ABC of Anarchism [Paperback]

Alexander Berkman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1987 | ISBN-10: 0317006347 | ISBN-13: 978-0317006346

First published in 1929, this book by one of the most gifted writers for the anarchist movement answers some of the charges made against it and presents the case for communist anarchism clearly and intelligently. Thorough and well stated, it is today regarded as a classic statement of the cause's goals and methods.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Left Bank Books (December 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0317006347
• ISBN-13: 978-0317006346
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,056,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars straight-up common sense about society and revolution, August 29, 1999

By 

Jason Rhodes (Seoul, Korea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ABC of Anarchism (Paperback)

anyone interested in social revolution should read this book. the wisdom presented here is beautiful and simple. it represents my deepest hope for humanity. let us realize that while we struggle for a free society, we begin to lose our chains as soon as we stand up. it is the act of defiance, of rebellion, which transforms us from victims into human beings. there is no meaningful struggle for social change which does not involve that exquisite moment of tense confrontation with authority. if you want to change society, you must stop obeying, and if you are only fighting for someone else's freedom, you are blind to the walls around you. peace.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Communist Anarchism from Berkman, May 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: ABC Of Anarchism (Paperback)

This is the book that transformed me into a communist anarchist. It led me to other, more complex readings, etc. Berkman is one of the most inspired men to ever live, he tried to kill Henry Clay Fricke (which broke the resistance to the workers' demands). He spent 14 years in prison for that. He was deported from many countries, sentenced to death in some. This book tears the curtain away from your face which covers your view of the authoritative nature of capitalism and state communism.

Communist Anarchism is freedom
Anything else is just slavery.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The defence of the realm., February 8, 2009

By 

S. Downs "Anarch" (Loughborough, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ABC of Anarchism (Paperback)

The book 'ABC of Anarchism' by Alexander Berkman is a remarkable text on many levels. Not least because it was written by a man who spent 15 years in prison on what basically amounts to charges of terrorism; and was then published (in this edition) in London at the height of World War Two.

As Nazi bombs and rockets fell on London the publishing of this book was permitted by a state under direct and active assault from a heavily armed foe. I don't believe this would happen today.

The book itself is clearly written, and will reinforce all the beliefs of anarcho-communists (I don't believe it covers Mutualism sympathetically enough, but that's just me). It states its case forcefully and clearly and shows a charming faith that the advances being then made in anarcho-politics would be allowed to flourish.

It is a wonderfully uplifting text, and should probably be followed up by a reading of some of Chomsky's anarchists texts, or Kropotkin's texts on Mutualism.