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Nationalism: The Politics of Identity
The Politics of Identity brings together 15 of Keith Woods’ best essays. With a combination of historical studies and contemporary analysis, Woods takes aim at the critics of nationalism on both the left and the right. Nationalism is not just a perennial phenomenon that has endured throughout history, but a fully defensible worldview that offers the best alternative to the waning liberal order.Reviews"I wish I knew as much about nationalism as Keith Woods when I was in my twenties. I especially wish I had this book when I was young. Spending a few hours reading it would have saved me years of confusion and searching. So read this book and buy copies of it for promising young people."
- Greg Johnson, editor of Counter-Currents Publishing
"Keith Woods' recent comet-like reappearance on social media proved he is master of the rapier thrust. But this collection of his essays proves he is master of the intellectual slugfest too. Nobody aware of the coming nationalist revolution can ignore him"
- Peter Brimelow, Editor of VDARE 1999-2024
"A garden of delights -- with a few stinging nettles to keep you on your toes."
- Jared Taylor, founder and editor of American Renaissance
"In his first of what I hope will be many books, Keith Woods plants his flag in the realm of political theory. This book explores current events, history, and rebuts of many of the common counter-arguments to nationalism. But what I found to be most enjoyable was his application of timeless ideas to the challenges of contemporary politics. We can best promote Nationalism by building on the rich legacy of our ancestors rather than struggling to reinvent the wheel while bumbling about in the darkness of the modern world."
- David Zsutty, Executive Director of the Homeland Institute
"In this book, Keith Woods, one of the most promising young intellectual activists in the dissident Right, makes a refreshingly consistent case for the moral validity, political expediency, and historical groundedness of ethnonationalism. Ethnonationalism, contrary to liberal political theory, is not an artificial construct superimposed from the outside but a deeply rooted sentiment found among all peoples of the earth who share strong ancestral ties, kinship and cultural affinities. Ethnonationalism should not be equated with imperialism or seen as the source of xenophobia and violence. It is, according to Woods, the most viable way for diverse human groups to organize themselves peacefully in mutual recognition that all ethnic groups have the same need to maintain strong natural bonds with their own kindred and find therein the opportunity to express their highest potentialities in a state of universal benevolence."
- Dr. Ricardo Duchesne, author of The Uniqueness of Western Civilization & Canada in Decay
"A wide-ranging and provocative collection of writings, Keith Woods proves that his grasp exceeds his reach. Woods brings a fair-minded and objective approach to each topic, treating them with a care and precision rarely observed among esteemed, professional academics. This work is more than just a boon to the nationalist cause, for it is also a serious-minded book worthy of inclusion in the Western canon. While indispensable for readers of all ages, this book should be of particular interest to the young, who are undoubtedly growing up in the most confused and chaotic of times."
- Josh Neal, author of American Extremist
About the author
Keith Woods is an Irish writer, content creator and activist.
- Greg Johnson, editor of Counter-Currents Publishing
"Keith Woods' recent comet-like reappearance on social media proved he is master of the rapier thrust. But this collection of his essays proves he is master of the intellectual slugfest too. Nobody aware of the coming nationalist revolution can ignore him"
- Peter Brimelow, Editor of VDARE 1999-2024
"A garden of delights -- with a few stinging nettles to keep you on your toes."
- Jared Taylor, founder and editor of American Renaissance
"In his first of what I hope will be many books, Keith Woods plants his flag in the realm of political theory. This book explores current events, history, and rebuts of many of the common counter-arguments to nationalism. But what I found to be most enjoyable was his application of timeless ideas to the challenges of contemporary politics. We can best promote Nationalism by building on the rich legacy of our ancestors rather than struggling to reinvent the wheel while bumbling about in the darkness of the modern world."
- David Zsutty, Executive Director of the Homeland Institute
"In this book, Keith Woods, one of the most promising young intellectual activists in the dissident Right, makes a refreshingly consistent case for the moral validity, political expediency, and historical groundedness of ethnonationalism. Ethnonationalism, contrary to liberal political theory, is not an artificial construct superimposed from the outside but a deeply rooted sentiment found among all peoples of the earth who share strong ancestral ties, kinship and cultural affinities. Ethnonationalism should not be equated with imperialism or seen as the source of xenophobia and violence. It is, according to Woods, the most viable way for diverse human groups to organize themselves peacefully in mutual recognition that all ethnic groups have the same need to maintain strong natural bonds with their own kindred and find therein the opportunity to express their highest potentialities in a state of universal benevolence."
- Dr. Ricardo Duchesne, author of The Uniqueness of Western Civilization & Canada in Decay
"A wide-ranging and provocative collection of writings, Keith Woods proves that his grasp exceeds his reach. Woods brings a fair-minded and objective approach to each topic, treating them with a care and precision rarely observed among esteemed, professional academics. This work is more than just a boon to the nationalist cause, for it is also a serious-minded book worthy of inclusion in the Western canon. While indispensable for readers of all ages, this book should be of particular interest to the young, who are undoubtedly growing up in the most confused and chaotic of times."
- Josh Neal, author of American Extremist
About the author
Keith Woods is an Irish writer, content creator and activist.
- GenresPolitics
270 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2024
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338 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 24, 2025
Keith Woods’ book approaches the question of national identity with the subtlety and humanity of a physician examining the soul of a nation. In a voice that is both compassionate and unwavering, Woods portrays nationalism not as a feverish zeal, nor as the relic of a bygone era, but rather as something more enduring—a patient yet powerful force that breathes life into collective memory and roots us in a common soil. He seems to ask: What is a person, adrift and unmoored, without the gentle yet firm embrace of belonging?
Woods does not idealise nationalism; he knows its perils all too well. Like a doctor wary of both the disease and the cure, he acknowledges how easily nationalism can slip into excess, how it can become a tool for division rather than unity. And yet, he gives us no choice but to look upon it with renewed understanding, to see in it not a mere political posture but a deeper impulse—a yearning for home, for place, for an anchor in the storm.
In 'Nationalism: The Politics of Identity', Woods offers a portrait of nationalism that feels intimate and universal, as if he were writing not about politics but about the human heart itself. His prose invites us to reflect not only on the society around us but on the quiet need within ourselves, a need as old as time. For those seeking to understand the place of national identity in a modern, fragmented world, Woods’ book offers insight that is as sensitive as it is profound.
Woods does not idealise nationalism; he knows its perils all too well. Like a doctor wary of both the disease and the cure, he acknowledges how easily nationalism can slip into excess, how it can become a tool for division rather than unity. And yet, he gives us no choice but to look upon it with renewed understanding, to see in it not a mere political posture but a deeper impulse—a yearning for home, for place, for an anchor in the storm.
In 'Nationalism: The Politics of Identity', Woods offers a portrait of nationalism that feels intimate and universal, as if he were writing not about politics but about the human heart itself. His prose invites us to reflect not only on the society around us but on the quiet need within ourselves, a need as old as time. For those seeking to understand the place of national identity in a modern, fragmented world, Woods’ book offers insight that is as sensitive as it is profound.
November 14, 2024
Amazing book. Highly recommended!
October 2, 2025
Very impressive debut work here from Keith Woods. While I had read a couple of these essays previously on his Substack, I was struck by how seamlessly the collection comes together as a cohesive whole. I can tell he put considerable thought into the arrangement and flow of ideas, transforming a somewhat scattered compilation into a unified argument about the nature and necessity of nationalism.
The book's central thesis—that nationalism represents a naturally occurring human tendency towards tribalism rather than a cynical modern invention—directly challenges the dominant narrative held universally in academia. Woods takes aim at the popular constructivist view that nationalism was essentially fabricated by bourgeois elites in the 19th century as a tool to control agitated peasant masses seeking greater social mobility. His counter-argument makes a persuasive case that national feeling has much deeper and more organic roots in human nature.
I found his defense of ethnonationalism as the optimal framework for determining state boundaries particularly convincing. Woods doesn't shy away from the controversial territory he's dipping his toes in, but he presents his case methodically and with careful attention to historical precedent. The essays examining race and identity in historical contexts were especially fascinating. His analysis of racial dynamics within the Roman Empire, particularly regarding Italians, and his parallel exploration of similar themes in the Holy Roman Empire's German context, demonstrate Woods' ability to extract relevant themes from complex historical periods. These sections showcase real scholarly depth while remaining accessible to general readers.
Even the Q&A section included at the end provides a valuable addition that helps bridge Woods' theoretical framework to contemporary concerns. This format allows him to address common objections and apply his principles to present-day questions in a more direct, conversational manner that complements the formal essays nicely. Woods has announced himself as a serious thinker on questions of identity, belonging, and political organization—questions that aren't going anywhere in our increasingly fractured political landscape.
The book's central thesis—that nationalism represents a naturally occurring human tendency towards tribalism rather than a cynical modern invention—directly challenges the dominant narrative held universally in academia. Woods takes aim at the popular constructivist view that nationalism was essentially fabricated by bourgeois elites in the 19th century as a tool to control agitated peasant masses seeking greater social mobility. His counter-argument makes a persuasive case that national feeling has much deeper and more organic roots in human nature.
I found his defense of ethnonationalism as the optimal framework for determining state boundaries particularly convincing. Woods doesn't shy away from the controversial territory he's dipping his toes in, but he presents his case methodically and with careful attention to historical precedent. The essays examining race and identity in historical contexts were especially fascinating. His analysis of racial dynamics within the Roman Empire, particularly regarding Italians, and his parallel exploration of similar themes in the Holy Roman Empire's German context, demonstrate Woods' ability to extract relevant themes from complex historical periods. These sections showcase real scholarly depth while remaining accessible to general readers.
Even the Q&A section included at the end provides a valuable addition that helps bridge Woods' theoretical framework to contemporary concerns. This format allows him to address common objections and apply his principles to present-day questions in a more direct, conversational manner that complements the formal essays nicely. Woods has announced himself as a serious thinker on questions of identity, belonging, and political organization—questions that aren't going anywhere in our increasingly fractured political landscape.
January 25, 2025
Great read, love how he starts off contending with the criticism that Rome was a multi ethnic empire where nationalism didn’t exist. It did, and it was a particular race of Italian in the center that held it together despite the constant disunity on the edges of the empire.
I loved his discussion on Protestantism and wokeism. Many thinkers like Steve Sailer blame modern wokeism solely on Protestantism and the advent of the Enlightenment. This is patently false. While Protestantism is surely a major inspiration to classical liberalism, to blame wokeism as a continuation of the liberal experiment does not at all capture the full story. It can be much more attributed to a certain immigration and movement that took place after WWII in America…
I found Keith’s dialogue on his yearning for a return of the old natural landscape of his native Ireland particularly endearing. The way he was able to describe well thought out economic histories of London and how it’s been gutted from an industrial powerhouse to a playground for financiers and usurers, then pivot to environmentalism is the kind of sentiment that I believe will animate the new right in the future. At least I hope so.
At the end his discussion on religious revival in the West is particularly encouraging.
Can’t recommend this book enough. Gives me hope for the future to have guys my age writing this kind of stuff
I loved his discussion on Protestantism and wokeism. Many thinkers like Steve Sailer blame modern wokeism solely on Protestantism and the advent of the Enlightenment. This is patently false. While Protestantism is surely a major inspiration to classical liberalism, to blame wokeism as a continuation of the liberal experiment does not at all capture the full story. It can be much more attributed to a certain immigration and movement that took place after WWII in America…
I found Keith’s dialogue on his yearning for a return of the old natural landscape of his native Ireland particularly endearing. The way he was able to describe well thought out economic histories of London and how it’s been gutted from an industrial powerhouse to a playground for financiers and usurers, then pivot to environmentalism is the kind of sentiment that I believe will animate the new right in the future. At least I hope so.
At the end his discussion on religious revival in the West is particularly encouraging.
Can’t recommend this book enough. Gives me hope for the future to have guys my age writing this kind of stuff
December 2, 2025
I like the roman nationalism essay and the one on the HRE, rewilding was a fun read. good introduction to the frankfurt school in the beginning. curious to find out what the British equivalent of the Georgian patriarch becoming the godfather for every 3rd born child in Georgia, maybe if Tommy fury and molly mae give the couple a zoom call and a free trip to zante. It does remind me of the Iranian republican guard quote after america killed solemani, something like "how can we kill America's heroes? how the fuck are you supposed to kill spongebob". The Britain regime essay was also fun and depressing. modern society and mass democracy is too big and we should all live in cities no bigger than 4000 people thankyou goodnight.
May 3, 2025
Really a stellar collection -especially the essays on Irish Nationalism, and Rewilding.
Buy this for normies.
Buy this for normies.
March 17, 2025
I did not appreciate this book. Nationalism is not something that can be described intellectually, it is a purely spiritual matter. First reading I thought to myself, “this book is not for me, but good for those on the fence, considering nationalism” but my mind has changed. You cannot convince another to be a nationalist by pandering to their thinking but rather their soul, they feel it within or they do not feel it at all.
This book would be good for someone on the edge of abandoning leftism or wokeism or whatever you want to call it, it could spark one’s curiosity. But it will not make one a nationalist.
This book would be good for someone on the edge of abandoning leftism or wokeism or whatever you want to call it, it could spark one’s curiosity. But it will not make one a nationalist.
August 17, 2025
Woods outlines compelling arguments for a renewed interest in Nationalism, particularly through points regarding state versus theology on birthrates and intrinsic differences between races of people.
"... It's no tragedy that we aren't born as fungible blank slates." p. 239.
There mustn't be any taboo in holding these discussions. There's no excuse for the blatantly intentional demographic replacement occuring in Europe, and I hope the people find it within themselves to preserve their heritage and race.
"... It's no tragedy that we aren't born as fungible blank slates." p. 239.
There mustn't be any taboo in holding these discussions. There's no excuse for the blatantly intentional demographic replacement occuring in Europe, and I hope the people find it within themselves to preserve their heritage and race.
April 25, 2025
An incisive analysis of current political, demographic, and sociological changes. While I certainly don't concur with every essay in this collection, Keith Woods provides well-researched windows into the nationalist argumentation in numerous different areas.
Whether you completely disagree with him or are an ardent supporter, Nationalism: The Politics of Identity is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding modern Nationalist politics.
Whether you completely disagree with him or are an ardent supporter, Nationalism: The Politics of Identity is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding modern Nationalist politics.
March 1, 2025
This isn't a Nationalism 101 course. It's a collection of essays analyzing history and contemporary politics through a nationalist lens. Topics include race realism, immigration, ethnopolitics in the Roman Empire, Irish nationalism, and environmentalism.
November 27, 2024
This collection of essays keeps you engaged and provides extremely relevant insights supplemented by scientific data. A must read!
December 6, 2024
Writing this sober and honest and intelligent challenges today's trite stigma around patriotism and love for one's own heritage and culture.
December 11, 2024
Great book. Keith Woods is one of the brightest minds we have right now.
December 14, 2024
This book is a must read! Keith Woods is a high-iq international platonist and his writing is clear and laconic
June 9, 2025
Absolutely incredible. Well written, with love for the beautiful Republic of Ireland. I hope you release more books! Your writing style is not boring, in the slightest.
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November 17, 2025This book certainly
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews