complexity.

Overall, the book invites readers to reconsider antifascism not simply as a binary opposition to fascism but as a dynamic and sometimes contradictory force with lasting implications in global and domestic affairs.