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12th out of 167 books
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111 voters
Anarchism: A Collection of Revolutionary Writings
Important writings by the leading theorist of anarchism, including the brief but moving "Spirit of Revolt," "Law and Authority," an argument for social control through custom and education, and other documents. An invaluable addition to the libraries of instructors, students, and anyone interested in history, government, and anarchist thought.
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
January 4th 2002
by Dover Publications
(first published 1987)
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Peter Kropotkin (1842-1921) was a member of the Russian aristocracy who became one of the leading theorists of anarchism. He spent most of his adult life in exile, mainly in England. This book is an anthology of his writings on anarchism. His view of anarchism is essentially idealistic , viewing it as a "natural phenomenon" (p 236). He was revolutionary, but opposed the excesses of the Russian Revolution, looking to a future where individuals could work in voluntary groups to accomplish their en...more
This was a rather interesting book to read. It lays out the principals and inspirations of anarchist thought fairly clearly. While Kropotkin doesn't write in an overly ornate or elaborate fashion, he also avoids oversimplifying his style to the point of simply being boring or insulting either. It's clear the author was passionate in his beliefs, and he does a very good job of laying out his plan for what an anarchist society should look like in clear and concrete terms, rather than simply leavin...more
Don't be fooled by the title. You don't need to agree with everything in here to find it interesting and elements of it worthwhile.
There is a bit about prisons in here that is great, and also one on ethics that is wonderful. I guess Kropotkin got pissed off cuz a bunch of anarchos were just 'borrowing' books from the anarchist book store and not bringing 'em back... it's anarchy, dude! and he had to school 'em, so that's why his essay on ethics. ever since i read that, i've been noticing that some of the people most opposed to even talking about anarchism are the ones most likely to be breaking the rules in the system they...more
Kropotkin takes the approach of a scientist in explaining anarchism. He uses examples from natural science to prove his point of view. The whole minor rant about individualism and the contradictory emphasis in it later on is a minor dent in this otherwise very solid book on one of the least understood political ideologies.
I mean some of it is pretty outdated. The areas where he uses science to ground his theories is admirable, but rely on evolutionary group selection, which I'm pretty sure is dismissed by most evolutionary biologists these days.
Still, he's a great writer, and its well worth a read.
Still, he's a great writer, and its well worth a read.
I was never a big philosophy buff, but I discovered Kropotkin in my AP European History reader. It's still a great read and one of the few philosophers I find to be an enjoyable read.
May 25, 2008
Careuhhline
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those who would like to facillitate the revolution
Recommended to Careuhhline by:
monkey wrench books
passionate, with really interesting philosophies especially in the parts about morality.
great and cohersive..
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Pyotr Alexeyevich Kropotkin was a geographer, a zoologist, and one of Russia's foremost anarchists. One of the first advocates of anarchist communism, Kropotkin advocated a communist society free from central government. Because of his title of prince, he was known by some as "the Anarchist Prince". Some contemporaries saw him as leading a near perfect life, including Oscar Wilde, who described hi...more
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“...this 'fecundity of will,' this thirst for action, when accompanied by poverty of feeling and intellect incapable of creation, will produce nothing but a Napoleon I or a Bismarck, wiseacres who try to force the world to progress backwards. While on the other hand, mental fertility destitute of well developed sensibility will bring forth such barren fruits as literary and scientific pedants who only hinder the advance of knowledge. Finally, sensibility unguided by large intelligence will produce such persons as the woman ready to sacrifice everything for some brute of a man, upon whom she pours forth all her love.
If life is to be fruitful, it must be so at once in intelligence, in feeling and in will. This fertility in every direction is life; the only thing worthy the name.”
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4 people liked it
If life is to be fruitful, it must be so at once in intelligence, in feeling and in will. This fertility in every direction is life; the only thing worthy the name.”
“It is only those who do nothing who makes no mistake.”
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4 people liked it
More quotes…
Two other book...more
Apr 24, 2012 03:03pm
I have read most of No Treason and all of The Dispossessed.
The former had some great analysis of the fact that almost no one has actually s...more
Apr 24, 2012 03:52pm