The greatest introduction to Anarchism and anarchist practice ever penned, by one of its' leading theoreticians.

Anarcho-syndicalism, a theory and practice of working class revolution, was developed not by scholars working in libraries but by the workers themselves. The anarcho-syndicalist movement of the 20th century extended to all the industrialized countries of the world and even agricultural regions. This was not a fringe phenomenon but involved millions of workers. Mainstream labor unions and social-democratic parties have become increasingly powerless to protect the gains of workers. In this situation, anarcho-syndicalism--the revolutionary, non-authoritarian alternative to reformism--is again on the agenda. This critical study of anarcho-syndicalism in the last century reveals a history of struggle which has often been neglected but holds many valuable lessons for the present.

Before communism, anarchism and syndicalism were central to labour and the Left in the colonial and postcolonial world.Using studies from Africa,Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, this groundbreaking volume examines the revolutionary libertarian Left's class politics and anti-colonialism in the first globalization and imperialism(1870/1930).

'With a preface by Noam Chomsky, and a fascinating introduction by veteran British anarchist Nicolas Walker, this is a timely reissuing of Rudof Rocker's classic statement of anarchist principles, values and methods.' Spectre'Rocker's vision remains as inspiring as when it was written ... and no less valid as a stimulus to our thinking and our constructive action.' Noam Chomsky (from the Preface)Rudolf Rocker's classic survey of anarcho-syndicalism was written during the Spanish Civil War to explain to the wider reading public the ideology which inspired the social revolution in Spain. It remains unsurpassed as a general introduction to anarchist thought and an authoritative account of the early history of international anarchism by one of the movement's leading figures.The present edition is unique in giving a complete facsimile reproduction of the 1938 edition as well as the corrected transcript of the epilogue to the Indian edition of 1947. It has the addition of a new biographical introduction by Nicolas Walter, in which he quotes from previously unpublished manuscript sources.