The Communist Manifesto (Penguin Classics)
by Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.92 You Save: $4.08 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Communist Manifesto (Penguin Classics)
Book Review: Greatest and most important political work of all-time.
Summary: 5 Stars
Although it at first had little or no impact on the widespread and varied revolutionary movements of the mid-19th century Europe, the Communist Manifesto was to become one of the most widely read and discussed documents of the 20th century. Marx sought to differentiate his brand of socialism from others by insisting that it was scientifically based in the objective study of history, which he saw as being a continuous process of change and transformation. Just as feudalism had naturally evolved into mercantilism and then capitalism, so capitalism would inevitably give way to its logical successor, socialism (a term which in Marx's usage includes its most advanced form, communism) as the necessary result of class struggle. Marx's insistence that tough-minded realism should replace the utopian idealism of earlier socialists had profound consequences: it enabled revolutionaries like Lenin to be put it into action, but it also tended to encourage its followers to accept ruthless means to justify what they believed were historically necessary ends. Radical politics were being much more widely discussed than the small number of radicals justified; but Marx uses this fact to his advantage by proclaiming that any ideology so feared must be important and worth explaining clearly.Book Review: Education and Insight
Summary: 4 Stars
As other reviewers have noted, regardless of one's political views this is an important work. Beyond its historical significance, reading it provides a glimpse into what made it so popular for so long: the authors' new world view, their amazing foresight (and false predictions!), their rallying cry to radicals everywhere.
This edition provides excellent insight into the background, influences and setting of its writing. The introduction is great history and education, but even if one reads only the actual Manifesto, the end notes add so much! And while the end notes are almost as long as the work itself, don't neglect them: they add so much insight into the environment (and, as one reviewer here mentions, Marx's grudges) in which it was written.
I'm glad I finally read this - and I'm glad I picked up this edition; I've now a much better understanding of its adherents' tenets and philosophy.
Book Review: The Hobo Philosopher
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, if you are a student of Philosophy or economics you must make this a part of your reading whether you want to or not. It is not long. It is not difficult. It is quite explicit. And after you read it you should have a better understanding of where you personally stand politically. I am not going to comment on what it says or advocates. Read it and find out for yourself. You won't need an interpreter.
Books written by Richard Noble - The Hobo Philosopher:
"Hobo-ing America: A Workingman's Tour of the U.S.A.."
"A Summer with Charlie"
"A Little Something: Poetry and Prose"
"Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother"
"The Eastpointer" Selections from award winning column.
Book Review: Excellent Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
There are many editions of The Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels in print around the world, but this is one of the best. The introduction is very solid and puts you in the right frame of mind. This is followed by various prefaces to the various editions written by Marx and Engels throughout the nineteenth century. These prefaces really give a good feel for what to expect in the material to follow. The material itself is rather famous (or infamous depending on who you ask), and it is presented clearly and concisely. If you have ever wanted to know what communism truly is from the minds of Marx and Engles, then this is the edition to read.Book Review: Historical Work
Summary: 2 Stars
Karl Marx is a paragon of Western civilization. That said, I want to say his "Communist Manifesto" is an interesting historical read so to understand critiques of the industrial revolution and the evils it effected. But I think the ideas taken together are today bankrupt due to better government and a lean toward the left in coopting some of the ideas of Marx. If you are interested in reading this book for historical purposes, I recommend it; if you want to read it for ideas about bettering our present condition, I would say you might be wasting your time. Great thinker nonetheless.