Angelic Troublemakers: Religion and Anarchism in America

In this review of Angelic Troublemakers: Religion and Anarchism in America, the author Anthony Terrace Wiley maps how religious ethics and anarchist thought intersect in U.S. history. The bottom line: this is essential reading for scholars and thoughtful readers who want a rigorous account of nonviolent resistance that connects Henry Thoreau, Dorothy Day, and Bayard Rustin. Wiley's narrative is clear and scholarly, and the book's open access availability makes the research widely usable for teachers, students, and activists seeking primary interpretive context.

Key Features

• First detailed account: Presents a sustained study of what happens when religious ethics, political philosophy, and the anarchist spirit intermingle, filling a gap in contemporary literature.
• Historical focus: Traces a transnational tradition of resistance to slavery, empire, and capital, showing continuities across different eras and movements.
• Profiles of key figures: Offers clear portraits of Henry Thoreau, Dorothy Day, and Bayard Rustin and the ideals that inspired their nonviolent disobedience.
• Open access availability: Accessible through Bloomsbury Open Access and the Bloomsbury Collections website, making it easy to consult and teach without paywall barriers.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Bridges religion, ethics, politics, and law, useful for readers approaching the topic from multiple academic perspectives.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at graduate students, scholars, and informed general readers interested in the intersection of religion and anarchism, nonviolent social movements, and political philosophy. It will also be valuable to law and ethics instructors looking for a readable, research-based text to assign or reference in courses.

Readers seeking a brief popular history or an activist manual of tactics should look elsewhere; Wiley's account is analytical and historically grounded rather than a how-to guide. Those expecting vivid personal memoir or a broad survey of contemporary anarchist groups may find the focus on ethics and major figures narrower than anticipated.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a focused, scholarly synthesis of religious ethics and anarchist thought that is rarely assembled in one place.
• Open access publication increases reach and classroom usability for educators and students.
• Clear case studies of Thoreau, Day, and Rustin make abstract ideas tangible through lived examples.

Cons

• The book's analytical and academic tone may be dense for readers looking for a popular narrative.

Specifications

Title	Angelic Troublemakers: Religion and Anarchism in America
Series	Contemporary Anarchist Studies
Author	Anthony Terrace Wiley
Availability	Open access via Bloomsbury Open Access and Bloomsbury Collections
Focus	Religious ethics, political philosophy, and anarchist thought in U.S. history
Featured figures	Henry Thoreau, Dorothy Day, Bayard Rustin

Our Verdict

Angelic Troublemakers is a thoughtful, well-researched book that convincingly argues for a transnational tradition of nonviolent resistance rooted in religious ethics. Its open access availability increases its value to classrooms and researchers, and readers interested in religion, ethics, and politics will find it a useful, well-focused resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book freely available?
The book is available as open access through Bloomsbury Open Access and can be read on the Bloomsbury Collections website.

Which historical figures does the book cover?
The study centers on Henry Thoreau, Dorothy Day, and Bayard Rustin and examines the ideals that inspired their nonviolent disobedience.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes; the scholarly tone and open access status make it well suited for graduate seminars and undergraduate courses in religion, politics, or ethics.