In 1970, William Powell wanted to help build a new society so he taught the world how to blow the old one up. As the heady days of the late 60's counterculture and political upheaval turned darker, Powell, at 19, wrote one of the most infamous books ever published: The Anarchist Cookbook. Part manifesto, part bomb-making manual, it went on to sell over 2 million copies and has been associated with decades of anti-government attacks, abortion clinic bombings, school shootings, and homegrown domestic terrorism.. Now 65, Powell, haunted by his creation, struggles to make sense of the damage it's done. After writing it, he left the U.S. leading an itinerant life and taught kids with special needs -- ironically, the kinds of kids who may have turned to violence and to the Cookbook. AMERICAN ANARCHIST is a cautionary tale of youthful rebellion, unforeseen consequences, and a universal, all-too human story of an older man wrestling with his past, his identity, and coming to terms with who he really is.. . "Nominated for Best Documentary" - Cleveland International Film Festival. . "Nominated for Golden Starfish Award - Best Documentary Feature" - Hamptons International Film Festival. . "Nominated for Bronze Horse - Best Documentary" - Stockholm Film Festival