Too
often, revolutionary movements become as oppressive as regimes they
struggle to replace. A rare and unusual book warns revolutionaries
about the ways they can betray their own revolution and offers ideas
to guide them through the pitfalls of both struggle and victory.
"What
a book for our time. The manuscript has a dark power, while carrying
a sense of profound wisdom relevant to all revolutionaries, including
those of us who reject violent means."
David
Korten Author When Corporations Rule the World and The
Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism
"I completed reading your book yesterday on my trip back from Canada
to Haiti. It is one of the best books I have read in the last few
years. If this book had been published in the 60's/70's, we would be
living in a better world today. It gives the kind of tools that can
change mankind's path. I will strongly recommend it to my colleagues,
to both read and promote it."
Felix Ulloa, Ph.D
Salvadoran Lawyer
Former member of FMLN/FDR (Revolutionary Coalition of the Farabundo Marti
National Liberation Front and the Democratic National Front) during
the civil war in El Salvador (1970-1980)
If
you are interested in the subject of revolution you will not want
to miss these ideas. Those interested are encouraged to download
the book or preview the introduction
and first chapter which are PDF files, and reproduce it in
any form and language they wish as long as it is for non-commercial
use. We will be happy to post any translations on this site or to
link to them on other sites.
This
book is full of reflections on revolutionary experience. You will
find what is revelant in it to you. It also contains stories and poetry
that will entertain you through long days and nights while provoking
you to think about their themes.
If
you are risking your life or anyone else's for your cause, spend some
time considering what can go wrong and how to prevent or fix that.
As you will discover in this book, later may be too late.
Ira Chaleff
irachaleff@cs.com
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
8
PREFACE:
What is Revolution? 17
PRELUDE:
My Life 23
CHAPTER ONE:
ANGER AND VIOLENCE 27
Hard Life
- Anger at Injustice
To Become a Revolutionary?
Violence - Its Uses and Limitations
The Elder and the Revolutionary
Violence Versus Force
Basic Acts
Young Revolutionaries
The Rabidly Angry
INTERLUDE:
Reflection
CHAPTER TWO:
REVOLUTIONARY LEADERSHIP 64
Confusion
of the Personal and Political
Tomorrow
What Makes a Good Human Being?
Revolutionary Leaders
Revolutionary Followers
Celebration
Preparing to Govern
Good King Alfred
INTERLUDE:
Lament
CHAPTER THREE:
MONSTERS AND HEROES 123
What Makes
a Monster?
Funding the Revolution
Dehumanizing and Demonizing
INTERRUPTION:
Fright
Power, Sexuality
and Sadism
Maria
The Mensch
The Hero
Sasha's Diary
INTERLUDE:
How I Came To Be In North America
CHAPTER FOUR:
HAVING WON THE REVOLUTION 180
The End Game
Cry For the Drowned
When Does the Revolution End?
Defections
Building a New World: Changing the Structure, Maintaining the
Spirit
Keeping the Spirit Alive in Future Generations
Endings
EPILOGUE
213
Transcriber's
Epilogue
PRINCIPLES
