Rating: 
Summary: Revolutionary work of its time
Review: Steal This Book was a revolutionary work of its time, written by Hoffman in jail, a manual for the revolution that was supposed to come, but didn't. Though absolutely no respect is given to those in law enforcement, Hoffman does preach respect for other revolutionaries and those who are merely the employees of those you're ripping off. A thoughtful revolutionary. Learn how to get virtually everything your anarchistic little heart could desire free: food, clothing, furniture, land, entertainment - the usual gear, but also ranging to the more bizarre: such as free elk or buffalo - even ghosts! Advice on demonstration fashion necessities such as clothing, helmets, pads, gas mask and more. What to buy, what to look for, where to buy. Legal advice, shop lifting, hot to build various bombs out of every day household materials - aided with helpful diagrams and illustrations. Numerous black and white photographs illustrate ways to rip off the system and aid the revolution. Nifty advice on drug selling, buying, growing and giving it away. Also included is a brief biography of Hoffman, giving you further insight into the creative and inspiring mind behind his words, and a forward by Lisa Fithian and Al Giordano, other revolutionaries who aided Hoffman in his cause. Though some techniques and stores/centres are outdated, this is still a pretty spiffy tome Written in an accessible and inspiring tone, this book is often quite funny at times, if only from the sheer shock value of what he proposes. Valuable as a historical document of its times, as well as a guide for many ways you can still rip off the system.
Rating: 
Summary: Stole it in 1977 from Books Inc.
Review: It wasn't worth it. Even a no cost. Most of his scams were already known. Hobo's had told me about most of them when I was a kid in the 50's.
Rating:
Summary: At Best, An Interesting Study of the Time
Review: I find this book to generally be an interesting study of what was popular in the so-called counter-culture when this book was written. But ultimately, the book is a contradiction in direction and a collection of anti-American hyperbole with ways to become a worse person and ultimately make society a lesser place to live. Now, the above statement is not a commentary for those who believe this way. There are times when I still feel anger at the actions of the corporate world and the government alike. But I don't promote peace while preaching ways to kill another person with a knife, like Hoffman does. I strongly agree with one reviewer who says that, "The book is rife with ignorance, teenage angst, and--especially--hypocrisy." What you have here is a book which really rallies against nothing but a generic idea which can be summed up with the expression, "Things I don't like." By attempting to rally the American youth by saying we are all brothers and sisters, he holds on to this thin veil of togetherness while teaching you ways to blow things up. Most annoying is Hoffman's continued insistence on using the expressions "Pig Empire" and "Amerika" as if these acts of defiance justify his position. All they do is paint himself in the corner of the teen angst the above reader mentioned. Again, I'm not supporting business and government. But this approaches presented in this book are mindless and equally oppressive. Essentially, he wants the world to fall into anarchy where you just take, by force if necessary, whatever you want. I find the book an interesting study on the culture of the times. Not so much because of what's in it, but because of the fact that you can read this book with the knowledge that it was something that was marvelled at from the time period. Other than that, there are a lot of other books that are worth the time above and beyond this one.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read ... but overrated
Review: I was really excited about reading this book after learning about Abbie Hoffman in "Steal This Movie." Overall, though, it was a bit of a letdown.
As an insight into the thinking of the Yippies and the entire thoughtprocess behind the countercultural movement of the '60s, "Steal This Book" does a good job.
However, it purports to be a manual on how to live life for free, and many things in the book are not free and couldn't be free, and are actually outside of the realm for most people to pull off. Also, it is, obviously, horribly outdated.
So take it for what it is. It's cool reading Hoffman's rants about the system and what not, but overall the book comes up short on actual substance. Peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible!
Review: I ordered this book thinking it would be life changing and earth shattering. Instead it was a bunch of communist drivel, and lots of tricks that might have worked 30 years ago to rip stores and companies off. Very little of it would be relevant today, if you wanted to try any of the tricks. I wouldn't buy it again.
Rating:
Summary: A great read for young and old
Review: No library or bookstore is complete without this book. A must read for all. Although the technology is very outdated and most of the facts are as well its a great look into the history of A radical in the 1960's and 70's. Abbie Hoffman really gets to the people with his sharp intellect and great sense of humor. Although most of this info could easily be found on the internet this is a facinating look into a revolutionary's idea's and thoughts and how the people have changed throughout the years. the information that is provided is not something that is hard to get in this day in age. But it is a very real look into how hard it was to obtain even the most simple information.
Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book
Review: If you want to create a criminal - then buy this book. Otherwise, don't WASTE your money.
Rating:
Summary: A Man Ahead Of His Time
Review: I'm old enough to remember the days of protests, Abby and the Chicago 7. How our Govt'railroaded these men through the "Justice System ?" Ha!! what a laugh. Heres a man that avoided the Police & Govt' for 25 years, two weeks or so after turning himself in on a Federal Warrent, He's found dead of a drug overdose.He did not use any drugs that would cause his death. Read this book,& get some insite on the man and our Goverment, you'll be suprised. LONG LIVE ABBY HOFFMAN!
Rating:
Summary: Rebel Without A Clue.
Review: Steal This Book is truly a clever and apropos title. It's also as far as quality in the book goes. Other than for the novelty, the book isn't worth the time it takes to read it. Poorly written and full of grammatical errors, it tries one's patience while its anarchistic ravings raise blood pressure. The book is rife with ignorance, teenage angst, and--especially--hypocrisy. He rages against war, but teaches knife fighting, weaponry, and bomb-making. He rails against the injustices of the "Amerikan" legal system, yet advises how to exert one's rights and seek protection under the very system he aims to bring down. While complaining that no publishing company would buy his book, he blasts capitalism as a pig establishment, yet offers no viable alternatives other than to steal from those who have. Even taken in the context of the times, that of the early 1970s with anti-war sentiment at its peak, the book is hard to stomach. Hoffman gives the impression that he loves revolution for the sake of revolution, not for any well-defined philosophy based on principle, virtue, religion, or political belief. Abbie Hoffman comes off as the product of a privileged society, a child of advantage, a spoiled rich kid with too much time on his hands, a kid who never experienced real hunger, hard work, or the joys of accomplishment and reward. This is the rant of a naughty boy. He calls on the "Robin Hoods of Santa Barbara Forest to steal from the robber barons who own the castles of capitalism," but warns that "To steal from a brother or sister is evil. To not steal from the institutions that are the pillars of the Pig Empire is equally immoral." Unfortunately, he fails to offer advice on distinguishing between brothers and pigs. Consider these quote gems: "Make war on the sterile machines of corporate death and the robots that guard them." "It's so easy to get on Welfare that anyone who is broke and doesn't have a regular relief check coming in is nothing but a goddamn lazy bum!" "Power to all the dirty fighters!" On knife fighting against the police he says, "Remember that today's pig is tomorrow's bacon; it's good to know a few handy slicing tips." If you want to read it, don't steal it; don't reward those who write and publish such garbage. Borrow it, if you must. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic Counter-Culture Still Kinda Amusing and Applicable..
Review: I had been after this book for years when I stumbled across it in a second hand book store about 3 or 4 years ago. They had placed it in the direct line of sight from the register so I didn't even try living up to the title. Abbie Hofman details within everything a freak needed in the late 60s and early 70s to get by for free without getting hassled by the man. Free food, free phone calls, free land, free electricity, free airflights!! and all kinds of other free things as well as all you need to know to avoid getting gassed and/or bashed at your next demonstration. Sure, times did 'a change and a lot of this stuff is ludicrous and impractical. However, some of it isn't and some of it can be adapted to modern times and what can not still makes an interesting read in a kind of "damn I wish it was still 1968 so I could pull this.." way. Amusing, fun and possibly useful reading. Recommended.
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