Fire and Ice. By Laurel Luddite and Skunkly Monkly. $15
Paperback book. 178 pages. No ISBN.
This emotionally poignant and extremely lucid book is the joint
effort of two damaged/socialized souls struggling/dreaming for
moments of health and sanity as they flee the cesspool of
civilization. Subtitled, "Disturbing the Comfortable and Comforting
the Disturbed While Tracking Our Wildest Dreams," the personal
approach of their stream-of-consciousness writing is often missing in
the either over-simplistic rhetorical or hyper-intellectual writings
of the anarchist millieu. Laurel and Skunkly offer their unique anti-
civilization perspectives with stories of trauma and loss, tales of
perseverance and journey, and their deeply personal insights.
"Fire and Ice reminds me of a mix of the tragic and curious
personal tone of Derrick Jensen, the earthly poetic analysis of Susan
Griffin, the deep desire for recovery of Chellis Glendinning, and the
more playful dreaming and cleverly mischievous aspects of CrimethInc,
but certainly distinct in their own voices and perceptiveness. They
do all of this in clear and articulate, yet provocative and exciting,
language. Fire and Ice is highly recommended. Great book!" - Green Anarchy
(NOTE: Check out the reading library for an excerpt from Fire and Ice.)
Go Light: Thoughts on Primal Parenting and the Wild Child. $2
A5 zine. 64 pages.
Excellent new zine on the joys and challenges of parenting against civilization. Thoughtful original writings, plus reprints covering primitive skills, wild foods, teaching/encouraging/sharing with children, and lots more. Highly recommended for those with little people in their lives.
Green Anarchist #74 (winter 2005). $3
A3 magazine. 24 pages.
The original (and best, as the line goes) no-holds-barred anti-civilization mag from the UK (not to be confused with Green Anarchy from the US) is finally here! More of a newspaper than a magazine, really, in both its appearance and its approach – a good chunk of each issue is given over to reporting relevant current events, which is good news (no pun intended) for those of us who are reluctant to scour the internet for unbiased/anarcho-orientated news. This issue has stories on the dispossession and continuing struggle of the Chagossian people, the recent death of Bougainville rebel leader Francis Ona, and updates on indigenous anti-colonial struggles, direct action around the world, and prisoners (of war). Then there are the articles, which still take up the bulk of the mag, and this issue are mostly themed around spirituality. It's a mixed bag (like any good anarchist publication) – from wordy anarcho-academia to inspired straight-talking analysis to sage practical advice ('Ten Ways to Spot the Infiltrator'). Good reviews section too – not too long, not too short, and they seem to only review things that someone has an interesting point of view on (now there’s a thought!). All up, Green Anarchist is definitely one of those precious few radical publications that’s been going forever and is still going because it's stayed relevant and interesting, and even after all sorts of controversy and repression the editors haven’t backed up an inch. Lucky for us all, because it’s an important resource for the green/anarchist community.
"The State spent £10m jailing GA's editors in an attempt to shut us up. We're still here..."
Green Anarchist #71-72 (spring 2004). $2
A3 magazine. 24 pages.
We were lucky enough to nab some copies of this back issue of GA from our friends at Re-Pressed Distribution in the UK – very lucky, because this is evidently one of GA’s finest recent issues. The theme of the issue is surveillance culture, and as well as a couple of excellent articles (and some scary news) on that subject, there’s also a retrospective of GA’s first 20 years by long-time editor John Connor, which reads like the most fucked up, twisted, subcultural soap-opera you could ever imagine in your worst nightmares – in an entertaining way, of course! If you’ve not had the pleasure of pawing through Green Anarchist before, this issue is definitely a good place to start.
Green Anarchy #24 (spring/summer 2007). $5
Newsprint magazine. 100 pages.
"While this issue is generally eclectic, our intention was to set out to cover in more depth what makes us who we are: the forces which shape us, the places we inhabit, the ways we relate to each other, the ideas we interact with, and this world through which we navigate. These questions are always interesting to explore, and hopefully open up more inquiries and possibilities. As they should, contradictions and uncertainties will arise, for this is no manual for revolution or pep talk for directed hope. It is what it is. And we gave you a lot to pick through. We hope you find a use for it. Some of the themes that are threaded throughout include the city, culture, time, change, communication, technology, and, of course, resistance. We also examine some specific ways humans have dominated each other and the earth, with articles like China's War on Nature by The Uncarved Block and What We've Lost: Impoverished Biodiversity of North America by mike. Also in this issue, we took the opportunity to provide space for various perspectives on the Situationist International (SI), a significant, yet at times limited and divergent, influence on the anti-civilization discourse. We used the occasion to print a newly translated later work by former SI member, Raoul Vaneigem, entitled Lines of Flight: To Liberate the Earth of Celestial Illusions and Their Tyranny. And, as usual, the issue is filled with all your anticipated favorites (or not). And, of course, lots of action! Things have been interesting as we live our lives as completely as possible and continue to put out a journal that remains provocative and interesting. As we present our now semi-annual compilation of anticivilization theory and practice, consisting of ideas, discussions, prose, contemplations, songs, emotional visual intensities, etc, we are, as usual, still undefining ourselves. A project dually based both in Eugene and in rural Southern Oregon for close to two years now, Green Anarchy continues to go through a significant transformation. For those who hate us and paint us into a box, we probably don't look much different. Some critics will say it's getting worse, others say better. Who needs such ridiculous dichotomies? A lot depends on preference and priority, but for us, each issue feels both familiar and fresh, approaching a diversity of subjects from unique angles and a variety of outlooks, yet remaining consistent in general focus, one against civilization." - Green Anarchy collective, from the introduction to Green Anarchy #24
Green Anarchy #23 (summer/fall 2006). $5
Newsprint magazine. 84 pages.
"Lately, many of us have been participating in lengthy discussions and delving deeper into the subject of strategy; what it means to us, our critiques of previous anarchist and non-anarchist strategies, examining the process of developing strategies, and creating and adapting our own strategies as individuals and as part of a larger momentum against civilization. In this issue we have attempted to provide extra space for these types of discussions and ideas... To be clear, there is no unified green anarchist strategy, nor should there be, but instead, a conglomeration of various strategies focused on the destruction of civilization, and the creation of a life outside its paradigm. We hope this can be a push for more of these examinations and that some of the ideas expressed here can be an insightful infusion into the development of anti-civilization anarchist theory and practice." - Green Anarchy collective
Green Anarchy #22 (spring 2006). $5
Newsprint magazine. 78 pages.
"Is There a Future In Technological Society? No. In this issue, we address a topic which, perhaps more than any other, separates green anarchists from most other anarchists and from the Left in general; that is Technology. While it has always been a significant aspect of the anti-civilization perspective, and has been strongly critiqued in the pages of this journal, we decided to have a more specific look at the logic, manifest- actions, and directions of the technological society. …we hope this issue opens the door for some deeper discussions on technology, science, and the mechanistic world we dwell within." – Green Anarchy collective
Green Anarchy #21 (fall/winter 2005-06). $5
Newsprint magazine. 86 pages.
"With all of the theme issues we’ve had lately, a lot of really great stuff that didn’t necessarily fit into those issues, yet were impressive and provocative, had been set aside for future use. With the changes we’ve been going through, we thought it would be a great time to publish some of these gems, in addition to some really top-notch recently received articles, as well as essays written in the collective. Consider it anti-civilization patchwork. It’s almost exclusively original stuff and, in our opinion, well worth the wait. Highlights include: John Zerzan’s 'On the Origins of War'; 'Stones Can Speak', a poetic and powerful look at what is going on in Bolivia by Jesús Sepúlveda; 'Only a Tsunami Will Do', a potent and lucid rant on feminism that is sure to create a storm of controversy; an interesting narrative piece by Viva MacSeoin; an extensive review of 'Liberate Not Exterminate', the new apology for the city by the Curious George Brigade; and much more. And, of course, we also have all the usual goodies you have come to expect from us. We hope you get something out of it, we sure did." – Green Anarchy collective
Green Anarchy #20 (summer 2005). $5
Newsprint magazine. 86 pages.
Brand new issue from those loveable anti-civilization rogues, with more sharp analysis and searing calls-to-arms. This time around the theme of the issue is spirituality, a subject raised by many of the writings in the previous issue and dealt with in-depth and from a vast array of anti-civilization persepctives here. There are also articles on other subjects, ranging from the tactics of the ELF to an analysis of anti-capitalist philiosopher Jacques Camatte, not to mention all the usual extensive direct action reports, news, reviews, letters, and a new 'practical rewilding' column, all of it of the usual GA high standard.
Industrial Society and its Future: The Unabomber's Manifesto. By F.C. $2
A5 zine. 48 pages.
This is a zine format publication of the Unabomber Manifesto that appeared in the New York Times and the Washington Post in 1995. It was published by the corporate newspapers in exchange for an end to the 17-year bombing campaign that had targeted airline executives, computer experts, scientists, and advertising executives. Ted Kaczynski was the man arrested as being solely responsible for the bombings (and presumably the manifesto, although the pronoun 'we' is used throughout), after his brother compared the manifesto to letters he had received from Ted, and turned him in to the FBI. The manifesto makes the motivation for the bombings perfectly clear: it indicts the technocratic, alienating, life-crushing nature of this culture in strong terms. Whether you agree with the Unabomber's tactics or not, this is a fascinating read.
"The 232 sections of Industrial Society and its Future represent a lucid, calm, carefully reasoned argument. I believe that an open-minded reader comes to concur, rather irresistibly, with its central thesis: namely, that the more technology-oriented society becomes, the less freedom and personal fulfillment its constituents will have... Unsuprisingly, the dominant culture - including the left - has ignored this deeply incisive contribution." - John Zerzan, author of Elements of Refusal, Future Primitive and editor of Against Civilization: Readings and Reflections.
Lugnut #4: The Descent of Man. $2
A5 zine. 16 pages.
Awesome new zine fresh out of Ireland. A beautifully written, poetic, easily approachable introduction to anti-civ ideas through a brief history of anthropological theory, advancements in agriculture and the idea of "progress." You can give this to all your apolitical friends and your mum and dad.
Off The Map: An Expedition Deep Into Empire and the Global Economy. By Chellis Glendinning. $22
Paperback book. 208 pages. ISBN 0865714630
Today's global economy is yesterday's empire. Imperialism in whatever guise is the same through time, penetrating every area of our lives, affecting whole cultures as well as the deep core of individuals. And maps have been the tools of empire, defining the territory to be exploited.
Part history, part autobiography, and part fiction, Off the Map weaves together the history of the last 300 years of Western imperialism, the author's own story of sexual abuse in the 1950s, and a present-day horseback ride through the recently colonized Chicano world of New Mexico. The author takes us with her as she travels "off the map" through the ancestral lands of her friend and travelling companion Snowflake Martinez, describing the Chicano people's struggle to survive the onslaught of a globalized world, and the ways in which that struggle has been replicated countless times. In a different voice, she reveals scenes from her childhood, her grandparents adorning themselves with artifacts symbolic of the British Empire, and her medical doctor father raping both her and her brother for 12 years. The political is deeply personal, and vice versa. And hope, according to Glendinning, resides in our creating new maps that chart worlds fashioned by love and respect for community, place, and nature.
ALSO IN STOCK: Technological Addiction by Chellis Glendinning.
The Original Affluent Society. By Marshall Sahlins. $1
A5 zine. 28 pages.
"Controversial and ground breaking, debated and elaborated, ignored and written off, this essay has been on all sides since it was voiced at the landmark 'Man the Hunter' anthropological conference in 1966. And through all of it, this essay by Marshall Sahlins has remained central to debates about gatherer-hunter life and what exactly we've lost in our own civilized conceptions of 'affluence'.
This is an expose of the true costs of civilized life; the trade off between material 'affluence' and the 'affluence' of solid communties living with wildness, the loss of play for work, the surrender of autonomy for submission. And despite all attempts to hush the implications, it refuses to fade."
A Post-Historic Primitivism. By Paul Shepard. $3
A5 zine. 80 pages.
"Paul Shepard remains one of the most important writers in the realm of ecology to date. His work and observations of human nature based on evolutionary biology, studies of gatherer-hunter societies, and the impact of civilization/domestication upon us as a society and individuals has opened neccessary doors among anti-civilization anarchists.
'A Post Historic Primitivism' is one of the finer examples of Shepard's prolific writing and ideas. His writing carries the power of a conviction born in millions of years of living in band level societies through hunting and gathering. These words cut deeper than Obsidian."
Primal War. $1
A5 zine. 20 pages.
A zine from the early days of the U.S feral revolution now sweeping the anarchist underground, with anti-civilization writings from author John Landau, anarchist prisoner Rob los Ricos, the OPM (The Liberation Army of the Free Papua Movement) and one of their support groups from the U.K, and various anonymous disobedients. There's also a brief section on primitive weaponry. For those with interest in violent decolonization, feral insurgency, and scaring pacifists.
A Primitivist Primer. By John Moore. free!
A5 zine. 8 pages.
A handy little intro to the hugely misunderstood and much maligned ideas, theories, practices and critiques that collectively have come to be called anarcho-primitivism, penned by the influential and now sadly departed U.K anarcho-primitivist John Moore. The author's note at the beginning explains: "This is not a definitive statement, merely a personal account, and seeks in general terms to explain what is meant by anarcho-primitivism. It does not wish to limit or exclude, but provide a general introduction to the topic." Clear, simple and unpretentious, this is a good place to start for those wanting to clear their heads of the dogma and rumour-mongering of the civilized left.
ALSO IN STOCK: Anarchy and Ecstasy: Visions of Halcyon Days and Comin' Home: Defining Anarcho-Primitivism by John Moore.
Radical Anthropology 101: A Beginner's Guide to Anarchy and Human Nature. free!
A5(ish) zine. 8 pages.
This is a small zine that responds to 15 basic questions and stereotypical statements often encountered by anti-civilization anarchists who point to the egalitarian communities of un-civilized gatherer/hunter communities as evidence that our current catastrophic way of life is by no means 'the norm'. The proclamation on the front cover is a good summary: "10,000 years ago we were all anarchists!"
"This little booklet, handling topics like 'human nature', scarcity, and violence, is the perfect starting point for beginners curious about an important sphere of anti-civilization exploration." - Green Anarchy
Running on Emptiness: The Pathology of Civilization. By John Zerzan. $20
Paperback book. 215 pages. ISBN 0-922915-75-X.
John's most recent collection, with writings on symbolic culture, time, technology, Noam Chomsky, postmodernism, Star Trek... There's also an autobiographical piece, 'So... How Did You Become An Anarchist?' Perhaps his most accessible work, this is an excellent place to start if you're interested in exploring the deeper critiques of civilization that John has been forging for many years now.
Species Traitor #4. $12
Paperback book. 192 pages. No ISBN.
Yet again Species Traitor has raised the bar for the anarchist and anti-civilization publishing community. This "Insurrectionary Anarcho-Primitivist" journal has gone from strength to strength, and this new issue has appeared in book form, with a gorgeous full-colour cover wrapped around 192 pages of the highest quality anti-civilization analysis.
The issue opens with an in-depth look at the social and ecological consequences of domestication and the collapse of civilizations (including our own), courtesy of editor Kevin Tucker. Species Traitor #4 then moves through several different dimensions of the struggle for life against industrial domination, from explicit and practical rundowns on uprooting fiber optic cables and disrupting the electrical power grid, to thoughtful but hard-hitting engagements with veganism and the Unabomber, via physical training and resistance, rebuilding community, expanding our awareness, and de-programming our domestication.
Among the many, many excellent pieces in this issue is Kevin Tucker's 'Agents of Change: Primal War and the Collapse of Global Civilization'. We liked this so much we put it up in our reading library.
All up, Species Traitor #4 is an endlessly challenging and inspiring read, and will with any luck help to set the tone for a new level of committed resistance to civilization in every aspect of our lives.
Species Traitor #3. $3
A5 zine. 108 pages.
When a publication almost doubles its size from one issue to the next, it can only mean one of two things: the editors, in a desperate attempt to save a sinking ship, opt for quantity over quality, and construct an impressively-sized issue comprised of mostly filler, hoping that everyone will be so impressed with the size of the publication they won't notice the massive lack of actual content; or the project in question is going from strength to strength, attracting more and more interest, energy and intelligence from those around it, and the editors decide to invest themselves in such a way that the project can keep improving and expanding, raising the bar for them and their readers with every issue. I am pleased to report that Species Traitor is most certainly following the latter trend. The focus for this issue is on symbolic culture, with fascinating essays, rants and poems from accomplished anti-civ authors such as Kevin Tucker, John Zerzan, Disorderly Conduct zine, and several anonymous sources; great interviews with anarcho-primitivist archaeologist Teresa Kintz and John Zerzan; and extracts from weighty texts by luminaries such as Jacques Camatte and Paul Shepard that are actually accompanied by pieces from the Species Traitor editors explaining how they think the piece relates to the critique of symbolic culture - a welcome addition indeed, and one that certainly lends itself to the mighty achievement of this issue of Species Traitor: a complex and much misunderstood aspect of anti-civilization critique is well represented and clearly outlined, without any dogmatic or ideological baggage attached. Even if you're not compelled to agree with every word - and with a critique as contentious as that of symbolic culture that's not unlikely - you will at least be better armed with the knowledge to make your own decision.
The Strait. By Fredy Perlman $20
Paperback book. 399 pages. ISBN 0-934868-28-X.
Fredy Perlman's final book, published posthumously in 2002, is a historical work of immense significance, thinly disguised as a novel. Obenabi, the narrator, sings the story of his people confronting the European Invader in and around the Strait (now Detroit). The tales are personal, emerging from the remembered experiences of his grandmothers, and begin before the Invader's arrival, tracing how
Progress imposed - both insidiously and brutally - devastation on Obenabi's kin.
ALSO IN STOCK: Against His-story, Against Leviathan! and Plunder by Fredy Perlman.
Technological Addiction. By Chellis Glendinning. $1
A5 zine. 20 pages.
"In order to effectively perceive and confront the problem(s) of civilization, we must be able to look at our relationship to it. This relationship is framed by domestication, through which our experiences therein are controlled and manipulated. In this essay, Chellis Glendinning takes the psychological approach to major parts of our relationship with civilization: trauma and addiction. Without question, this text provides a key understanding of just how deep the damage domestication has wrought is, and what kind of struggle must be employed against this culture of docility."
ALSO IN STOCK: Off The Map: An Expedition Deep Into Empire and the Global Economy by Chellis Glendinning.
Uncivilized: A Primer on Civilization, Domestication and Anarchy. $2
A5 zine. 44 pages.
This is an excellent short introduction to some of the core ideas of anti-civilization anarchism. Excerpts from several well respected sources of anti-civ thought such as John Zerzan, Green Anarchy, Chellis Glendinning and Kevin Tucker, the subject matter ranges from anthropology to agriculture, to domestication, technology and industrialism. Most importantly, this zine doesn't overwhelm you with weighty theory at the expense of honest emotion - the personal refelections of the Uncivilized editors make this a coherent, thought-provoking and inspiring read, rather than just a load of information and theory. Highly recommended.
All prices are postage paid in Australia.
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Against His-story, Against Leviathan! By Fredy Perlman. $15
Against The Megamachine: Essays On Empire & Its Enemies. By David Watson. $20