Customer Reviews

Steal This Book

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3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

don't buy this book, anyone who buys it does not have what it takes to read it, get it here and read online! http://www.tenant.net/Community/steal/steal.html

Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book" is generally a survival guide on how to live in the U.S. that is divided into 3 parts. The first chapters on how to get free stuff is brilliant. Some ideas in order to gain free service or items area so ironic, you'd probably not think of it yourself. In section two, Hoffman describes how to take action against oppression and what to prepare for. Bomb making, first aid, and the introduction to new common sense is delivered straight from the mind of Hoffman. The third section is the shortest, but if you happen to live in the big urban and metropolitan areas, it locates address and phone numbers on where to get free stuff in a more specific sense overall toward the book. Even if "Steal This Book" is mainly outdated, it comprises on a guide to a life in the U.S. and words of wisdom he used and recommends.

Go there and view the book yourself...

http://www.instinct.org/texts/steal_this_book/

Abbie Hoffman was an inspiration to a generation - and a darn good writer, to boot!! The original tradebook size publication was a LOT easier to decipher than this smaller sized printing - but all the tricks and treats are still there, i.e.: "those ridiculous free introductory or subscription type letters that you get in the mail often have a postage guaranteed return postcard for your convenience. The next one you get, paste it on a brick and drop it in the mailbox. The company is required by law to pay the postage. You can also get rid of all your garbage this way." The attitude is refreshing - even now, after all these years!!

...but don't let that minor detail keep you from steal-- er, I mean buying this book. Hoffman is a rebel with the cause of bringing down the establishment that he feels is corrupted, evil and oppressive. Most of the phone numbers and addresses in this book are severely out of date, but there is loads of still useful information in "Steal This Book". Harmless methods of obtaining free food, furniture, and clothing are described, as well as some innovative shoplifting techniques are described within. Hoffman even touches briefly on guerilla warfare and bomb-making, etc... Abbie was about freedom, and this book contains some very intriguing methods of exercising your freedom as an Amerikan citizen, whether the pigs like it or not.

Hoffman was a genius for writing this book. Although most (though not all) methods put forth by this book are outdated, this book is still very interesting and useful. He talks about how to make molotov cocktails, pipebombs, how to street fight (for self defense), demonstrating, getting free food, and how to rip off payphones. I think its time for a new revised edition, though. This book also portrays the culture of the 1960's Vietnam era. It is full of interesting pictures. Buy this book, or better yet, steal it from your local barnes and noble

I really like Hoffman because he brought humor and fun into the struggle. I suggest you also read his autobiography

What Abbie Hoffman accomplished that so few revolutionaries did was to take the entire concept of rebellion and uprising and turn it inside out with humor and fun. He understood the pure insanity behind the fighting that turns brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor. Abbie realized the potential of "Protest as Theatre," and took that concept to a new extreme. Nowhere is that more apparent than in this classic book.

Abbie was an American Rebel, Robin Hood, and Groucho Marx all rolled in to one, but most of all he was just Abbie Hoffman -- an incredibly unique human being.

Too bad there are no rebels like Hoffman, Rubin, and the Black Panthers anymore. This country is going to hell, and all we do is stare at the TV screen. Abbie, we need you!

This book was the BIBLE for street survival. The cons, tips, etc. are SEVERELY DATED by todays standards. But as a runaway, living on the streets of N.Y.C. in the early 70's, ALL THE SCAMS WORKED. I probably would have ended up having to GO HOME, were it not for the information in this book. Todays readers may find it a comical view of the "Revolution", but the people in the know, will tell you it was the greatest thing since the "Welfare Check". I STILL have my original copy (stolen from a bookstore, of course). REQUIRED READING for anyone studying the hippie revolution of the 60's

Don't buy this book--steal it for free! Just do a google search, and find the website with the full text. They offer hard copies for ten dollars, 45 cents less than Amazon. Proceeds go to charity.

There are many self-help books on the market today. Trouble is most of them suck. This book is a veritable tome of information on how to live anywhere on little or no money, along with how to cook, travel, and support yourself forever.