The Conquest of Bread is one of those books that's lauded as a must-read by many leftists, specifically anarchists. Its reputation as a classic of leftist literature made it seem a little daunting at first, but I'm glad I did eventually read it.

It's kind of charming the way Kropotkin talks about steam trains and central heating like they're these mind-bogglingly advanced and sophisticated technologies. They must have been seen that way when they were new, I suppose. There are plenty of statistics which aren't particularly relevant now, over a century later, but would have bolstered his arguments at the time. There are some parts which drag, I must admit.

Though this book is very much rooted in the nineteenth century, much of its content is still relevant today. The "question of bread" is the book's most significant point, emphasising the importance of making sure everybody's basic needs are met. Kropotkin is not afraid to admit that his ideas are utopian (which is something I admire) though he also offers a more materialistic argument as well – that workers cannot work if their basic human needs aren't satisfied. I find him to be quite convincing.

I would definitely recommend this book to leftists, regardless of their level of experience/familiarity with anarchism, or where they fall on the idealistic vs pragmatic scale.