Against His-story, Against Leviathan!

Against His-story, Against Leviathan! traces the rise of civilization and its power structures from ancient Mesopotamia to the modern era. Perlman examines how early human societies transformed into hierarchical systems of control, which he terms "Leviathan." The text follows the development of state power, industrialization, and technological progress through major historical periods and across cultures. The narrative moves through the ancient world, medieval times, and into the age of capitalism, tracking patterns of domination and resistance. Using a mix of historical analysis and radical critique, Perlman chronicles resistance movements and challenges to authority throughout human history. He documents the struggles of indigenous peoples, rebels, and others who fought against established power structures. The book stands as a fundamental critique of civilization itself, exploring themes of human freedom versus institutional control and the relationship between progress and oppression. It raises questions about the nature of power and the possibilities for human liberation.

Readers often highlight the book's unique perspective on civilization as a destructive force, with many appreciating Perlman's metaphor of civilization as "Leviathan." The poetic, non-academic writing style resonates with anarchist and anti-civilization readers. Likes: - Raw, passionate prose style - Historical analysis of power structures - Critique of technology and progress - Indigenous peoples' perspective Dislikes: - Dense, difficult-to-follow writing - Lack of citations and academic rigor - Repetitive arguments - Some find it too abstract or metaphorical Several readers note the book requires multiple readings to grasp fully. One reviewer called it "a fever dream of human history," while another described it as "more poetry than scholarship." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Some anarchist book clubs and discussion groups rank it among their most-discussed texts, though readers debate whether it succeeds more as literature or historical analysis.

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🔸 The book was written in 1983 without traditional chapters, instead using a continuous narrative style that mirrors its critique of linear, "civilized" thinking. 🔸 Fredy Perlman wrote this work after being influenced by experiences at Detroit's Print Co-op, which he helped establish as part of the radical publishing movement of the 1960s. 🔸 The metaphor of "Leviathan" throughout the book is borrowed from Thomas Hobbes but completely inverted - while Hobbes saw it as necessary for civilization, Perlman portrays it as a destructive mechanical entity. 🔸 The author deliberately avoided academic language and citations, writing in an allegorical style to make his anarchist critique of civilization more accessible to general readers. 🔸 The book has become highly influential in green anarchist, anti-civilization, and primitivist movements, despite Perlman never identifying himself with any of these labels.