Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Revolutionary antifascism in the Spanish Civil War, 1936–39; 3. The antifascist deficit during the French Popular Front; 4. British and French counterrevolutionary antifascism; 5. Counterrevolutionary antifascism alone, 1939–40; 6. American counterrevolutionary antifascism; 7. Antifascisms united: 1941–44; 8. Beyond fascism and antifascism: working and not working; 9. Antifascisms divided, 1945; 10. Conclusion and epilogue.

Promotional Information

The first comprehensive scholarly account of antifascism, analysing its development in Spain, France, Britain and the USA.

About the Author

Michael Seidman teaches at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, having studied at the University of Amsterdam, University of California, Berkeley and Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania. His first book, Workers against Work: Labor in Barcelona and Paris during the Popular Fronts, 1936–38 (1991) has been translated into six languages. Other publications include Republic of Egos: A Social History of the Spanish Civil War (2002, Spanish translation, 2003); The Imaginary Revolution: Parisian Students and Workers in 1968 (2004); and The Victorious Counterrevolution: The Nationalist Effort in the Spanish Civil War (2011, Spanish translation, 2012).

Reviews

'Michael Seidman makes us rethink our understanding of the ideologies and practices of anti-fascists in their struggles with fascist parties and fascist regimes before and during the war. His typology of antifascisms and his critical analysis of their nature and effectiveness enables historians and all citizens to engage in new ways with a fundamental political conflict of the twentieth century. Transatlantic Antifascisms is of real importance to those who identify as antifascists today as well as historians of the modern world.' Donald M. Reid, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

'Transatlantic Antifascism is an admirable study: for its scope, its subtlety, its conceptual rigour and its many ideas and insights. This is a lively and enjoyable account of antifascism which will appeal to scholars, students and the general reader alike.' Nigel Townson, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

'Michael Seidman makes a powerful case for giving antifascism the analytical attention scholars have long given to fascism. His erudite and lively study of Spain, France, Britain, and the US does that and more. It breaks open the subject with fresh, provocative ideas, and it explores the many dimensions of antifascism - its politics, its religious and cultural wellsprings, its place in working-class life - with deft authority. A remarkable contribution.' Herrick Chapman, New York University

'Transatlantic Antifascisms makes a significant contribution to the study of antifascism. As with his previous works, Seidman does not shy away from challenging some of the dominant trends within the relevant historiography, and the field is the better for it.' Christopher Bannister, H-France Review

'The work of Michael Seidman offers a brilliant interpretation of these decisive years of the 'short twentieth century'.' Gilles Vergnon, European History Quarterly