Ready for Revolution: The CNT Defense Committees in Barcelona, 1933-1938

by Agustín Guillamón

Seeing the writing on the wall, one of Spain's largest unions began secretly arming workers throughout the country. The anarcho-syndicalist union evolved from overseeing workers' defense to organizing armed resistance to the Fascist coup. From there, it administered entire militias and finally coordinated industrial self-management and food distribution, leading a revolution within the Spanish Civil War. A fascinating new history and a lively narrative of ordinary men and women making history. Agustín Guillamón is an independent historian and the author of The Friends of Durruti Group, 1937–39 and The Committees Revolution .

Genres: History, Spain, Politics, Nonfiction, War, Spanish Civil War

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ian Chinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are very few books which really dispel most historical interpretation of an event and movement as much as this book. The level of organization and commitment of basic rank and file militants and their fierce connection to the labor movement and their local community is vital to understand.

According to Garcia Oliver, "The Revolution does not exist to satisfy some aesthetic appetite but to resolve a series of social questions".

This book takes you into the heart of things, from a literal play by play of the worker victory over the army uprising in Barcelona, to meeting minutes of the FAI, defense committees, and plenums discussing questions which few anarchists in the US have even given much thought: should we "go for broke" and seize power from the state and other left wing organizations, should we form an alliance of convenience, what should the defensive structures look like, what kind of autonomy do they have vis a vis the unions, revolutionary ward committees and the necessity of revolutionary committees to coordinate struggle (vs ad hoc involvement), what is the role of "intelligence" and "control patrols" (police), prisons, and others.....

This is not a primer book on the Spanish revolution, but definitely gives one an idea of the lengths in which the anarchist movement needs to actually go in terms of preparedness, depth of organizational capacity, and in terms of needed theoretical advancement. A must read for anyone serious about revolution.

[Rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, goes into detail about the mechanics of how the Spanish revolution worked in detail within Barcelona, primary through the Barrio (neighbourhood) defence committees set up by the CNT. It is quite dense in places, but still the narrative puts you in the heart of the action. Particually intresting is an account of the minutes of a meeting of the delegates from different FAI groups two months into the revolution. I would say highly useful for current politics and understanding of revolution today, particularly how the different roles within the barrio commites worked. Particually good at explaining how the CNTs collaboration with the republican government, and their inability to "take power" when it was presented to them ultimately resulted in the ending of the revolution 11 months later, and arguably the loss of the war (although whether losing was inevitable anyway is hard to tell). Another good book on this is Revolution and the State: Anarchism in the Spanish Civil War which I would say is a comparable book but takes a broader picture, whilst this gets really into the nitty gritty.

[Sugarpunksattack Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agustín Guillamón's 'Ready for Revolution: The CNT Defense Committees in Barcelona, 1933-1938' is an amazing text covering a fairly specific aspect of the CNT (National Confederation of Labour) as the subtitle suggests. As a result, the text will be confusing, despite how superbly written the introduction and authors glossary are, if the reader doesn't have a basic knowledge of the Spanish civil war and CNT. For those with a basic knowledge of both, this text will provide incredible incite into the ideological discussions and practical preparations (see Ch 1-4) of the CNT. It also gives an extensive play by play account of the outbreak of the Civil war (Ch 5-6) and the role of the CNT and defense committee. This initial phase of the defensive committees gives way to disputes over what role they will play in the rest of the struggle--in the civil war and in the revolution.

[Grady W. Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, reading this book made me realize that anarchism is a lot less about listening to punk rock music and smashing the state, and more about sitting in boring meetings debating about militarization.

This is a great book if you want a hyper specific look at anarchism in Spain during the civil war, however be ready for a LOT of reading through the minutes of meetings and having to memorize the stance of a bunch of different unions.

[Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I was lacking the requisite pre-knowledge to understand all the complexities of organizing within the Spanish Civil War. Nevertheless, pretty fascinating to read about the anarchists, trade unionists, and various configurations trying to figure out how to provide for and protect one another.

[John Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For your money, and you should go out and buy a copy of this, preferably directly from AK press or your local lefty bookseller, this is one of the best explanations of the tangle of shifting alliances between various groups in Barcelona from 1933 to 1938. Guillamon's other major work, Insurrection (on Barcelona's May Days) is also worth buying. Great translation throughout and a thoroughly readable piece of labor-organizing and Spanish Civil War history.

[Jaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author clearly spent a lot of time seeking out and studying primary sources to compile such a thorough account of even the most obscure meetings, battles, and events that occurred during the Spanish Civil War. Beginning with the first day of the military's coup d'etat against the democratically elected socialist government, this book offers a comprehensive narrative of the entire war, from the point of view of the CNT anarchist trade union and their armed militias. The author pieces together the minutes of trade union meetings, journals and letters written by militia organizers, and party newspaper articles and bills posted in different cities throughout the conflict. The end result is not only incredibly informative, but a riveting read from beginning to end. Complete with first-hand accounts of pitched street battles between those loyal to the socialist Spanish Republic and those fighting for Franco's fascist "New State", "Ready For Revolution" may be the best book I've read this year.