Rethinking Antifascism: History, Memory and Politics, 1922 to the Present

by Hugo García (Editor), Mercedes Yusta Rodrigo (Editor), Xavier Tabet (Editor)

Bringing together leading scholars from a range of nations, Rethinking Antifascism provides a fascinating exploration of one of the most vibrant sub-disciplines within recent historiography. Through case studies that exemplify the field's breadth and sophistication, it examines antifascism in two distinct realms: after surveying the movement's remarkable diversity across nations and political cultures up to 1945, the volume assesses its postwar political and ideological salience, from its incorporation into Soviet state doctrine to its radical questioning by historians and politicians. Avoiding both heroic narratives and reflexive revisionism, these contributions offer nuanced perspectives on a movement that helped to shape the postwar world.

Genres: Politics, History

531 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Ludo-Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays that focuses mostly (but not exclusively) on antifascisms in the Mediterranean region (Spain, France, Italy). Of course, as all collection of assays, the quality varies, however here is mostly very high.
The authors often highlight aspects of antifascism that are quite overlooked (like the response to recent political revisionism), which is something I really appreciated.
You will find no rhetoric in this book, but solid critique that, I think, opens the path to an advancement of antifascism thinking (and subsequent action). You might even disagree with the position of some authors (I do), but for sure their point of view is something to consider, reason on, and discuss.
Overall an incredibly interesting read, highly recommended to all those who see antifascism not just from a historical point of view, but as an eagerly needed political and social movement

[Sami Eerola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of text analysing different historic antifascist grpups and how they are more ambiguous than the myths around them. The book also dwells on memory politics around antifascism. The more interesting thins where the different historic groups, their methods and how they defined fascism and antifascism.

[James Hogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

prescient for 2016 but would've worked as two separate focused volumes on the interwar period and post-war memory (and perhaps a third on the transition?)