audiobook The Ecology of Freedom: The Emergence and Dissolution of Hierarchy by Murray Bookchin in History

Review

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Essential ReadingBy Doug BrunellWhile 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.48 of 54 people found the following review helpful. Bookchin's most important book!By wildflowerboyCombining 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 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.35 of 40 people found the following review helpful. One of the best and most important works by the perhaps the greatest radical mind of our timeBy socialecologist85Bookchin'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.