Eric Hobsbawm, long considered one of the foremost historians of the twentieth century, most recently taught
at the New School University in New York. His most recent books include On the Edge of the New Century, The Age
of Extremes and On History (The New Press).
Review
"An utterly fascinating book."
--The New Yorker
"A wise as well as an exciting book, a very valuable addition to the history of mentalities and to that of
popular protest. . . . This is human history at its very best."
--The Times Literary Supplement (London)
"A dazzling historical squib, fizzing with ideas and strange stories."
--The Guardian
"In an age of narrow specialists, Eric Hobsbawm remains the supreme generalist. . . . For sheer intelligence
he has no superior in the historical profession."
-Sir Keith Thomas
New Press Publishing Web Site, February, 2002
Summary
First published in 1969, the now-classic Bandits inspired a whole new field of historical study and brought
its author popular acclaim. Bandits transcend the label of criminals; they are robbers and outlaws elevated to
the status of avengers and champions of social justice. Some, like Robin Hood, Rob Roy, and Jesse James, are famous
throughout the world, the stuff of story and myth. Others, from Balkan haiduks and Indian dacoits to Brazilian
congaceiros, are known only to their own countries' people.
In his celebrated study of these fascinating figures, now updated with a new introduction, Eric Hobsbawm, "one
of the few genuinely great historians of our century," according to the New Republic, spans four hundred years
and four continents, setting these folk heroes against the ballads, legends, and films they have inspired. The
result is "a dazzling historical squib, fizzing with ideas and strange stories" (The Guardian).
