Bob Black (1) (1951–)

The author, who wrote for an anarchist publication in San Francisco, spends most of this book talking about himself. It would be far more interesting to someone in the Bay Area anarchist scene in the 80s. I have little interest in that extremely esoteric topic, however.

I bought it for the first section which follows up [book:Abolition of Work and Other Essays], which I read online and loved. He responds to negative reviews in his usual scathing, hilarious, ad hominem way. That part was great.… (plus d'informations)

Aside from the title essay, which is indisputably awesome and important and I'm sure his most enduring work, I can only adequately represent Black in his own words:

"Those on the receiving end of coercion don't quibble over their coercers' credentials. If you can't pay or don't want to, you don't much care if your deprivation is called larceny or taxation or restitution or rent."

"If you like to control your own time, you distinguish employment from enslavement only in degree and duration."

"Terrorism is not so much a matter of mayhem and murder as it is of sartorial correctness. Soldiers are terrorists who were careful to dress for success."

"BLOOD BANK? Is there any other kind?"
"THE BORN AGAIN? Twice too often."
"CIVILIZATION? The biosphere's skin disease."
"CLASS WAR? The war to end all wars."
"DISEASE? Very dangerous: a leading cause of doctors."
"FEMINISM? Equality with men: a paltry ambition."
"FREE TIME? Work the boss doesn't pay you for."
"FULL EMPLOYMENT? A threat, not a promise."
"RELIGION? Deifying your defects."
"UTOPIA? Nostalgia for the future."

As always with Black, there is a bit of content in this anthology which I don't really care much about, but it is insignificant overall.

I think it is safe to say that Bob Black is as close to channeling Tyler Durden as any living person can claim to be, except he's funnier and more logical--maybe he was Palaniuk's inspiration.

Read this book online at http://www.inspiracy.com/black/… (plus d'informations)