The French geographer Elisée Reclus had a passionate curiosity about the interaction between human beings and our environment. His celebrated 19-volume Nouvelle Géographie universelle is still a classic. The widely-travelled Reclus was active in the First International alongside Marx and Bakunin, and his involvement in the Paris Commune led to his arrest and exile to Switzerland. This is the only English-language study of the political philosophy of this fascinating man whose ideas are now enjoying a revival of interest.
“Fleming has contributed to our understanding of nineteenth-century anarchist theory by exploring the life of a figure largely unknown to historians of political thought.” --American Political Science Review
“…valuable scholarly book on the …life of this interesting and influential anarchist.” --Political Studies
“A solid addition to the resurgence of anarchist scholarship…for upper-division students and all political-theory collections.” --Choice
“Fills a significant gap…not simply of historical significance, but will be seen as relevant today by those who are concerned about moral values in our social life.” --Canadian Journal of Political Science
“A good argument for the idea that anarchism of the last century was a remarkably stimulating haven.” --American Historical Review
Dr. Marie Fleming teaches political science at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.
One of Canada’s most distinguished men of letters, George Woodcock is biographer of such prominent figures as Gandhi, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, and Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Elisée Reclus: An Introduction By George WoodcockIntroduction On Re-Reading Radical History
One: Rejecting the Father
Two: Beyond Earthly Paradise
Three: Affirming Differences
Four: Republican Battles
Five: Communard’s Wrath
Six: Anarchy and Theory
Seven: Science and Rebellion
Eight: Education, Violence, Solidarity
Nine: Property and Theft
Ten: Party of Rebels
Eleven: Changing Times
Twelve: The Battle for Truth
Bibliography
Index
256 pages, bibliography, photographs
Paperback ISBN: 0-921689-16-0 $16.99
Hardcover ISBN: 0-921689-17-9 $45.99
1988
