Summary - The author examines and rivisits Furet's book in the light of criticisms by French academics and others, and discusses Furet's main theses, in part dissenting, and in any case underlining the strong differences between the two "totalitarianisms" (communism and fascism). The author also takes into consideration André Tosel's recent observations on method, and concludes on the role of Italian fascism, which was insufficiently examined by Furet.