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raoul_g's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very succinct summary of the basics of communism, including the definition of many terms surrounding this theory. What is also presented, is some historical context, which is of course very helpful. The text takes the form of a catechism, meaning there are 25 questions and then (mostly) relatively short answers. In my opinion this is a very insightful document and it is much clearer in explaining Communism than for example the Communist Manifesto.
"Question 14: What kind of a new social order will this have to be?
Answer: Above all, it will generally have to take the running of industry and of all branches of production out of the hands of mutually competing individuals and instead institute a system in which all these branches of production are operated by society as a whole, that is, for the common account, according to a common plan and with the participation of all members of society. It will, in other words, abolish competition and replace it with association."
"Question 14: What kind of a new social order will this have to be?
Answer: Above all, it will generally have to take the running of industry and of all branches of production out of the hands of mutually competing individuals and instead institute a system in which all these branches of production are operated by society as a whole, that is, for the common account, according to a common plan and with the participation of all members of society. It will, in other words, abolish competition and replace it with association."
tucker_scary's review against another edition
5.0
Part of the reason I adore this work is that if you squint hard enough and reflect on it, you can envision basically the entire history/progression of the communist and radical movements.
ostrava's review against another edition
A bit dated. That's what happens when your book is more of a FAQ oriented at the people of your time, as opposed to serve as an outline of ideas for any kind of generation. But that doesn't mean it doesn't do its job well, it's somehow better as an introduction to communism than the Manifesto. Clearly more useful to go back to if you're looking for Engels perspective, but the one it gives on solutions interests me less than the historical one.
Also worth noticing is that Engels didn't have the writing skills of Marx, so while there's more clarity, it's somehow less inspiring as a result.
Also worth noticing is that Engels didn't have the writing skills of Marx, so while there's more clarity, it's somehow less inspiring as a result.
zachbrumaire's review against another edition
5.0
a clear and concise overview of political economic history and communist strategy. at times dated and overly deterministic, it still remains highly relevant as a groundwork for contemporary leftist discourse and practice!
A lofi audio recording of this book can be found here: https://youtu.be/fR4V9bji6N4!
a nonmusical version can also be found at librivox!
A lofi audio recording of this book can be found here: https://youtu.be/fR4V9bji6N4!
a nonmusical version can also be found at librivox!