Table of Contents

Preface to the 1986 edition

1. Prologue

Part One: The Idea

2. The Family Tree

3. The Man of Reason

4. The Egoist

5. The Man of Paradox

6. The Destructive Urge

7. The Explorer

8. The Prophet

Part Two: The Movement

9. International Endeavours

10. Anarchism in France

11. Anarchism in Italy

12. Anarchism in Spain

13. Anarchism in Russia

14. Various Traditions: Anarchism in Latin America, Northern Europe, Britain, and the United States

15. Epilogue

Index

Promotional Information

Woodcock's thoughtful appraisals, careful research, and graceful writing skillfully demonstrate the importance of anarchism as a historical movement. At the same time, his compassion and generosity of spirit make plain the relevance of anarchism to our own age of capital, empire, and the surveillance state. His book remains the essential introduction to the classical anarchist thinkers. -- Mark Leier, Director, Centre for Labour Studies, Simon Fraser University

About the Author

George Woodcock (1912-1995), internationally acclaimed intellectual historian and man of letters, was the author of dozens of books, including the classic biography Gabriel Dumont: The Metis Chief and His Lost World and the Governor-General's Award-winning George Orwell: The Crystal Spirit.

Reviews

Woodcock's thoughtful appraisals, careful research, and graceful writing skillfully demonstrate the importance of anarchism as a historical movement. At the same time, his compassion and generosity of spirit make plain the relevance of anarchism to our own age of capital, empire, and the surveillance state. His book remains the essential introduction to the classical anarchist thinkers.--Mark Leier, Director, Centre for Labour Studies, Simon Fraser University