The Ego and Its Own is an 1844 work by Max Stirner. It presents a radically nominalist and individualist critique of Christianity, nationalism, and traditional morality, as well as humanism, utilitarianism, liberalism, and much of the then-burgeoning socialist movement. Stirner advocates for an amoral (though not inherently immoral or antisocial) egoism.

Ego emphasizes owness as self-description, moving past fixed conceptions of the Self and Other through the recognition of power relations and self-discovery of the mind.

Johann Kaspar Schmidt (1806-1856), also known as Max Stirner, was a German philosopher who is often considered one of the pioneers in anarchism, nihilism, existentialism, and postmodernism. His ideas challenge the enslavement of the mind by religion and nationalism, advocating for individual freedom and autonomy.

God and the State is a profound exploration of the intersection between religion, politics, and philosophy by the charismatic and dynamic thinker, Mikhail Bakunin. Known for his violent, ebullient, and energetic personality, Bakunin was a central figure in the formation of 19th and early 20th-century anarchism.

Although God and the State was never completed, it remains a significant work in the anarchist canon, offering a clear statement of the anarchist philosophy of history. According to Bakunin, religion inherently leads to the impoverishment, enslavement, and annihilation of humanity.

This book is not just a critique but a call to question the structures of power and belief that shape society, making it a timeless piece in radical and revolutionary thought.