Creating Anarchy

by Ron Sakolsky

This anthology of Sakolsky’s essays contains 20 chapters in a dynamic collage of ideas and action. Born at the beginning of a new century, this vibrant collection glows with flames of discontent and defiance and flows with waves of laughter and possibility. Ranging widely from Mayday to Utopia, from Refusal to Autonomy, and from Insurrection to Imagination, this compilation is in turn defiant, reflective, and playful—a brick for hurling through the windows of despair and a doorway to creating an anarchy that is not afraid to dream. Most of these new and selected writings have been published before in a diverse array of dissident publications (before being reworked and remixed for this book) Alternative Press Review, A Journal of Desire Armed, Black Sun, Confluence, Fifth Estate, Green Anarchy, Je Ne Sais Quoi, Lip (on-line), Minus Tides, The Oystercatcher, Social Anarchism, and Utopian Studies. Two are culled from previously published volumes (one written for Rebel Musics, edited by Daniel Fischlin and Ajay Heble, and the other from the introduction to the Autonomedia anthology which Ron Sakolsky edited, Surrealist Subversions). All are bathed in the subversive light of anarchy and mad love. A much needed collection from a vastly underappreciated contemporary anarchist writer, teacher, thinker, and organizer.

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[xDEAD ENDx · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reeks of anti-globalization era liberal activism.

Art, poetry, music, etc.–the whole Surrealist project–is neither revolutionary nor confrontational. Almost all of the pieces are boringly written and have all the usual buzzwords (justice, democracy, consensus) that make me nauseous.

The only slightly redeeming essay in here is "Surrealist Desire, Anarchy & the Poetry of Revolt," if only because it is historical rather than personal/experiential. I'm shocked an otherwise amazing publisher would release this.

[ػᶈᶏϾӗ]

There are a couple good essays in here, but I don't care much for the style.