Anarchist & Radical Book Club discussion

Hello everyone!

I recently took an interest in anarchism and other leftist ideology in general. I was wondering if someone could suggest anarchist books that would be foundational or particularly interesting. I have read On Anarchism by Chomsky and will be reading On Anarchism by Bakunin soon. Thanks for your help!

Hey Lucas! There's a section further down on the group called foundations, that's kind of a work in progress for book suggestions for anything that is foundational for various strains of anarchism or anti state /autonomist theory.

The anarchism 101 section is located here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thank you so much! Will check it out

No problem! If there are any areas of interest that aren't covered please reach out.

I enjoyed Loren Lomasky's book, Persons, Rights and the Moral Community.

Walter wrote: "I enjoyed Loren Lomasky's book, Persons, Rights and the Moral Community."

What is this foundational for, Walter? Discourses on rights don't seem to be particularly relevant to anarchism. Or are they not inherently statist? Inalienable rights are redundant to anarchism.

For moral community see Nietzsche.

I don't know what "foundational for" means. I suggested this because Lomansky is anti-statist and a very good writer--though I disagree with most of what he's written.

Anyhow, you should read him before offering a critique: you'd probably like this book more than I do. (And, btw, I've read Nietzsche--thanks.)

Walter wrote: "I don't know what "foundational for" means. I suggested this because Lomansky is anti-statist and a very good writer--though I disagree with most of what he's written.

Anyhow, you should read him..."

I didn't mean this to come off as especially off the cuff. The first post in this thread asked for texts that are foundational for anarchism. This book (without reading it) seems more about anarcho-capitalism and I don't personally don't know any rights discourse that doesn't necessitate or require a state to uphold them.

Whether they get "upheld" or not, rights and rights talk are common themes among anarchists. I don't believe in them myself, whether or not there's anything like a state or a gun around to "uphold" them.

Walter wrote: "Whether they get "upheld" or not, rights and rights talk are common themes among anarchists. I don't believe in them myself, whether or not there's anything like a state or a gun around to "uphold"..."

This has not been my experience. But we all experience the world a little differently, right?

For me one of the best books - still - as an introduction to anarchism is Daniel Guerin's Anarchism https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

It covers the main ideas; where we differ from other socialist traditions and why; how anarchism went from being just a good idea to being a central part of some really impressive mass movements - as well some of the problems it encountered in doing so. Guerin's book doesn't cover everything - few books do - but he brings to the table a class struggle perspective which - for me - is essential.

For a good history, A History of Anarchism by Marshall is comprehensive. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...

Hope these suggestions are of help.