Books, books, books. It never ends.
-
#anarchism #anarchist #AnarchistReadingList #AnarchistBooks #FuckCapitalism #FuckFascism

@adamburck @nielspflaeging

Just as a quick example, not that I endorse all these ideas but just to scratch the surface on some of the ideas floating around, this was posted recently:

https://kolektiva.social/@KevinCarson1/109570461078273711

This is an interesting collection of examples of anarchistic practices to point the way towards how things might work:

"Anarchy Works"
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/peter-gelderloos-anarchy-works

If you really want to deep-dive into what anarchists really believe you will find these links enlightening:

"Anarchists are not naïve about human nature"
https://anarchopac.com/2022/02/28/anarchists-are-not-naive-about-human-nature/

Anarchism and Democracy
https://anarchopac.com/2022/04/15/anarchism-and-democracy/

In-depth editorial on the state of anarchists today and economic planning
https://strangematters.coop/libertarian-socialism-economic-planning-anarchist-supply-chains/

Lastly, these books by Widerquist and McCall are incredibly important:

"Prehistoric Myths in Modern Political Philosophy"
http://oapen.org/download?type=document&docid=625284

"The Prehistory of Private Property: Implications for Modern Political Theory"
https://works.bepress.com/widerquist/117/download/

#capitalism #AnarchistReadingList

"maybe do some reading."

Excellent idea, here are some suggestions:

"Prehistoric Myths in Modern Political Philosophy"
by Karl Widerquist and Grant S. McCall
http://oapen.org/download?type=document&docid=625284

"The Prehistory of Private Property: Implications for Modern Political Theory"
by Karl Widerquist and Grant S. McCall
https://works.bepress.com/widerquist/117/download/

“Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!”
by David Graeber
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/david-graeber-are-you-an-anarchist-the-answer-may-surprise-you

“The Invention of Capitalism”
by Michael Perelman
https://files.libcom.org/files/2022-05/The%20Invention%20of%20Capitalism.pdf

Then there is this excellent list (including plenty of history) from @Anark, I've not read everything in it but I'm working on it (I especially liked Malatesta's "At the Cafe", and Graeber's books are essential, I've read "Debt" but still looking forward to reading "Dawn"):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KDEM4AzinLVFQZGDljFriiMwWFn73IIIlp26LwEasK0/edit?usp=sharing

#capitalism #AnarchistReadingList #anarchism

attn: @YusufToropov

#AnarchistReadingList
"An Anarchist Guide to Christmas" by Ruth Kinna
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/ruth-kinna-an-anarchist-guide-to-christmas
A short essay about Kropotkin and #Christmas that explores the concept of mutual aid deeply embedded in the spirit of the holiday. I hope yall have warm feelings this season regardless of what you celebrate, full of community and solidarity and love.
#anarchism #anarchy #anarchist #socialism #communism #readinglist

#AnarchistReadingList
Capital, Vol. 1 by Karl Marx
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1867-c1/index.htm
There's a bearded man coming to town who loves the color red, and he's here to redistribute the wealth to all the good boys and girls.
Marx is a controversial figure, but a lot of people discuss his ideas without ever really understanding what the hell his ideas actually were. It does not help that this is a confusing, dense book. Unfortunately, that's just the nature of what is being discussed. These are hard ideas to grok. Give it time, mull it over, talk about it with friends. I've been part of several reading groups specifically for this book and its sequels, so I recommend that route if it's available to you.
#Anarchism #anarchy #anarchist #marxism #socialism #communism #leftism #marxist #socialist #communist #theory #readtheory #readinglist #capitalism #capital

#AnarchistReadingList
"The Principles of Anarchism" by Lucy Parsons
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/lucy-e-parsons-the-principles-of-anarchism
I feel bad doing Lucy dirty like that and calling her a shitlib so here's a lecture she gave collected in the anthology by Gale Ahrens. This one I agree with wholeheartedly, not that it should matter.
#Anarchism #Anarchy #readinglist #socialism #communism #leftist #readtheory

#AnarchistReadingList
"A Wise Move" by Lucy Parsons
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/lucy-e-parsons-a-wise-move
Lucy Parsons must be regarded as one of the great titans of anarchist thought, almost beyond reproach. I disagree with nearly every word written in this short letter. I believe today, the technical term would be "shitlib anarkiddie with a truly hot take"?
She founded the IWW, she was known as "more dangerous than a thousand rioters" merely by her speeches, and she was intimately involved in the seminal moment of American anarchism, the Haymarket Affair. She's one of those writers I truly adore, and I strongly encourage reading anything and everything by her you can find.
#Anarchism #Anarchy #readinglist #theory #readtheory #IWW #LucyParsons #Wobblies #socialism #leftism #leftist #communism

#AnarchistReadingList
*KAH THUNK*
"An Anarchist FAQ" by various
https://www.anarchistfaq.org/afaq/index.html
*slams this 9001 page beast of a tome on your desk*
This? This right here is the anarchist rulebook. If you don't agree with absolutely EVERYTHING written in this, then I'm sorry you are in violation and are going to anarchy jail.
No, but seriously this is a great resource and covers many of the talking points made against anarchist ideology. It is well researched and points to tons of other great texts on anarchist theory, political philosophy, and economics. It's not the kinda book you read cover to cover, so use it like a reference manual when you have specific questions.
#Anarchism #Anarchy #theory #readinglist #readtheory #leftist #libertarian #libertariansocialism #anarchocommunism #anarchistFAQ

#AnarchistReadingList
Triple the recommendations today
"The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury
"The Library of Babel" by Jorge Luis Borges
"Vaster Than Empires, and More Slow" by Ursula K. Le Guin
If I can steal the words of others, I'd like to tell a story. There is a through line here, just trust me. Each of these is frustrating in a different way. The frustration of the individual against society, the frustration of reality against itself, and the frustration of society against the individual. These are just works of fiction, sure. But if you demand that I only include boring political screeds in my anarchist reading list, I will say fuck off don't tell me what to do. Reading should be fun.
#anarchism #anarchy #readinglist #literature #shortstory #sciencefiction

#AnarchistReadingList
"What's the Point If We Can't Have Fun?" by David Graeber.
https://thebaffler.com/salvos/whats-the-point-if-we-cant-have-fun
I love David's writing, and I mean love like real love. If you've never read Graeber before, this is as good a starting point as any.
#anachism #anarchy #anarchisttheory #readinglist #leftist #INeverReallyUnderstoodHowToUseHashtags #ButIDoWantToShareDavidsWritingWithAsManyPeopleAsPossible

#AnarchistReadingList
Peter Kropotkin's "The Scientific Basis of Anarchism"
https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/kropotkin-peter/1887/scibasis.htm
I would like to pair this short essay with the even shorter "Every Anarchist Should Be A Scientist" by Isis Lovecruft ( @isis altho i think that account is now defunct?)
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/isis-lovecruft-every-anarchist-should-be-a-scientist
Now, you could read both of those in a single sitting. I took a full week to digest both. Both authors make tons of references to their contemporaries, and those referenced works make further references. I think it's helpful to understand things in context and to check the author's methodology, just as one should do when reading a purely scientific paper.
I have my critiques of Kropotkin's essay, but the basic idea that anarchism is based in scientific reasoning I definitely agree. I would go so far to say that science has a basis in anarchic tendencies, of questioning and challenging authority and orthodoxy and demanding justification with evidence.

#AnarchistReadingList
Time for Outrage! by Stephane Hessel. Speaking of deep cuts from 2010 and the early Occupy movement, this is another polemic I think well worth a read. This text, more than many others of its contemporaries, is responsible for moving the tides of history. It is crucial for understanding the Occupy movement of a decade ago, which lead to many of the current strands of #Anarchist thought alive and thriving today. I would argue that if you want to understand the modern Left, obviously start with 18th and 19th century socialists, but then end up in this century with Indignez Vous!

#AnarchistReadingList
The Telekommunist Manifesto by Dmytri Kleiner ( @dk ). I first heard about this on a livestream of a Chaos Communications Congress talk like over a decade ago? Joining the fediverse reminded me of some of the points this manifesto makes. I want to say this was formative to my political leanings and belief in copyright abolition, but obviously I was already watching CCC talks about how to break the Nintendo Wii and joining my local Occupy protests, so take that for what you will. I still recommend giving this book a read.

Book Hunters on Ridgway Street in Whanganui, Aotearoa is ALWAYS worth a visit whenever I'm in town. Look at these tasty pukapuka!
-
#anarchistreadinglist #Marx #Trotsky #ArabicScience #Whaikōrero #MāoriOratory #Māori

Laursen, Eric. 'Getting the Word Out By Any Means Necessary: The First Twenty-Five Years of AK Press'. AK Press, 2015.
-
Scored this for free from Ana at Book Haven/The Freedom Shop in Newtown, Wellington. Thanks, homie!
-
I loved this essay/booklet, been looking for it for a while now. Serendipitous to find it at my fave anarchist infoshop. It's an inspiring read, a snapshot of the way AK Press was founded and evolved over 25 yrs, from the UK to the US, the major shifts in its publishing trajectory and the problems they've had to maneuver.
-
Anyone who has had even a tangential involvement with The Beautiful Idea will know AK and their work. The bulk of my anarchist library is work they've published. And in November, my first piece of writing in print is coming out in an anthology published by AK.
-
I loved reading this celebration of AK Press, a short and welcome diversion from work in the garden yesterday. My mind wandered frequently, inspired by the events mentioned by Laursen. Big ups to AK Press!
-
#anarchism #anarchist #anarchistreadinglist #AKPress #revolutionbythebook #EricLaursen #BookHaven #TheFreedomShop #anarchistbooks #anarchistpublishing