This book investigates the intellectual underpinnings of far-right movements in 1930s France, focusing on how antisemitism and gender ideologies were intertwined within their aesthetic and philosophical frameworks. Sanos examines the writings and public discourse of key far-right intellectuals, analyzing their construction of a particular vision of French national identity that was inherently exclusionary and often violent. The study explores how these intellectuals utilized aesthetic theories and cultural critiques to legitimize their political agendas, particularly their virulent antisemitism and their rigid, patriarchal views on gender roles. The work aims to reveal the sophisticated, yet dangerous, intellectual currents that fueled extremist politics in a pivotal historical moment.

This scholarly work is likely to be regarded as a significant contribution to the study of interwar French intellectual history and the rise of far-right ideologies. Its focus on the intersection of aesthetics, antisemitism, and gender offers a nuanced perspective on the complex motivations and justifications employed by these movements. The book's detailed analysis of primary intellectual sources suggests it will appeal to specialists in history, political science, and cultural studies seeking a rigorous examination of these themes.