The most detailed history to date of the million-strong revolutionary trade union, the CNT, and of its grassroots supporters who, in July 1936, embarked upon the most far-reaching of all 20th century revolutionary experiments. It is the history of the giddy years of political change and hope in 1930s Spain, when the so-called 'Generation of 36, ' Peirats's own generation, rose up against the oppressive structures of Spanish society. It is also a history of a revolution that failed, crushed in the jaws of its enemies on both the democratic-left and the reactionary right. Containing a bounty of original documents produced by the trade unions, revolutionary assemblies and rural and industrial collectives of the 1930s, many of which are unavailable elsewhere, and all translated into English for the first time, Peirats explores the new social, economic and cultural arrangements that were introduced in the streets, fields and factories of republican Spain. A staggering work - fully indexed and footnoted, with 20 pages of photographs. Superlatives like mandatory and monumental really fail to do this justice. A vital book about a crucial era in history.

The author considers the role of anarchists and anarcho-syndicalists in the Spanish Civil war.

The CNT in the Spanish Revolution is the history of one of the most original and audacious, and arguably also the most far-reaching, of all the twentieth-century revolutions. It is the history of the giddy years of political change and hope in 1930s Spain, when the so-called ‘Generation of ’36’, Peirats’ own generation, rose up against the oppressive structures of Spanish society. It is also a history of a revolution that failed, crushed in the jaws of its enemies on both the reformist left and the reactionary right. José Peirats’ account is effectively the official CNT history of the war, passionate, partisan but, above all, intelligent. Its huge sweeping canvas covers all areas of the anarchist experience—the spontaneous militias, the revolutionary collectives, the moral dilemmas occasioned by the clash of revolutionary ideals and the stark reality of the war effort against Franco and his German Nazi and Italian Fascist allies. This new edition is carefully indexed in a way that converts the work into a usable tool for historians and makes it much easier for the general reader to dip in with greater purpose and pleasure.

Seeing the writing on the wall, one of Spain's largest unions began secretly arming workers throughout the country. The anarcho-syndicalist union evolved from overseeing workers' defense to organizing armed resistance to the Fascist coup. From there, it administered entire militias and finally coordinated industrial self-management and food distribution, leading a revolution within the Spanish Civil War. A fascinating new history and a lively narrative of ordinary men and women making history. Agustín Guillamón is an independent historian and the author of The Friends of Durruti Group, 1937–39 and The Committees Revolution.

An account of the Spanish Revolution by a lifelong member of the CNT.

A careful chronicle of political change and hope in 1930s Spain, this staggering work examines how the Confederaci n Nacional del Trabajo (CNT), rose up against the oppressive structures of Spanish society. Documenting a history of revolution that failed at the hands of its enemies on both the reformist left and reactionary right, this intelligent account covers all areas of the anarchist experience--from the spontaneous militias and the revolutionary collectives to the moral dilemmas occasioned by the clash of revolutionary ideals and the stark reality of the war effort. Passionately written and carefully indexed, this edition is the only in-depth English-language text available and converts the work into a usable tool for historians and anarchists alike. Volume 2 focuses on the battles raging at both the front and rear guards. Additionally, a biographical chapter, "The Life and Struggles of Jos Peirats" gives a great deal of insight into this CNT fighter and historian.

A careful chronicle of political change and hope in 1930s Spain, this staggering work examines how the Confederaci n Nacional del Trabajo (CNT), rose up against the oppressive structures of Spanish society. Documenting a history of revolution that failed at the hands of its enemies on both the reformist left and reactionary right, this intelligent account covers all areas of the anarchist experience--from the spontaneous militias and the revolutionary collectives to the moral dilemmas occasioned by the clash of revolutionary ideals and the stark reality of the war effort. Passionately written and carefully indexed, this edition is the only in-depth English-language text available and converts the work into a usable tool for historians and anarchists alike. Volume 3 tells of the CNT's last push for the anarchist revolution in Spain and the crushing defeat of the wide-ranging activities of the CNT. An additional chapter, "The History of Spanish Anarchism in the English Language," is included.