The friends of Durruti group : 1937-1939

"Revolutions without theory fail to make progress. We of the 'Friends Of Durruti' have outlined our thinking, which may be amended as appropriate in great social upheavals but which hinges upon two essential points which cannot be avoided. A program, and rifles." El Amigo del Pueblo , No. 5, July 20, 1937. Spain 19361939: This is the story of a group of anarchists engaged in the most thoroughgoing social and economic revolution of all time. Essentially street fighters with a long pedigree of militant action, they used their own experiences to arrive at the finest contemporary analysis of the Spanish Revolution. In doing so, they laid down essential markers for all future revolutionaries. This studydrawing on interviews with participants and synthesizing archival informationis THE definitive text on these unsung activists. This volume is translated, edited, and introduced by Paul Sharkey, acknowledged internationally as the foremost expert on the Friends Of Durruti Group. Contents......Page 4 Preface to the English-language Edition of The Friends of Durruti Group 1937-1939......Page 6 NOTES TO THE PREFACE......Page 11 1. Introduction and Chronology......Page 14 NOTES TO CHAPTER 1......Page 20 2. Toward 5 July 19......Page 21 NOTES FOR CHAPTER 2......Page 24 3. From July to May: Uncontrollables or Revolutionaries?......Page 28 NOTES FOR CHAPTER 3......Page 31 4. Origins of the Friends of Durruti. The Opposition to Militarization and Balius's Journalistic Career......Page 35 NOTES FOR CHAPTER 4......Page 44 5. The Friends of Durruti Group from its Inception up to the May Events......Page 49 NOTES FOR CHAPTER 5......Page 53 6. The May Events......Page 60 NOTES FOR CHAPTER 6......Page 68 7. After May......Page 74 NOTES FOR CHAPTER 7......Page 86 8. Balius' Pamphlet: Towards a Fresh Revolution......Page 90 NOTES TO CHAPTER 8......Page 98 9. Balius's Thoughts from Exile in 1939......Page 101 10. The Friends of Durruti's Relations with the Trotskyists......Page 107 NOTES TO CHAPTER 10......Page 116 11. Conclusions and Concluding Note......Page 120 NOTES TO CHAPTER 11......Page 125 The Friends of Durruti were an anarchist affinity group founded in March 1937.