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59th out of 160 books
—
110 voters
Anarchism
Απ' όλες τις κοινωνικές θεωρίες, ο αναρχισμός είναι η πιό άγνωστη κι η πιό παραμορφωμένη. Ο Ντανιέλ Γκερέν προσπάθησε με κείμενα και γεγονότα, να του αποδόσει το πραγματικό του πρόσωπο. Από τις θεωρίες του Προυντόν και του Μπακούνιν, μέχρι τη ρωσική Επανάσταση και τις σύγχρονες εμπειρίες (ισπανική Επανάσταση του 1936, Γιουγκοσλαβία, Αλγερία), αντιπαραβάλλει θεωρία και πραγ...more
Paperback, 166 pages
Published
January 1st 1970
by Monthly Review Press
(first published 1965)
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Aug 09, 2011
Ryan Milbrath
added it
Daniel Guerin attempts to give a brief history of anarchist theory and practice in this particular book. Written in the ‘60’s, Guerin’s book seems a bit dated. However, Guerin focuses on presenting theory and practice that is pretty timeless. From Proudhon and Bakunkin to anarchist presence in the Russian and Spanish revolutions, Guerin does a great job of summarizing the general trends in anarchist thought. If Guerin’s goal in writing the book was to make anarchist theory accessible to a wider...more
Well admittedly when I read this book it was mostly review. That being said I found the theory section (first 70 pages) pretty weak. The practice half (second 70 pages), called "Anarchism in revolutionary practice," was much better, but mostly because the events covered speak for themselves.
Guerin, for some reason incomprehensible to me, seems to have a super affinity for Proudhan. He seems to privilege Proudhan's ideas (many of which are largely considered pre-anarchist and somewhat reformist...more
Guerin, for some reason incomprehensible to me, seems to have a super affinity for Proudhan. He seems to privilege Proudhan's ideas (many of which are largely considered pre-anarchist and somewhat reformist...more
The book was concise and very well organised. Guerin seems to work against himself at certain points though, contradicting his views on several issues. For me, the book served a purpose counterproductive to the author's intent. It made clear the need for a centralised socialist state (though not on the Russian model) rather than convince me otherwise. For instance, Guerin claims that "human nature" was the cause of ruin of the Spanish communes, claiming that due to lack of organisation the selfi...more
Giving this book three stars isn't an insult to it. It just didn't blow me away. I think it was a good introduction, although a lot of people would disagree. It starts out by giving an overview of anarchist beliefs and does a good job of explaining them and presenting arguments for and against them. The second half of the book is mostly history of anarchism in practice. I found the second half to be much less engaging and I ended up skimming through a lot of it. Overall, it was an easy (although...more
Guerin tirelessly investigates and advocates for a socialism that is “free” and built from the bottom-up; in other words, anarchism. In the preface, Chomsky quotes Rudlof Rocker to further define anarchism, as opposed to so-called “authoritarian” socialism: “Anarchism is necessarily anti-capitalist in that it 'opposes the exploitation of man by man.' But anarchism also opposes 'the dominion of man over man.' It insists that 'socialism will be free or it will not be at all'” (xii).
This book is a...more
This book is a...more
A painfully dry theory and history of libertarian socialism, or anarcho-syndicalism. I still can't figure out if the two are synonymous, and I don't understand why a book on such a specific topic was given such a generic name. There are so many things this book did not help me understand, which it did not make up for by what it did help me understand, that anarcho-syndicalism isn't actually about eliminating government, but replacing a large-scale state with a collection of small-scale "worker c...more
Doesn't do a good job of introducing anarchism to any extent. Doesn't answer any questions a statist or someone completely new to the subject would have for anyone that calls them self an anarchist. Gives no refutations of common misconceptions or how a society might work under social anarchism. I was very disappointed in the book overall. As with most social anarchist books all you find is self indulgent references to small historical gains of which there haven't been any by social anarchists o...more
"One of the ablest leaders and writers of the French New Left describes two realms of 'anarchism'-its intellectual substance, and its actual practice through the Bolshevik Revolution, the Spanish Civil War, the Italian Factory Councils, and finally the role in workers' self-management in Yugoslavia and Algeria. One sees in 'anarchism' a close kinship to libertarianism of the right, with its horror of state beaucracy and hostility toward bourgeois (liberal) democracy. Noam Chomsky, perhaps Guerin...more
A lot was left out of this book; I found it less comprehensive than it claims to be, but still a quick, simple and fair introduction to anarchism.
Sep 23, 2010
Craig J.
added it
Anarchism: From Theory to Practice by Daniel Guerin (1970)
I like it so far... very informative about the history of the philosophy of anarchism. A very easy read so far.
A bit dry but solid...
Although substantially different to Malatesta's Anarchy (which is a personal favourite) this is probably the best over-arching introduction to anarchism/libertarian politics I have encountered. And I have probably read quite a few. It essentially reads like a sympathetic Marxian historian covering the history and nuisances within anarchism for the past 150 years up to France 1968.
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A classic of anarchist history from a major figure influencing the May 68 French uprising. Certainly in the core of what we might call an english-language revolutionary cannon. Pretty light, vaguely annoying, somehow desperately lacking in engagement with any of the critical issues I grapple with these days as an anarchist. But I haven't found a better introduction yet, though I'd love any recommendations.
This is the book I usually recommend for people who're totally new to anarchism. It's reasonably short - but not really short either, and conveys the basic ideas (theory), and most important events (pratice), in a way that's easy to understand, without over-simplifying too much.
If you've already read a bit about anarchism though, there'll probably be little - or nothing - new to gain from it.
If you've already read a bit about anarchism though, there'll probably be little - or nothing - new to gain from it.
Though not much new ground is broken here, Guerin presents a concise and useful history of anarchist thought, both in its theoretical development and how it has been put into practice in real life (particularly Spain in the 1930s).
Dec 19, 2009
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Anarchism: From Theory to Practice by Daniel Gu
7.5/10
A good 101 introductory. A must read for anyone that is curious that might have heard that anarchism is more than just a word for chaos.
Great starter's book. Together with About Anarchism by Nicholas Walter this book will get you ready for anarchist discussion.
A wonderful introduction to the main points of anarchism, kicked it all off for me some years ago.
Good book. Good overview by Chomsky.
May 18, 2013
Zacaharias Jensonius
marked it as to-read
May 18, 2013
Mark Bray
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May 16, 2013
Mike
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May 15, 2013
Mary
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May 13, 2013
Mimoun Zeggai
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Daniel Guérin was a French anarcho-communist author, best known for his work 'Anarchism: From Theory to Practice', as well as his collection 'No Gods No Masters: An Anthology of Anarchism' in which he collected writings on the idea and movement it inspired, from the first writings of Max Stirner in the mid-19th century through the first half of the 20th century. He is also known for his opposition...more
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“If crimes are committed they must be seen as a disease, and punishment as treatment rather than as social vengeance.”
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“Far from checking the spread of immorality, repression has always extended and deepended it. Thus it is futile to oppose it by rigorous legislation which trespasses on individual liberty.”
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