Nicolas Walter

One of the finest short introductions to the basic concepts, theories and practical applications of anarchism. First written in the 60s, it has yet to be surpassed. This handsome new edition includes an introduction by his daughter, the British feminist author Natasha Walter.

About Anarchism

Peter Kropotkin, Louise Michel, and the Paris Commune

Fighting the Revolution

Nicolas Walter helped create the surge of political dissent in Britain in the 60s and 70s. He presents anarchism as a natural response of ordinary people to the problems presented by the society into which they are born.

The Anarchist Past

Today the word “anarchism” inspires both fear and fascination. But few people understand what anarchists believe, what anarchists want, and what anarchists do. This incisive book puts forward the case for anarchism as a pragmatic philosophy. Originally written in 1969 and updated for the twenty-first century, About Anarchism is an uncluttered, precise, and urgently necessary expression of practical anarchism. Crafted in deliberately simple prose and without constant reference to other writers or past events, it can be understood without difficulty and without any prior knowledge of political ideology. As one of the finest short introductions to the basic concepts, theories, and applications of anarchism, About Anarchism has been translated into many languages, including French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, and Russian. This new edition includes an updated introduction from Natasha Walter and an expanded biographical sketch of the author, Nicolas Walter, who was a respected writer, journalist, and an active protester against the powers of both the church and the state.

David Goodway

Nicolas Walter was drawn to Anarchism through the twin jolts of Suez and the Hungarian Revolution during his student years, followed by his participation in the resulting New Left and nuclear disarmament movement. Concurrently with his activism, he was acutely and lucidly analysing the history, practice and theory of these intertwined movements - and it is such writings, including the seminal 'Non-Violent Resistance and the Spies for Peace and After', that form the core of this collection. Scorning the pomp of academic prose, his writing is accessible and clear.

Nicolas Walter

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