Kropotkin is a class traitor to the bone. Born a prince, he spent the rest of his life trying to destroy the very system which he was blessed to be born in the good side. Kropotkin is not your typical leftist pamphleteer. His language is short and concise, and understandable by anyone. He led a revolutionary life.



This book is a collection of writings by Kropotkin that deal with a wide range of topics that fall under the umbrella of freedom. Kropotkin eloquently puts forth the ideals of Anarchist Communism in simple, non-obtuse language where he lays out what Anarchist Communism, and maybe as importantly, what it isn't. In "The Spirit of Revolt", Kropotkin defends revolution, and notes that only social revolution is what will end the existing capitalist order. This is a response to the reformists and the critics of the anarchists who say that anarchism is too "idealist." Quite the opposite, Kropotkin knew full well to avoid utopian fantasies and believed firmly that the only way the working class can liberate itself is by doing it themselves in revolution. Even though his demeanor from his writings indicates a calm, if not lovable old sage (in contrast to many of the leftists of his day), Kropotkin does not deny the reality that revolution may or even has to be violent. Kropotkin was a full on realist.



Even though I consider myself a solid leftist, I was somewhat reserved on the idea of getting rid of prisons entirely. I definitely oppose the prison system as it exists right now, but I was conflicted on the institution in general. Even though I know full well that prison does not a thing to end crime, there are some people who commit such heinous acts they should be put away. Peter Kropotkin, in short, straight up embarrassed me. In "Prisons and Their Moral Influence on Prisoners", Kropotkin sends the institution of prison to the electric chair. Kropotkin uses common sense to prove why prisons are absolutely futile, self-defeating, cruel, and do nothing to solve the real issues. Prison is a crime.



"An Appeal to the Young" displays both Kropotkin's compassion, revolutionary drive, and his skills as a writer. This will make you want to get up out of your seat and do something, after you recover from Kropotkin playing your emotions like a fiddle.



This book is definitely a companion to "The Conquest of Bread." Kropotkin's elegant style makes even the longest of texts breeze by. The only reason why I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because what I believe to be Kropotkin's most important pamphletes were not included. "Small Communal Experiments and Why They Fail" is one of, if not the most important things Kropotkin has written besides his main body of work. He details why setting up a commune with communist principles in the existing capitalist world is futile and a waste of time. He stresses revolution as the only way to eliminate capitalism. Also, "Communism and Anarchy" is important in that Kropotkin effortlessly destroys the notion that Communism weakens individuality and "sacrifices" the individual.



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