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Physical Resistance: A Hundred Years of Anti-Fascism
Large-scale confrontations, disruption of meetings, sabotage and street fighting have been part of the practice of anti-fascism from the early twentieth century until the twenty-first. Rarely endorsed by any political party, the use of collective bodily strength remains a strategy of activists working in alliances and coalitions against fascism.
In Physical Resistance famous battles against fascists, from the Olympia arena, Earls Court in 1934 and Cable Street in 1936 to Southall in 1978 and Bradford 2010, are told through the voices of participants. Anarchists, communists and socialists who belonged to a shifting series of anti-fascist organizations relate well-known events alongside many forgotten but significant episodes.
In Physical Resistance famous battles against fascists, from the Olympia arena, Earls Court in 1934 and Cable Street in 1936 to Southall in 1978 and Bradford 2010, are told through the voices of participants. Anarchists, communists and socialists who belonged to a shifting series of anti-fascist organizations relate well-known events alongside many forgotten but significant episodes.
416 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2016
Read this to your children.
May 14, 2014
For those who have already read No Retreat by the same author (co-authored with Steve Tilzey), the largely personal story of two antifascist activists will, after this book, become embraced by the collective story of hundreds, if not thousands, of antifascists, will cover a hundred years instead of twenty and will spread over a vaster territory than before.
That has its flaws, no doubt. Sometimes you can just get lost in all those numbers, dates and names and stop bothering to keep each one of them in memory.
But one has to remember that this book is more of an oral history than an academic historical analysis or a biography. And as such, it succeeds in delivering the main message about the infinite and always acute need to continue both physical and ideological resistance against all forms of racist, fascist, nationalist and assorted totalitarian and authoritarian movements and ideas, and to "never drop our guard".
That has its flaws, no doubt. Sometimes you can just get lost in all those numbers, dates and names and stop bothering to keep each one of them in memory.
But one has to remember that this book is more of an oral history than an academic historical analysis or a biography. And as such, it succeeds in delivering the main message about the infinite and always acute need to continue both physical and ideological resistance against all forms of racist, fascist, nationalist and assorted totalitarian and authoritarian movements and ideas, and to "never drop our guard".
March 16, 2013
The working class of Britain are often thought of as racist, imperialist, homophobic, small-minded and all that.
This book shows this is not the case. The majority look out for their fellow man and oppose any hate or imposition. This why BM, BUF, BNP and the EDL couldn't and can't win.
An interesting walk through of how these threats have been tackled at and away from hustings and the ballot box.
This book shows this is not the case. The majority look out for their fellow man and oppose any hate or imposition. This why BM, BUF, BNP and the EDL couldn't and can't win.
An interesting walk through of how these threats have been tackled at and away from hustings and the ballot box.
August 10, 2026
A rather fantastic book documenting the history of anti-fascist resistance in the UK over the last century or so.
The UK in the last five years or so has seen a resurgence in fascism. There are openly racist groups agitating and instigating violence. There is a concerted, heavily financially backed 'bot' presence to promote virulent hatred in the digital space, and policies and perspectives that would have made one a social pariah a generation ago are given the 'respectability' of a valid political position. It's really bleak to be honest, and at times I feel quite alone and powerless to act against this tide of authoritarian, racist and sexist evil. Only a fool would say that things are not rough here but what this book has given me is a sense of hope. Because the tides of fascism have had periods of resurgence in the past and been beaten down time and time again. And whilst I certainly have the perspective that they used to be fringe idiots who needed a slap and now they are numerous, this book shows that they have been numerous before - and been beaten.
Dave Hann passed away before he could complete his book, and this revised edition takes into account events since his death and how anti-fascist resistance has been effective in different ways, and in different places. The later chapters are a little jarring to the reader because they feel like a different voice, but I am left thinking that the fight against fascism will need different voices. It will probably never end, so this book doesn't have an end so to speak. It will continue in new histories and new voices.
The book in depicting the decades of anti-fascist resistance is in some respects also a history of working class resistance - and challenges. It is a history of how major geo-political events such as war influence those on the ground. It is also in some respects a history of the 'left' and it's varying strengths and weaknesses at different times and places. It also reflects British society at different times so whilst the scope of this book is necessarily tight, the subject matter allows space for wider thought and reflection. The focus of the book is of course on anti-fascist resistance and so anyone seeking a history on how and why fascist movements grow may find the book a little limiting. I think this is okay though because whilst the rationale of the fascists is worthy of study to combat it, this book is first and foremost about hope. By prioritising the voices of anti-fascists in their own words it is a celebration of hard fought battles, it is a long and varied history of solidarity and it serves as a lesson to the future in terms of what worked and what did not.
The book starts with post World War I resistance to Oswald Mosely and the British Union of Fascists, then moves on to the Spanish Civil War and back in London the Battle of Cable Street. Coverage then turns to the post-War period and the levels of racist attacks towards immigrants (a shift in the target of hate from Jewish people to black and Asian people). We then move on to the 1970's era of Rock Against Racism, the Battle of Lewisham and the rise of skinhead violence and police brutality. The book then progresses to the 90's and the Battle of Waterloo and pushing the BNP off the street to a 00's perspective of taking on the EDL. This is not simply a book of victories as in the telling of the history there is an acknowledgement of failures as well as successes but what it does tell me, is that whenever people organise they can remove fascists from the streets.
Hann chooses a very linear approach to his book, and the text seems a little methodical at times, even though it is an accessible easy read. The details are drawn from primary sources of leaflets and literature of the time, and also interviews with people who were involved. I can only imagine what a joy it was to interview some rather elderly heroes as they recounted their stories, and also the responsibility to record and share their words. At times reading this, I felt an immense sense of love and respect for those whose stories are told, and pride and gratitude that they were there to do what they did. The personal histories of anti-fascists are what make this book shine.
It's hard to pick favourite parts of the book, but the Spanish Civil War chapter was right up there. It was incredibly brave for so many people to risk everything to travel and fight Franco. They gave up so much, risked their lives and it was to stop fascists far from home. It was clearly a harrowing experience for many who lost loved ones, ill equipped against a heavily supported (by fascist Italy and Germany) Spain whilst the rest of Europe looked on. Indeed, one can argue that the strength of far-right politics in the UK today is because those with power have taken a step back and meekly watched on, rather than directly confront it.
I also liked the chapter around the 90's with the rise of AFA and Red Action to stand up to the fash. I wasn't at the Battle of Waterloo (but I know of a fair few who were there) and I remember the demo against the BNP headquarters and the resulting chaos well. I guess I liked that chapter because it related to my youth and when I was a lot spikier and 'up for' directly confronting the far right.
One of the thing Hann did so well with this book is reflect the differing strengths, perspectives and weakness of what may be broadly termed the 'Left' in what appears to be an incredibly even-handed way. I don't know what Hann's politics are (but I can guess) but I never got into feeling that, 'this is a Marxist-Leninist' perspective, or 'this is an anarchist one'. He explores the tensions between different groups fighting fascists and he does offer a perspective but it feels fair, rather than political. I'm not sure I could be. He's neither neutral, nor detached but the distance from events allows a reflective treatment.
Because of this, Hann can talk about the strength of the Communist Party in the 30's in fighting fascism and also it's failures once Russia changed tack with Hitler. Hann can talk about the limitations of the Labour Party but recognise at one time how strong the trade unions were in fighting fascism and getting on the streets (unions are so ineffectual now they barely challenge Reform, let alone call out the members). I read the chapter on the Spanish Civil War with caution because of what the communists did to the anarchists (and nearly a century on, it's hard to accept there is a 'broad church of the left' when communists have fought anarchists as much as the right). Hann however relays events and views in people's own words and recognises the wrongs those who were supposed to be fighting fascism did to the anarchists in Catalonia.
The book depicts the militancy of the Jewish community in the East End of London, their fear against horrific antisemitism but also how Jewish groups were at the forefront of anti-fascist resistance. This continues past Cable Street and the second world war and how the 43 Group was a tight-knit collective dedicated to kicking fascists off the streets in the 1950s. The book explores lightly some of the tensions between Jewish anti-fascists of those who were Zionists and those who were not. It's not mentioned in this book but I believe the 43 Group did have clandestine support from Mossad in Israel to disrupt antisemitic far right groups in the UK in the 50s and 60s. This Jewish history of anti-fascism may seem unusual to a modern reader considering the Islamophobic love affair many fascists have with Israel and how leading Zionist groups and figures now court the far right. Reading this book it made me realise how quickly and easily those with power can create a common enemy, instil fear and hatred and 'other' our neighbours. That fascists can move from antisemitism, to racism, to Zionism, to 'feminist' or 'ecological' stances is a sign of their adaptability but their core requirement is always a White, patriarchal expression of dominance.
I also appreciated the treatment of the SWP and how spiky they were in the 70's supporting direct action. By the time I discovered them in the 90's the joke was that whilst you were fighting fascists they were three miles away holding a rally with speeches, waving lollipops and selling papers. That still happens in the book, but I think there is a very fair treatment of Rock Against Racism and how it was culturally successful. There is always a need for street violence and physical resistance to fascists, but the book wrestles quite well with the challenge that if we want to stop the racists we need to be able to get everyone involved. I'm not 'handy' but in my scrapes in my younger years I'm not afraid to say it was terrifying at times and a bit macho. Physical resistance does mean not letting them march or pass, but it also means cultural work where being seen to be associated with these dickheads is the worst thing ever. That being aligned to fascism makes you a social pariah. That can't be done with fists. Moving into later years the struggle seems a little less community driven and more ideological - the punks, squatters and anarchists taking up the fight. I also liked the observation that sometimes this created tensions - I certainly recall eyebrows raised at Red Action in my youth and I liked how this book approached this.
So what have we learnt? We've learnt that if we want to stop far-right activity we need to physically stop them. In the 21st century we have to contend with digital spaces and how their ideas are proliferated by evil billionaires and state actors. We need to be steadfast in doing the right thing without throwing communities under the bus. Support for Palestinian liberation should not target allow antisemitism to thrive whilst at the same time, skirting around doing the right thing due to the mainstream liberal narratives isn't going to work either. Black and Asian communities should not have to shoulder the burden of fighting racism alone but one can understand reticence. For me it's about doing the work on the streets and in communities, so that when the time comes the numbers are there to win again.
Honest, reflective, inspiring. Read this book.
The UK in the last five years or so has seen a resurgence in fascism. There are openly racist groups agitating and instigating violence. There is a concerted, heavily financially backed 'bot' presence to promote virulent hatred in the digital space, and policies and perspectives that would have made one a social pariah a generation ago are given the 'respectability' of a valid political position. It's really bleak to be honest, and at times I feel quite alone and powerless to act against this tide of authoritarian, racist and sexist evil. Only a fool would say that things are not rough here but what this book has given me is a sense of hope. Because the tides of fascism have had periods of resurgence in the past and been beaten down time and time again. And whilst I certainly have the perspective that they used to be fringe idiots who needed a slap and now they are numerous, this book shows that they have been numerous before - and been beaten.
Dave Hann passed away before he could complete his book, and this revised edition takes into account events since his death and how anti-fascist resistance has been effective in different ways, and in different places. The later chapters are a little jarring to the reader because they feel like a different voice, but I am left thinking that the fight against fascism will need different voices. It will probably never end, so this book doesn't have an end so to speak. It will continue in new histories and new voices.
The book in depicting the decades of anti-fascist resistance is in some respects also a history of working class resistance - and challenges. It is a history of how major geo-political events such as war influence those on the ground. It is also in some respects a history of the 'left' and it's varying strengths and weaknesses at different times and places. It also reflects British society at different times so whilst the scope of this book is necessarily tight, the subject matter allows space for wider thought and reflection. The focus of the book is of course on anti-fascist resistance and so anyone seeking a history on how and why fascist movements grow may find the book a little limiting. I think this is okay though because whilst the rationale of the fascists is worthy of study to combat it, this book is first and foremost about hope. By prioritising the voices of anti-fascists in their own words it is a celebration of hard fought battles, it is a long and varied history of solidarity and it serves as a lesson to the future in terms of what worked and what did not.
The book starts with post World War I resistance to Oswald Mosely and the British Union of Fascists, then moves on to the Spanish Civil War and back in London the Battle of Cable Street. Coverage then turns to the post-War period and the levels of racist attacks towards immigrants (a shift in the target of hate from Jewish people to black and Asian people). We then move on to the 1970's era of Rock Against Racism, the Battle of Lewisham and the rise of skinhead violence and police brutality. The book then progresses to the 90's and the Battle of Waterloo and pushing the BNP off the street to a 00's perspective of taking on the EDL. This is not simply a book of victories as in the telling of the history there is an acknowledgement of failures as well as successes but what it does tell me, is that whenever people organise they can remove fascists from the streets.
Hann chooses a very linear approach to his book, and the text seems a little methodical at times, even though it is an accessible easy read. The details are drawn from primary sources of leaflets and literature of the time, and also interviews with people who were involved. I can only imagine what a joy it was to interview some rather elderly heroes as they recounted their stories, and also the responsibility to record and share their words. At times reading this, I felt an immense sense of love and respect for those whose stories are told, and pride and gratitude that they were there to do what they did. The personal histories of anti-fascists are what make this book shine.
It's hard to pick favourite parts of the book, but the Spanish Civil War chapter was right up there. It was incredibly brave for so many people to risk everything to travel and fight Franco. They gave up so much, risked their lives and it was to stop fascists far from home. It was clearly a harrowing experience for many who lost loved ones, ill equipped against a heavily supported (by fascist Italy and Germany) Spain whilst the rest of Europe looked on. Indeed, one can argue that the strength of far-right politics in the UK today is because those with power have taken a step back and meekly watched on, rather than directly confront it.
I also liked the chapter around the 90's with the rise of AFA and Red Action to stand up to the fash. I wasn't at the Battle of Waterloo (but I know of a fair few who were there) and I remember the demo against the BNP headquarters and the resulting chaos well. I guess I liked that chapter because it related to my youth and when I was a lot spikier and 'up for' directly confronting the far right.
One of the thing Hann did so well with this book is reflect the differing strengths, perspectives and weakness of what may be broadly termed the 'Left' in what appears to be an incredibly even-handed way. I don't know what Hann's politics are (but I can guess) but I never got into feeling that, 'this is a Marxist-Leninist' perspective, or 'this is an anarchist one'. He explores the tensions between different groups fighting fascists and he does offer a perspective but it feels fair, rather than political. I'm not sure I could be. He's neither neutral, nor detached but the distance from events allows a reflective treatment.
Because of this, Hann can talk about the strength of the Communist Party in the 30's in fighting fascism and also it's failures once Russia changed tack with Hitler. Hann can talk about the limitations of the Labour Party but recognise at one time how strong the trade unions were in fighting fascism and getting on the streets (unions are so ineffectual now they barely challenge Reform, let alone call out the members). I read the chapter on the Spanish Civil War with caution because of what the communists did to the anarchists (and nearly a century on, it's hard to accept there is a 'broad church of the left' when communists have fought anarchists as much as the right). Hann however relays events and views in people's own words and recognises the wrongs those who were supposed to be fighting fascism did to the anarchists in Catalonia.
The book depicts the militancy of the Jewish community in the East End of London, their fear against horrific antisemitism but also how Jewish groups were at the forefront of anti-fascist resistance. This continues past Cable Street and the second world war and how the 43 Group was a tight-knit collective dedicated to kicking fascists off the streets in the 1950s. The book explores lightly some of the tensions between Jewish anti-fascists of those who were Zionists and those who were not. It's not mentioned in this book but I believe the 43 Group did have clandestine support from Mossad in Israel to disrupt antisemitic far right groups in the UK in the 50s and 60s. This Jewish history of anti-fascism may seem unusual to a modern reader considering the Islamophobic love affair many fascists have with Israel and how leading Zionist groups and figures now court the far right. Reading this book it made me realise how quickly and easily those with power can create a common enemy, instil fear and hatred and 'other' our neighbours. That fascists can move from antisemitism, to racism, to Zionism, to 'feminist' or 'ecological' stances is a sign of their adaptability but their core requirement is always a White, patriarchal expression of dominance.
I also appreciated the treatment of the SWP and how spiky they were in the 70's supporting direct action. By the time I discovered them in the 90's the joke was that whilst you were fighting fascists they were three miles away holding a rally with speeches, waving lollipops and selling papers. That still happens in the book, but I think there is a very fair treatment of Rock Against Racism and how it was culturally successful. There is always a need for street violence and physical resistance to fascists, but the book wrestles quite well with the challenge that if we want to stop the racists we need to be able to get everyone involved. I'm not 'handy' but in my scrapes in my younger years I'm not afraid to say it was terrifying at times and a bit macho. Physical resistance does mean not letting them march or pass, but it also means cultural work where being seen to be associated with these dickheads is the worst thing ever. That being aligned to fascism makes you a social pariah. That can't be done with fists. Moving into later years the struggle seems a little less community driven and more ideological - the punks, squatters and anarchists taking up the fight. I also liked the observation that sometimes this created tensions - I certainly recall eyebrows raised at Red Action in my youth and I liked how this book approached this.
So what have we learnt? We've learnt that if we want to stop far-right activity we need to physically stop them. In the 21st century we have to contend with digital spaces and how their ideas are proliferated by evil billionaires and state actors. We need to be steadfast in doing the right thing without throwing communities under the bus. Support for Palestinian liberation should not target allow antisemitism to thrive whilst at the same time, skirting around doing the right thing due to the mainstream liberal narratives isn't going to work either. Black and Asian communities should not have to shoulder the burden of fighting racism alone but one can understand reticence. For me it's about doing the work on the streets and in communities, so that when the time comes the numbers are there to win again.
Honest, reflective, inspiring. Read this book.
August 30, 2017
A history of anti-fascist action, organisation and conflict in the UK. Densely packed with eyewitness accounts and covering every year from 1924-2011, it's about as comprehensive a work as I could have asked for. Rarely dry or clinical, Hann is able to put human faces on the colunteers and agitators; it's easy to get wrapped up in the personal drama. Each victory fills the reader with satisfaction; each setback evokes frustration and regret. A particularly powerful section is the chapter on volunteers who went to fight against Franco in the Spanish Civil War, and how infighting and abandonment doomed their cause. One thing that struck me reading this was how often history repeated itself, and how many similarities there are between even the earliest anti-fascist struggles and today's antifa. A major theme is the importance of solidarity and putting in the work, on and off the streets, to combat far-right extremism. From Moseley in Cable Street to the EDL in Tower Hamlets, the names have changed but the fight remains as important as ever.
April 30, 2021
Great introduction to the history of the British anti-Fascist movement.
August 2, 2026
Great book detailing the history of anti-fascist movements in the UK
February 13, 2017
This is a great, concise book covering street action in the 20th and early 21st century to resist fascist organizing in England. It's strength is in the oral history Hann was able to collect, and, as a committed anti-fascist himself, the print material he was able to amass in order to set the record. He tells both of great victories like the Battle of Cable Street and Lewisham, but also discusses how political factionalism or tactical missteps hampered antifascists. Sometimes leftist coalitions were instrumental in amassing numbers to challenge fascist marches, while at other times in-fighting or a less-militant stance led to insufficient responses. The testimony of the regular, working-class people who, throughout decades, fought for what they believed was right shines through and is incredibly touching and inspirational, given current political developments in the US.
The book can be faulted for being a little narrow and repetitive. This is not a book that addresses fascist thought or the theoretical underpinnings of anti-fascism. It makes great mention of infamous British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosley without delving into what made him dangerous, aside from the street-level violence he inspired. The book acknowledges gains that fascists made it terms of electoral success and strongholds within Britain, but faintly sketches at why it was an attractive prospect for working-class people and ideological or opportunistic political elites, aside from reaction to immigration or targeting those it saw responsible for violent crime. The waning of fascists is mentioned in the post-war period, but the relative significance of their re-groupings or the reasons behind them isn't explored. The book also confines itself to street-level resistance and some counter-cultural responses, such as the formation of Rock Against Racism, but it doesn't pretend to be something it isn't and its bibliography is rich with texts that elaborate further. Also, those outside of the UK may have trouble with geographical place names.
The book ends with the creation of the modern Antifa movement taking on the less-ideological but nonetheless violent and racist English Defense League. It's a well-researched labor of love, a time-capsule honoring those who saw it necessary to put everything on the line to resist the everyday violence and indignity that fascism would unleash on a changing and increasingly-diverse society.
The book can be faulted for being a little narrow and repetitive. This is not a book that addresses fascist thought or the theoretical underpinnings of anti-fascism. It makes great mention of infamous British Union of Fascists leader Oswald Mosley without delving into what made him dangerous, aside from the street-level violence he inspired. The book acknowledges gains that fascists made it terms of electoral success and strongholds within Britain, but faintly sketches at why it was an attractive prospect for working-class people and ideological or opportunistic political elites, aside from reaction to immigration or targeting those it saw responsible for violent crime. The waning of fascists is mentioned in the post-war period, but the relative significance of their re-groupings or the reasons behind them isn't explored. The book also confines itself to street-level resistance and some counter-cultural responses, such as the formation of Rock Against Racism, but it doesn't pretend to be something it isn't and its bibliography is rich with texts that elaborate further. Also, those outside of the UK may have trouble with geographical place names.
The book ends with the creation of the modern Antifa movement taking on the less-ideological but nonetheless violent and racist English Defense League. It's a well-researched labor of love, a time-capsule honoring those who saw it necessary to put everything on the line to resist the everyday violence and indignity that fascism would unleash on a changing and increasingly-diverse society.
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