Apparently part of the genius of that book is that Spinrad perfectly emulates Hitler's prose style... which makes the book nigh-unreadable, if uncanny.
" Doesn't the grim and edgy action of Joe Abercrombie's books or the philosophical propaganda manipulations of Kellhus in Bakker's material show us that audiences are warming to the idea that a heroic protagonist may sometimes do distasteful things because they are necessary for the greater good?"
The whole argument is a parody of a certain kind of sf nerd on top of being about Hitler. The author of the article straight up says what I just said about The Iron Dream in the comments.
Also, I think the point that Spinrad was making was how easy it is to see a lot of the dodgier stuff coming out of early science fiction fandom and writing culture as being crypto-fascistic or at least reactionary in attitude beneath the aspirational veneer, which as a politically radical individual with a sense of humour about his profession both disturbed and amused him.
Again, it's a joke that might have fallen flat or overextended. Which is a valid criticism, but not an invalidation of the article or the subject as a whole.
Comments
Achamanian maybe. Not Kellhus
^ Yeah, I thought that was obvious.