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The Ecology of Freedom: The Emergence and Dissolution of Hierarchy Paperback – July 1, 2005

by Murray Bookchin (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 ratings
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“The very notion of the domination of nature by man stems from the very real domination of human by human.” With this succinct formulation, Murray Bookchin launches his most ambitious work, The Ecology of Freedom. An engaging and extremely readable book of breathtaking scope, its inspired synthesis of ecology, anthropology and political theory traces our conflicting legacies of hierarchy and freedom from the first emergence of human culture to today’s globalized capitalism, constantly pointing the way to a sane, sustainable ecological future.

Murray Bookchin, cofounder of the Institute for Social Ecology, has been an active voice in the ecology and anarchist movements for more than 40 years. The author of numerous books and articles, he lives in Burlington, Vermont.

In Oakland, California on March 24, 2015 a fire destroyed the AK Press warehouse along with several other businesses. Please consider visiting the AK Press website to learn more about the fundraiser to help them and their neighbors.
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  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    AK Press
  4. Publication date
    July 1, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.9 x 8.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1904859267
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1904859260
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Murray Bookchin is cofounder of the Institute for Social Ecology. An active voice in the ecology and anarchist movements for more than forty years, he has written numerous books and articles, including: Anarchism, Marxism and the Future of the Left, Social Anarchism or Lifestyle Anarchism, The Spanish Anarchists, The Ecology of Freedom, Urbanization Without Cities, and Re-enchanting Humanity. He lives in Burlington, Vermont.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ AK Press (July 1, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1904859267
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1904859260
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.37 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 8.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 ratings

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Murray Bookchin

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
115 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ann M. Jahn
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2022
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This is an amazing book that everyone should read.
2 people found this helpful
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Brent N.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Bible on political science history
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2021
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I loved this history of the rise of hierarchy and control from tribes to present
2 people found this helpful
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Mischa
5.0 out of 5 stars Do yourself a favor and buy this
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020
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Every person should read this book.
5 people found this helpful
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wildflowerboy
5.0 out of 5 stars Bookchin's most important book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2007
Combining radical political theory with anthropology and nature studies, "The Ecology of Freedom" is a profound exploration of the social causes behind our ecological crisis. Importantly, Bookchin argues for social activism rather than New Age mysticism as the answer to environmental problems. According to Bookchin and other social ecologists like Cindy Milstein and Brian Tokar, the domination of the planet is a mere reflection of the domination of humans caused by social systems like gerontocracy, patriarchy, capitalism, and the state. His solution: the building of a directly democratic, anti-authoritarian, participatory, egalitarian, green society. While critics of Bookchin's work may dislike the fact that he oftentimes prioritizes things like permaculture and appropriate technology over wilderness and wildlife, I nevertheless believe that his writings have enormous social value and I am deeply grateful for his ideas and legacy. Though I no doubt understand the urgency of preserving forest ecosystems and protecting endangered species, I also really empathize with Bookchin's ecotopian vision of sustainable cities. In truth, I feel that the urban ecology/forest ecology binary is a false one that should be challenged. While defending the Amazon rainforest is obviously important, fighting environmental racism is also imperative. Though I cherish the spotted owl, I also cherish working-class communities of color and equally value their struggles to access organic food, clean air, and safe drinking water. As such, I fully agree with the social ecologist libertarian municipalist position that social justice issues are environmental issues and vice versa. Murray Bookchin, who last year passed away, will be sorely missed by the many progressive activists whose lives have been enriched by his brilliant books. That said, I hope that AK Press continues to publish more of his important work.
67 people found this helpful
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Doug Brunell
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2013
While on a trip to the ER, I handed this book to a friend to hold onto. She looked through it and said it sounded like a book for old men. She couldn't have been more wrong.

If you only read one Bookchin work, make it this one. It is a complex theory (though written in a very understandable way) about how freedom and hierarchy evolved into what they are and aren't today. It is an ecological (different than environmental) look at the natural world and what we call civilization. Controversial? Perhaps, but why? That is the most important question.

The Church, capitalism, war, farming, protest, the environment -- it is all covered here, and it is done in a way that will have you debating it with yourself and others for quite some time. Like Noam Chomsky's books, this will change the way you look at the world.
44 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars On Kindle Users and Whining.
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2019
For those griping about the Kindle version, might be a novel idea to read an actual book. Old school eh? It’s not that hard.

As far as the book is concerned... it’s iconic Bookchin. An essential read.
7 people found this helpful
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Mr Bookchin
5.0 out of 5 stars Important
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2018
A very important book considering the immense ecological trouble the earth is in today. Greed is the root of all evil.
3 people found this helpful
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socialecologist85
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best and most important works by the perhaps the greatest radical mind of our time
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2006
Bookchin's 'The Ecology of Freedom,' is a masterpiece pure and (not at all) simple. If you are interested in the real roots of the ecological and social crises we as a planet are submerged in, than this is a book whose ideas you will want to read and debate.

Combine this work with his other pivotal works and the invaluable commentary provided by Bookchin's long time colleague and companion Janet Biehl and you have what is very liklely the most important and comprehensive body of radical social theory since Marx -- fortunately with none of Marx's blindspots, shortsightedness, or problems. A real treasure and filled with fascinating and challenging ideas.
40 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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jayz101
1.0 out of 5 stars very poor edition. collections of jpeg screenshots
Reviewed in France on June 23, 2023
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this is barely an edited book. it's pages screenshots not readable
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James R. Duthie
5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo, bem escrito e importante
Reviewed in Brazil on October 27, 2020
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Um livro importante e bem escrito. dada a crescente crise social e ecológica que está ocorrendo em todo o mundo, há uma forte necessidade de compreender a base para elas em um nível fundamental. O autor Murray Bookchin fornece esta contribuição bem informada e perspicaz para aqueles que buscam respostas. Juntamente com seus muitos outros livros, não é de surpreender que "Google Murray Bookchin" tenha se tornado uma chamada comum para aqueles que desejam informar os outros.
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Etienne Guertin
5.0 out of 5 stars Mindblowing insights
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2018
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1/4 of the way down, I'm very satisfied and excited with the ideas that Bookchin conveys in this book. Might be hard to read as he uses a lot of "academic" vocabulary.
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karen voncripps
5.0 out of 5 stars Only do this book if you know we cant go on the way we are.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 24, 2019
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Ive always been surprised that people have such opinions on anarchy yet know absolutely nothing about it. Bookchin sets out his view of this subject, a panoramic view that is a mind expanding possibility of a people run society for all and the planet, its flora and fauna. A utopia? Not at all, and people across the world are living by Bookchin's ideas and they are working. I have always thought you know when you understand anarchy, its the moment you become one. This is one man's view of what we can possibly be at a junction in human history. Never before has the world faced the crises we are now presented with, we know we have to change the paradigm, and this could well be our path to survival.
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational read. If you are, in the least ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
Inspirational read. If you are, in the least, interested in the future of humanity and the planet, you need to read Bookchin.
2 people found this helpful
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