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

"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 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.