Anarchy, Geography, Modernity is the first comprehensive introduction to the thought of Elisée Reclus, the great anarchist geographer and political theorist. It shows him to be an extraordinary figure for his age. Not only an anarchist but also a radical feminist, anti-racist, ecologist, animal rights advocate, cultural radical, nudist, and vegetarian. Not only a major social thinker but also a dedicated revolutionary.

The work analyzes Reclus’ greatest achievement, a sweeping historical and theoretical synthesis recounting the story of the earth and humanity as an epochal struggle between freedom and domination. It presents his groundbreaking critique of all forms of domination: not only capitalism, the state, and authoritarian religion, but also patriarchy, racism, technological domination, and the domination of nature. His crucial insights on the interrelation between personal and small-group transformation, broader cultural change, and large-scale social organization are explored. Reclus’ ideas are presented both through detailed exposition and analysis, and in extensive translations of key texts, most appearing in English for the first time.

John P. Clark's profile page

Canadian poet Camille Martin is the acclaimed author of four full-length collections: Looms (Shearsman Books, 2012), Sonnets (Shearsman Books, 2010), Codes of Public Sleep (BookThug, 2007), and Sesame Kiosk (Potes & Poets, 2001). Martin has performed her poetry in more than thirty cities in Canada, the United States, France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Her work has been widely and internationally published in journals. She lives in Toronto.

Of Looms, Meredith Quartermain writes that "in tightly woven tapestry, Martin's 'backstreet songs' re-invent a music of knowledge that navigates the hucksterism and catastrophe threatening our planet." Rob McLennan praises the "expansiveness" of Looms, whose poems "exist in that magical place where words, images and ideas collide, creating connections that previously had never been. In his review for Bookslut, Cort Bledsoe states that in Looms "Martin has proven herself to be a solid poet with an ear for language and an inquisitive mind, delving into the big questions we all face. Martin has woven a rich tapestry of poems that are well worth perusing." And Steve Spence for Stride Magazine writes that Looms is "impressive and addictive."

Camille Martin's profile page

Elisée Reclus' profile page

“For far too long Elisée Reclus has stood in the shadow of Godwin, Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, and Emma Goldman. Now John Clark has pulled Reclus forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Anarchism’s cynosures. Reclus’ light brought into anarchism’s compass not only a focus on ecology, but a struggle against both patriarchy and racism, contributions which can now be fully appreciated thanks to John Clark’s exegesis and [his and Camille Martin’s] translations of works previously unavailable in English. No serious reader can afford to neglect this book.”
—Dana Ward, Pitzer College

“Finally! A century after his death, the great French geographer and anarchist Elisée Reclus has been honored by a vibrant selection of his writings expertly translated into English.”
—Kent Mathewson, Louisiana State University

“Maintaining an appropriately scholarly style, marked by deep background knowledge, nuanced argument, and careful qualifications, Clark and Martin nevertheless reveal a passionate love for their subject and adopt a stance of political engagement that they hope does justice to Reclus’ own commitments.”
—Historical Geography

“Clark and Martin have opened the door, through their deep introduction and selected reprints, to one of the great thinkers of 19th century anarchist thought.”
—Anarchy

“This inspiring analysis and anthology does an excellent job of placing Reclus in his anarchist and social context.”
—Anarchist Studies