Description
Northern Spain is the only part of Western Europe where anarchism played a significant role in the political life of the twentieth century. Enjoying wide-ranging support among both the urban and rural working class, its importance peaked during its "brief summer"-the civil war between the Republic and General Franco's Falangists, during which anarchists even participated in the government of Catalonia.
Anarchy's Brief Summer brings anarchism to life by focusing on the charismatic leader Buenaventura Durruti (1896-1936), who became a key figure in the Spanish Civil War after a militant and adventurous youth. The basis of the book is a compilation of texts: personal testimony, interviews with survivors, contemporary documents, memoirs, and academic assessments. They are all linked by Enzenberger's own assessment in a series of glosses-a literary form that is somewhere between retelling and reconstruction-with the contradiction between fiction and fact reflecting the political contradictions of the Spanish Revolution.
About the Author
Hans Magnus Enzensberger, often considered Germany's most important living poet, is also the editor of the book series Die Andere Bibliothek and the founder of the monthly TransAtlantik. His books include Lighter Than Air: Moral Poems and Civil Wars: From L.A. to Bosnia. Mike Mitchell is a translator from French and German.
Reviews
"Enzensberger's collection of personal testimonies creates a vivid portrait of Durruti as a revolutionary." * On the Seawall *
"Anarchy's Brief Summer is one of greatest novels I've ever read." * Daniel Alarcon *
Book Information
ISBN 9781803091815
Author Hans Magnus Enzensberger
Format Paperback
Page Count 310
Imprint Seagull Books London Ltd
Publisher Seagull Books London Ltd
Weight(grams) 430g
Dimensions(mm) 202mm * 128mm * 25mm