[2] The original, which translates as "Anarchy in the Course of Time", was published in Barcelona in 1935 by Maucci, summarizing Nettlau's prior German print publications covering 1864–1886.
[3] Nettlau did not finish nevertheless publish his history of anarchism at his death but the book samples from that work.
[4] Subsequent translated editions include Swedish (1954), Italian (1964), and French (1971).
[1][4][5] Closer to a biobibliography than an academic history, Nettlau shows intimate knowledge of the anarchist movement and personalities, but is more partisan and passionate in tone than detached and analytical.
Revue française de science politique described the book as indispensable for anarchist studies.