Lessons of the Spanish Revolution: 1936–1939

by Vernon Richards, David Goodway (Introduction)

It was the revolutionary movement in Spain which took up Franco's challenge in July 1936, and this book soberly examines the many ways in which Spain’s revolutionary movement contributed to its own defeat. Was it too weak to carry through the Revolution? To what extent was the purchase of arms and materials from outside sources dependent upon the appearance of a constitutional government inside Republican Spain? What chances had an improvised army of guerrillas against a trained fighting force? In seeking to solve these problems, the anarchists and revolutionary syndicalists were confronted with other questions. Could they collaborate with political parties and reformist unions? Should the revolutionary impetus of the first days of resistance be halted in the interests of the struggle against Franco or be allowed to develop as far as the workers were able to take it? Was the situation such that the social revolution could triumph and, if not, what was to be the role of the revolutionary workers? Originally written as a series of weekly articles in the 1950s and expanded, republished, and translated over the years, Vernon Richards’s analysis remains essential reading for all those interested in revolutionary praxis.

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

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Anglo-Italian anarchist, anti-fascist and long time contributor to the Freedom paper.

Reviews

[Bill Weinberg]

This book should be way better known. One of the few indispensable works to understand the near-forgotten but utterly critical experience of the Spanish anarchists in the 1930s--an episode that was both the last gasp of "classical" anarchism, and the precursor struggle to World War II.

[Raphier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any other book I might rate a 'five-star' probably only deserves a portion of the fifth. This book, however, cannot have justice done to it with stars. This is one of the most important books in humanity's canon. And it is not the author, or his style that create the gravity of this book. The author's perspective is invaluable to be sure, but it is the subject matter that he covers and the universal lessons and real-world affirmations of theory which make this book the most important book you've never read.

This is not a book of theory or messianic indoctrination, but a non-fiction libertarian* account of the most inspiring revolution in humanity's existence. Anarchists and anthropologists are doing themselves a favor if they read this book, while marxists now have a lockpick to the shackles on their minds.

* Libertarian is, by definition, anti-capitalist. I do not recognize the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute and Ayn Rand co-optation of the word in the US media as anything more than an Orwellian PsyOp.

[Will Caraccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richards puts forward a compelling articulation of the anti-collaborationist stance taken by most anarchists in the aftermath of the May Fights of 1937. His analysis relies heavily on counter factual, which I found somewhat detracted from its convincingness in the context of a conflict as complex as the Spanish Civil War.

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pese a que el libro tiene ya unos cuantos años (la primera edición es de 1953) ofrece sin embargo interesantes análisis y una más que necesaria autocrítica sobre el papel de la CNT-FAI en los primeros meses de la Guerra Civil. ¿Por qué fracaso la revolución española? ¿Qué se podría haber hecho mejor? Son las dos principales preguntas que guían la obra.

[Pushon Bhattacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear, no-bullshit explanation of why the anarchist revolution in Spain ultimately failed and what needs to be done in order to avoid the mistakes of the past.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best book written in english on the Spanish Civil War. It breaks down many of the different factions and events and attempts an explanation as to why certain decisions were made and why certain actions failed. It doesnt sugarcoat the history here but helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the situation. I am a big big fan of this book.