Left-wing Terrorist Ideology Disguised As a Romance Novel

Texte: der RAF [Karlek med forhinder]

Rote Armee Fraktion / Red Army Faction [as A. Rosenberg]

Notes: 599 pages. An anthology of writings and publications by the leaders of the Red Army Faction, the violent, radical leftist group that bombed government targets in Germany in the 1970s. The organization, often known as the Baader-Meinhof Group after the surnames of its founders, was banned in West Germany so this book was published in Sweden. Many copies of the book were seized by German police in raids on bookstores. In response, some copies were bound as romance novels, Karlek med forhinder (Love with obstacles) by A. Rosenberg. The covers are cream-colored with reddish-pink lettering and a small illustration of three naked women cavorting in nature after Manet.

This modern example of deceptive packaging, or tarnschriften, echoed an earlier practice used by the Communist Party in Germany during the Nazi era. Given the anti-Semitic leanings of the RAF, it is interesting that the name chosen for the cover, "A. Rosenberg" could be mistaken for a Jewish surname.

Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing). Near fine in wrappers.

Publication: [Lund, Sweden]: Verlag Bo Cavefors, 1977.

Item No: #4931

Price: $300