War and Revolution

Rethinking the Twentieth Century

Domenico Losurdo author Gregory Elliott translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Verso Books

Published:18th Feb '20

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War and Revolution cover

Author of the acclaimed Liberalism: A Counterhistory dissects the revisionist attempts to expunge or criminalise revolutions

War and Revolution identifies and takes to task a reactionary trend among contemporary historians. It is a revisionist tendency discernible in the work of authors such as Ernst Nolte, who traces the impetus behind the Holocaust to the excesses of the Russian Revolution; or François Furet, who links the Stalinist purges to an "illness" originating with the French Revolution.

In this vigorous riposte to those who would denigrate the history of emancipatory struggle, Losurdo captivates the reader with a tour de force account of modern revolt, providing a new perspective on the English, American, French and twentieth-century revolutions.

A brilliant exercise in unmasking liberal pretensions, surveying over three centuries with magisterial command of the sources. (In praise of Liberalism: A Counter-History) * Financial Times *
Stimulatingly uncovers the contradictions of an ideology that is much too self-righteously invoked. (In praise of Liberalism: A Counter-History) -- Pankaj Mishra * Guardian *
A book of wide reference and real erudition. (In praise of Liberalism: A Counter-History) * Times Literary Supplement *
The book is a historically grounded, very accessible critique of liberalism, complementing a growing literature critical of liberalism. (In praise of Liberalism: A Counter-History) * Choice *
Losurdo's book, fruit of a continuous intertwining of historical investigations and philosophical reflections, not only constitutes a criticism of historical revisionism but also does not want to be just an invitation to look to the past to better understand the century behind us: it contains precious tools for criticising the war ideology that the West seems to want to reinstate today. -- Stefano G. Azzarà & Leonardo Pecoraro * International Critical Thought *
War and Revolution: Rethinking the Twentieth Centuryis a relentless document. It is dense and disconcerting. This is precisely why it should be considered one of the most important history books written since [.] 9-11. -- Ron Jacobs * CounterPunch *

ISBN: 9781788736664

Dimensions: 210mm x 140mm x 23mm

Weight: 346g

368 pages