Summer Reading Reviews

Eduardo Galeano Patas Arriba: La Escuela del Mundo al Revés (1998)

Galeano tells it like it is. I think this book was also published in English: read it. In his unique style Galeano describes a world through the looking glass that hauntingly resembles our own.

Carlos Castaneda Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan (1972)

Castaneda is an anthropologist interested in studying the cultural and spiritual issues surround the use of peyote. He meets Don Juan who teaches him everything he needs to understand before he can begin to study the use of hallucinogenic plants. Don Juan is an unconventional and often cryptic spirit guide for Castaneda’s journey to find his own identity. Provides an interesting paradox between anthropological studies and the subject; even though it is Castaneda who is conducting a study, he appears to be the subject in his relationship with Don Juan.

Noam Chomsky Chomsky on Anarchism (1969)

This is a collection of Chomsky’s writings and interviews pertaining to anarchism. This anthology provides a broad spectrum of definitions for anarchy. Chomsky proposes that it is a way to escape oppression of information control and a manner of organizing society in which each person fulfills his or her full potential. He writes, “Freedom of thought and enlightenment are not only for the elite” (109).

Noam Chomsky Hegemony or Survival: The America’s Quest for Global Dominance (2003)

I almost had this book taken away from me at airport security; read it before it gets censored. This book is a part of The American Empire Project along with several other Chomsky book as well many book by other authors. Chomsky describes the war crimes of the U.S. that have served to maintain the U.S. hegemony of money, power, government, economies, etc. Chomsky introduces his thesis, “There has never in history been anything remotely like the near-monopoly of means of large-scale violence in the hands of one state- all the more reason for subjecting its practices and operative doctrines to extra careful scrutiny” (36).

Paulo Coelho El Peregrino: Diario de un Mago (1987)

I got into a discussion with someone recently who thought Coelho was overly simplistic; however, I think his writing is simply universal. In El Peregrino, Coelho presents autobiographical ideas of identity, meditation, destiny, and journeys through his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Roald Dahl Going Solo (1986)

I liked Roald Dahl’s children’s books more than his autobiographical text. Dahl tells about his adventures as an Exxon oil employee in Tanzania and his experiences as a fighter pilot in WWII. Imperialistic yet sweet.

Anarchism or Bust

Anarchism or Bust

Anarchy is lawlessness, disorder, and chaos, or so it is portrayed in popular culture. This became abundantly clear to me last night while I was escaping the heat at the movies. At the climax of a mind numbing action thriller, the super evil villain, the Joker, calls himself an anarchist. I immediately turned to my friend, and in a not so quite voice said, “that’s not what anarchism is!?” I was shocked at my own poor movie theatre etiquette and my strong reaction has triggered some reflections.

This seems to be a hot topic word for me this summer. I have recently been submersed in anarchist literature, both locally and internationally published materials. I like what they have to say, they propose more order than the chaotic situations in which we currently find ourselves. likewise, I have found the most kind and accepting people in this city are people I have meet with similar ideas of forming our own system of living. Still, the idea of producing our own food, laws, happiness and a self-authoritarian society in which each persons’ skills are valued and important, seems to be a paradigm that lies just out of the boundaries of everyday thought.

It’s a well known pattern that people fear what they do not understand. Anarchy proposes redistributing power from the few to the many. It is easy to see how the masses could be fed ideas about ‘chaotic potential’ of this ideology and why those in power would like to keep it that way. However, there is hope: my experience with anarchism on the ground here in Austin yields safe environments for all types of people, good company, fair food, and intelligent conversation. Haven’t met any Jokers yet.