Emma Goldman: Still Dangerous

Emma Goldman’s reputation during her lifetime was, in part, created by her autobiography Living My Life. This book reexamines the creation of that auto biography, noting that many other people were involved in the project—especially Demi Coleman, who as Goldman’s secretary was a major part of the daily writing process, and anarchist Alexander Berkman, her influential editor.

These people are vital, as Goldman’s work needs to be seen not as an autobiography and objective historical tool, but instead as a much-influenced and highly censored source.

C. Brid Nicholson is an assistant professor of history at Kean University in Union, New Jersey.