George Jackson Library

George Jackson was an incarcerated activist that was a member of the Black Power and Black Liberation movements amidst the rise of mass incarceration. He was killed in San Quentin prison and left behind 99 books. Here are (almost) all of the books in the order in which they were recorded in his cell. Step into his library and see what books taught Jackson and vice-versa. Engage, (un)learn, and advocate—collective liberation starts with collective education!

Remembering George Jackson

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 23, 1941, George Jackson's life epitomized a tireless pursuit of justice. Convicted of armed robbery at 18, he began a journey that would shape the course of civil rights activism. Jackson co-founded the Black Panther Party and the Black Guerrilla Family, organizations dedicated to challenging systemic racism and oppression. His autobiography, Soledad Brother, shed light on the injustices within the prison system, advocating fervently for reform.

Jackson's legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to social change. He envisioned a society free from police brutality, offering equal opportunities in employment, housing, and education for all. Emphasizing self-defense and community empowerment, Jackson's influence extended beyond prison walls, resonating with activists worldwide. The 99 books he left behind underscore the transformative power of education in challenging societal norms and fostering political consciousness. Though his life was tragically cut short on August 21, 1971, George Jackson's ideas continue to inspire the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

Get Involved!

Educate Yourself

Learn about the causes and consequences of mass incarceration.

Advocate for Policy Changes

Support and advocate for policies such as bail reform, sentencing reform, and alternatives to incarceration

Support Organizations

Organizations like JUST, the ACLU, Equal Justice Initiative, and the Sentencing Project are just a few!

Vote

Support candidates who prioritize criminal justice reform and vote for ballot initiatives. Every vote matters!

Raise Awareness

Amplify the voices of people behind bars by protesting, organizing, or posting on social media.

Support Reentry Programs

Support programs that help formerly incarcerated people reintegrate through job training, housing assistance, and access to education.

Volunteer

Get directly involved! Sign up to visit folks at the county jail. Phonebank to fight against injustice behind bars. Work with organizations that provide support.

Speak Out

Challenge stereotypes and biases regarding incarcerated people and advocate for fair treatment. Being system-involved should not be stigmatized.

To Be Free: Pioneering Studies in Afro-American History by Herbert Aptheker

"To Be Free" by Herbert Aptheker is a riveting exploration of the fight for freedom in America. Spanning centuries, it reveals the struggles of enslaved Africans, suffragettes, and civil rights activists who challenged oppression. Through meticulous research, Aptheker captures the enduring quest for justice and inspires readers to reflect on the ongoing battle for freedom.

Africa: The Way Ahead by Jack Woddis

The general manager of a large nineteenth-century railroad line reminisces about his boyhood when he ran away to work on the railroad.

The Empire of Oil by Harvey O'Connor

"The Empire of Oil" by Harvey O'Connor is a gripping examination of the rise and influence of the oil industry. O'Connor delves into the intertwined histories of power, politics, and petroleum, tracing the industry's impact on global economics and geopolitics. From the discovery of oil fields to the formation of monopolies, this book unveils the hidden forces shaping our world. With incisive analysis and compelling storytelling, O'Connor exposes the inner workings of the oil empire and its profound consequences on society.

A History of Pan-African Revolt by C.L.R. James

Originally published in England in 1938 (the same year as his magnum opus The Black Jacobins) and expanded in 1969, this work remains the classic account of global black resistance. Robin D.G. Kelley’s substantial introduction contextualizes the work in the history and ferment of the times, and explores its ongoing relevance today.

Revolutionary Priest by Camilo Torres

The complete writings of Father Camilo Torres, priest, guerrilla and professor.

Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon

A major influence on civil rights, anti-colonial, and black consciousness movements around the world, Black Skin, White Masks is the unsurpassed study of the black psyche in a white world. Hailed for its scientific analysis and poetic grace when it was first published in 1952, the book remains a vital force today from one of the most important theorists of revolutionary struggle, colonialism, and racial difference in history.

The New Information Please Almanac Atlas and Yearbook edited by Dan Golenpaul

Year reviews of books, movies, music, theatre, science, medicine, television, space age news, plus 800 pages of important facts & information concerning; sports, government, world history, business, parliamentary procedure, celebrated persons, income tax, social security, missiles, united nations, census, etc.

The Myth of Black Capitalism by Earl Omari Hutchinson

Deciphers the history of “Black capitalist” rhetoric— and how it serves to enrich a minuscule few at the expense of the many.

Who Rules America? by G. William Domhoff

Jackson likely had the first edition, published in 1967. Domhoff argues that the USA is politically and economically dominated by an elite ownership class. Since the first edition, seven others were published, with Domhoff amending and updating his arguments to fit the current state of affairs.

Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung Volume I

Volume I focuses on the thoughts of Mao Tse-Tung on differences in social structure, communism, revolution, economics, war tactics, and welfare of the masses.

A Documentary History of the Negro People in the United States Volume IV

Volume 4 presents the history of African-Americans from the beginning of the New Deal to the end of WWII (1933-1945)

Anti-Dühring by Friedrich Engels

This book is a classic of Marxism. It was highly recommended by Lenin as a 'text book' of scientific socialism. The book is a polemic by Engels against a German revisionist, Eugen Dühring, who challenged all the basic ideas of Marxism by counterposing his own 'scientific' theories within the social democratic party of Germany. Very reluctantly, Engels was forced to take up these ideas and in doing so explained in the clearest fashion the revolutionary theories of Marxism.

The Poverty of Philosophy by Karl Marx

The Poverty of Philosophy criticizes the economic and philosophical arguments of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon set forth in The System of Economic Contradictions, or The Philosophy of Poverty. Marx specifically accuses Proudhon of wanting to rise above the bourgeoisie. In the history of Marx's thought and Marxism, this work is pivotal in the distinction between the Marxist concepts of utopian socialism and scientific socialism.

Fidel Castro Speaks edited by Martin Kenner and James Petras

Collection of Fidel Castro's speeches, exploring and analyzing his ideas.

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

In 1936, Orwell went to Spain to report on the Civil War and instead joined the fight against the Fascists. This famous account describes the war and Orwell’s experiences.

Reader in Marxist Philosophy selected and edited by Howard Selsam and Harry Martel

This volume is designed to provide a coherent and systematic presentation of the Marxist world outlook as given by the great exponents themselves. It is the first volume devoted exclusively to their philosophical writings, many of which have been scattered through innumerable works.

The Age of Imperialism: The Economics of U.S. Foreign Policy by Harry Magdoff

His research, scrupulously performed and soberly presented, documents the existence of an American empire-somewhat different from those of imperial Britain or imperial Germany in their Pre-World war I heyday, but an empire nonetheless. Harry Magdoff’s careful and lucid analysis, done with a wealth of detail and a trained scholar’s grasp of the relevant economic categories, is the foundation upon which an entire tradition of monthly Review authors and their critiques of imperialism rest.

American Negro Slave Revolts by Herbert Aptheker

This is the first fully documented study of Negro slave revolts in The United States. Dr. Aptheker provides proof, obtained by painstaking research, that this content and rebelliousness were not only exceedingly common, but we're characteristic of American Negro slaves. Special attention is paid to the famous slave rebellion of Nat Turner, into the revolts led by Denmark Vesey and Gabriel. This pioneering study remains a major contribution to the destruction of the myth of Afro – American docility.

Materialism and the Dialectical Method by Maurice Cornforth

This volume is intended for the general reader who wants to know what Dialectical Materialism means in theory and practice. The ideas underlying Marxist philosophy and its method of thinking are explained in non-technical language and their application is shown in a number of examples. The concept of a party philosophy, materialism vs idealism, the mechanistic vs the dialectic view of development, the laws of dialectical thinking are among the themes discussed.

Die Nigger Die! by H. Rap Brown (Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin)

More than any other black leader, H. Rap Brown, chairman of the radical Black Power organization Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), came to symbolize the ideology of black revolution. This autobiography—which was first published in 1969, went through seven printings and has long been unavailable—chronicles the making of a revolutionary. It is much more than a personal history, however; it is a call to arms, an urgent message to the black community to be the vanguard force in the struggle of oppressed people. Forthright, sardonic, and shocking, this book is not only illuminating and dynamic but also a vitally important document that is essential to understanding the upheavals of the late 1960s.

Insurgent Mexico by John Reed

A personal adventure story that also serves as a valuable historic documentary of the heady days John Reed spent with Pancho Villa and his rebel army in northern Mexico. Reed’s on the scene record of the Mexican Revolution of 1914 is an excellent, realistic account of resistance, rebellion, and brutal repression under dictatorship.

Philosophy of World Revolution by Franz Marek

Marek contributes a profound exploration into the ideologies underpinning global revolutions. Drawing from diverse philosophical perspectives, he illuminates the complexities of revolutionary thought and its implications for society. In this concise yet thought-provoking work, Marek challenges readers to rethink their understanding of revolution and its potential to reshape the world.

Pre-Capitalist Economic Formations by Karl Marx

Pre-Capitalist Economic Formations is part of a huge manuscript Marx wrote in researching and preparing what would become A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy published in 1859.

Historical Materialism by Maurice Cornforth

A concise yet comprehensive exploration of the foundational principles of Marxist theory. Cornforth delves into the dialectical relationship between material conditions and historical development, offering insights into how economic factors shape social and political systems. This insightful work serves as an essential primer for understanding Marxist analysis and its implications for understanding historical change.

George Jackson Library

Remembering George Jackson

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