Anarchist & Radical Book Club discussion

As the Work discussion quiets down (though there's still a lot to respond to there), let's start considering the next book to read. What have you been itching to get started on? Conversely, what has you intimidated and needing a nudge or support to get through? Any ideas for fiction, poetry, or theater?

Let's SUGGEST BOOKS UNTIL 11 JAN
[you can get ideas from the group bookshelf]
then we'll discuss and choose by 18 JAN

I'll throw a couple of my ideas out there:


I'm halfway through this fairly heavy history of class-focused anarchist theory, and really learning a lot. Would love to hear whether some of the folks here agree or don't with their analysis (abclaret.... thinkin of you).


Consistently recommended to me as one of the most inspirational autobios out there.


Recent release by a founder of Common Ground, the anarchist mutual aid relief organization in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. I volunteered there for about a month, and am interested to see how Crow frames it and what he includes.

I second Society of the Spectacle.

I know there is amazon, but when you suggest American aimed releases, the chances of me getting them from a library, or loaning them from someone are almost slim to none. And I am based in the UK.

I would err on the side of something online, and for the sake of an expansive discussion - something theoritical, aiming towards the controversial.

Point taken, thanks. Black Flame is actually by UK authors, though not sure about the publishers. Any specific ideas?

I would read Society of the Spectacle but not super excited by it; I read it a long while back already.

Not all that keen on Black Flame, I also have reservations over Society of the Spectacle given how fresh Vaneigems book is in my memory. Would suggest, as a few ideas;

Daniel Guerin - Anarchism: From Theory to Practice

Kropotkin - Conquest of Bread

Anton Pannekoek - Workers Councils

Igariwey & Mbah - African Anarchism

Bell Hooks - Killing Rage: Ending Racism

Bell Hooks - Feminist Theory from Margin to Center

First four available online for free.

Oh I am so into all of these! And I actually just got African Anarchism from the library. Hooks is one of my favorite authors and any of the others sound good though maybe Kropotkin first of the three.

OK, poll is up; as always let's try to discuss to come to a book most people are interested in reading.

So Conquest of Bread got 7 votes in the poll, with Society of the Spectacle following with 2. For those who didn't vote for Conquest of Bread, are you cool with reading Kropotkin, given the interest?

Sure I am.

I'm in for conquest of bread.

I'm cool with reading Conquest of Bread. Been reading it for last 6 months & halfway through. It's the kind of book you want to discuss its ideas with others so it would be perfect. (Would also motivate me to finish!)