Anarchy's Brief Summer - The Life and Death of Buenaventura Durruti

Northern Spain is the only part of Western Europe where anarchism played a significant role in the political life of the twentieth century, and anarchism's "brief summer" during the Spanish Civil War was its most important period. Anarchys Brief Summer focuses on the charismatic leader Buenaventura Durruti (1896–1936), who became a key figure in the war after a militant and adventurous youth. The book is based on a compilation of texts, including personal testimony, interviews with survivors, contemporary documents, memoirs, and academic assessments, linked by Enzenberg's assessment in a series of glosses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

Northern Spain stands out as a unique region in Western Europe, where anarchism had a substantial impact on the political landscape of the 20th century. This movement garnered widespread support among both the urban and rural working classes, reaching its zenith during the "brief summer" of the Spanish Civil War. During this period, anarchists even played a role in the government of Catalonia.

Anarchys Brief Summer delves into the life and times of Buenaventura Durruti (1896–1936), a charismatic leader who emerged as a pivotal figure in the Spanish Civil War after a tumultuous and daring youth. At the heart of the book is a compilation of various texts, including personal testimonies, interviews with survivors, contemporary documents, memoirs, and academic assessments. These texts are interconnected through Enzenberg's unique assessment, presented in the form of glosses, a literary style that straddles retelling and reconstruction. The contrast between fiction and fact mirrors the political complexities of the Spanish Revolution.

Through its meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Anarchys Brief Summer offers a fresh perspective on a revolutionary movement that remains largely unknown outside Spain. It sheds light on the struggles, sacrifices, and achievements of those who fought for a more liberated and egalitarian society, providing a valuable contribution to our understanding of the 20th-century political landscape.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 202 x 128 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803091815