The Spectre of War

The Spectre of War examines a subject we thought we knew—the roots of the Second World War—and challenges our assumptions with a masterful new interpretation. Beyond traditional explanations based on diplomatic failures or military might, Jonathan Haslam explores the neglected thread connecting them all: the fear of Communism prevalent across continents during the interwar period. Marshalling an array of archival sources, including records from the Communist International, Haslam transforms our understanding of the deep-seated origins of World War II, its conflicts, and its legacy.

Haslam offers a panoramic view of Europe and northeast Asia during the 1920s and 1930s, connecting the emergence of fascism with the impact of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. World War I had economically destabilised many nations, and the threat of Communist revolt loomed large amidst the ensuing social unrest. As Moscow supported Communist efforts in France, Spain, China, and beyond, opponents such as the British feared for the stability of their global empire, viewing fascism as the only force standing between them and the Communist overthrow of the existing order. The appeasement and political misreading of Nazi Germany and fascist Italy that followed held back the spectre of rebellion—only to usher in the later advent of war.

Illuminating ideological differences in the decades before World War II, and the continuous role of pre- and postwar Communism, The Spectre of War provides unprecedented context for one of the most momentous calamities of the twentieth century.

‘Books of this quality and significance are rare. Haslam has mined the archives of all the main players to produce an excellent, game-changing thesis that is as convincing as it is original.’ - Saul David, The Times

‘It may be a cliché to say this is a book every intelligent person ought to read, but it really is.’ - Simon Heffer, The Telegraph

‘Anyone interested in global tensions in the interwar period will learn much from the latest book of Jonathan Haslam... He draws on a lifetime of expertise on the Soviet Union and Russian foreign policy to explain how fear of Communism permeated international relations after 1917.’ - Tony Barber, Financial Times

‘Drawing on sources in English, French, Russian, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish from archives across Europe (and beyond), The Spectre of War is full of fascinating stories that offer a unique glimpse into the tormented world on the eve of the Second World War. Elegantly crafted, it offers the reader the knowledge of a scholar who has worked in the field for decades.’ - David Motadel, Times Literary Supplement

‘2021's most impressive work of history pulls together hidden threads to show how fear of Bolshevism poisoned international relations between the wars.’ - A Telegraph Best Book of the Year