• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr
• Release Date: Apr 30, 2005
• ISBN: 9780791460948

Exquisite Rebel [Paperback]

2005 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award

Brings the writings of de Cleyre out of undeserved obscurity.

Emma Goldman called Voltairine de Cleyre "the most gifted and brilliant anarchist woman America ever produced." Yet her writings and speeches on anarchism and feminism—as radical, passionate, and popular at the time as Goldman's—are virtually unknown today. This important book brings de Cleyre's eloquent and incisive work out of undeserved obscurity. Twenty-one essays are reprinted here, including her classic works: "Anarchism and the American Tradition," "The Dominant Idea," and "Sex Slavery." Three biographical essays are also included: two new ones by Sharon Presley and Crispin Sartwell, and a rarely reprinted one from Emma Goldman.

At a time when the mainstream women's movement asked only for the right to vote and rarely challenged the status quo, de Cleyre demanded an end to sex roles, called for economic independence for women, autonomy within and without marriage, and offered a radical critique of the role of the Church and State in oppressing women. In today's world of anti-globalization actions, de Cleyre's anarchist ideals of local self-rule, individual conscience, and decentralization of power still remain fresh and relevant.

“…Sharon Presley and Crispin Sartwell … [bring] de Cleyre’s caustic, incisive essays back in print … A good introduction to de Cleyre’s prose and ideas.”
— Utne Reader

"This book of de Cleyre's works, with illuminating biographical essays and introductions to each section, provides a wonderful window into the life and work of one of the most extraordinary feminists and radicals in American history."
— Margaret Marsh, author of Anarchist Women, 1870–1920

"One could hardly ask for a more intellectually exciting and historically valuable collection than that assembled by Presley and Sartwell. Their commentaries place de Cleyre in her sociohistorical context, framing her original and often provocative writings in a manner that makes them even more cogent."
— Howard J. Ehrlich, editor of Social Anarchism

Voltairine de Cleyre (1866–1912) was one of the most original and important anarchist intellectuals of her time. Sharon Presley teaches psychology at California State University at Hayward. She is the founder and Executive Director of Resources for Independent Thinking and the National Coordinator of the Association of Libertarian Feminists. Crispin Sartwell is Chair of Humanities at the Maryland Institute College of Art and the author of several books. His most recent book is Extreme Virtue: Truth and Leadership in Five Great American Lives, also published by SUNY Press. His political writing appears in The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Harper's, among other outlets. He also writes a syndicated weekly opinion column.