Hardback : £13.55
The National Bestseller
"Focused and persuasive... Bray's book is many things: the first English-language transnational history of antifa, a how-to for would-be activists, and a record of advice from anti-Fascist organizers past and present."-THE NEW YORKER
"Insurgent activist movements need spokesmen, intellectuals and apologists, and for the moment Mark Bray is filling in as all three... The book's most enlightening contribution is on the history of anti-fascist efforts over the past century, but its most relevant for today is its justification for stifling speech and clobbering white supremacists."-Carlos Lozada, THE WASHINGTON POST
"[Bray's] analysis is methodical, and clearly informed by both his historical training and 15 years of organizing, which included Occupy Wall Street…Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook couldn't have emerged at a more opportune time. Bray's arguments are incisive and cohesive, and his consistent refusal to back down from principle makes the book a crucial intervention in our political moment."-SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
In the wake of tragic events in Charlottesville, VA, and Donald Trump's initial refusal to denounce the white nationalists behind it all, the "antifa" opposition movement is suddenly appearing everywhere. But what is it, precisely? And where did it come from?
As long as there has been fascism, there has been anti-fascism - also known as "antifa." Born out of resistance to Mussolini and Hitler in Europe during the 1920s and '30s, the antifa movement has suddenly burst into the headlines amidst opposition to the Trump administration and the alt-right. They could be seen in news reports, often clad all in black with balaclavas covering their faces, demonstrating at the presidential inauguration, and on California college campuses protesting far-right speakers, and most recently, on the streets of Charlottesville, VA, protecting, among others, a group of ministers including Cornel West from neo-Nazi violence. (West would later tell reporters, "The anti-fascists saved our lives.")
Simply, antifa aims to deny fascists the opportunity to promote their oppressive politics, and to protect tolerant communities from acts of violence promulgated by fascists. Critics say shutting down political adversaries is anti-democratic; antifa adherents argue that the horrors of fascism must never be allowed the slightest chance to triumph again.
In a smart and gripping investigation, historian and former Occupy Wall Street organizer Mark Bray provides a detailed survey of the full history of anti-fascism from its origins to the present day - the first transnational history of postwar anti-fascism in English. Based on interviews with anti-fascists from around the world, Antifa details the tactics of the movement and the philosophy behind it, offering insight into the growing but little-understood resistance fighting back against fascism in all its guises.
Mark Bray is a historian of human rights, terrorism, and political radicalism in Modern Europe who was one of the organizers of Occupy Wall Street. He is the author of Translating Anarchy: The Anarchism of Occupy Wall Street, and the co-editor of Anarchist Education and the Modern School: A Francisco Ferrer Reader. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, Critical Quarterly, ROAR Magazine, and numerous edited volumes. He is currently a lecturer at Dartmouth College.
Show moreThe National Bestseller
"Focused and persuasive... Bray's book is many things: the first English-language transnational history of antifa, a how-to for would-be activists, and a record of advice from anti-Fascist organizers past and present."-THE NEW YORKER
"Insurgent activist movements need spokesmen, intellectuals and apologists, and for the moment Mark Bray is filling in as all three... The book's most enlightening contribution is on the history of anti-fascist efforts over the past century, but its most relevant for today is its justification for stifling speech and clobbering white supremacists."-Carlos Lozada, THE WASHINGTON POST
"[Bray's] analysis is methodical, and clearly informed by both his historical training and 15 years of organizing, which included Occupy Wall Street…Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook couldn't have emerged at a more opportune time. Bray's arguments are incisive and cohesive, and his consistent refusal to back down from principle makes the book a crucial intervention in our political moment."-SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
In the wake of tragic events in Charlottesville, VA, and Donald Trump's initial refusal to denounce the white nationalists behind it all, the "antifa" opposition movement is suddenly appearing everywhere. But what is it, precisely? And where did it come from?
As long as there has been fascism, there has been anti-fascism - also known as "antifa." Born out of resistance to Mussolini and Hitler in Europe during the 1920s and '30s, the antifa movement has suddenly burst into the headlines amidst opposition to the Trump administration and the alt-right. They could be seen in news reports, often clad all in black with balaclavas covering their faces, demonstrating at the presidential inauguration, and on California college campuses protesting far-right speakers, and most recently, on the streets of Charlottesville, VA, protecting, among others, a group of ministers including Cornel West from neo-Nazi violence. (West would later tell reporters, "The anti-fascists saved our lives.")
Simply, antifa aims to deny fascists the opportunity to promote their oppressive politics, and to protect tolerant communities from acts of violence promulgated by fascists. Critics say shutting down political adversaries is anti-democratic; antifa adherents argue that the horrors of fascism must never be allowed the slightest chance to triumph again.
In a smart and gripping investigation, historian and former Occupy Wall Street organizer Mark Bray provides a detailed survey of the full history of anti-fascism from its origins to the present day - the first transnational history of postwar anti-fascism in English. Based on interviews with anti-fascists from around the world, Antifa details the tactics of the movement and the philosophy behind it, offering insight into the growing but little-understood resistance fighting back against fascism in all its guises.
Mark Bray is a historian of human rights, terrorism, and political radicalism in Modern Europe who was one of the organizers of Occupy Wall Street. He is the author of Translating Anarchy: The Anarchism of Occupy Wall Street, and the co-editor of Anarchist Education and the Modern School: A Francisco Ferrer Reader. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, Critical Quarterly, ROAR Magazine, and numerous edited volumes. He is currently a lecturer at Dartmouth College.
Show moreMark Bray is a historian of human rights, terrorism, and political radicalism in Modern Europe who was one of the organizers of Occupy Wall Street. He is the author ofaTranslating Anarchy- The Anarchism of Occupy Wall Street, and the co-editor ofaAnarchist Education and the Modern School- A Francisco Ferrer Reader. His work has appeared inaForeign Policy,aCritical Quarterly,aROAR Magazine, and numerous edited volumes. He is currently a lecturer at Dartmouth College.
“Focused and persuasive... Bray’s book is many things: the
first English-language transnational history of antifa, a how-to
for would-be activists, and a record of advice from anti-Fascist
organizers past and present.”—THE NEW YORKER
"Insurgent activist movements need spokesmen, intellectuals and
apologists, and for the moment Mark Bray is filling in as all
three... The book’s most enlightening contribution is on the
history of anti-fascist efforts over the past century, but its most
relevant for today is its justification for stifling speech and
clobbering white supremacists."—Carlos Lozada, THE WASHINGTON
POST
“[Bray’s] analysis is methodical, and clearly informed by both his
historical training and 15 years of organizing, which included
Occupy Wall Street…Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook couldn’t
have emerged at a more opportune time. Bray’s arguments are
incisive and cohesive, and his consistent refusal to back down from
principle makes the book a crucial intervention in our political
moment.”—SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
“Bray’s aim is to present an accessible genealogy of today’s
militant anti-fascist movement… Antifa is written from a
commendable place of engagement and provides a serviceable
genealogy for militant anti-fascism in the present, and Bray’s
often well-reasoned defense of controversial tactics should and
will make the critics reflect. The book is at its best when
criticizing the liberal view that official democratic institutions
alone are sufficient to prevent a fascist seizure of
power.” —LOS ANGELES REVIEW OF BOOKS
“Incisive”—THE NEW YORK TIMES
"Vital... [Bray] gives a straightforward and clear-headed
evaluation of the movement. And there is an urgency here: Cranked
out quickly post-Trump and released the week of the Charlottesville
white supremacist attack, “Antifa Handbook” is hard history, a call
to action, and an even-handed and reasonable explanation as to why
we need to be way less damned reasonable."—THE BALTIMORE BEAT
“Mark Bray does a great job detailing the movement’s growth in the
U.S. and giving historical context to the antifa’s resurgence. Read
the book if you want to learn even more…” —REVEAL NEWS
“[An] excellent introduction, which serves as a reasoned and
passionate defense…Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook serves as an
educational tool for those whose inclination is to support antifa
because they oppose fascism and white supremacy, but remain on the
fence... Bray’s concise and multilayered text is an essential aid
in that task.” —COUNTER PUNCH
“Mark Bray’s Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook arrives as
a timely and thoroughly researched primer on the movement’s
philosophy and tactics...readers of “Antifa” can be assured of
gaining insight on an increasingly visible and misunderstood group
looking to keep the genocidal past from
repeating.” —PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
“Antifa urges people to organize against fascism before it
organizes against us.” —THE STRANGER
“In the Trump era, Bray’s Handbook is essential
reading.” —PROGRESSIVE MAGAZINE
Ask a Question About this Product More... |