[1] The essay's anarchist subjects are largely European emigrants to the United States, such as Mollie Steimer (from the Abrams free speech case[2]) and Charles Mowbray.

[1] Other figures include Alexander Berkman, Nestor Makhno, Voline, Ricardo Flores Magón, Gustav Landauer, and the Australian agitator Chummy Fleming.

It includes the working class movement in Jewish garment unions, the creation of housing communes and experimental schools, the Yiddish periodical Fraye Arbeter Shtime, and the influence of Kropotkin.

[4] His essay on Sacco and Vanzetti shows the influence of the Luigi Galleani, an anarchist who avocated for violent revolt against capitalism and government.

Avrich contends that Sacco and Vanzetti were part of an insurrectionary movement belied by the innocent image their supporters projected, but admits no direct evidence of their participation.