(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #240 - Read: Christian Langeois, "Henri Krasucki" (fr, pt)

This biography of Henri Krasucki (1924-2003) is any sympathy for his subject. It is an 
opportunity to revisit the history of Stalinism. A different bio would be necessary with 
critical tools to understand the origins, impasses and Stalinists dramas. Nevertheless it 
allows to enter this universe now disappeared fascinated and shaped the nineteenth century 
in general and the French labor movement in particular. ---- The golf "Krasu" as he was 
affectionately called, is indeed remarkable. A life of courage, dedication, loyalty to the 
Stalinist commitments. How can we forget the young worker from the Jewish immigration, the 
young rebel, the remote, the tireless activist. It would be too simple, too comfortable to 
disqualify an entire generation of militant workers in wrought untold battles simply 
because they were engaged in a criminal way. The book usefully reminds us that for many 
activists were sincere and defended the "strategy" driven by Moscow in thinking she was 
the only one possible. Many died heroically for Stalinism, some were cowardly murdered by 
Stalin, others gradually die without children. Sterile or nearly so. The latest born 
managing the feat of having the same faults as their former without having any qualities!

The last part of the book is that the most illuminating perspective. Krasu torn, as the 
whole party, between fidelity and openness, seeking a way out (he does not understand that 
Stalinism was closed in advance any issue). Internal battles can be glimpsed in a period 
where Marchais imposes zig-zag stunning FCP and seeks to impose in the CGT. Alliance with 
the PS or not? Walked from the rupture of the joint program in 1977 at the PCF output of 
Ministers of the Socialist government in 1984 by all possible phases, excessive hostility 
abdication in open country. It is remarkable that the PCF has not yet found the way out 
about this question of alliances with the PS ... Under no Stalin as those under Attila 
nothing repels!

The highlight and the only "revelation" of this biography is the autobiography that he 
decided to work at the beginning of 1991 together with two journalists. In the 
confrontation that opposes secretly to Marchais, he was willing to spread some issues to 
light. But a well-Stalinist reflex will net him stop this project is the "coup" of Yeltsin 
in August and the collapse of the USSR ahead. "We have to face, we forget the differences" 
says Will he then his publisher ...

Jean-Yves (AL Seine-Saint-Denis)

Christian Langeois, Henri Krasucki , Cherche-Midi Ed, 2012, 372 p., 19 euros.