Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. Translation of Achtzehnte brumaire ... Read more

Book Description
This volume contains a selection of Karl Marx's most important writings, organized thematically under eight headings: methodology, alienation, economics, exploitation, historical materialism, classes, politics, and ideology. Jon Elster provides a brief introduction to each selection to explain its context and its place in Marx's argument. The volume is designed as a companion to Elster's An Introduction to Karl Marx and the thematic structure of each book is the same. But the Reader can also stand on its own and offers the student a substantial and revealingly organized selection of the crucial texts needed to understand and assess Marx's views. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

They complement each other...
In reference to Charles' review, I've read both this book and Ritzer's words on Marx.Charles is definitely correct that Ritzer is easier to understand than the Elster edit, but I think the two complement each other.

19th century German academic translations aren't going to be an easy read, however, what Marx said is essentially here.I wouldn't do as I did and try to read the whole text straight though, but it's an excellent text for linking Marx's words to the specific topics he addresses.

The four stars is based on what the text is supposed to be, which is certainly not a contemporary synopsis of Marx's work.

Classic, hard to understand Marx
While it is true that Marx may be one of the harder theorists to understand, this book didn't really give me a better understanding of anything. If you want a good amount of straight Marx text, this is the bookfor you. If you want to understand Marx and learn about his work, I suggestlooking into the introductory texts of George Ritzer. He does a MUCH betterjob a getting Marx across to the reader than anything in this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Karl Lowith's study of Max Weber and Karl Marx is a key text in modern interpretations of the theme of alienation in Marxist theory and the subject of rationalization in Weber's sociology. Lowith's philosophical approach, a product of Heidegger's existentialism, shows how both Marx and Weber work toward a common "life-philosophy." Lowith's analysis of the philosophical anthropology of Marxist theory and sociology also demonstrates that much of the ideological dispute between these two branches of thought is the result of a mutual misunderstanding. Lowith's book remains the best short introduction to the differences and similarities between Weber and Marx. This edition includes a preface from Professor Bryan S. Turner, in which he demonstrates the book's relevance to contemporary sociology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lowith's Argument Remains Important
Lowith's 1932 essay on Marx and Weber remains the definitive statement of the deep commonalities between these two thinkers.That is, it argues that Weber's central concern is to develop a fundamental theory of capitalism, as with Marx.For decades, it was "necessary" to attempt to parry Marx with Weber.Lowith's stood as an accusation of "bad faith" with regard to all such attempts, especially those who would evacuate Weber of all critique, even if only existential.Derek Sayer's "Capitalism and Modernity" is perhaps most in the spirit of this minor masterpiece. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful Introduction To Marx's Thought And Theories!
It would be a far easier task to understand Karl Marx's thought and theories were there not so many millions of Marxists in the world, people whose own take on Marx and his ideas are colored by the politics of those supposedly Marxist states such as the former Soviet Union or The Republic of China. The problem with this is that there are as many interpretations and variations on what supposedly constitutes Marxist thought as there are believers. Thus, one must take great care to stick to the original tests and concentrate on what Marx himself had to say (and he indeed had a quite prolific pen with which he quite liberally expressed himself over a fifty or sixty year period of active deliberation.

Thankfully, it is this treasure trove of original text that David McLellan employs so impressively in this wonderful introductory text relating to the broad sweep of Marx's thought. The author uses first hand quotes in context to pencil out both the broad outlines of Marx's impressively complex and comprehensive system of thought, on the one hand, and many important insights into the details that are so important in making this system of thought coherent. Using materials he has used in other texts quite successfully, the author shows how the various social, political and economic texts Marx wrote all tie together in a stunning system of critical; thought, and how they spell out the essentials of Marxism.

Thus, whether outlining how the antagonisms between opposing social classes provides the motive force of history, showing how surplus value is expropriated from the workers through exploitations and turned into profit for the business owner, or showing how alienation originated in the selling of one's time and energies in enterprises in which one is essentially a forced laborer, McLellan breathes life into Marxian thought. This is an excellent introductory text, and one I recommend for the beginning student of Marxist thought. Enjoy! ... Read more