1996 was an important year for fans of Buenaventura Durruti, the Spanish anarchist famous for his exploits in the revolution, for it was not only the centenary of his birth but the sixtieth anniversary of his death. To mark the occasion no fewer that five publishers, including Freedom Press, have cooperated in the production of an extremely handsome limited edition hardback of 196 pages, in large format, celebrating his life and work. Although published in Europe last October, it has only now found its way across the Channel, but it was worth the wait.

Durruti: 1896-1936 is a quite lavish production comprising nearly 200 photographs - many of which have never been published before - and an accompanying multi-lingual text in Spanish, English, German, Italian and French.

The text consists of Durruti's life story, supplemented by quotes from friends and contemporaries such as Abel Paz, Ricardo Sue, Orwell and Francisco Assaso. In addition there is much informative material with the photograph captions, which puts the pictures into context. Different phases of Durruti's life, and his death and its distasteful aftermath, are covered in The Rebel, The Revolutionary, Libertarian Aragon, and Durruti Died Twice - the last being an expose of the way the Stalinists and Conservatives in the government who throughout had done everything possible to thwart the anarchists and militarise units like the Durruti Column, lost no time after his death in manufacturing a cynical personality cult around his memory.

Apart from a slight under-use of proofreading (a problem seemingly common in anarchist publications these days) the main publishers, Active-Beastie have turned out a valuable photographic history which, with its attractive collage dustjacket on embossed lustre paper will also make a fine coffee-table type present for friends of almost any nationality. The very modest price of £ 8.95 includes well over £ 2.50 in postage and packing costs.