Germany's revolutionary workers of 1918–1919

This review of two recently published books on Germany's 1918–1919 revolution continues German labour history as recently discussed in Lewis's excellent review of ‘Socialism and Working Class in Germany—from its Beginnings to 1914′ published in Critique (43:1). Both books begin where Lewis's review ends, namely with the First World War. Both books will be reviewed in chronological order starting with Comack's book, even though many themes apply to both books. In many ways, what we know as the ‘German revolution' was historically shaped by events prior to the end of the First World War. A good deal of that can be extrapolated from Martin Comack's rather short but exquisite historical study that starts with name dropping (I had the pleasure and privilege to host Augustin Souchy at my house). To many, Augustin Souchy is indeed a big name and this not only because of his most insightful description of Spain's Revolution of 1936. However, the book's strength comes undoubtedly from the ability to compress a crucial moment in the history of Germany.