Kropotkin's observation that species succeed just as much (or more) by cooperating than by competing was innovative a century ago, and helped buck the trend of a vicious, individualistic interpretation of Darwinism. But his book is now very dated and superseded by more recent findings, his style is tiring (consisting of a very long list of examples of mutual aid), and his argumentation is biased. ( )

Written by the Russian 'Anarchist Prince', Mutual Aid is Kropotkin's work on cooperation as opposed to conflict within the natural and human world. The chapters are on mutual aid among animals; among 'savages' and 'barbarians' as Kropotkin calls them; in the medieval city; and amongst ourselves.

The work Kropotkin put into this book is phenomonal, the points he makes are elaborated on and demonstrated adequately, and I think it deserves a wider audience. To anyone who thinks conflict is the foundation of nature, I beg of you, read this book. ( )