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vanerpje's review
5.0
An excellent overview of anarchist theory, but the highlight is Chomsky’s discussion of gaps in discussion about gaps in scholarship about the popular revolution of the Spanish Civil War. Pairs well with more centrist, liberal writings that typically dominate the discussion of the Spanish Civil War.
aldoojeda's review against another edition
informative
3.75
Good collection of musing on anarchism by Chomsky. You can really get an idea on his thinking. Namely, that any authority must be justified and if you can't do it —without falling into circular arguments like "we need a State because we need a State" that many socialists fall into—, then it should be dismantled. Chomsky also thinks that you should work with the current structures, even if you oppose to them, to help move society towards a place where more can be done. For example, the State should intervine to control capitalists. The thing is, I believe, if you give too much power to these structures, then it becomes harder and harder to remove them.
A fourth of the book was focused on the Spanish revolution. I undestand that many groups and societies created during this era are the best examples we have of anarchism. But the 56 pages that form make three could be synthesized into this line: "The great weakness of the revolution [...] was the fact that it was not carried through to completition. In part this was because of war; in part, a consequence of the policies of the central goverment". Instead, Chomsky spends a lot of time criticizing the words of Jackson's Spanish Republic and Civil War.
A fourth of the book was focused on the Spanish revolution. I undestand that many groups and societies created during this era are the best examples we have of anarchism. But the 56 pages that form make three could be synthesized into this line: "The great weakness of the revolution [...] was the fact that it was not carried through to completition. In part this was because of war; in part, a consequence of the policies of the central goverment". Instead, Chomsky spends a lot of time criticizing the words of Jackson's Spanish Republic and Civil War.
shutupem's review against another edition
I have not finished this book but I am finished with this book.
How is it that such a short book can be such a slog, I give up. It is mostly about the Spanish Civil War (which is relevant at least) but I feel like if you don't already have some vague background knowledge this is NOT a good way to learn about it. It is also not really a good way to learn about anarchism. I do not know who this book is for at all.
How is it that such a short book can be such a slog, I give up. It is mostly about the Spanish Civil War (which is relevant at least) but I feel like if you don't already have some vague background knowledge this is NOT a good way to learn about it. It is also not really a good way to learn about anarchism. I do not know who this book is for at all.
rawrres1's review against another edition
2.0
Well, I though this was a very confusing book but oh well. So many tangents and when there are the interview chapters I feel like no true answer is given to the questions.
One part I did not enjoy is the whole section on the Spanish civil war, it was interesting but some of the info was irrelevant I would say or maybe just unmemorable.
However, there were plenty of parts within this book I liked such as Noam's backstory in New York or wherever and the light he shines on old anarchist-socialist movements in the 1850's in America along with his explanation on how the press had more freedom then. I also enjoyed his study on Israeli Kibbutz settlements. Furthermore, towards the end of the book, while I didn't enjoy the whole section on linguistics, I liked the many references to Humboldt, Kant and Rousseau and his discussion on human freedom. Furthermore, I enjoyed his expansion on Simon Linguet's theory that the existence of Capitalism may be worse than that of slavery, as within slavery, the person working is important for producing for the master their profits and therefore are important in the riches capital. However, under capitalism where the formerly enslaved are now 'free', they are shackled by the fact that now, the 'handicraftsman costs nothing to the rich voluptuary who employs him' and for a theory written in 1767, it is highly analytical, however I do not claim to agree with this.
Overall: Meh
One part I did not enjoy is the whole section on the Spanish civil war, it was interesting but some of the info was irrelevant I would say or maybe just unmemorable.
However, there were plenty of parts within this book I liked such as Noam's backstory in New York or wherever and the light he shines on old anarchist-socialist movements in the 1850's in America along with his explanation on how the press had more freedom then. I also enjoyed his study on Israeli Kibbutz settlements. Furthermore, towards the end of the book, while I didn't enjoy the whole section on linguistics, I liked the many references to Humboldt, Kant and Rousseau and his discussion on human freedom. Furthermore, I enjoyed his expansion on Simon Linguet's theory that the existence of Capitalism may be worse than that of slavery, as within slavery, the person working is important for producing for the master their profits and therefore are important in the riches capital. However, under capitalism where the formerly enslaved are now 'free', they are shackled by the fact that now, the 'handicraftsman costs nothing to the rich voluptuary who employs him' and for a theory written in 1767, it is highly analytical, however I do not claim to agree with this.
Overall: Meh
lookhome's review
4.0
Chomsky presents a quick overview of anarchism and its ideals.
I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of the Revolution in Catalonia and I found the large portion of this book devoted to the subject extremely well researched.
The book presents the basic concepts and tenets of anarchism in a simply, straightforward manner.
While I would have enjoyed further elaboration on the subject, it is only a little over 200 pages, and for its length there's still plenty to savour and enjoy.
If you liked K. Le Guin's The Dispossessed, I believe you would enjoy reading this.
I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of the Revolution in Catalonia and I found the large portion of this book devoted to the subject extremely well researched.
The book presents the basic concepts and tenets of anarchism in a simply, straightforward manner.
While I would have enjoyed further elaboration on the subject, it is only a little over 200 pages, and for its length there's still plenty to savour and enjoy.
If you liked K. Le Guin's The Dispossessed, I believe you would enjoy reading this.
millenialiam's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Short but covers a lot of interesting history of worker’s movements around the world. Interesting arguments in favour of libertarian socialism as Chomsky calls it.
marionhoney's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A bit dense to understand in places