This book discusses the six great proponents of anarchism and the movement that sprang from them. Beginning with the libertarian ideas of William Godwin and the German egotist Max Stirner the book moves on to Proudhon, the first man willingly to claim the title of anarchist. The book continues with an analysis of the philosophies of the Russian aristocratic thinkers Bakunin and Kropotkin, and the great Tolstoy. This second edition incorporates the changes that have take place in anarchism - with particular reference to the ephemeral nature of the anarchist movement - while pointing to its continuing tradition as it seizes upon current issues.