Reproduction of the original.

Introduction by George WoodcockIt would not be an exaggeration to describe this book as the central work of Kropotkin's writing career. In one way or another, it occupied more than twenty years of his life. It is a work of argument and suggestion rather than dogmatic statement, and the very tentativeness of this great book make its perceptions all the more relevant.With at one time Kropotkin's view of our future might have been regarded as a Utopian dream, today, as a result of the growing realization that the world's resources of energy and raw materials are finite, that food is our most precious commodity and that people's working lives are futile and stultifying, the lessons of this book, for both the rich world and the poor, are topical and hopeful.In addition to a general introduction to the most significant aspects of Kropotkin's life and thought, George Woodcock has prepared a comprehensive afterword to each essay, allowing the reader to fully see Kropotkin's ideas in the context of the world a century later.Is the 9th volume of the The Collected Works of Peter Kropotkin.Table of contentsEditor's IntroductionPreface to the Second EditionPreface to the First EditionChapter 1The Decentralization of IndustriesEditor's Afterword to Chapter 1Chapter 2The Possibilities of AgricultureEditor's Afterword to Chapter 2Chapter 3Small Industries and Industrial VillagesEditor's Afterword to Chapter 3Chapter 4Brain Work and Manual WorkEditor's Afterword to Chapter 4Chapter 5ConclusionEditor's Epilogue1994: 255 pages, index

This book was written by the anarchist Peter Kropotkin, and discusses the decentralization of industries, possibilities of agriculture, and uses of small industries. Through the book, he sought to connect anarchism with science, based on sociological tendencies. The book was compiled from essays he had published in Nineteenth Century and Forum between 1888 and 1890. Before this book on economics, Kropotkin had been known for his militant activity on behalf of international anarchism and writings on Siberian geography.

This is the most extensive collection of Peter Kropotkin's writings available in English. Over half the selections have been translated for the first time or salvaged from long-out-of-print pamphlets and newspapers. Both an introduction to classic texts and a recontextualization of Kropotkin from saintly philosopher to dangerous revolutionary, Direct Struggle Against Capital includes a historical introduction, biographical sketch, glossary, bibliography, and index. Peter Kropotkin was one of anarchism's most famous thinkers. His classic works include The Conquest of Bread and Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution. Iain McKay has edited An Anarchist FAQ (volumes one and two) and Property Is Theft: A Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Anthology.

Five Works In One Collection - Also available for Kindle and Audible! Story 1: The Conquest of Bread by Peter Kropotkin The deficiencies of the economic systems of capitalism and feudalism are proposed to be how the whole of society is kept in poverty and scarcity and, therefore, under the control of the wealthy few. Written in the late 1800s, this prophetic book reveals the truths of the many abuses against human rights caused by the centralization of industry. Story 2: Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution by Peter Kropotkin Mutual aid, otherwise known as mutually beneficial cooperation, is explored as having an essential role in both the animal kingdom and human society in the survival of everyone. Supporting the theory and foundation for anarchist communism, Peter presents an altruistic view of society, comparing it to the natural laws of biology and evolution. Story 3: Fields, Factories and Workshops by Peter Kropotkin Focused on the decentralization of industry, Fields, Factories and Workshops connects anarchism with science based on behavioral trends and tendencies of people. He delivers an economical approach to the formation of a stateless society in which all citizens participate in meeting the needs of the community. Story 4: An Appeal to the Young by Peter Kropotkin Kropotkin's most famous pamphlet An Appeal to the Young addresses young professionals entering the workforce, encouraging them to join the cause to incite radical societal change. Story 5: The Life of Kropotkin by CSA Publishing This is an original biography about the prolific thought leader in communist anarchism. Kropotkin tirelessly approached a cause which he believed would benefit humanity and continued to inspire his fellow countrymen to join the movement until his death in 1921.