Description
Book SynopsisA history of the Second World War as fought 'from below' by anti-fascist militias, who worked both with and against the allied powers.
Trade Review'Rigorously structuring his analysis around the two central themes of popular resistance and inter-imperialist rivalry, Gluckstein makes an indispensable contribution to understanding the reality of the conflict in all its complexity' -- Neil Davidson, Senior Research Fellow, University of Strathclyde and author of Discovering the Scottish Revolution
'Combines an impressive grasp of the war's shifting complexities with the brilliance of a sweeping and penetrating political analysis' -- Andy Durgan, author of The Spanish Civil War (Palgrave 2007)
'The Second World War is so thoroughly surrounded by myth that it is hard to grasp its real character. Gluckstein offers a new interpretation, portraying 1939-45 as two parallel wars: one waged by the Great Powers among themselves, the other by the peoples against fascism' -- Alex Callinicos
Table of ContentsPreface
1. Introduction
2. Spanish Prelude
PART 1: Yugoslavia, Greece, Poland and Latvia – Between the Blocs
3. Yugoslavia: Balancing Powers
4. Greece: Allies at War with the Resistance
5. Poland’s Warsaw Uprising
6. Latvia: Standing History on its Head
PART 2: France, Britain and the USA– Divisions Within the Allies
7. France: Imperial Glory Versus Resistance Ideology
8. Britain: The Myth of Unity
9. USA: Racism in the Arsenal of Democracy
PART 3: Germany, Austria and Italy – Under the Axis
10. Germany: Conservatives and Antifa
11. Austria: Resistance and Ruling Class Capitulation
12. Italy: The Working Class and the Two Wars
PART 4: India, Indonesia and Vietnam - Different Enemies
13. India: From Famine to Independence
14. Indonesia: Axis and Allies United Against the People
15. Vietnam: Anti-Imperialist Breakthrough
16. Conclusion
17. Chronology
Notes
Index
