Mutual Aid was a great little guide. The book is split into two parts. Part one is a brief overview of the concept of mutual aid. It discusses the differences between mutual aid and charity and uses some notable instances of mutual aid work past and present to highlight its purpose. Part two covers how to start a mutual aid group and the troubles that may arise in your journey to establishment as well as important considerations relevant to the group dynamics and mission. It encourages collectivization of likeminded individuals and echoes the sentiment that collectively people have the power to force change in their communities. 

What I loved most about this text is that it introduced me to something I hadn't previously considered - how many traditional charity and nonprofit models put the fate of the many in the hands of the few (often white, rich) and as a result there are conditions upon which aid is given out - typically in ways that align with a given organizations moral beliefs. Mutual aid, on the other hand is founded on caring for one's community members and the belief that all members of society deserve to live a dignified life and have their needs met regardless of their circumstances or whether they meet specific requirements for aid. 

I hesitate to put a rating on this one because it really is more of a guide than anything and while I found it interesting, I am not currently trying to start a mutual aid group and so I can't really speak to the utility of part two, though I imagine it is quite helpful. I did selfishly wish part one was a big longer, as I really enjoyed broadening my understanding of the concept of mutual aid and it's multitudinous applications. If nothing else, this book really