Anarchism: From Theory to Practice

by Daniel Guérin

Book Overview

"One of the ablest leaders and writers of the French New Left describes the two realms of 'anarchism'-its intellectual substance, and its actual practice through the Bolshevik Revolution, the Spanish... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0853451753
• ISBN13: 9780853451754
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: Monthly Review Press
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Anarchism at it's best

This book is absolutly the best book I have read on the subject of Anarchism. I wasn't able to put it down, ripping through it in two days, and reading through it again! Guerin does a fabulous job outlining the history of Anarchist thought and thinkers. I would also recommend his 'No Gods, No Masters', for a great collection of Anarchist writings.This book is perfect for those already interessted in the movement, as well as people just looking to learn a bit about it. Also perfect for all those young "Anarchists" who think anarchy is about blowing $#!7 up (far to many of my friends fall into this, hopefully I can pull them out of it....).

Best slim volume intro out there

I read this book in a day, and filled the margins with many, many notes, something I rarely do. Clearly, Gruien doesn't cover every aspect of Anarchism, but for a brief introduction to Proudhon, Bakhunin and Kropotkin, it is the best out there. And, our very own American Anarchist Noam Chomsky did the introduction, which is just as good as anything in the book (Hell, his intro is half the reason I bought the book). Plus, it is a very well bound book. The pages are sturdy, the print clear, and the size small yet durable, something you really don't find in many Political books... Very recommended.

A Brief History of Anarchism

Wonderful overview of the ideas and actions of anarchism. Includes commentary on the Russian Revolution, Spanish Revolution, the distinctions between libertarian and authoritarian socialism, and the words of such essential thinkers as Proudhon and Malatesta, to name only a few. Also includes a brief but enlightening introduction from Chomsky that serves to place anarchism and its historical development in a broader and historical context. All in all, a worthwhile and valuable contribution for those searching for information on this neglected (at least in the United States)component of political/philosophical discourse.

THE book for understanding anarchism.

If you had to get ONE book on anarchism, this is the one to get. No book covers more ground in fewer pages, and leaves the reader with a better understanding of the theory, history, and practice of anarchism.Daniel Guerin walks the reader through it all, neatly dividing it into three parts: the origins of the ideas in part 1; the assorted approaches to the theory in part 2; and the revolutionary practice in part 3, going up to the late 1960s (the book came out in 1970).The bibliography is also a valuable resource, as Guerin breaks it down topically, so readers can read more on their own.This book puts the lie to anyone who equates anarchism with violence and turmoil, revealing it instead to be a sincere effort of working class people to build a better world.

"Anarchism" - a well-known introduction to the movement

Daniel Guerin's "Anarchism" is a wonderful collection of anarchist history, with a special bent on anarcho-syndicalism. The book itself is famous, but it is also well-known for its introduction by linguist and anarchist Noam Chomsky. "Anarchism" serves well as an introduction to anarchist thought, bringing the reader far beyond the typical misconceptions of anarchism that predominate the media.