Book presentation: Johann Most Life of a radical by Tom Goyens | Thu, 22 January 20:00

“Understanding one of American anarchism’s pivotal figures”

Thursday, 22 January at 20:00, Tom Goyens will be giving a book presentation of his new book Johann Most Life of a radical. The presentation will be held in English. It will be a live video call streamed on a big screen. Tom Goyens, who is him self Belgium has been living in the U.S. since 1997 and is a professor of history at Salisbury University. Where he teaches multiple U.S. centred historical courses on immigration, labor history, social and cultural history, and on 19th-century American radicalism.
His previous book Beer and Revolution: The German Anarchist Movement in New York City, 1880–1914, about German immigrant anarchists in New York City from 1880 to 1914, was well recieved and put a “human face on anarchism and reveals a dedication less to bombs than to beer halls and saloons where political meetings, public lectures, discussion circles, fundraising events, and theater groups were held”.

We are looking forward to the presentation and hearing from Goyens new book. From one of the most controversial and often misunderstood figures in anarchist history. The presentation will last about an hour, followed by a Q&A. Door will be open from 19:00, and we will start at 20:10.

About the Book

Known best for articulating the propaganda of the deed, Johann Most was and still is caricatured as a radical fanatic. Tom Goyens’ in-depth biography rediscovers the complexities that animated the German American agitator and made him a pivotal figure in the development of anarchism in the US and socialism in Germany.

Most galvanized workers through passionate speeches and writings that showcased his gifts as a performer, satirist, and rhetorician. Numerous challenges, including repeated convictions for his incendiary rhetoric, failed to curb his organizing or his efforts to foster a dedicated network of comrades that included Emma Goldman, Alexander Berkman, and his common-law wife, Helene Minkin. Goyens details Most’s essential contributions to the anarchist movement while also highlighting his critique of religion and defense of science within emancipatory movements. As Goyens follows Most’s ideological journey, he illuminates the political contexts that shaped the anarchist’s evolving views on revolutionary action and social change.

Comprehensive and long overdue, Johann Most traces the intellectual life and enduring relevance of a misunderstood radical figure.

More about Goyens and his work:
tomgoyens.substack.com
txgoyens.wixsite.com/tomgoyens
instagram.com/tomgoyens
bsky.app/profile/tomgoyens.bsky.social

Details on the event

20:00, Thu, 22 January
@ Infocafe Bollox / Anarchist Library Amsterdam
De Binnenpret Eerste Schinkelstraat 14-16