The titular essay in this book is mostly slogans. Better explanations of anarchism may be found in such writers as Kropotkin, Bakunin, and Tolstoy.

That said, the rest of the essays are trenchant and specific social criticisms, well worth reading for their perspective. ( )

Emma Goldman portrays anarchism as a profoundly liberating philosophy that challenges people to think for themselves, express opinions freely, and avoid the blandness of conventional wisdom. On the opening pages, she exhorts us to cease seeking peer social approval and begin forming independent ideas and perspectives. On the subsequent pages she exemplifies independent though.

The chapters cover diverse ground. In one chapter, she seeks to persuade the reader not to judge acts of anarchist violence harshly, but to understand them in the context of a corrupt and repressive society. Surprisingly, in another chapter she argues against giving women the right to vote, but only because she saw elections as meaningless. The last chapter is an interesting review of plays, such as those of Ibsen, that reveals the deficiencies in our culture in a more effective way than polemics. ( )

In my opinion it is past time to begin researching political alternatives and for me that starts with thinking and challenging my base ideals. Goldman's insights were helpful in what is going to be an ongoing process. It was challenging to not judge this book harshly due to its racial paternalism, binarist, sex negative, heteronormative bent due to the time period in which it was written but that being said Goldman makes a very compelling case not just for the idea of Anarchism but also for human potential. A point that come across much stronger give the hi-jinks of our current election cycle. I must admit it would be amazing if we could have a world where we didn't need a government and Goldman believes that such a thing is not only possible but a moral imperative for us to pursue b/c of what governments require. For most of us Anarchism and Other Essays read carefully will challenge us to think carefully about our consent to be governed. ( )

I love Emma Goldman. I don’t always agree with her, and that figures, since these essays were written a century ago. So many attitudes have shifted since then. Emma’s statements about women’s nature, her horror of “perversion” – these are limiting beliefs that she didn’t know she had. At one point in her book, she claims that she’s overcome all prejudice.

But so much of what she says is right on, and so much is clarifying. And there’s so much that the world has yet to learn.

It’s sad that this passionate, idealistic woman was so demonized in her time. She was held responsible for every act of political violence, just because she dared to say that the murder of a political figure is not worse than the systematic oppression of hundreds of people – in prisons, in factories, in mines, every hour of every day.

And is the world still resting on the backs of these people? That hasn’t changed in 100 years. We could use Emma these days.

Quote from the book:
“The contention that a standing army and navy is the best security of peace is about as logical as the claim that the most peaceful citizen is he who goes about heavily armed.”
( )

I love Emma Goldman. I don’t always agree with her, and that figures, since these essays were written a century ago. So many attitudes have shifted since then. Emma’s statements about women’s nature, her horror of “perversion” – these are limiting beliefs that she didn’t know she had. At one point in her book, she claims that she’s overcome all prejudice.

But so much of what she says is right on, and so much is clarifying. And there’s so much that the world has yet to learn.

It’s sad that this passionate, idealistic woman was so demonized in her time. She was held responsible for every act of political violence, just because she dared to say that the murder of a political figure is not worse than the systematic oppression of hundreds of people – in prisons, in factories, in mines, every hour of every day.

And is the world still resting on the backs of these people? That hasn’t changed in 100 years. We could use Emma these days.

Quote from the book:
“The contention that a standing army and navy is the best security of peace is about as logical as the claim that the most peaceful citizen is he who goes about heavily armed.”
( )