You Must Be Kidding

During the time I took off to finish the research for Israel vs Utopia – January 2007 to January 2008 – I only assumed one freelance assignment. Normally spread too thin, I had to keep my non-IvU activities to a bare minimum. The gig? Editing a book about the anarchist ideological heritage of Israel’s kibbutz movement.

Originally a favor to the publisher, who explained that even though he had picked the title up, he couldn’t direct such an Israel-specific project, I was delighted to give him a helping hand. Not only would it be good for the book’s author to have an editor with my specific set of interests. I knew I’d learn something too.

Lo and behold, much to mine and the author’s surprise (James Horrox and I exchanged emails last week trying to confirm its publication status), A Living Revolution was released by AK Press on July 14. Turned in this time last year, according to James, the book had some final additions made to it, and received a formal copy edit.

James Horrox has much to be proud of. A combination of intellectual history, social theory and investigative journalism, A Living Revolution is being published precisely at a time when immense efforts are being made to demonstrate that Israel has always been an inherently rightist project. Not so, according to Horrox.

To get a teaser, check out the marvellous piece James wrote for Zeek in October 2007, Rebuilding Israel’s Utopia. It is based on the book’s research. Sweetening the deal is an absolutely terrific forward by Uri Gordon, a lecturer at the Arava Institute, and the author of the extremely well-regarded Anarchy Alive.

More publishing news forthcoming.

Mutual Aid

With everyone talking about a return to Keynesianism and a revival of the welfare state, it was a relief to see a poster name dropping the A-word, however ironically. Dorkbot meeting, east London, 11/12.