First published in 1956, The Power Elite stands as a contemporary classic of social science and social criticism. C. Wright Mills examines and critiques the organization of power in the United States, calling attention to three firmly interlocked prongs of power: the military, corporate, and political elite. The Power Elite can be read as a good account of what was taking place in America at the time it was written, but its underlying question of whether America is as democratic in practice as it is in theory continues to matter very much today.

What The Power Elite informed readers of in 1956 was how much the organization of power in America had changed during their lifetimes, and Alan Wolfe's astute afterword to this new edition brings us up to date, illustrating how much more has changed since then. Wolfe sorts out what is helpful in Mills' book and which of his predictions have not come to bear, laying out the radical changes in American capitalism, from intense global competition and the collapse of communism to rapid technological transformations and ever changing consumer tastes. The Power Elite has stimulated generations of readers to think about the kind of society they have and the kind of society they might want, and deserves to be read by every new generation.By C. Wright Mills

NY. Oxford University Press. 1956. 414p.

By Adolfe A. Berle

People live in contexts of power. Here are Berle's Laws of Power

“The "0th" rule . . . . "Power is always preferable to chaos.

Rule One: Power invariably fills any vacuum in human organization.

Rule Two: Power is invariably personal.

Rule Three: Power is invariably based on a system of ideas or philosophy. Absent such a system or philosophy, the institutions essential to power cease to be reliable, power ceases to be effective, and the power holder is eventually displaced.

Rule Four: Power is exercised through, and depends on, institutions. By their existence, they limit, come to control, and eventually confer or withdraw power.

Rule Five: Power is invariably confronted with, and acts in the presence of, a field of responsibility. The two constantly interact, in hostility or co-operation, in conflict or through some form of dialog, organized or unorganized, made part of, or perhaps intruding into, the institutions on which power depends.

Berle' explanation of these rules, with context and stories, makes a fascinating and, I believe, quite useful read. I think anyone who cares about what "power" means can learn from and profit from this book.

New York. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.

Edited with Introduction, Biographical Sketch and Notes by Roger N. Baldwin

From the introduction:” Kropotkin's confidence in the capacity of mankind to achieve such a socicty may seem naive. But evidence is not lacking, even in this violent and confused era, to sustain a belief in it. Personal freedom, voluntary association, and democratic control of power are still vital forces in political thought and practical struggles.”

NY. Dover. 1970. 137p.

By Torunn Wimpelmann

Since the 2001 overthrow of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, violence against women has emerged as the single most important issue for Afghan gender politics. The Pitfalls of Protection, based on research conducted in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2015, locates the struggles over gender violence in local and global power configurations. Torunn Wimpelmann finds that aid flows and geopolitics have served as both opportunities for and obstacles to feminist politics in Afghanistan. Showing why Afghan activists often chose to use the leverage of Western powers instead of entering into either protracted negotiations with powerful national actors or broad political mobilization, this book examines both the achievements and the limits of this strategy.

Oakland, CA: University of California Press, 2017. 231p.

By Ben L. Reitman.

The Second Oldest Profession delves into the clandestine world of undercover operatives, where the line between friend and foe is blurred beyond recognition. In this gripping tale of deception and intrigue, author James Thornton weaves a narrative that challenges readers to question their assumptions about loyalty and betrayal. As the story unfolds, readers will find themselves immersed in a high-stakes game where alliances are fragile and trust is a luxury few can afford. A riveting blend of suspense and action, The Second Oldest Profession is a must-read for fans of espionage thrillers.

London Constable & Co. (1931) 293 pages.

By Georges Sorel.

Georges Sorel's Reflections on Violence (1908) remains a controversial text to this day. It unashamedly advocates the use of violence as a means of putting an end to the corrupt politics of bourgeois democracy and of bringing down capitalism. It is both dangerous and fascinating, of enduring importance and interest to all those concerned about the nature of modern politics.

New York: B.W. Huebsch. 1914. 322p.