The Passing of an Illusion : The Idea of Communism in the Twentieth Century

François Furet was acknowledged as the twentieth century's preeminent historian of the French Revolution. But years before his death, he turned his attention to the consequences and aftermath of another critical revolution—the Communist revolution. The result, Le passé d'une illusion , is a penetrating history of the ideological passions that have fueled and characterized the modern era. "This may well be the most illuminating study ever devoted to the question of appeal exerted not only by Communism but also by the Nazi and other fascist varieties of totalitarianism in this century."—Hilton Kramer, New Criterion "A subtle, nuanced but gripping study of the most pervasive and destructive illusion in the 20th century." — Kirkus Reviews , starred review " The Passing of an Illusion . . . is both a profound work of intellectual history that takes its place alongside other great studies of the leftist heresy . . . and a relentless diagnosis of the self-subversive risks that are inherent in democratic regimes. "—Roger Kaplan, Washington Times " A remarkable book. . . . Stimulating and challenging. . . . A man widely read in several languages, Furet clearly knew his way around 20th-century Europe, even unto the dark alleys that figure on no existing map. "—Mark Falcoff, Commentary "A history of ideas, this work is not for the faint of heart, yet those who challenge it will discover a signal contribution to the literature of Communism."— Booklist "Imperious and stunningly confident, grand in conception and expansive in manner, packed with fascinating detail and often incisive judgements."—John Dunn, Times Higher Education Supplement " The Passing of an Illusion is brilliant, and one would be hard pressed to find better writing of history than the first chapter, which traces the roots of modern political thinking back to the nineteenth century."—J. Arch Getty, Atlantic Monthly "A brilliant and important book. . . . The publication of the American edition makes accessible to the general reader the most thought-provoking historical assessment of communism in Europe to appear since its collapse."—Jeffrey Herf, Wall Street Journal François Furet (1927-1997), educator and author, was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and was elected, in 1997, to become one of the "Forty Immortals" of the Académie Française, the highest intellectual honor in France. His many books include Interpreting the French Revolution , Marx and the French Revolution , and Revolutionary France . Deborah Furet, his widow, collaborated with him on many projects. "The late Francois Furet was acknowledged as this century's preeminent historian of the French Revolution. But several years before his untimely death, he turned his attention to the consequences and aftermath of another critical revolution in the history of the modern world - the Communist revolution. The result, Le passe d'une illusion, was published initially in France, where it was critically acclaimed and went on to be a bestseller. Not surprisingly, it also became a catalyst for discussion and controversy on both sides of the Atlantic. Now available in English, The Passing of an Illusion can be understood, certainly, as a study of Communism but also as a history of the myth of Communism as it was perpetuated by its admirers." "Furet illuminates how the support for Communism and its embodiment, the Soviet Union, became virtually synonymous with "anti-Fascism" and how this intellectually strategic arrangement reverberated through the West."--Jacket A study of Communism and a history of the myth of Communism as perpetuated by its admirers. Francois Furet illuminates how the support for Communism and its embodiment, the Soviet Union, became virtually synonymous with "anti-Fascism" and how this strategic arrangement reverberated through the West. During the first half of the 20th century, to be against the Soviet Union (and its Communism), argues Furet, was tantamount to betraying the fight against Fascism, despite the fact that both Fascism and Communism ultimately spring from the same nationalist impulse. Thus the struggle against Fascism resulted in the sanitizing or glorification of Communism. This whitewashing of the Soviet regime's excesses not only kept alive the myth and attractiveness of the Communist promise but had complex moral, intellectual, and political ramifications for the West Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 The Revolutionary Passion 2 World War I 3 The Universal Spell of October 4 Believers and Unbelievers 5 Socialism in One Country 6 Communism and Fascism 7 Communism and Anti-Fascism 8 Anti-Fascist Culture 9 World War II 10 Communism at the End of World War II 11 Cold War Communism 12 The Beginning of the End Epilogue Notes Index A study of Communism and a history of the myth of Communism as perpetuated by its admirers. This book illuminates how the support for Communism and its embodiment, the Soviet Union, became virtually synonymous with "anti-Fascism" and how this strategic arrangement reverberated through the West. François Furet ; Translated By Deborah Furet. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 505-561) And Index.