Might Is Right [Paperback]

Ragnar Redbeard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1984

MIGHT IS RIGHT is an unprecedented book by an author of extraordinary virility and rugged primeval force, whose sense perceptions border on the supernatural. The Laws of Nature are explained, defined and expounded upon in detail in eloquent 19th century English.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

It will hynotize your very soul, and send you forth into this world of pitiless and ferocious combat a Conqueror of Men. Surely you can afford a volume, the like of which has not been printed or written (or carved in granite) since the days of Jupiter and Thor--of Odin and Mars--the gods of eternal struggle, who are not dead, but only sleeping. -- The Chicago Tribune, 12 November 1905 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

This new edition of Might is Right from Dil Pickle Press, is edited by Darrell W. Conder, and features over 350 new footnotes and other clarifications. It also features Conder’s extensive history of the book and an investigation to the identity of its elusive author, making the Conder edition by far the best-ever reprint of Might is Right. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Loompanics Unlimited (August 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915179121
• ISBN-13: 978-0915179121
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,170,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the most incendiary book ever written, November 15, 2000

By 

TheIrrationalMan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Might is Right - The Survival of the Fittest (Paperback)

"Might is Right - the Survival of the Fittest", by Ragnar Redbeard, is a case for Social Darwinism. It is not a philosophical treatise in the strict sense, but more of a "manifesto" for racism, sexism, the worship of strength and the virtues of war, such as unbridled rapine, extreme unscrupulousness, joy in risk and contempt of danger. The author makes it clear that he is a foe to weakness, servility, Christianity and "turning the other cheek." Impassioned, and at times, quite inspiring, it is characterised by its enamelled nineteenth century prose, its rhetorical splendours and thunderous declamations. Redbeard's message -- that "you can go further with a handful of might than a bagful of right" -- is repeated with very little variation throughout his treatise, to the effect of monotony. Most of his precepts are fairly commonsensical, or else mined from already extant literature. When he raves, however, Redbeard is truly original. His utterances, in a large measure, contain no sense at all, not even nonsense. At times, the style comes close to self-mockery and the arguments are riddled with contradictions. He makes it very plain that he is opposed to woman's emancipation: - "Woe unto the Race if ever these lovable creatures should break loose from mastership, and become the rulers or equals of Man." It is this section in particular, that shows Redbeard at his silliest and most self-contradictory. At one point, he declares: "It has been said of Mahomet that he said that 'Woman hath no soul'." Redbeard concurs enthusiastically with this view, only to add, about two lines later: - "It is a proven fact that woman has no soul (and neither has man, for that matter) but in woman's case, one has greater grounds for doubting the existence of her soul even less." What kind of brain-shattered nonsense is this? Most of the work is childish, and filled with arguments that range far beyond the area of rational examination or refutation. For a more coherent and more logical presentation of similar views, I would recommend Max Stirner's "The Ego and Its Own" -- a testament of philosophical anarchism.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a rant that Jack London would not dare put his name on, March 20, 2000

By 

"obabyhardr" (CHICAGO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Might Is Right (Paperback)

"an evil spirit hath innoculated our race with the hideous gospel of submissiveness and degeneracy;- "Resist not evil" it whines and "If a man smite thee on one cheek, turn to him the other also". But I say unto you: - 'If a man smite you on one cheek, smash HIM on the "other". Resist every evil! Be as a lion in the path! Be "dangerous", even in defeat! Courage, I say! Courage! And evermore Courage! Even the stars in their courses are fight for the bold."

It's a strong and sometimes hateful book, but nonetheless EXTREMELY interesting if you can make it through the endless ranting. There was always something missing from my education about the way the world really was in it's sobering and ruthless truth. The ying and the yang baby. If you want to know the evil side that is integrated into nature, then you will love Might Is Right. But get ready, it may take you months to get over it.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful, January 30, 2000

By 

sailor (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Might is Right - The Survival of the Fittest (Paperback)

The author makes it clear that "rights" can only exist when people have the power to claim them.