Books in Evidence in School Threat Case

  By Corey Herman

PHILADELPHIA - October 11, 2007 (WPVI) -- When police searched the home of a Montgomery County teen Wednesday night, in addition to a cache of weapons they found a pair of books that were on display during a news conference Thursday.

The Anarchist Cookbook, a copy of which was found when police searched the boy's home, was written by William Powell in the early 1970s. The book was written at a time when he was concerned he would be drafted into the military for the Vietnam War. It contains instructions on making explosives, drugs and other topics related to potentially dangerous activities.

Since writing it, Powell has asked the publishers to withdraw the book from print, but the publisher has not.

In an editorial review posted on amazon.com, Powell has written, "The central idea to the book was that violence is an acceptable means to bring about political change. I no longer agree with this."

"Unfortunately, the book continues to be in print and with the advent of the Internet several websites dealing with it have emerged. I want to state categorically that I am not in agreement with the contents of The Anarchist Cookbook and I would be very pleased (and relieved) to see its publication discontinued. I consider it to be a misguided and potentially dangerous publication which should be taken out of print."

The book "Hitler's Second Book: The Unpublished Sequel to Mein Kampf" was found by American forces in Germany following the fall of the Third Reich at the end of World War II. It was not translated and published until 2003.

The book illustrates more of Adolf Hitler's world view and his political and military aspirations, leading to an eventual conflict with the United States.

(Copyright 2007 by 6abc and Action News. All rights reserved.)

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