The Black Rose Books History

Twenty-eight years ago one of the most historically significant decades had just ended. It was a time of ideas, and of actions: of change, so dramatic and so basic, that deep political and cultural roots were then implanted. These changes were to have enduring effects on the democratic consciousness. The following decade witnessed a rebirth of the women's liberation movement, of the gay liberation movement, and, most significantly, of a growing awareness of increasing global environmental destruction.

To some, it was important to record and publish the critical analysis that was emerging, with all the turbulence of the period. The constructive ideas of how to constitute a genuinely democratic society, could not go unrecorded. Having experienced history-in-the-making, Black Rose Books, from its early life, took on the task.

In 1970 we created what may have appeared as impossible in retrospect: a book publishing project. Did we appreciate the difficulties and complexities of starting a non-profit endeavour committed to publishing the kinds of books that were begging to be written, and, published, in a marketplace dominated by commercial publishing? Clearly no. Nevertheless we did it, and more than 250 published books later, continue to do it, publishing intelligent, critical works, appealing to both the general public and the academic world.

Our list of writers has come to include many key authors in the social sciences and humanities, with particular strength in politics, cultural studies, history, philosophy, sociology and environmental and urban issues. Some are of international status, and although we support and encourage many fine first-time authors, we feel fortunate to include such thinkers as Noam Chomsky, Murray Bookchin and George Woodcock among them. As well, each year we re-issue nearly-forgotten (costly) classics; we are the only publisher (so far as we know), to have published the complete works of Peter Kropotkin.

We owe a debt of thanks to all our supporters: to you, our loyal reader; to our dedicated authors; to our conscientious salespeople and distributors (spanning four continents); and to countless, open-minded, independent booksellers and librarians.

We are often asked the origins of our name. BLACK ROSE BOOKS was proposed as a name for the new project by our celebrated author and philosopher, Murray Bookchin. According to legend, during the peasant uprisings in the middle ages those who found freedom would also find the black rose in nature, and conversely those who found the black rose in nature would find freedom. It was agreed that no graven image of the black rose would be encouraged; we want the human imagination to see it freely.

In today's world of press, television and massmarket publishers, an alternative point of view is more important than ever. The creation of this Web site marks a new avenue for Black Rose Books. Proudly, we will continue to present new seasons, and with each, invite you to celebrate creative publishing at its best, without compromise.

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