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KEYWORDS

Post-capitalist society
New York Commune
Speculative oral history
Revolutionary transformation
Collective living

Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052–2072

by M.E. O'BRIEN, EMAN ABDELHADI

In a future world where capitalism has collapsed, a diverse cast of characters share their experiences of revolution and the emergence of a new social order in New York City through a collection of oral history interviews. The book explores themes of community building, alternative social structures, and the resilience of ordinary people in the face of crisis, offering a detailed roadmap to a hopeful and aspirational future.

"Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072" is a groundbreaking work of speculative fiction that offers a tantalizing glimpse into a post-capitalist future. Through a series of brilliantly crafted interviews, authors M.E. O'Brien and Eman Abdelhadi paint a vivid and compelling picture of a world transformed by revolution, where the old order has been swept away and replaced by a new society built on the principles of solidarity, equality, and mutual aid.

At the heart of the book is the New York Commune itself, a radically democratic and egalitarian community that emerged from the ashes of the old world. Through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters - nurses, sex workers, activists, and survivors of all stripes - we see how the Commune functions on a day-to-day basis, how it grapples with the challenges of building a new society from the ground up, and how it offers a beacon of hope in a world still reeling from the ravages of climate change, economic collapse, and political upheaval.

One of the great strengths of "Everything for Everyone" is the way it grounds its vision of the future in the realities of the present. The authors have clearly done their homework, and their depiction of the events leading up to the revolution - the mounting crises of the 21st century, the gradual unraveling of the old order, the emergence of new forms of resistance and solidarity - feels both plausible and deeply relevant to our own moment in history. At the same time, the book never loses sight of the human dimension of these earth-shaking events, and the interviews are full of moments of humor, pathos, and quiet heroism that remind us of the resilience and creativity of ordinary people in extraordinary times.

Another standout feature of the book is the way it grapples with the complexities and contradictions of revolutionary change. The Commune is not a perfect utopia, and the characters are refreshingly honest about the challenges they face, from the lingering effects of trauma and oppression to the difficulties of building new forms of community and consensus in a world still haunted by the ghosts of the past. At the same time, the book is suffused with a sense of hope and possibility, a belief in the power of collective action and mutual aid to transform the world for the better.

Perhaps most importantly, "Everything for Everyone" offers a vision of the future that feels both radical and achievable, a roadmap for building a world beyond capitalism that is grounded in the real-world struggles and aspirations of ordinary people. In a time of mounting despair and disillusionment, this book is a much-needed reminder that another world is possible, and that the seeds of that world are already being planted in the cracks and crevices of the old order.

In short, "Everything for Everyone" is a masterful work of speculative fiction that deserves to be widely read and discussed. It is a book that will challenge your assumptions, ignite your imagination, and inspire you to dream of a better world. Whether you are a longtime activist or simply someone who hungers for a glimpse of a brighter future, this book is an essential read, a beacon of hope in dark times, and a powerful reminder of the transformative power of solidarity and struggle.

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