A collection of Bakunin's writings, arranged thematically giving insight into his thinking. Worked for me as an introduction to the man, the recurring themes through the works highlighting the core pillars of his views. His arguments may not stand up to scrutiny or hindsight, but there's an intensity that you only get from a primary source.

A pretty good selection of Bakunin’s writings that were previously out of print in English translation

While I very much appreciate what Bakunin has to say, the man's prose lacks something, or rather everything. Not that 19th century political philosophy is exactly known for being lively and readable, but this work is particularly dry, to the point where reading it is a chore. Still, fine enough ideas, once you wade through the painful prose.

An interesting if not erratic collection of essays. These essays are most valuable for placing the development of Bakunin's thought in the context of the political struggles within the International Workingmen's Association.

Who needs arguments when you've got verve?

Much of this is relevant, especially today. But the sad part is reading all the complete assurance that the end was just around the corner and socialism was certain to rise. To an extent, it has, but only partway, and capitalism is more poisonously powerful than ever.

Lo considero un muy buen libro porque no es fácil lo que hizo el autor: resumir el pensamiento del anarquista ruso Bakunin en una especie de textos introductorios para quienes desconocen su figura o la historia del anarquismo.

A collection of articles and speeches Bakunin wrote for the IWMA, essentially journalistic propaganda. It's tempting to compare him to his great rival Marx. I don't know if this is a typical style for Bakunin, and of course Marx wrote great journalism, but it's interesting how far these pages are from philosophy or political economy. They pertain to the struggle, and passion, will and organization are constant themes. There's no dry economic theory here.

A few topics are constantly circled around: the need to draw an uncompromising line against the bourgeoisie (spiritually dead since 1848) and all states; to root out all nationalism and patriotism in favor of international solidarity. Pretty basic stuff, or is it? Given the tendency to blind group loyalty we often see among radicals.

It's curious how much emphasis Bakunin puts on eliminating the right of inheritance as a means to equalizing conditions, abolishing classes and the "juridical family." There's also much attention to education and the need to destroy all current forms of schooling, as well as guard against all hierarchies based on the authority of knowledge - something we practically never encounter in Marx.

It seems it was hard to write as an educated European in the middle of the 19th century without falling prey to a certain amount of scientism, though, and fascination with Darwin. Some passages reek of a pretty crude naturalism and materialism, with the flip side being a sometimes naive humanism. Bakunin is best when telling us to throw ourselves into the fight with a spirit that is both animal and human, or perhaps neither.