Demanding the Impossible : History of Anarchism - Softcover

9780006862451: Demanding the Impossible : History of Anarchism
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
A fascinating and comprehensive history, 'Demanding the Impossible' is a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of anarchist ideas and actions from ancient times to the present day. Navigating the broad 'river of anarchy', from Taoism to Situationism, from Ranters to Punk rockers, from individualists to communists, from anarcho-syndicalists to anarcha-feminists, 'Demanding the Impossible' is an authoritative and lively study of a widely misunderstood subject. It explores the key anarchist concepts of society and the state, freedom and equality, authority and power and investigates the successes and failure of the anarchist movements throughout the world. While remaining sympathetic to anarchism, it presents a balanced and critical account. It covers not only the classic anarchist thinkers, such as Godwin, Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Reclus and Emma Goldman, but also other libertarian figures, such as Nietzsche, Camus, Gandhi, Foucault and Chomsky. No other book on anarchism covers so much so incisively. In this updated edition, a new epilogue examines the most recent developments, including 'post-anarchism' and 'anarcho-primitivism' as well as the anarchist contribution to the peace, green and 'Global Justice' movements. Demanding the Impossible is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand what anarchists stand for and what they have achieved. It will also appeal to those who want to discover how anarchism offers an inspiring and original body of ideas and practices which is more relevant than ever in the twenty-first century.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:
Peter Marshall is a historian, philosopher, biographer and travel writer. He has written fifteen books, has taught at several British universities and occasionally works in broadcasting. He lives in Devon.
From Publishers Weekly:
The goal of an egalitarian, communal society has always united Marxists and leftist socialists, some of the latter (often if not always described as anarchists) refusing any truck with centralized power At various times, such ideas have found relatively wide appeal, and this era is one—expressed for instance in the antiglobalization movement's emphases on local control and direct democracy—making Marshall's comprehensive treatment a timely read. Newly revised and updated, this indispensable history of social libertarian thought now reaches into the 21st century—touching upon themes echoed in other recent titles, including Raj Patel's The Value of Nothing. Marshall casts a wide net, gathering all traces of antiauthoritarian socialist thought in works from Lao Tzu through Noam Chomsky, social ecology, and the Zapatistas. Readers will be repeatedly rewarded by Marshall's judiciousness and close readings of both the great names in anarchist history—Proudhon, Kropotkin, and Tolstoy—and less expected contributors—Rousseau, Swift, and Burke. Blowing away cobwebs of misunderstanding and misrepresentation, this is a stimulating portrait of a highly varied but distinctive political ideal, tradition, and practice arising from the enduring human impulse to be free. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherFontana Harpercollins
  • Publication date1993
  • ISBN 10 0006862454
  • ISBN 13 9780006862451
  • BindingPaperback
  • Number of pages744
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9781604860641: Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9781604860641
Publisher: PM Press, 2010
Softcover

  • 9780002178556: Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism

    Harper..., 1991
    Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Seller Image

Marshall, Peter
Published by Fontana Harpercollins (1993)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Softcover Quantity: 3
Seller:
GreatBookPrices
(Columbia, MD, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 1370590-n

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 22.51
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter H. Marshall
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New paperback Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Blackwell's
(Oxford, OX, United Kingdom)

Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780006862451

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 19.49
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 5.68
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Marshall, Peter
Published by Harpercollins Pub Ltd (1992)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Soft Cover Quantity: 10
Seller:
booksXpress
(Bayonne, NJ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780006862451

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 27.08
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter H Marshall
Published by Fontana Harpercollins (1993)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0006862454

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 24.74
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Peter Marshall
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Grand Eagle Retail
(Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A fascinating and comprehensive history, Demanding the Impossible is a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of anarchist ideas and actions from ancient times to the present day. Navigating the broad 'river of anarchy', from Taoism to Situationism, from Ranters to Punk rockers, from individualists to communists, from anarcho-syndicalists to anarcha-feminists, Demanding the Impossible is an authoritative and lively study of a widely misunderstood subject. It explores the key anarchist concepts of society and the state, freedom and equality, authority and power and investigates the successes and failure of the anarchist movements throughout the world. While remaining sympathetic to anarchism, it presents a balanced and critical account. It covers not only the classic anarchist thinkers, such as Godwin, Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Reclus and Emma Goldman, but also other libertarian figures, such as Nietzsche, Camus, Gandhi, Foucault and Chomsky. No other book on anarchism covers so much so incisively.In this updated edition, a new epilogue examines the most recent developments, including 'post-anarchism' and 'anarcho-primitivism' as well as the anarchist contribution to the peace, green and 'Global Justice' movements.Demanding the Impossible is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand what anarchists stand for and what they have achieved. It will also appeal to those who want to discover how anarchism offers an inspiring and original body of ideas and practices which is more relevant than ever in the twenty-first century. A fascinating and comprehensive history, Demanding the Impossible is a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of anarchist ideas and actions from ancient times to the present day. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780006862451

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 28.79
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter H Marshall
Published by Fontana Harpercollins (1993)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Wizard Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0006862454

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 25.40
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter H Marshall
Published by Fontana Harpercollins (1993)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0006862454

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 26.84
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter Marshall
Published by HarperCollins Publishers (1993)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Paperback / softback Quantity: > 20
Seller:
THE SAINT BOOKSTORE
(Southport, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. A fascinating and comprehensive history, 'Demanding the Impossible' is a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of anarchist ideas and actions from ancient times to the present day. Seller Inventory # B9780006862451

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 20.70
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 11.30
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter Marshall
Published by Harper Perennial (2007)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Paperback Quantity: 3
Seller:
Monster Bookshop
(Fleckney, United Kingdom)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. BRAND NEW ** SUPER FAST SHIPPING FROM UK WAREHOUSE ** 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Seller Inventory # 9780006862451-GDR

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 21.12
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 11.35
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Peter H Marshall
Published by HarperPerennial (1993)
ISBN 10: 0006862454 ISBN 13: 9780006862451
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Front Cover Books
(Denver, CO, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0006862454

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 29.52
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.30
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book