“Faith, Folk and the Far Right” Book Announcement
Author: Richmond American University London
Co-written by current faculty Dominic Alessio and Robert J. Wallis, we are excited to announce that Faith, Folk and the Far Right will release this summer, an in-depth exploration of racist and anti-racist heathenry and occultism in contemporary Britain.
What is the book about?
The culmination of a decade of research, the book provides a detailed examination of the story of racist Heathenism, a movement that has spanned over 100 years, with a specific focus on its anti-Semitic and anti-Christian ideologies and its Aryan myth origins tied to ancient Atlantis.
They explore the influence of these beliefs on major historical events, particularly the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. Heinrich Himmler, a key figure in the Third Reich, was a fervent believer in these racist visions, with the SS modelled on this ideology. They trace how this toxic ideology survived post-war in Britain, delving into its continued influence on contemporary far-right extremists, with analysis of key events like Anders Behring Breivik’s horrific 2011 attacks in Norway, the Christchurch shooting in New Zealand, and the rise of the Q-Anon Shaman during the Capitol Hill riot in Washington. The book argues that we can trace the influence of racist Heathenry across nearly every major far-right terrorist event in the 20th and 21st centuries.
The second half of the book focuses on how anti-racist Heathens and Pagans are actively challenging this extremism. Many of the sources they draw upon come from within the Pagan community, with individuals and groups taking a strong anti-racist stance in their faith and practices. Their resistance provides a powerful counter-narrative to the dangerous appropriation of Heathenry by far-right groups.
About the authors
Co-writer Dom Alessio is Professor of International History and Vice President International at Richmond. A former Canadian Commonwealth Scholar to Aotearoa New Zealand, his research interests focus on the history of colonialism and the far right. He is the author of some fifty-plus books, book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Now Senior Lecturer at The Open University, co-writer Dr. Robert Wallis founded and directed the Research Centre for International Visual Arts and Cultures (IVAC) in his 18 years at Richmond when he was Professor of Visual Culture and Associate Dean in the School of Communications.
Where to get the book
Faith, Folk and the Far Right is a must read for anyone interested in the intersections of religion, politics, and extremism in modern Britain.
The book will be published by Manchester University Press in June 2025.
