Feminism, anarchism, and free love!

EXQUISITE REBEL:

THE ESSAYS OF VOLTAIRINE DE CLEYRE -
ANARCHIST,
FEMINIST,
GENIUS

by Voltairine de Cleyre

Edited by Sharon Presley and Crispin Sartwell
SUNY Press
332 pp.




Emma Goldman called Voltairine de Cleyre
"the most gifted and brilliant anarchist woman America ever produced."

Yet her writings and speeches on anarchism and feminism
— as radical, passionate, and popular at the time as Goldman's —
are virtually unknown today.

This important book brings de Cleyre's eloquent and incisive work out of undeserved obscurity.
Twenty-one essays are reprinted here, including her classic works:
"Anarchism and the American Tradition,"
"The Dominant Idea,"
and "Sex Slavery."
Three biographical essays are also included: two new ones by
Sharon Presley and Crispin Sartwell,
and a rarely reprinted one from Emma Goldman.

At a time when the mainstream women's movement asked only for the right
to vote and rarely challenged the status quo, de Cleyre demanded an end
to sex roles, called for economic independence for women,
autonomy within and without marriage,
and offered a radical critique of the role of the Church and State in oppressing women.
In today's world of anti-globalization actions, de Cleyre's anarchist ideals of
local self-rule, individual conscience, and decentralization of power
still remain fresh and relevant.
...........



"This book of de Cleyre's works, with illuminating biographical essays
and introductions to each section, provides a wonderful window into the
life and work of one of the most extraordinary feminists and radicals
in American history."
— Margaret Marsh, author of "Anarchist Women,
1870–1920"
............



"One could hardly ask for a more intellectually exciting and
historically valuable collection than that assembled by Presley and
Sartwell. Their commentaries place de Cleyre in her sociohistorical
context, framing her original and often provocative writings in a
manner that makes them even more cogent."
— Howard J. Ehrlich, editor of "Social Anarchism"
..............



"'Exquisite Rebel' is a remarkable collection of essays by a woman who
deserves a place of pride in American letters.
Voltairine de Cleyre, an anarchist without adjectives,
understood that the essence of anarchism
-- the "spirit of individuality" --
has roots deep in American
political thought.
Even those who disagree with her political ideas will
appreciate De Cleyre's keen insights into the psychology of freedom,
as well [as] her understanding that voluntary social arrangements are the only
lasting solution to human diversity. Her ideas, which are perhaps best
described as utopian realism, are beautifully expressed throughout.

--- George H. Smith, author of "Atheism, the Case Against God,"
"Why Atheism?" and editor of "The Lysander Spooner Reader"

[ ....... ]
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For more info, please contact:
Sharon Presley, Ph.D.

presley [at] voltairine.org

http://www.voltairine.org

To request review copies
and/or to see complete table of contents,
please go to:

http://www.sunypress.edu/details.asp?id=60934

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[ Reposted and re-edited by SUN,
which adds these comments:

Goldman and deCleyre were anarchist advocates of "free love" (now called sexual freedom)
of woman's emancipation (now called feminism), and of human rights for all.

Early in the 20th century, Goldman openly advocated freedom for "homosexual" persons;
and presumably de Cleyre shared her libertarian and tolerant view of queerness.
They worked together, mainly on helping the working class organize.

By calling herself an "anarchist without adjectives", de Cleyre was declining to affilate with
any of the factions within the anarchist movement(s) of her time.
Today there are many varieties of anarchists, including those who decline to wear adjectives.

This essay collection is long overdue. However de Cleyre would probably be appalled
by its subtitle, which proclaims her a "genius". True as that statement is, she would never utter it.
Boasting was Oscar Wilde's style, not Voltairine's. Though she was an outspoken atheist,
her humility and self-sacrifice resemble the virtues of a secular saint.
Her personality contrasts as sharply as possible with that of the man who will be
re-inaugurated on 20 January 2005 --
the day her book will be released. ]
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