White But Not Quite

Reviews / Votes

"An elegant and thought-provoking examination of racism, illiberalism, and power structures in Central Europe - and of how Western prejudice and globalization have shaped the region." Emily Tamkin, US editor of the New Statesman and author of The Influence of Soros "If you're confused about the Central European turn towards illiberalism and white nationalism, this is the book you want to read. In a profoundly enlightening and engaging way, Kalmar reconciles the polarized attitudes towards illiberalism - fear and rejection on the global left, inspiration on the global right - with reference to the 'not quite white' position of the region, which the West has deliberately exploited. But even beyond Central Europe, the logic of 'not quite' opens a new pathway not only to a more subtle understanding of illiberalism but also towards empathy with a broader range of marginalized positions." Aniko Imre, University of Southern California "This is one of the best books on post-1989 and current developments in East Central Europe that I have seen recently. Yet it is about much more than East Central Europe. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the current dynamics of racism. In this superb study, Kalmar powerfully explains how racism manages to renew itself time and again." Huub van Baar, KU Leuven