Allan Todd

Allan Todd provides a lucid exploration of the main features of revolutions: the economic, social, political and ideological developments prior to the revolution, and the roles and actions of crowds, parties, women and counter-revolutionaries. Particular attention is paid to the French Revolution of 1789, and the 1848 Revolutions, the 1871 Paris Commune and the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Revolutions 1789-1917

Although Che Guevara was murdered almost sixty years ago, the famous red-and-black image of him is still widely seen around the world: at leftist political demonstrations and, ironically - given his strong opposition to capitalism - on many commercial products. However, he was a controversial figure during his lifetime - and remains so today. On both the political left and the political right, attitudes to him vary widely: while some see him as a romantic, highly-principled and legendary fighter for the world’s poor and exploited masses, others depict him either as an unrealistic and thus irrelevant adventurer, or even as a ruthless and cold-blooded butcher. Consequently, biographies about him over the decades have ranged from the overly sympathetic, to the extremely hostile. As well as covering aspects of his family life and his loves - and his early, sometimes less-than-revolutionary, attitudes - this biography, as expected, deals with those areas for which Che is best known. These include his adventurous explorations, as a young man on a motorbike, of Latin and Central America; his leadership and bravery during Cuba’s Revolutionary War; his practical and theoretical contributions to the conduct of guerrilla warfare; and his emergence as an international revolutionary legend who inspired radical young people in the 1960s, and who continues to inspire rebellious people around the world today. However, this biography also explores other aspects of Che’s life which are not so well-known. From an early age, he developed a keen love of reading, covering an eclectic mix of adventure stories, poetry, history and philosophy - and, from his teens, he began a lifetime habit of making notes on what he read. He also became a strong chess player, able enough to draw with one of the world’s leading grandmasters. Even during guerrilla campaigns, he managed to maintain those loves. Since his murder, he has emerged as an original contributor to Marxist economics and philosophy. It was his wide-ranging studies that led him to become an outspoken opponent of the ‘orthodox’ communism followed in the Soviet Union - and of its Cold War foreign policy of ‘peaceful coexistence’. His tolerance of, and willingness to work with, those having different views saw him accused of Maoism - and even Trotskyism. More accurately, Che has bequeathed the unique strand of revolutionary socialism known as ‘Guevarism’.

The Romantic Revolutionary

Che Guevara

Sally Waller

Jean Bottaro

An exciting series that covers selected topics from the Higher Level options in the IB History syllabus. This coursebook covers Higher Level option 5, Topic 8, Interwar Years: Conflict and Cooperation 1919-39. The text is divided into clear sections following the IB syllabus structure and content specifications. It offers a sound historical account along with detailed explanations and analysis, and an emphasis on historical debate to prepare students for the in-depth, extended essay required in the Paper 3 examination. It also provides plenty of exam practice including student answers with examiner's comments, simplified mark schemes and practical advice on approaching the Paper 3 examination.

History for the IB Diploma: Interwar Years: Conflict and Cooperation 1919-39

Revolutions, 1789 - 1917

An engaging range of period texts and theme books for AS and A Level history. The European dictatorships provides a well-balanced account of the three main European dictatorships in the period 1919-45. Allan Todd explores Stalinism, Fascism and Nazism in detail, dealing with the establishment and maintenance of power, the nature of party and state rule, the distribution of power, the purpose and impact of social and economic policies, opposition, and the significance of foreign policy and war. Comparisons and contrasts between the dictatorships are also highlighted. Using a wide range of primary sources, this book deals with the main historical and interpretive issues of this subject in an accessible way.

Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini

The European Dictatorships

An exciting new series that covers the five Paper 2 topics of the IB 20th Century World History syllabus. This stimulating coursebook covers Paper 2, Topic 5, The Cold War, in the 20th Century World History syllabus for the IB History programme. The book is divided into thematic sections, following the IB syllabus structure and is written in clear, accessible English. It covers the following areas for detailed study: Wartime conferences: Yalta and Potsdam; US policies and developments in Europe: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO; Soviet policies: Sovietisation of Eastern and Central Europe, COMECON, Warsaw Pact; Sino-Soviet relations; US-Chinese relations; Germany; and Castro, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Mao, Reagan, Stalin, Truman.

Allan Todd

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