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sleepingnerd's review against another edition
5.0
“The freedom we want, for ourselves and for others, is not an absolute metaphysical, abstract freedom which in practice is inevitably translated into the oppression of the weak; but it is real freedom, possible freedom, which is the conscious community of interests, voluntary solidarity. We proclaim the maxim do as you wish, and with it we almost summarise our programme, for we maintain — and it doesn’t take much to understand why — that in a harmonious society, in a society without government and without property, each one will want what he must do.”
A very fascinating book! My knowledge of anarchy was vague at best, so this was a great introduction, especially because Malatesta's writing is clear and acessible. He answers a lot of question often posed against anarchism, as well as explains some basic concepts, so this was very useful. I'm eager to read more books and learn more about anarchy!
reibureibu's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Malatesta's account of anarchism seems greatly like marxism (I'm a fan) without governmental structure (I'm unsure), which surely is the point. I can't really say I believe any sort of anarchism would work in the 21st-century, but that's no fault of a text written right before the 20th and if this is what anarchist literature is like then I'm certainly keen on reading more from them.
moneyspider's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
mcwyss's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent introduction to anarchism, Malatesta confronts head-on the common questions and objections to anarchy. In each instance his answers are creative, insightful, and well thought out. However, this form is also its weakness. Malatesta has ideas I agree with more than Marx, but he could learn from the engaging prose and storytelling of The Communist Manifesto. The question/objection and answer format does well to alleviate confusion but not as much to justify anarchism and convince the reader of its necessity. I would still recommend this book to anyone new to the anti-capitalist Left, socialism, or anarchism.
platanus's review against another edition
I don't know how to rate this. It was the first work on anarchism I read, so I don't have any real measures.
It's obviously old, both in some of its examples from the social structure of animals as well as the way it's written.
Also some of the approach to the potential and skills of people comes over as extremely naive, esp taken into account that we don't have a clear idea of for instance how a technician, a physician, or even a carpenter would become one outside the system.
It didn't answer any questions I had, and only mildly clarified a few details.
Since it's more of a pamphlet than a real book and takes little effort to read I'm glad I did it.
It's obviously old, both in some of its examples from the social structure of animals as well as the way it's written.
Also some of the approach to the potential and skills of people comes over as extremely naive, esp taken into account that we don't have a clear idea of for instance how a technician, a physician, or even a carpenter would become one outside the system.
It didn't answer any questions I had, and only mildly clarified a few details.
Since it's more of a pamphlet than a real book and takes little effort to read I'm glad I did it.