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Albania Defiant
English, Swedish (translation)
- GenresHistory
Paperback
First published April 1, 1970
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Jan Myrdal
105 books14 followersJan Myrdal (1927–2020) was one of the most prominent and controversial figures in modern Swedish cultural life. An internationally acclaimed writer, essayist and political commentator, he authored dozens of books spanning autobiographical prose, travel writing and Marxist analysis. His breakthrough work Confessions of a Disloyal European brought him global recognition and established his reputation as a fiercely independent intellectual voice.
At the same time, Myrdal was a deeply polarizing figure. His uncompromising political positions and provocative interventions in public debate made him both admired and sharply criticized. Regardless of stance, few disputed his influence: for decades, he remained a towering presence in Swedish cultural discourse.
At the same time, Myrdal was a deeply polarizing figure. His uncompromising political positions and provocative interventions in public debate made him both admired and sharply criticized. Regardless of stance, few disputed his influence: for decades, he remained a towering presence in Swedish cultural discourse.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 8, 2021
A romantic history of Albania interspersed with a travelogue of the authors trips to Hoxha’s Albania. Genuinely interesting, especially for those with minimal to no historical knowledge on Albania and Albanian state formation.
Very sympathetic to the ruling Party of Labour of Albania (PPSH), it was first published in 1970 in Swedish, and in 1976 was published in English by Monthly Review Press; there are few copies of that edition left today.
There is a basic Lulu reprint available with a different cover and, sadly, without the 64 pages of photographs (taken by Gun Kessle - also an artist, photographer, and Jan Myrdal’s partner) in the original.
Monthly Review Press has not subsequently reprinted the book, and there was never a second edition.
In 2008, the former Swedish Liberal (Folkpartiet liberalerna) MP Martin Andreasson denounced the book and its influence.
The authors of this book are likely deserving of a book themselves, as they were figures of some significance in Sweden.
A short biography of Gun Kessle has this to say about the period of her life when ‘Albania Defiant’ was produced:
“Although Gun Kessle produced extensive artwork, today (2018) she is best remembered for her collaborative efforts with her husband Jan Myrdal. During their many travels together Gun Kessle did the driving and took photographs whilst Jan Myrdal later produced texts for their books. The reports they published from places such as China and Cambodia in the 1960s and 1970s were much discussed and well-received at the time but have subsequently been subject to doubt.”
Very sympathetic to the ruling Party of Labour of Albania (PPSH), it was first published in 1970 in Swedish, and in 1976 was published in English by Monthly Review Press; there are few copies of that edition left today.
There is a basic Lulu reprint available with a different cover and, sadly, without the 64 pages of photographs (taken by Gun Kessle - also an artist, photographer, and Jan Myrdal’s partner) in the original.
Monthly Review Press has not subsequently reprinted the book, and there was never a second edition.
In 2008, the former Swedish Liberal (Folkpartiet liberalerna) MP Martin Andreasson denounced the book and its influence.
The authors of this book are likely deserving of a book themselves, as they were figures of some significance in Sweden.
A short biography of Gun Kessle has this to say about the period of her life when ‘Albania Defiant’ was produced:
“Although Gun Kessle produced extensive artwork, today (2018) she is best remembered for her collaborative efforts with her husband Jan Myrdal. During their many travels together Gun Kessle did the driving and took photographs whilst Jan Myrdal later produced texts for their books. The reports they published from places such as China and Cambodia in the 1960s and 1970s were much discussed and well-received at the time but have subsequently been subject to doubt.”
August 15, 2014
Swedish left wing pro-Hoxha primer on the development of Albania. It is what you would expect.
February 5, 2015
good fluff piece imo, read it mostly for enjoyment, considering its a bit too pro-hoxha to use as a ~neutral source~ or whatever
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews