Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism: The Origins and Afterlife of James Mason’s Siege

Routledge Studies in Fascism and the Far Right

by Spencer Sunshine

A new wave of aspiring neo-Nazi terrorists has arisen—including the infamous Atomwaffen Division. And they have a bible: James Mason’s Siege, which praises terrorism, serial killers, and Charles Manson. Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism, based on years of archival work and interviews, documents for the first time the origins of Siege.

First, it shows how Mason’s vision arose from debates by 1970s neo-Nazis who splintered off the American Nazi Party/NSWPP and spun off a terrorist faction. Second, it unveils how four 1980s countercultural figures—musicians Boyd Rice and Michael Moynihan, Feral House publisher Adam Parfrey, and Satanist Nikolas Schreck—discovered, promoted, and published Mason. Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism explores a previously overlooked period and unearths the hidden connections between a countercultural clique and violent neo-Nazis—which together have set the template for today’s Neo-nazi terrorist underground.

It is obligatory reading for those interested in contemporary terrorism, postwar countercultures, and the history of the U.S. Far Right and neo-Nazism.

Genres: History, Politics, Terrorism, Nonfiction, Religion, American History

484 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2024

Reviews

[Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism: the Origins and Afterlife of James Mason's Siege" by PhD Spencer Sunshine takes a deep dive into this specific sect of the far right. He covers the history of James Mason, Siege, and the abraxas circle and their social influence over the last several decades. This is an excellent book for anyone looking to further their understanding on these topics whether they were already knowledgeable or completely unfamiliar with the subject of this type of Fascism and the players involved in it's formation. For those unfamiliar with Fascism in the US or those looking for a general overview of Fascist movements I would recommend learning more about the basics of the US far right before reading this book. For antifascist researchers, this book offers a straightforward approach to the subject which highlights the hypocrisy of those within the Fascist counterculture. The author paints a well-researched view into the lives of specific people who were central to the formation of this sect of fascism, with excerpts from writings and correspondence between the individuals. However, for those on the fence ideologically and those looking for counter arguments to the points offered in texts like "Siege," the lack of rebuttals to those said excerpts of Fascist writing may leave the reader wanting for more in this area, which is not the purpose of this text.  Overall, this book is essential for those who want to better understand either the intersection of Satanism and the far right, or better understand the background behind modern terrorist organizations like Atomwaffen, Order of Nine Angles, and similar groups that take this countercultural approach to Fascism.

[Chardon Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism" by Spencer Sunshine is a remarkable and deeply researched work that dives into the disturbing history of neo-Nazi extremism, exposing its cultural and ideological evolution over the past fifty years. Sunshine's dedication to uncovering the intricate connections between key figures, countercultural movements, and extremist groups is awe-inspiring. This book doesn't shy away from the grim realities of white supremacist terrorism and provides readers with invaluable insights into the resurgence of these dangerous ideologies.

The depth of Sunshine's research is what truly sets this book apart. He meticulously traces the origins of James Mason's Siege, a manifesto that has inspired modern-day neo-Nazi terrorists, from its obscure beginnings to its widespread influence today. Even seasoned scholars of extremism will find novel information here, as Sunshine uncovers hidden links between Mason and countercultural figures that may surprise even folks who are already well-versed in the topic. These connections offer unique perspectives on how underground fascist networks have intertwined with cultural movements, and the way they’ve influenced today’s far-right extremism.

What makes this work stand out is not only the exhaustive detail but also the way Sunshine navigates through these difficult topics with passion and clarity. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the far-right landscape in the U.S. and beyond. Whether you're a scholar, a journalist, or simply someone who wants to know more about the threats posed by extremist groups, this book offers a compelling and thorough examination of the subject. Simply put, it’s a definitive resource on neo-Nazi terrorism and its dark intersections with countercultural fascism.

[Dimitrije Vojnov · Rating 4 out of 5]

NEO-NAZI TERRORISM AND COUNTERCULTURAL FASCISM: THE ORIGINS AND AFTERLIFE OF JAMES MASON'S SIEGE Spencera Sunshinea je vrlo zanimljiv istorijat jednog bizarnog spleta ljudi i događaja koji su se odvili tokom osamdesetih godina, kada je James Mason, kao jedan od najupornijih američkih neonacista koji je sa četrnaest godina postao rockwellovac, sa margine neonacističkog fanzinaštva ušao u tokove kontrakulture u izvedbi grupe oportunih edgelorda koji su malo koketirali a malo se možda i zaozbiljno zanosili neonacizmom sa njim.

U suštini, mi smo imali mnogo ozbiljniju instancu ovoga kada je istorijski revizionizam i pseudo-rehabilitacija najradikalnijih kvislinških figura kao što je Dimitrije Ljotić našao upliv u Novi talas. Otud je ova knjiga vrlo referentna za naše okolnosti, s tim što je naš slučaj još zanimljiviji jer su neonacističke ideje u Americi ipak bile osuđene na neku vrstu marginalnosti (iako su SAD tehnički gledano od svih država saveznica nekako najotvorenije za mogućnost bavljenja nacizmom jer nisu investirane u evropska trvernja u suštinskom pogledu) dočim su kod nas zapravo, zahvaljujući socijalizmu, te ideje uspele da odu mnogo dalje u svojoj promociji.

Neonacisti u Americi su se od početka svog rada fokusirali na pokušaj ulaska u mejnstrim političkog života preko Lincolna Rockwella a istovremeno se javljao i gerilski način razmišljanja koji je crpio inspiraciju iz najpre ekstremnog levičarskog terorizma a zatim i ekstremno desnog i islamističkog. James Mason je ubrzo posle Rockwellove smrti, prišao Tommasijevoj grupi koja je shvatila da mora pokrenuti svoju parafrazu Weather Undergrounda i u svoj svetonazor uključiti counterculture tokova, osloboditi se od nacističkog desničarenja ali i paradiranja u replikama SS uniformi i ostalih populističkih šok taktika.

Na tom putu Mason kreće da fetišizuje nasilje, serijske ubice i na kraju pokušava da iskoristi Charlesa Mansona kao novog Firera. U tom pogledu, sve te stvari su bile toliko šokantne same po sebi da su privukle grupu post-punk edgelordova koji su ulazili u novu industrial scenu, izdavače specijalizovane za literaturu koja se bavi ekstremima i ostalim vidovima margine, i da ih na neki način uvuče u svoj način razmišljanja.

Spencer Sunshine ima tendenciju da se ponavlja u svojim pokušajima da dokaže kako su Michael Moynihan, Boyd Rice i Adam Parfrey u suštini ipak bili neonacisti, i tu ponajviše odaje svoj aktivistički duh kojim kvari ritam inače fascinantne knjige.

Međutim, ni time čime je kvari zapravo ne uspeva da poremeti svoju osnovu tezu a to je da su postojali ljudi iz sveta counterculturea koji su zapravo kao edgelordi uzeli da se zezaju sa neonacizmom, polako se i sami upleli u to, a onda oportuno iz toga izašli, da bi se na kraju ispostavilo da je njihova ostavština, i njihovo oživljavanje Masonove karijere dovelo do toga da se njegova ideja prenese do Atomwaffena, kao najeksremnije i najagresvnije neonacističke grupe u SAD koja ima internacionalne domete i čiji uticaj seže sve do Azova.

Ono što Spencer Sunshine ne može da nasluti jeste da smo mi imali svoje rockwellijance, ljotićevce, koji su kroz Novi talas doprli do mejstrima i zaživeli na način na koji nisu čak ni pre Drugog svetskog rata, i da su se neki od ključnih protagonista toga, kada su uradili to što su uradili, samo pomerili i oprali ruke.

Otud, izuzmemo li terorizam i ubijanje ljudi (premda ni ubijanje kod nas nije manjkalo), ova knjiga umnogome kao da je preslikala našu situaciju - sa tom razlikom što su ovde ljudi uvodili fetišizaciju američkog neonacizma u alternativu i insistirali na tome da su alternativa, a da se ovde to desilo sa mejnstrimom.

Pored svega toga, Spence Sunshine vrlo solidno ilustruje psihološki profil svojuh protagonista, upoznaje nas sa njihovim egzistencijama, načinima na koji su opstajali, borili se za svoje mesto u tom podzemlju i za goli opstanak.

Otud, ovo je vredna knjiga koja umnogome u sebi sumira niz drugih, tako da može biti i definitivni vodič za ovu sferu političkog ekstremizma u SAD.

[Seligmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Walking away from this, I’m none the wiser about Mason’s actual ideology, but I learned a lot about the Nazi Party splits and their connections to Rice, Moynahin, and Parfey—who seem to be the main targets of this book anyway. Personally, I think a more in-depth look at the use of Siege in modern Neo-Nazi movements would have been more interesting.

[F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well-resesrched and packed with fascinating tidbits, this book is a must read for anyone with an interest in neo-Nazis, Manson, and the Abraxas Clique. Sunshine does the delicate job of packing an incredible amount of information into a book without having the reader fall asleep. I read this cover to cover but this book is written in such a style that someone just interested in one section or even one individual mentioned can easily jump to that. This book is an instant addition to the essential canon of writing on the US neo-Nazi movement (although the research is by no means just limited to the US).

[Steve Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best for the sections about Boyd Rice, Adam Parfrey and Michael Moynihan, showing how Feral House was intended to push fascism into alt-culture spaces behind a facade of plausible denial and political ambiguity.

[Zachary Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhaustive and exhausting. I never knew how deep into this world Adam Parfrey/Feral House was, but it makes complete sense in hindsight and I have real regrets about ever supporting that organization.

[Atomwaffen LARPER · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would write one if possible. This book is slandering our glorious leader James Mason. Please stop or the ATOMWAFFEN WILL TAKE ACTION

[Mark Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not the book I wanted it to be, but the info contained is valuable. Was hoping to get a better understanding of the personalities involved

Kinda poorly edited, but I enjoyed the structure

[G.A. Matiasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spencer Sunshine’s “Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism" is a massive, thoroughly-documented book detailing the dark side of the Long Sixties. Defined in part by the youthful hippie counterculture and New Left, these two decades had an execrable underbelly in white racial hatred and reactionary transgressive expression. The sectarianism that surrounded George Lincoln Rockwell’s American Nazi Party and its neo-Nazi legacy together with the cultism of Charles Manson and the Church of Satan were as much a part of the Long Sixties as were calls for peace-and-love and socialist revolution.

Rockwell Americanized the ideology of his minuscule Nazi party by coupling National Socialism to Holocaust Denialism and Christian Identity and by updating the definition of the “master race” from Aryan to white. When he was assassinated in 1967 his party immediately splintered into an alphabet soup of factions, a process that Sunshine compares to Trotskyism and I liken to the Maoism of the New Communist Movement. That the far right bore the influences of the tumultuous Long Sixties is not surprising. One splinter, the National Socialist Liberation Front, and one Nazi, James Mason, went so far as to embrace the forms of 60s rebellion although not its content. Mason published a tiny newsletter called “Siege” which declared Charles Manson the new Nazi guru; advocated for direct action, armed struggle, guerrilla warfare, terrorism, bombings, assassinations and civil unrest to bring down “The System;” and alternatively called fellow Nazis to “drop out” and retreat into racially pure enclaves to wait out the collapse of America. Mason would also support lone wolf attacks, racialized mass murder and serial killings to destabilize The System.

By the mid-1980s transgressive counterculturalism had become a thing. Comprised of musicians, artists, writers, publishers and filmmakers who promoted extremes for their own sake—extremism as good in and of itself—this scene fetishized “serial killers, pedophilia and child murder, cult leaders specifically including Charles Manson, Hitler, eugenics and dysgenics, necrophilia and extreme misogyny.” The milieu used Nazi imagery profusely and it was often not clear whether such use was critique, provocation, sympathy or adherence. Specifically a coterie of transgressive counterculturalists—Boyd Rice (industrial band NON), Adam Parfrey (Feral House press), Michael Moynihan (neo-Folk group Blood Axis), and Nikolas Schreck (rock band Radio Werewolf)—called themselves the Abraxes Foundation, contacted James Mason and helped to compile and then publish an anthology of Mason’s “Siege.” Transgressive counterculturalists in general and the Abraxas Foundation specifically would often deflect when asked about their crypto-fascism that “we’re not fascists, we’re just being ironic” or transgressive or avant-garde or what-have-you. In the case of the Abraxas Foundation, Sunshine demonstrated beyond any doubt their neo-Nazi sympathies and involvements when he gained access to James Mason’s voluminous papers and letters at the University of Kansas. Rice, Parfrey, Moynihan, and Schreck conducted glowing, sycophantic correspondence with Mason which Sunshine catalogued in full, proving them to be neo-Nazi collaborators or outright cultural fascists.

The Abraxas Foundation’s neo-Nazi symps also circulated snippets of “Siege” in books and films in addition to the anthology but failed to earn Mason the important level of visibility that makes “Siege” significant. A new generation of militant neo-Nazis rediscovered “Siege” and Mason in 2015. Atomwaffen Division, National Action, Feuerkrieg Division, and Sonnenkrieg Division went on to fashion a “Siege Culture” and participate in campaigns of murderous neo-Nazi terrorism that continue to this day.

At 450+ pages “Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism" is documented to the hilt with thousands of primary sources backed by thousands of footnotes, an illuminating set of appendices, and an extensive bibliography. I skipped to the countercultural fascism of the Abraxas Foundation because I had experienced their disingenuous manipulations first-hand in the 1980s. But eventually I returned to the history of Rockwell’s American Nazi Party and the ideological sect wars of the Nazi splinter groups, fascinating in their own right. Spencer Sunshine took five years to write the book and terms like tour de force and magnum opus immediately come to mind. I recommend Spencer Sunshine’s “Neo-Nazi Terrorism and Countercultural Fascism" as a triumph of political, social and cultural research and analysis well worth your attention.

[ThoughtCriminal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and well documented read by an academic publisher that thankfully does not read like an academic text. My interest was piqued upon hearing of this book discussing the connections to Adam Parfrey and the edgelords of the Abraxas Circle that includes figures like Nikolas Schreck. But, of particular interest to me was the history of "far right" connections to industrial music, as I had been quite a fan earlier in life and still am to a certain extent. There is much more here though, and while the author is obviously of a certain political bent who seems to me to fail to recognize the collectivist/socialist characteristics of both the far left and right, it is a relatively non-partisan, non-biased investigation. A must read if one is interested in such not-talked-about topics!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough exploration of connecting early neo-Nazism, fascism, and white supremacy movements through the 70s, 80s, 90s and into the modern era. Essential for understanding the motivations and reactionary politics behind the modern far right committed to destroying American democracy.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can read my thoughts here: https://peterberard.substack.com/p/of...