Anarchism and Other Essays

By: Emma Goldman

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Among the men and women prominent in the public life of early 20th-century America there are but few whose names are mentioned as often as that of Emma Goldman. Yet the real Emma Goldman is almost quite unknown. The sensational press has surrounded her name with so much misrepresentation and slander, it would seem almost a miracle that, in spite of this web of calumny, the truth breaks through and a better appreciation of this much maligned idealist begins to manifest itself. Here are powerful, penetrating, prophetic essays on direct action, the role of minorities, prison reform, puritan hypocrisy, and violence.

Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

A bit dramatic

Interesting selection of her works. Reader added a bit of a lively holier-than-thou tone.

Emma Goldman was a hero!

Anarchism and Other Essays is a truly epochal text. It laid the foundations for Anarchs-Feminism and influenced countless 20th century and contemporary Anarchists! A must read for any self respecting Leftist and/or Feminist!

The narration is crazy spectacular

It really delivers on an anarchist perspective. It's facinating to see how far we've come and how much further we have to go.

Enlightening

Amazing how relevant Goldman’s essays written so long ago are today. Definitely recommend this book to those on both sides of the political spectrum. Even if you do not agree with everything, challenge yourself to understand the important issues described in this book.

Critical reading for today's world

Written in 1910, every bit of the knowledge that Goldman sought and disseminated here is painfully relevant today. Anarchism, as Goldman said elsewhere, will always prevail in the human spirit because it touches the underlying truths of capitalism, government, and authority. Despite smear tactics from the state and capitalist media, despite the important but controversial tactics of cultural anarchists and the blackbloc, one also comes to the believe that anarchism also touches on the fundamental truths of humanity.

I highly recommend this book to any who wishes to emancipate themselves from the compact masses of droning capitalist cannon fodder.

defining article on anarchism in US a century ago

Loved it! I read it in a philosophy class in college. I just listened to it. I still find it so inspirational. I highly recommend this book.

Crazy cat lady gives her hot takes.

Probably one of the original critical theorists. The whole book left me with a sense of being one of her many 🐈. Enlightening

Preaching to the choir

I was expecting (and hoping) for something more dry and explanatory. This feels like prose poetry. It is very well written, and interesting, but it gives the energy of preaching to the choir.
I wasn't expecting to be converted to anarchism, but I don't even feel like I have a deeper understanding of anarchist philosophy. Not that the essays are not deep and complex, but that they have already been condensed and spread for so many years that it no longer feels radical or profound, which it may well have been at the time it was written.
I recommend this book as an interesting historical text, or well written prose poetry, but not to learn anarchist philosophy unless one knows nothing about it already.
I am disappointed in the tirade against the "vulgar masses" not having any taste in art or appreciation of anything of moral beauty. The critic of monetary value not being the same as artistic quality is valid, condemning the mob for following trends may be worthwhile argument in a context, but degrading popular art for being popular feels very conceited.
I do enjoy the savage lampooning of the police.
"Every society has the criminals it deserves"
Ahead of her time example of second-wave feminism, explained well.

Some Dated Ideals

Some of the ideals of the differences between men and women's roles in society, i.e. women's suffrage and there place in the home and as childbearers, were quite outdated. The same goes for the way marriage was perceived back then. I feel that these two topics of the book may have been accurate for the time that emma goldman wrote them, but no longer apply directly to our society. There was not much memorable discussion on anarchism, but fairly accurate and well said. Not a bad book to listen to during the workday.