Anarchism suggested reading?

Logic
Posts: 20 Joined: 21-10-04
Submitted by Logic on 24 October, 2004 - 20:47.

Hello,

Recently became interested in anarchism and have read alot of the stuff on enrager's 'thought' section regarding the very basic concepts of anarchism. Could anyone suggest any further online or offline reading to further my knowledge of the basics of anarchism, a kind of "introduction to anarchism" if you will? Thank you!

circle A

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Ed "Cocaine socialist"
Posts: 993 Joined: 01-10-03 Location: Brighton
24 October, 2004 - 21:51

If you're looking for intros to anarchism in general I'd say About Anarchism by Nicholas Walter and ABC of Anarchism by Alex Berkman. About Anarchism is quite new, concise and quite easy to read. It's also non-sectarian which is nice. ABC... is a golden oldy but also quite easy to read (even if the writing is very 'of its time' - that time being the 1920s). It's also the one that got me started.

Anarchism and the Black Revolution by Lorenzo Komboa is also fucking ace. Its specifically about how anarchism relates to the black power movement but it also explains anarchism really simply. The Anarchist Federation have quite a few good pamphlets as well.

Good websites would be www.anarchosyndicalism.net and www.struggle.ws

Editted to add AK Distribution (political books and other stuff) www.akuk.com and Freedom Press (anarchist book publisher and shop) www.freedompress.org.uk

If you want other books about particular stuff (history, environment etc), just ask on boards or PM me or summat red n black star

BlackEconomyBooks
Posts: 30 Joined: 07-02-04
24 October, 2004 - 22:17

I Couldn't Paint Golden Angels: Sixty Years of commonplace Life and Anarchist Agitation by ALbert Meltzer.

Quality mate you can get it from AK Distribution.

Username
Posts: 116 Joined: 15-09-04
24 October, 2004 - 22:36

The State by Harold Barclay

Jack "In it for spite"
Posts: 9899 Joined: 22-09-03 Location: Brighton
24 October, 2004 - 22:52

One time, I almost won that book in the Freedom crossword.

Man, that crossword was the best thing ever.

madashell "KSW, LOL"
Posts: 2997 Joined: 19-06-06 Location: Merseyside
24 October, 2004 - 23:23

You wouldn't be the same logic who posts on christian forums would you?

Granny Made Me An Anarchist by Stuart Christie is a good read, its a bit light on theory, but it does have some good sections on anarchist thought and the history of the movement thoughout.

Anarchy In Action by Colin Ward is a fantastic book on practical examples of anarchy, though its a little dense to start with.

Edit: This is pretty boss if you're in the mood for something with a bit of humour.

cantdocartwheels "in the aeroplane over the sea"
Posts: 1766 Joined: 15-03-04 Location: London then off to Brighton
25 October, 2004 - 11:47

Hmm I reckon

Marx

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/wage-labour/index.htm

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1865/value-price-profit/index.htm

Bakunin

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bakunin/works/mf-state/index.htm

Goldman

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/goldman/index.htm

IWW

http://www.iww.org/culture/

General

http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/sseal/anarchy.htm

in particular the spunk library and zabalaza

john

JDMF "G.F.H - Vegan Style"
Posts: 3220 Joined: 21-05-04 Location: Manchester
25 October, 2004 - 11:49

yeah, http://www.zabalaza.net/ is a very good site.

Unfinished business - politics of class war is the only anarchist theory book i have, and i love it smile

3rdseason
Posts: 727 Joined: 19-09-03
25 October, 2004 - 12:07

Not marx or bakunin.

Steve "J'aime une sorcière de prolétaire"
Posts: 1057 Joined: 27-06-06 Location: Preston Lancashire
25 October, 2004 - 12:19

Try these

http://www.solfed.force9.co.uk/SelfEd/units.htm

pip
Posts: 1 Joined: 12-10-04
25 October, 2004 - 23:02

Anarchism. George Woodcock. Excellent comprehensive Introduction.

Anarchism for Beginners. Colin Ward & Cliff Harper. (Unavailable). Very Good. Lot of Research by Harper went into this. Looking for Reprint.

Men Against the State. James J Martin. Excellent study of Individualist Anarchism in 19thC early 20thC America.

After these you could try some orthodox anarchist texts. Such as Kropotkin's Mutual Aid.

Best to you.

Pip.

cantdocartwheels "in the aeroplane over the sea"
Posts: 1766 Joined: 15-03-04 Location: London then off to Brighton
26 October, 2004 - 08:55
3rdseason wrote:
Not marx or bakunin.

you're wrong smile

and It IS Class

john

the button "jesus christ, john, have you actually even read any marx?"
Posts: 5636 Joined: 07-07-04 Location: Lewisham, London
26 October, 2004 - 15:54

Kropotkin's "History of the Great French Revolution" (or some such title) is a cracking read. You can get it dead cheap from Freedom, too.

The kind of books that made me circle A were novels & history rather than 'theory,' although I have since gone Foucault-crazy (not an anarchist, before you all tell me!). Jaroslav Hasek's "The good soldier Schweik" (apologies for the spelling) is a classic, and still funny. More recently, there's been "Q" by Luther Blissett.

I reckon any good book is an anarchist book (although sadly, not vice versa wink ), because it makes you think.

3rdseason
Posts: 727 Joined: 19-09-03
26 October, 2004 - 17:21
cantdocartwheels wrote:
3rdseason wrote:
Not marx or bakunin.

you're wrong smile

and It IS Class

john

class my ass tongue

3rdseason
Posts: 727 Joined: 19-09-03
26 October, 2004 - 17:24

bakunin was completely sexist anyway.

beanis
Posts: 224 Joined: 26-09-03
26 October, 2004 - 20:04

http://www.primitivism.com/primitivism.htm

hehehe grin

cantdocartwheels "in the aeroplane over the sea"
Posts: 1766 Joined: 15-03-04 Location: London then off to Brighton
27 October, 2004 - 01:08
beanis wrote:
http://www.primitivism.com/primitivism.htm

hehehe grin

wrong

3rdseason
Posts: 727 Joined: 19-09-03
28 October, 2004 - 17:11
beanis wrote:
http://www.primitivism.com/primitivism.htm

hehehe grin

smile

cantdocartwheels "in the aeroplane over the sea"
Posts: 1766 Joined: 15-03-04 Location: London then off to Brighton
30 October, 2004 - 08:14

now you've ruined a perfectly good thread

nuclearcivvy
Posts: 158 Joined: 08-10-04
30 October, 2004 - 22:42

How about;

WORLD POLITICS SINCE 1945 By Peter Calvocoressi.

Available as a longman paperback, it covers the global powers machinations across the globe from spring '45 to 1976.

It shows nicely how the current power blocks have formed, and where they are heading.

As an aside, it also documents the history of the Summit we now call the G8, and how it ties in with other global power strugglles.

KNOW YOUR ENEMY.

Anarch
Posts: 261 Joined: 22-09-04
3 November, 2004 - 01:19

Very pretty, I want to be a primitivist now!

tongue

Logic
Posts: 20 Joined: 21-10-04
3 November, 2004 - 20:30

Received 'About Anarchism' this morning, courtesy of Freedom Press. Fucking excellent, concise and easy to read! Thanks.

3rdseason
Posts: 727 Joined: 19-09-03
4 November, 2004 - 10:35
Anarch wrote:
Very pretty, I want to be a primitivist now!

tongue

8) 8)

Steven. "not online much for a while"
Posts: 1516 Joined: 27-06-06 Location: London
4 November, 2004 - 11:48
Logic wrote:
Received 'About Anarchism' this morning, courtesy of Freedom Press. Fucking excellent, concise and easy to read! Thanks.

tis a good'un - glad you liked it!

Pilgrim
Posts: 123 Joined: 18-05-04
8 November, 2004 - 20:54

I'm currently reading 'Demanding The Impossible' by Peter

Marshall.

It's a long book, but you can sort of dip in and out of it as you choose.

gawkrodger
Posts: 363 Joined: 20-01-04
8 November, 2004 - 22:08

i can't believe no-one has mentioned

Malatesta - life and ideas

and 'fra contradini'

both amazing.

unfortunetly, despite owning 2 copies of life and ideas i've managed to lend them out/lose 'em and i don't know where thy are now sad

bandu
Posts: 18 Joined: 24-10-04
13 November, 2004 - 13:34

I agree with pilgrim. Demanding the Impossible by Peter Marshall is a great guide for all anarchists whether beginers or seasoned veterans. It has sections on all the important thinkers, a general history by country, and sections on different strands of anarchist thought.

Anonymous
Posts: 269 Joined:
25 November, 2004 - 23:00

What about th Ragged Trousered Philanphopists by Rober tressell - good explanationof surplus value.

Wendal
Posts: 431 Joined: 04-11-04
25 November, 2004 - 23:20

Anarchism - by a writer with the fabolous name of George Woodcock

A book about the Anarchist ideas that seems to be written by someone who isnt an Anarchist which also means more toughtprovoking criticism of the material.

brokensapphire
Posts: 7 Joined: 29-11-04
29 November, 2004 - 22:14
Pilgrim wrote:
I'm currently reading 'Demanding The Impossible' by Peter

Marshall.

It's a long book, but you can sort of dip in and out of it as you choose.

i agree, i just bought this book a few months ago on an impulse and its really good for an overview of anarchist thinkers, movements, traditions, etc. and points you in the direction of a lot of classic texts to have a look at.

Steven. "not online much for a while"
Posts: 1516 Joined: 27-06-06 Location: London
29 November, 2004 - 23:32
Wendal wrote:
Anarchism - by a writer with the fabolous name of George Woodcock

A book about the Anarchist ideas that seems to be written by someone who isnt an Anarchist which also means more toughtprovoking criticism of the material.

the funny thing is he is supposed to be an anarchist grin

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