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Direct Action & Sabotage: Three Classic IWW Pamphlets from the 1910s
'Direct Action & Sabotage' (1912) by William Trautman, ' It's History, Philosophy And Function' (1913) by Walker Smith, and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn's ' The Conscious Withdrawal Of The Workers' Industrial Efficiency' (1916), edited, and with an introduction by Salvatore Salerno. "The activist authors of the text s in this collection challenged the prevailing stereotype....As they point out, the practice of direct action, and of sabotage, are as old as class society itself, and have been an integral part of the everyday worklife of wage-earners in all times and places. To the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) belongs the distinction of being the first workers' organization in the US to discuss these common practices openly, and to recognize their place in working class struggle. View direct action and sabotage in the spirit of creative nonviolence, Wobblies readily integrated these tactics into their struggle to build industrial unions." [From the Introduction]
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
34 books14 followersA labor leader, activist, and feminist who played a leading role in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Flynn was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union and a visible proponent of women's rights, birth control, and women's suffrage. She joined the American Communist Party in 1936 and late in life, in 1961, became its chairwoman. She died during a visit to the Soviet Union, where she was accorded a state funeral.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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July 17, 2018A really enjoyable read, and a great intro to the IWW because they’re primary sources literally designed to briefly introduce you to (and persuade you of) some of the labor tactics and philosophies of the IWW. Also, a very prescient read in that the Amazon warehouse strikers and boycott were not far from my mind.
May 31, 2017
I'm not hostile to anarchists they often supply good critiques or analyses but their solutions I am less convinced by.
Direct Action is a concept I agree with in theory. In practice Direct Action succeeds only in superficial change. The best example I can think of is the assassinations undertaken by the Russian Anarchist groups in the 19th century which while changing the composition of the Czarist government did not succeed in toppling Czarism. That is of course not to say that in some way they did not serve a greater purpose as Russia did throw off Czarism eventually merely that Direct Action alone without a greater goal or organization behind it is unfocused and ineffective.
Direct Action is a concept I agree with in theory. In practice Direct Action succeeds only in superficial change. The best example I can think of is the assassinations undertaken by the Russian Anarchist groups in the 19th century which while changing the composition of the Czarist government did not succeed in toppling Czarism. That is of course not to say that in some way they did not serve a greater purpose as Russia did throw off Czarism eventually merely that Direct Action alone without a greater goal or organization behind it is unfocused and ineffective.
November 7, 2021
The only reason they have not suppressed this is no one knows about or has any interest in reading it. If workers got a real mind to and applied the contents they’d send Pinkertons to burn them up the way Rockefeller did in Ludlow. Probably a greater more practical threat to the capitalist status quo than the manifesto, the anarchist cookbook or Mao’s little red one put together, with the additional benefit of wonderful political cartoons. Also contains some fascinating insights into Minnesotan organizing history from the early 1900’s, and the state’s context in and contributions to important nascent struggles of the burgeoning labor movement.
March 11, 2026
The Gist
Originally published as a series of pamphlets for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the early 1910s, Direct Action and Sabotage is a foundational text of American radicalism. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn—famously dubbed "The Rebel Girl" by Joe Hill—doesn’t offer a dry academic theory here. Instead, she provides a gritty, practical manual on how workers can exert power without waiting for politicians or slow-moving legal systems.
Core Themes
• Direct Action vs. Political Action: Flynn argues that real change happens at the "point of production." She critiques the idea that voting or waiting for legislation is the primary way to win rights, advocating instead for strikes, sit-downs, and onsite pressure.
• The Nuance of Sabotage: For those expecting a manual on explosions, Flynn might surprise you. She defines sabotage primarily as the "withdrawal of efficiency." From "going slow" (the strike on the job) to following every single rule to the letter to gum up the works, she argues that sabotage is about hitting the employer's profits, not harming humans.
• Empowerment of the Rank-and-File: The book is deeply democratic. Flynn’s focus is on the collective intelligence of the workers themselves, rather than top-down leadership from union bureaucrats.
Why It Matters Today
While the industrial landscape of 1912 looks very different from our modern gig economy and tech-heavy workplace, Flynn’s logic remains strikingly relevant. In an era of "quiet quitting" and renewed labor organizing at major corporations, her definitions of "conscientious withdrawal of efficiency" feel like they were written last week rather than a century ago.
The Pros
• Accessible Prose: Flynn was an orator first, and it shows. The writing is punchy, direct, and free of the dense jargon found in other Marxist or Anarchist texts of the era.
• Historical Context: It serves as a vital primary source for understanding the IWW (the "Wobblies") and the radical labor movement in the U.S.
The Cons
• Briefness: It is a quick read—more of an essay or pamphlet than a "book."
• Repetition: Because these were originally separate speeches or articles, some points are hammered home multiple times.
Final Verdict
Whether you are a student of history, a labor activist, or someone interested in the philosophy of protest, this is essential reading. It’s a sharp reminder that the "weekend" and the "8-hour day" weren't gifts—they were won through the very tactics Flynn outlines here.
Favorite Quote: "Sabotage is to the class struggle what guerrilla warfare is to real warfare."
Originally published as a series of pamphlets for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the early 1910s, Direct Action and Sabotage is a foundational text of American radicalism. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn—famously dubbed "The Rebel Girl" by Joe Hill—doesn’t offer a dry academic theory here. Instead, she provides a gritty, practical manual on how workers can exert power without waiting for politicians or slow-moving legal systems.
Core Themes
• Direct Action vs. Political Action: Flynn argues that real change happens at the "point of production." She critiques the idea that voting or waiting for legislation is the primary way to win rights, advocating instead for strikes, sit-downs, and onsite pressure.
• The Nuance of Sabotage: For those expecting a manual on explosions, Flynn might surprise you. She defines sabotage primarily as the "withdrawal of efficiency." From "going slow" (the strike on the job) to following every single rule to the letter to gum up the works, she argues that sabotage is about hitting the employer's profits, not harming humans.
• Empowerment of the Rank-and-File: The book is deeply democratic. Flynn’s focus is on the collective intelligence of the workers themselves, rather than top-down leadership from union bureaucrats.
Why It Matters Today
While the industrial landscape of 1912 looks very different from our modern gig economy and tech-heavy workplace, Flynn’s logic remains strikingly relevant. In an era of "quiet quitting" and renewed labor organizing at major corporations, her definitions of "conscientious withdrawal of efficiency" feel like they were written last week rather than a century ago.
The Pros
• Accessible Prose: Flynn was an orator first, and it shows. The writing is punchy, direct, and free of the dense jargon found in other Marxist or Anarchist texts of the era.
• Historical Context: It serves as a vital primary source for understanding the IWW (the "Wobblies") and the radical labor movement in the U.S.
The Cons
• Briefness: It is a quick read—more of an essay or pamphlet than a "book."
• Repetition: Because these were originally separate speeches or articles, some points are hammered home multiple times.
Final Verdict
Whether you are a student of history, a labor activist, or someone interested in the philosophy of protest, this is essential reading. It’s a sharp reminder that the "weekend" and the "8-hour day" weren't gifts—they were won through the very tactics Flynn outlines here.
Favorite Quote: "Sabotage is to the class struggle what guerrilla warfare is to real warfare."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
The Gist
Originally published as a series of pamphlets for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the early 1910s, Direct Action and Sabotage is a foundational text of American radicalism. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn—famously dubbed "The Rebel Girl" by Joe Hill—doesn’t offer a dry academic theory here. Instead, she provides a gritty, practical manual on how workers can exert power without waiting for politicians or slow-moving legal systems.
Core Themes
• Direct Action vs. Political Action: Flynn argues that real change happens at the "point of production." She critiques the idea that voting or waiting for legislation is the primary way to win rights, advocating instead for strikes, sit-downs, and onsite pressure.
• The Nuance of Sabotage: For those expecting a manual on explosions, Flynn might surprise you. She defines sabotage primarily as the "withdrawal of efficiency." From "going slow" (the strike on the job) to following every single rule to the letter to gum up the works, she argues that sabotage is about hitting the employer's profits, not harming humans.
• Empowerment of the Rank-and-File: The book is deeply democratic. Flynn’s focus is on the collective intelligence of the workers themselves, rather than top-down leadership from union bureaucrats.
Why It Matters Today
While the industrial landscape of 1912 looks very different from our modern gig economy and tech-heavy workplace, Flynn’s logic remains strikingly relevant. In an era of "quiet quitting" and renewed labor organizing at major corporations, her definitions of "conscientious withdrawal of efficiency" feel like they were written last week rather than a century ago.
The Pros
• Accessible Prose: Flynn was an orator first, and it shows. The writing is punchy, direct, and free of the dense jargon found in other Marxist or Anarchist texts of the era.
• Historical Context: It serves as a vital primary source for understanding the IWW (the "Wobblies") and the radical labor movement in the U.S.
The Cons
• Briefness: It is a quick read—more of an essay or pamphlet than a "book."
• Repetition: Because these were originally separate speeches or articles, some points are hammered home multiple times.
Final Verdict
Whether you are a student of history, a labor activist, or someone interested in the philosophy of protest, this is essential reading. It’s a sharp reminder that the "weekend" and the "8-hour day" weren't gifts—they were won through the very tactics Flynn outlines here.
Favorite Quote: "Sabotage is to the class struggle what guerrilla warfare is to real warfare."
Originally published as a series of pamphlets for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the early 1910s, Direct Action and Sabotage is a foundational text of American radicalism. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn—famously dubbed "The Rebel Girl" by Joe Hill—doesn’t offer a dry academic theory here. Instead, she provides a gritty, practical manual on how workers can exert power without waiting for politicians or slow-moving legal systems.
Core Themes
• Direct Action vs. Political Action: Flynn argues that real change happens at the "point of production." She critiques the idea that voting or waiting for legislation is the primary way to win rights, advocating instead for strikes, sit-downs, and onsite pressure.
• The Nuance of Sabotage: For those expecting a manual on explosions, Flynn might surprise you. She defines sabotage primarily as the "withdrawal of efficiency." From "going slow" (the strike on the job) to following every single rule to the letter to gum up the works, she argues that sabotage is about hitting the employer's profits, not harming humans.
• Empowerment of the Rank-and-File: The book is deeply democratic. Flynn’s focus is on the collective intelligence of the workers themselves, rather than top-down leadership from union bureaucrats.
Why It Matters Today
While the industrial landscape of 1912 looks very different from our modern gig economy and tech-heavy workplace, Flynn’s logic remains strikingly relevant. In an era of "quiet quitting" and renewed labor organizing at major corporations, her definitions of "conscientious withdrawal of efficiency" feel like they were written last week rather than a century ago.
The Pros
• Accessible Prose: Flynn was an orator first, and it shows. The writing is punchy, direct, and free of the dense jargon found in other Marxist or Anarchist texts of the era.
• Historical Context: It serves as a vital primary source for understanding the IWW (the "Wobblies") and the radical labor movement in the U.S.
The Cons
• Briefness: It is a quick read—more of an essay or pamphlet than a "book."
• Repetition: Because these were originally separate speeches or articles, some points are hammered home multiple times.
Final Verdict
Whether you are a student of history, a labor activist, or someone interested in the philosophy of protest, this is essential reading. It’s a sharp reminder that the "weekend" and the "8-hour day" weren't gifts—they were won through the very tactics Flynn outlines here.
Favorite Quote: "Sabotage is to the class struggle what guerrilla warfare is to real warfare."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
An accessible introduction to the value of sabotage against the evils of capitalism. Though relying on references to industry and labor organization that are by now mostly outdated, this collection encourages a reframing of the value of sabotage for our modern time and workplace environment.
September 7, 2023
Interesting look into the politics of the IWW and the left at large in the early 20th century regarding sabotage and direct action.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews