Product Description
Presents Fromm's provocative view of Marx. It stresses his humanist philosophy and challenges both Soviety distortion and Western ignorance of Marx's basic thinking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A Different Marx
Erich Fromm, displays a different profile of Karl Marx. According to Fromm, Marx is very different than the one told by the Russian Communists. Fromm tries to show the humanist ideas of Marx and he describes Marx's philosophy as a synthesis of humanism and naturalism. There are also good descriptions of what socialism means: "Socialism, for Marx, is a society which permits the actualization of man's essence, by overcoming his alienation.".
Fromm describes the Marxist socialism as the heirs of propethic Messianism.
This book is really interesting because Fromm tries to explain the humanistic values in socialism.
Indeed, all the communist propaganda has claimed that their way is the real Marxist system; however Fromm claims that their system was just a crude communism which neglected human beings and humanistic values.

Why Marx Now?
Marx?Communism?Please!

That's the gut reaction of most of us. Why is this? Why is the man who's ideas stimulated nearly half the world to revolution automatically rejected without even being seriously looked at by most of us the U.S. today?What's that you say?"History shows us that communism is an impossible system that leads to the greatest tyranny."

The fact is Marx is much more than communism. His most famous work is not called Communism but Capital. (The manifesto was a small pamphlet next to the thousands of pages of the planned four volumes of Capital). He is strongest in his analysis of the very history and machinery of this economic system. In fact, it is in his critique of capitalism (not his proposition of communism) that he is most original.

Today, we see yet another crisis in global capitalism. Almost all of us who seek understanding of this crisis do so using the very same conceptual tools of the capitalist doctrine itself. But what if there are incorrect assumptions that the governments, universities and media networks of the world continuously overlook?

Marx's Concept of Man serves as an introduction to such an analysis. It is a compilation of various manuscripts of the early Marx and is quite digestible--especially after Fromm's preface. Erich Fromm--a significant 20th century philosopher in his own right--introduces us to some of the most timeless aspects of Marx's concept of man in a way that makes his thought significant to this day.

Marx as a humanist philosopher
"Marx's Concept of Man" is essentially a pamphlet establishing the humanist, philosophical side of Marx as against the orthodox, Soviet view of Marx as tyrannical and economistic, and against the degree to which this view has seeped into academic literature in the West also. Famous Freudian Marxist Erich Fromm uses the "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts" as well as "The German Ideology" to stress the importance of humanist concepts such as alienation, freedom, and creativity for Marx, and in so doing explains what these and similar terms mean in Marx' work. Fromm has clearly paid careful attention to Marx' philosophy, and this part of the book is quite good as a simple overview.

The second half of the book covers the English translation of the aforementioned "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts" by Tom Bottomore, as well as excerpts from various other works by and about Marx meaning to show his humanism, his good nature, and his sensitivity to culture. Of special interest are the excerpts from the memoirs of those who knew Marx, like his daughter Eleanor as well as Paul Lafargue. These works are often quoted, but rarely does one find a larger part in English, not even in McLellan's biography.

Fromm goes a bit overboard here and there in stressing Marx' 'spiritual' nature. Although nothing Fromm writes is of itself incorrect, it may unwittingly reinforce the old canard of Marxism 'really' being a religion, and Marx a millennarian prophet, and so on. Fromm obviously rejects this old refrain, but should have made that clearer. In other aspects this collection is an interesting primer on Marx as thinker on human action and human nature, and sheds good light on this side of Marxist thought for those not familiar with it.

about time....
...someone dusted off Marx and took a good psychological look at the wealth in his writings!One needn't be a Marxist (I am not) to appreciate this fine book.My one concern is that Fromm is to Marx as Kaufmann is toNietzsche:both men either ignore or euphemize the weaknesses in thevisionaries they write about (e.g., Kaufmann's remark that Nietzsche'shateful, cynical, and demeaning remarks about women "do him littlecredit").Nevertheless, this book provides a good compensation forthe Western tendency to demonize a man very much misunderstood by those whoturned his writings to political purposes.

A very good read
Fromm's analysis of Marx is incredible, finally someone truly understands Marx's writing.This is an excellent edition for someone looking for a side of Marx not often discussed. ... Read more

Product Description
Marx: Later Political Writings brings together the most important texts in political philosophy written by Marx after 1848. All are in new translations, and the collection is introduced by the leading Marx scholar Terrell Carver. Unlike other collections, the works are presented complete, according to their earliest edition or manuscript text, and include the Manifesto of the Communist Party, and the little-known Notes on Adolph Wagner. These texts allow the close contact between Marx and contemporary politics to emerge in a clearer light. ... Read more

Product Description
The most comprehensive one-volume collection in English of Marx's early writings (1835-1847) on the nature of religion, freedom of the press, the relation of the state to democracy, the humanistic critique of philosophical idealism, the 'alienation' of humanity, and the relation of communism to historical praxis. Easton and Guddat's translations are based on the best German editions and on the study of original manuscripts and first editions. A substantial introduction and detailed analytical headnotes indicate the significance and historical setting of each selection, as well as its relationship to Marx's other writings. With one exception (Defense of the Moselle Correspondent) each article, chapter, or book section is presented in its entirety, without internal deletions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A tragedy of theory
Although there have been more recent biographies of Marx this one still endures with its combination of simple narrative spiced with acute observations and comment. The lives and work of Marx and Engels constitutes one the great tales of world history and one is surprised noone has seen the Hollywood movie (seriously) in the extraordinary period leading up to 1848, and beyond. In fact, this early period, clearer to us now, shows a side of Marx and his thinking that was not properly understood as the Communist tragedy unfolded on the basis of the later Marxism, whose theoretical constructs bore the seeds of great confusion. Sometimes this is pinned on Engels and the crystallization of doctrine that arose in the time of Kautsky and Bernstein. But the problems finally stand at Marx's doorstep and looking at his life as a whole one sees the incoherence of his basic project, mixing Hegel and economic theory, catching up with him. The obsessive endless 'extra study in depth', writer's block and nervous delay, the inability to complete Capital, are a puzzle of the later Marx after the brilliant period of the forties and the Left Hegelians. It is therefore frustrating to see how his contribution has been effectively lost, and nearly impossible to get straight. It is worth remembering that at the time of Marx's starting point the American political system looked like it would never be able to abolish slavery, and that without the intervention of the left economic society as we know it now would never have happened. And as the post-Communist era has dawned we can see exactly what happens as the pigheaded rightwing bougreoisie gets free reign without opposition in the neo-liberalism running amok that we see in the American system. So the future of this corpus of Marx remains always in the background as a wild card of social theory, and unfortunately the dangers of bad theories leading to opposite results.

The Definitive Intellectual Biography Of Marx!
Karl Marx's contribution to modern social thought is so immense it is now difficult to understand the profound degree to which much of what he thought and wrote has been almost totally discredited and discounted. This is not to deny the fact that his social theory is indeed quite essentially flawed, but rather to suggest that given the relative proportions of his contribution to sociology, economics, and cultural critique, one tends to throw out the baby with the bath water in summarily rejecting all that this intellectual genius had to offer regarding the nature of modern capitalistic society. No book does a better job of presenting the broad sweep of Marx's remarkable critical contributions than this wonderful and quite comprehensive biography of Marx by renowned psychologist and academic David McLellan.

With painstaking care and meticulus attention to detail, McLellan places Marx's life in context, showing how the multitude of social, cultural, and economic issues that formed him and scarred him early in life carried with them a most urgent message regarding the nature of modern society. Growing up a secular Jew in Germany, the phenomenally gifted young academic found himself barred from teaching based both on virulent anti-Semitism within the academic community and the fact that he was indeed correctly perceived as a radical thinker and political dissident from the beginning in the truculent and suffocating political environment within the society itself. Yet there was no denying either his intellectual brilliance or his charismatic abilities to fan the flames of political discontent almost everywhere he went over his sixty some years. The son of a comfortable Jewish professional who had adopted the Protestant faith for secular convenience, Marx found himself set adrift within currents that his own proclivities toward radical social, economic, and political analysis forced him to often flee one step ahead of arresting authorities.

Marx finally settled into London, surviving through a combination of writing short newspaper articles and through the largesse and generosity of his long-time confidant and erstwhile ally in arms, Freidrich Engels, the scion of a quite prosperous industrial family who incessantly came to the aid of Marx and his perpetually destitute family. McLellan helps us to see how all the elements of the times and the sweep of historical circumstances sped Marx along toward political involvement in one of the most important social developments of the twentieth century. My own personal opinion is that a careful reading of Marx leads one to the conclusion that his observations are still strikingly accurate in terms of his prognostications regarding the destiny of capitalism and I remind the prospective reader that the jury is yet out, time still marches on, and that what is going on now around us can be quite persuasively interpreted in elegant Marxian terms. Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
Karl Lowith's study of Max Weber and Karl Marx is a key interpretation of both the theme of alienation in Marxist theory as well as 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 also includes a preface from Professor Bryan S. Turner, who 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

Product Description
The history of capitalism has long been thought to be a sequence of recurring crises that appear in various forms: crises in employing people, crises in obtaining resources, and financial crises. Marx's Crises Theory: Scarcity, Labor, and Finance provides a framework for interpreting Marx's theory of crises. In conclusion, the author asserts that as long as the financial structure leads to periodic breakdowns, Marx's writings on the subject will retain their importance as a source of theory and analysis of the dynamics of political economy. ... Read more

Product Description
Translated and edited by T. B. Bottomore. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Marxism distilled
Tom Bottomore's collection is the best place to start to understand Marxist thought. This book was put together in light of the publication in the `60s of many of Marx's early works which had been previously unavailable. They outline the roots of Marx's mature philosophy from a perspective that's more libertarian and romantic than his later writings indicate. Taking on the mature Marx is a daunting task and so it helps to be aware of how his thought was formed. A person can get caught up in his arcane discussions of the formation of commodities while missing the essential points, or caught up with thinking about value and the labor theory of value without getting why they're important in the first place, so leaving much of that out is no great loss for the beginner. The most important aspect of this book, though, has to be that it shatters the notion that Marxism is a closed, hermeneutic, system which only makes self-referential sense. If you think that Marx only makes sense if you already believe in Marxism read this book to be disabused of you're notions.

Selected Writings
As the back of the book states, this book is a good way to become acquainted with the thoughts of Karl Marx.It provides insight into his thoughts on the economic theory of human development, and the effect ofhistory as well.It also deals with the social classes, revolution, andthe future.A good way to become familiar with the social philosophy ofMarx. ... Read more

Product Description
The classic explanation of Karl Marx's economic theories, by American socialist Ernest Untermann.The theory of historical materialism, the labor theory of value, the theory of surplus value, wage labor and profits, pre-capitalist societies, and the economic transition from feudalism to capitalism.Written for an audience of rank-and-file working people during the early union movement, "Marxist Economics" presents the most influential economic theories in history, in a non-technical way for non-economists. ... Read more

Product Description
The perfect books for the true book lover, Penguin’s Great Ideas series features twelve more groundbreaking works by some of history’s most prodigious thinkers. Each volume is beautifully packaged with a unique type-driven design that highlights the bookmaker’s art. Offering great literature in great packages at great prices, this series is ideal for those readers who want to explore and savor the Great Ideas that have shaped our world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Communist Manifesto
This book was part of my son's reading for his English class. The book arrived in plenty of time. Thank you!

The proletarians have nothing to loose but their chains
As Gareth Stedman Jones notes in his excellent and extensive introduction, `The Communist Manifesto remains a classic because of it unsurpassed depiction of modern capitalism and the transforming power of industrialization.' The industrial process destabilized all hierarchies and subverted all sacred and secular inherited beliefs and practices. It turned everything everywhere into an object for sale.
But, it also liberated people from backwardness and tradition-bound dependence.

The Communist Manifesto splits the world in two hostile camps: the Bourgeoisie (the haves, the owners of the means of production) and the Proletariat (the have-nots).

The Bourgeoisie tore asunder the feudal society. It left no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest (cash payments). It created one freedom: free trade.
But the Bourgeoisie also created its nemesis, the Proletariat, a class of labourers who can live only so long as they find work and who can only find work if their labour increases capital (is profitable).

In order to survive, all Proletarians should unite all over the world in order to conquer political power and to create a free society.
This free society should be attained by the following measures: abolition of all private property, of the family nucleus, of all countries and nationalities, of all religions and moralities, of all rights of inheritance and of all child labour.
All production instruments (industry, property, banking) should be centralized in the hands of the State (monopolies). There should be a heavy progressive income tax and free education for everyone.

Of course, this manifesto is partly extremely utopian (contrarian to biological `gene' interests) and far too optimistic about the `proletarian' management of State monopolies.
But its forceful message (ultimately, freedom for everyone) continues to send social, economic and political shockwaves all over the world.

This book contains also all the published prefaces of the manifesto, as well as excellent notes and suggestions for further reading.
This is probably the best, and certainly the most important, pamphlet ever written.
A must read.

Never have so many extrapolated so much out of so little.
A concept born in a simpler time used as an excuse for many things from Socialism to controlled capitalism. As with any pivotal work one should read it for his/her self. There is always the chance of misinterpretation by an individual, but if you do not read this then you are just accepting someone's word anyway.
This is more than an economics book it is a way of life. It sounds good on paper but makes a lot of assumptions. Instead of worrying about workability, look at the logic that is built on assumptions of that time (written, in 1848). Add this to your library.

You can pick a side (pro or con) and make a stand if you like; but look at the size of this book and realize that many people will just use the title and build their own case. You will have read the real thing. And be sure to balance it with. "The Capitalist Manifesto" by Louis O. Kelso

The Capitalist Manifesto ~ by Louis O. Kelso ... Read more

Product Description
Volume 3 of Marx’s political writings: The key essays and texts on politics and history—including The Civil War In France and Critique of the Gotha Programme.Karl Marx was not only the great theorist of capitalism, he was also a superb journalist, politician and historian. In these brand-new editions of Marx’s Political Writings we are able to see the depth and range of his mature work from 1848 through to the end of his life, from The Communist Manifesto to The Class Struggles in France and The Critique of the Gotha Programme. Each book has a new introduction from a major contemporary thinker, to shed new light on these vital texts.

Volume 3: The First International and After: The crucial texts of Marx’s later years—notably The Civil War in France and Critique of the Gotha Programme—count among his most important work. These articles include a searching analysis of the tragic but inspiring failure of the Paris Commune, as well as essays on German unification, the Irish question, the Polish national movement and the possibility of revolution in Russia. The founding documents of the First international and polemical pieces attacking the disciples of Proudhon and Bakunin and the advocates of reformism, by contrast, reveal a tactical mastery that has influenced revolutionary movements ever since. In a new introduction the renowned Marxist David Harvey sheds light on the evolution of Marx’s notions of democracy and politics. ... Read more

Product Description
Pocas obras han sido tan controversiales e influyentes como El Capital (Das Kapital). Desde su publicacion fue censurada y elogiada por igual. Sin embargo, con el paso del tiempo este tratado habria de transformar no solo los conceptos de la economia politica, sino la vida social de algunas de las naciones mas poderosas del mundo. Partiendo de una descripcion de las condiciones que se establece la circulacion del dinero y la mercancia, Marx plantea un analisis deductivo que involucra los medios de produccion, las relaciones propias de la economia moderna, el papel que desempenan las clases sociales en la acumulacion del capital y la incidencia de la tecnologia en la vida economica de los individuos. La complejidad y poca claridad del texto original, se supera en la presente version a cargo de Gabriel Deville.Aqui se sintetiza la esencia del texto original y se respeta el metodo deductivo del que se valio el autor para llegar a sus mas importantes conclusiones.Tambien se incluye, a modo de introduccion, un estudio bio-bibliografico que ubica en el contexto historico las ideas de Karl Marx.Como complemento se ofrece tambien un apendice a cargo de Pablo Lafargue que plantea al lector un interesante marco de pensamiento economico en relacion con las principales tesis de El capital. ... Read more

Product Description
Works include:
""The Age of Reason"" By Thomas Paine
""Areopagitica"" By John Milton
""The Art of War"" By Sun Tzu
""The United States Bill of Rights, 1791""
""The Communist Manifesto"" By Karl Marx
""Common Sense"" By Thomas Paine
""The United States' Constitution, 1787""
""The Declaration of Independence""
""The Emancipation Proclamation"" By Abraham Lincoln
""The Federalist Papers"" By Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
""Gettysburg Address"" By Abraham Lincoln
""Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"" By Patrick Henry
""An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations"" By Adam Smith
""A Letter Concerning Toleration"" By John Locke
""Leviathan"" By Thomas Hobbes
""Memoir of the Life of John Quincy Adams"" By John Quincy Adams
""On the Duty of Civil Disobedience"" By Henry David Thoreau
""The Prince"" By Nicolo Machiavelli
""The Republic"" By Plato
""The Rise and Fall of the Confederate"" By Jefferson Davis
""The Rights of Man"" By Thomas Paine
""A Treatise of Human Nature"" By David Hume
""A Treatise on Government"" By Aristotle
""Two Treatises of Government"" By John Locke
""Utopia"" By Thomas More ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Brian Wayne Wells, Esquire, reviews, Collected Works Vol. 5
This is Volume 5, of the 50 volume set of the entire collection of all the writings of Karl Marx and Frederick Engels.Marx and Engels were the founders of scientific socialism which drew elements from three main sources--English economics of Adam Smith and David Ricardo, utopian French socialism of Charles Fourier and Claude Henri Saint-Simon and from the German philosophy of Georg Wilhem Frederich Hegel.

Reading the entire 50 volume set of the Collected Works can be a daunting task, but it is an effort that will offer the reader the best chance to get inside the minds of the two nintgeenth century philosphers and follow all their steps as they sztruggled to develop a coherent concept of the economic system of the world.

Short of reading the entire set, each volume is a self contained book which offers real insight into the Marxian theory.Volume 5, covering the years 1845 thru 1847, contains "German Ideology" where Marx and Engels do philosophical battle with the Young Hegelians. ... Read more