
An insightful guide to the foundations of anarchist thought, this work opens by asking what the term “anarchism” truly means. The author carefully dissects the concepts of law, the state, and property, laying out a clear framework before turning to the ideas of the movement’s most influential figures. Readers are led through a logical progression that clarifies each thinker’s core arguments while keeping the discussion accessible and focused.
The bulk of the book consists of meticulously selected quotations from pioneers such as Godwin, Proudhon, Stirner, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Tucker and Tolstoy, presented alongside the author’s commentary. This blend of primary sources and analysis offers a balanced view, allowing listeners to hear the voices of the original writers while benefiting from a thoughtful, impartial interpretation. Ideal for anyone curious about the philosophical roots of anarchism, the volume provides a solid grounding without venturing into later controversies or outcomes.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (499K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2011-07-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1868–1928
A German legal scholar and writer, he is best remembered for a clear, influential study of anarchist thought that introduced many readers to the movement's leading thinkers. His career also moved through academia, politics, and public debate in the unsettled years of early twentieth-century Germany.
View all books