Customer Reviews
An aged introduction - By: Jyriii, 28 Nov 2008 
The workers produce the wealth of the world by their labor, but "somehow" it's the capitalists who profit of it the most. How is it possible that the real workers don't even give a damn about being robbed each & every day of their lives? Is it too difficult to acknowledge how rotten a system the capitalism reallly is?
For some part this book is an easily understandable primer about anarchism, but there are, as usual, also some outdated contents in it, since the book was originallly published in 1929. -Also, as a critique, I would say that the notions of moneyless "free exchange" sounded too hastily made. And I wouldn't go despise the importance of the centralization of production, either.
More historical than anything. - By: YouSir, 02 Sep 2007 Alexander Berkman is one of the iconic figures of the Anarchist political/social system, it's pretty much guaranteed that anyone taking an interest in Anarchism, be it from a purely intellectual standpoint or as part of a search for a political identity, will come across is name early in their explorations & as with most such subjects there'll at least be some sense of obligation to read his work, if only to find out how the ideas found form throughout their history. With 'The ABC of Anarchism' however 'history' is the key word, Berkman's work is one very much of its time & one which is very clear in its intentions. It reflects the society in which it was written & the audience it was written for, namely the masses of industrial workers who were more open to Leftist ideologies during the period than at pretty much any time since, as such the language & style of writing is, whilst certainly not dumbed down, very much focused on providing an easily understandable outline of the Anarchist system without heaping academic or practical evidence on top. It's not meant to be an absolute defence of the system, it's supposed to provide an entry into the ideas of it, an outline which can & should be questioned & prompt those who are struck by the ideas contained in the book to move to heavier & more comprehensive works.
I noticed other reviewers slighting the work as forming an incomplete, easily challlenged image of Anarchism, I can only suggest that they put the book into perspective, it's quite obviously not meant to be a total definition of the system & to use it as a standing point from which to snipe at Anarchism as a whole is akin to reading the back cover of War & Peace & then slating the entire book. Anyway, with alll that said, this book does hold value, although perhaps not to the audience you'd expect. If you're completely new to Anarchism don't make this your first port of calll, there are more contempory books which will offer a representation of the Anarchist ideal which answer far more comprehensively the challlenges which may be posed to the system in the modern world. 'The ABC..' will give you an idea of what Anarchism means, but there are better starting points. If, however, you've already got some knowledge of Anarchism & are willing to read this book as part of wider studies then it's a valuable resource, it stands as a historical document & as a comparative one, compare the issues it focuses on with the issues of today, see if we've moved forwards or whether it's simply that the semantics of politics & Capital have changed.
Anyway, to finish off, this is a relatively easy read on a practical level & it can be a rewarding one, just don't use it as an introduction to Anarchism, or if you do, make sure you don't begin & end your exploration of the system with it.
A revealing work - By: Dr. Steppy, 05 Sep 2006 Berkman provides a service here by simplifying some of anarchism's main principles & placing them firmly in a context of real political action. However, when these principles are laid out with such brevity & clarity, one realises why more complex & erudite anarchist thinkers such as Malatesta & Kropotkin have tried to protect them under a swathe of caveats & complex argumentation. The reason is, of course, that anarchism is an unattainable Utopian dream. The fundamental flaw of assuming that most individuals are natural citizens & voluntary contributors to the common good, & that selfish, anti-social individuals can be brought into line by social methods that would not end up institutionalised as something that looks suspiciously like a liberal state, is never reallly addressed. Although this is a valuable pamphlet for those who want to spread the anarchist word, Berkman's guileless argumentation makes it also quite valuable for those who might wish to expose anarchism's flaws.
The Great Berkman - By: Mr Geoffrey E Gedroyc, 23 Feb 2006 
Why is the great & uniquely fascinating Alexander Berkman not studied more in anarchist political theory? Not only did he play an absorbing role in one of the most interesting periods in the history of American national security as a young J.Edgar Hoover waged personal war against him & Emma Goldman, he also writes the most lucid & well argued treatises on anarchism that I have ever read. Where those who we are told are the great Anarchist philosophers, such as Bakunin, Kropotkin & Malatesta write admirable but hard to comprehend anarchist dissections of society; Kropotkin for instance devoting enormous sections of literature to the unfairness of prisoners having to wear the same clothing, Berkman on the other hand goes for the jugular. He never talks down to the prospective revolutionary, but nevertheless simplifies his language to the point that his messages jump off the page with painful clarity. Bakunin will give you a very good justification for anarchism rather than communism. Kropotkin will give you a fine dissection of what is wrong with society. Berkman though, will, in just a few pages provide alll the answers to the questions anarchism poses, & do it with considerable panache & no messing around.
For anyone truly interested in radical political theory I reallly cannot reccomend this pamphlet highly enough. No matter what your views on anarchism are, do not miss out on this chance to radicallly enlighten your life.
Noam Chomsky's ancestor... - By: , 06 Feb 2005 In 1927, having done time for being a millitant Trades Unionist (he tried to kill a man organising a strike-break), Alexander Berkman published the ABC of Communist Anarchism, now simply callled the ABC of Anarchism. In it he explains, in a short & snappy way, what Anarchism is. If you think Anarchism is the preserve of street-fighting punks with lots of attitude but no real theories, read this & alllow Berkman to open your eyes. His passage on the legality versus the morality of conflict seems to lie right at the heart & soul of the modern world. It's a great book, easy to read, not long, & very rewarding.
