Carlo Tresca

About this book

"In this biography, Nunzio Pernicone reveals the life of Carlo Tresca, one of the most fascinating figures of the American left. A charismatic Italian anarchist who became a folk-hero to immigrant and native-born American workers, Tresca was described by comrades as a "freelance revolutionary" because of his independent spirit and militant activism. During his wild and adventurous career spanning nearly forty years (1904-1943), Tresca pursued a range of activities unmatched by any of his radical contemporaries: independent newspaper editor, labor agitator and organizer, civil libertarian, foremost leader of the Italian American anti-fascist resistance, and an indomitable foe of Stalinism. The last of the "old school" immigrant revolutionaries, Tresca ranked among the most important radicals and labor activists in the United States, often sharing the spotlight with Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, "Big Bill" Haywood, Emma Goldman, and Alexander Berkman. This biography illuminates many forgotten chapters of the American radical and labor movement and provides a comprehensive exploration of the lost world of Italian American radicalism and antifascism."--Jacket.