Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook (Activist Citizens' Library) Paperback – Illustrated, 14 August 2017

Intressting to read about both the past and present fight against facism ✊

This book is great. Great account of historical and modern Anti-Fascist movements. My one criticism is that it is a tad bias toward Anarchism but that makes sense considering that it's the dominant ideology of modern Anti-Fascism.

This book provides a great overview of the history of antifascist action and the general philosophies of various antifascist individuals and organizations.It discusses points of origin for proto-fascism and the proto-antifascist movements that spawned from that, going back to the Dreyfus affaire in the 1890s in France and the formation of the Klu Klux Klan in the 1860s.It notes that antifa is not a formal organization (though, some may form groups for action) but rather a sort of practice one might engage in - that is, opposing the advancment of fascism. As such, it is exercised flexibly and locally. For this reason is why action is so varied, as it may include socialists, anarchists, revolutionaries, communists, or even people of apolitical backgrounds.It also touches on the topic of free speech, deplatforming alt-right speakers such as Milo Yiannopoulos, and the media response and priming of such deplatforming.I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a crash course on the history and general philosophy of (mainly European) antifascist efforts and for perspective on the antifascist efforts that have spawned in the United States following the inauguration of Donald Trump.As for the group of 1-stars (mostly unverified purchasers), it's quite clear that the majority leaving their reviews have not actually read this book. I see many claiming that it is fascism to engage in an act of political violence. To say that a particular political action is "bad" because it features is violence is tautological. Politics is about the distribution of power and power is enforced by violence; ergo, there isn't a corner in politics that does not include violence, the details are in "who" the violence is being done to and "why." Seeing as the definition of fascism be argued in the book is not so simplistic, it could be said that those making this claim are arguing against a strawman.Many also claim that the author is advocating violence and censorship; however, reading the book reveals that the author has mostly summarized the perspective of antifascist individuals (mainly in Europe). Though the author will occasionally give his opinion on a particular issue, the bulk of the text is based on interviews with antifascist individuals and organizations. If you disapprove of the methods of antifascist groups, that is your prerogative but do not misrepresent the content of the book and dismiss it with this silly "antifascists are the new fascists" nonsense.

It is clear that 1 star reviewers have not read this book. Antifa is not a group. It is not an organization. It is a philosophy that opposes fascism and white supremacy. This book is a history of people who share that philosophical struggle and who have worked hard to root out fascism from their communities.

Great Handbook; written scientifically and very well rechercherd! Unfortunately very relevant and up to date (e.g. Trump administration).