Sisters in Arms

Drawing on a wealth of new source material, Sisters in Arms gives a bracing account of how radical feminism was enacted by key German leftist organizations, such as the infamous Red Army Faction and June 2 Movement. These groups often diverged ideologically and tactically, but all demonstrated the potency of militant feminism within postwar protest movements.

Katharina Karcher is Lecturer in German in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham. Her research interests include feminist theory, European women’s movements, and the histories of protest, extremism and violence in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Katharina Karcher is Lecturer in German in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham. Her research interests include feminist theory, European women’s movements, and the histories of protest, extremism and violence in the Federal Republic of Germany.

“Karcher’s study of militant feminism encourages scholars to re-think the history of feminism, and reflect on how changes to feminist politics and practice have shaped what is considered feminist, and the writing of feminism, more broadly.” • English Historical Review

“Karcher shows that although a number of feminists were anxious to be equated with terrorists and therefore publicly denounced the use of violence, militancy did indeed play a significant role in the New Women’s movement of the 1970s and 1980s. The material she has accessed to prove her point is impressive, and her historical overview is rich and concise.” • German Studies Review

“Karcher’s monograph offers an excellent overview over radical forms of action and groups within the west German women’s movement. Not only did she uncover a lot of material, but she also carried out numerous interviews.” • querelles-net

“A recurring issue throughout the book is the way in which violence and militancy have been written out of the history of feminism, in favour of gendered narratives of peaceful protest. Bringing these two elements together, Karcher’s study of militant feminism encourages scholars to re-think the history of feminism, and reflect on how changes to feminist politics and practice have shaped what is considered feminist, and the writing of feminism, more broadly.” • The English Historical Review

“Karcher offers a refreshing perspective on the history of the New Women’s Movement in West Germany and its relationship to militancy in this long-overdue study. Any future scholarship on feminist activism in Germany will need to consider this provocative and revealing book.” • Patricia Melzer, Temple University