A History of the French Anarchist Movement, 1917-1945

(Hardback)

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This study analyzes the French anarchists' responses to the Russian and Spanish revolutions, and to the creation of an international communist movement, between the World Wars. It details the dilemmas facing anarchism at a crucial moment in the movement's history, a time characterized by serious questioning of "traditional" anarchist theory and practice. On the basis of original research using the anarchist movement's press and other publications, as well as archival sources, Berry concludes that the French anarchist movement was not as isolated as has been previously suggested and that it was in fact probably stronger in the 1930s than it had been before or since.

Reviews

"David Berry has written a well-researched and clearly argued analysis of French anarchist politics after the Russian Revolution, covering the decades marked by the revolutionary waves of 1918-20 and the Spanish Revolution of 1936....Berry's work is articulate and painstakingly clear, even when discussing the intricacies of inter-organizational debates after 1917: this is probably the finest libertarian analysis of anarchist organizations in this period....[a]n impressive work, attentive to detail, abundantly well-documented and clearly addressing some key dilemmas of anarchist organizations."-Anarchist Studies
Berry has done an amazing job....It is a doubtful that anarchists will ever again be an important force in French politics. Yet a study such as this helps us understand the development of working class ideology and organization as well as the dilemma of trying to maintain a free and independent position in a world of hegemonic capitalist power.-H-France Book Reviews
Berry's is the first major account of French anarchism from 1917 to 1945. Highly recommended. Graduate students and faculty.-Choice
David Berry has written a well-researched and clearly argued analysis of French anarchist politics after the Russian Revolution, covering the decades marked by the revolutionary waves of 1918-20 and the Spanish Revolution of 1936....Berry's work is articulate and painstakingly clear, even when discussing the intricacies of inter-organizational debates after 1917: this is probably the finest libertarian analysis of anarchist organizations in this period....[a]n impressive work, attentive to detail, abundantly well-documented and clearly addressing some key dilemmas of anarchist organizations.-Anarchist Studies
This is an extremely valuable resource. It provides detailed analyses of the strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, failings and lessons learned from vital movements with deep influence throughout society. Berry's history is meticulously researched and finely documented. It is a work that, while rooted in specific movements in a specific period in time speaks to contemporary and indeed ongoing concerns facing anarchists in the complexly and rapidly developing era of neo-liberal globalization.-Social Anarchism
"This is an extremely valuable resource. It provides detailed analyses of the strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, failings and lessons learned from vital movements with deep influence throughout society. Berry's history is meticulously researched and finely documented. It is a work that, while rooted in specific movements in a specific period in time speaks to contemporary and indeed ongoing concerns facing anarchists in the complexly and rapidly developing era of neo-liberal globalization."-Social Anarchism
"Berry's is the first major account of French anarchism from 1917 to 1945. Highly recommended. Graduate students and faculty."-Choice
"Berry has done an amazing job....It is a doubtful that anarchists will ever again be an important force in French politics. Yet a study such as this helps us understand the development of working class ideology and organization as well as the dilemma of trying to maintain a free and independent position in a world of hegemonic capitalist power."-H-France Book Reviews

Author Bio

DAVID BERRY is Lecturer in French in the Department of European Studies, Loughborough University. He is an editor of the Journal of European Area Studies and a member of the advisory board of Anarchist Studies.