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I read this book out of curiosity. They also did not glamourize drug use or dealing, think living in filth was virtuous, have any use for "free love" that actually was costly and had no real love, and indeed resented the yippies and hippies for bringing in a drug culture and vandalization to the ghetto that we still today have to rise above. They also wanted the poverty to be as temporary a situation as possible.
There is a lot of at least partial truth to what his comments on this country really is about. People like MLK and brother Malik Al Hajji Shabazz (Malcolm X)did not want freedom FROM responsibility for themselves and their people; they wanted freedom TO be sucessful and responsible. This well-meaning yippie who probably felt guilty about being from an affluent white family talked a good game.
The people he claimed to understand so also did not at the time get welfare or live in poverty because they enjoyed it; it was for survival and because they had to. I put it down out of disgust. However, you do not help the poor AT ALL by CHOOSING to be poor yourself-and Mr.
Hoffman had a lack of understanding of what most of the folks he pitied but could choose to leave if he wished really wanted.
I intend to buy at least two copies next time I have the money. I have owned more than two copies of this book but keep giving it away. It transports you to a world where freedom isn't as free as everyone says it is.
I found it during my first year of college to become a teacher (the default major for students pressured into college before knowing who they are). that explain how to get food and start a printing business and so much more. This book literally changed my life.
The way Hoffman writes about demonstrations is gripping. Definitely worth the read. Since then I have dropped out, been homeless and I am now studying to become a public defender and pro bono lawyer.
The book is divided into sections such as Survive and Fight.
It took a little longer for me to recieve it but I've got it. My expirience was good.
I think my parents chucked it, so now I keep it as an classic. I stole this book in its original version from times square while playing hookey from school.
it is still a good book and every anarchist should have this one in their library The only thing i don't like is that some of the tricks and ways of getting money there are in the book are written to be used in the 70s and not in modern times. this book is a very good book to read and i enjoyed it from start to end. i mainly used it for the little handbook on making explosives which do work.
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