‘Beyond Bolshevism’ Reveals the Untold Stories of Germany’s Radical Left
Historian Rhena Stürmer's new book, 'Beyond Bolshevism', explores the political evolution of the Communist Workers' Party of Germany (KAPD) and its members. Published by Wallstein Verlag, the 416-page volume is available for €49.00 and also as Open Access, featuring 11 partly colored illustrations and an ISBN of 978-3-8353-5940-6.
Stürmer's work traces the life trajectories of key figures like Karl Schröder, Alexander Schwab, Bernhard Reichenbach, and Adam Scharrer, who significantly influenced the left-communist movement in the early Weimar Republic. The book illustrates how individual experiences intertwined with major political and social upheavals of the 20th century. It offers an actor-centered perspective, moving beyond traditional party-focused narratives to provide a fresh insight into the transformation of the labor movement.
Stürmer, born in 1989, completed her doctorate in Berlin and at the Europa-Universität Viadrina. She worked as a fellow of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung from 2018 to 2022, during which time she conducted extensive research for this book.
Despite the KAPD's eventual failure, 'Beyond Bolshevism' demonstrates the enduring political engagement and radical critique of society by its members. The book advocates for the council principle as an ideal for a democratically organized communist economy and society. Stürmer's comprehensive exploration sheds new light on the complex interplay between individual lives and broader political transformations.
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