Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism (updated edition) (Peter Marshall)
Fontana Press 2008 – 784 pages – £14.99 – ISBN: 978-0006862451

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 what is to many a widely misunderstood subject. It explores the key anarchist concepts of freedom and equality, authority and power, society and the state and investigates the successes and failures of anarchist movements throughout the world. 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 recent developments in theory and practice, including ’post-anarchism’ and ’anarcho-primitivism’ as well as the broader contribution to the peace, green and global justice movements.

Described by the Observer as “the book Johnny Rotten ought to have read”, this indispensable work fully warrants the critical acclaim it so richly deserves.