Description
Devised by Mexican cartoonist, Rius, this text provides an introduction to Marx, a philosopher that many consider to be as relevant today as he has ever been, as the world moves towards unregulated free-market economies.
Status
Checked out
Due September 6, 2019
Call number
Publication
New York : Pantheon Books, [2003]
User reviews
LibraryThing member McCaine
I bought "Marx for Beginners", a cartoon introduction to Marx written by Mexican political cartoonist Eduardo del Rio ("Rius"), not so much because I needed an introduction to Marxism but to see how the theory can be summarized as pithily and shortly as possible. And indeed, Del Rio has done an
As far as the political side goes, Del Rio usefully emphasizes the limitations of social-democracy and its inability to get beyond the exploitation of capitalism, as well as many quotations from Marx showing how he opposed this tendency. As criticisms, one could remark that Engels gets short shrift in this book - admittedly it is titled "Marx for beginners", but one wonders why not "Marx & Engels for beginners"? Also, Del Rio seems to take the connection between Marx and Lenin as a natural progression for granted, even including in the (otherwise very handy) vocabulary of terms under Marxism-Leninism: "theory of the proletarian liberation movement". Hardly something uncontested.
The drawings are clear and funny, if a bit on the juvenile side compared to the content that he is trying to convey. This might have a good effect on younger people reading it though, making it possibly useful as a high school text on Marx, if there ever is a capitalist country brave enough to allow it. Due to the requirements of Del Rio's purpose, some of the summaries of earlier thinkers are so simple as to be simplistic, but this can't be helped. Overall, a practical and well-done introduction to Marx for the complete novice.
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admirable job on this. The reader is guided through all aspects of Marx' work as well as biography, even including an extraordinarily rapid overview of the history of philosophy and of the early socialists. Of the economic theories of Marx only the basics are explained, but nevertheless sufficient to get the point of what Marx tried to show in "Capital", if not how he proved it. As far as the political side goes, Del Rio usefully emphasizes the limitations of social-democracy and its inability to get beyond the exploitation of capitalism, as well as many quotations from Marx showing how he opposed this tendency. As criticisms, one could remark that Engels gets short shrift in this book - admittedly it is titled "Marx for beginners", but one wonders why not "Marx & Engels for beginners"? Also, Del Rio seems to take the connection between Marx and Lenin as a natural progression for granted, even including in the (otherwise very handy) vocabulary of terms under Marxism-Leninism: "theory of the proletarian liberation movement". Hardly something uncontested.
The drawings are clear and funny, if a bit on the juvenile side compared to the content that he is trying to convey. This might have a good effect on younger people reading it though, making it possibly useful as a high school text on Marx, if there ever is a capitalist country brave enough to allow it. Due to the requirements of Del Rio's purpose, some of the summaries of earlier thinkers are so simple as to be simplistic, but this can't be helped. Overall, a practical and well-done introduction to Marx for the complete novice.
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LibraryThing member shoomg
Marxism is false, but it's still worth knowing what it actually stands for, and this book does a fairly good job of describing it.
LibraryThing member obscuresoul13
This books is mainly a simplified explanation of Marxist theory & history. I greatly enjoyed reading it as it takes a humorous approach in explaining. It's complete with funny ways of wording & drawings.
LibraryThing member WCallister
This was a very good read, though confusing, at times, due to it's somewhat comic-book style. It is CLEARLY written from a pro-Marx perspective. On more than one occasion it made some very clear attacks on religion in general, but especially Christianity. If you are searching for a "new
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philosophy," I would not recommend this, due to it's clear bias. If you are fairly confident, in your ability to objectively analyze information, and discern fact from bias, then I would recommend this. It does seem to give a fairly extensive view of the ideologies behind Marxism, without getting bogged down in the mundane mechanics of it. Ironically, after reading this, I am even more convinced that Marxism cannot work, because it requires you to start with some assumptions about mankind, which I can't agree with, nor do I see any evidence for. All in all, a good read, with some good information. Show Less
LibraryThing member agnesmack
It's written in comic book form and while I hate comic books it's incredibly reader friendly and does a great job of making Marx very accessible. It's my #1 most recommended book to people who are interested in Marx. Plus, it's cute.
LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
Right, let me be honest from the start, I am no Marxist. Marx, however, is a significant figure and it is as well to have a grasp of his philosophy. Surely, I hear you say, the best way to do that is to read Marx's writings. Have you tried reading Karl's oeuvre, without help?
Rius has produced a
The book does use humour and is unashamedly pro Marx but, neither of these facts should, in any way, deter your reading of same. The text goes surprisingly deep but somehow remains comprehensible.
This is the first of the 'For Beginners' series that I have read, I shall certainly look out for other examples.
Rius has produced a
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comic book style offering which contains a surprising amount of serious information. Topics which I have read in Marx's books suddenly make more sense. I would still consider myself to be a non-Maxist socialist, but at least I may claim a basic understanding of his beliefs.The book does use humour and is unashamedly pro Marx but, neither of these facts should, in any way, deter your reading of same. The text goes surprisingly deep but somehow remains comprehensible.
This is the first of the 'For Beginners' series that I have read, I shall certainly look out for other examples.
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LibraryThing member aviskase
I don't get on well with philosophy and social sciences at the whole because words seem so imperfect and insubstantial compared to the simple beauty of formal and natural sciences, so my review isn't really objective. But I'm trying to fathom some basic ideas to not be plain stupid. This book works
As for the Marx theory, it was not a revelation. Raised in post Soviet country, I happened to have a good grasp of this idea without really noticing it. It's strange that being born in the first years of independance I know every big phrases from this book. I even have a feeling that I've read The Communist Manifesto before, but it's impossible. Obviously, it's a knowledge of the Soviet time history. They really tried to build a socialism (or showed their trying), so big reforms, especially the early ones, correspond well to the manifesto.
Said it, I don't understand author's occasional praising of Lenin. Because you cannot be serious to praise any man who tried to make Marx theories into practice.
So, I recommend this book who want to understand the basic principles, especially if you are bad in philosophy. Though, it's not very easy to read, but much better than usual school books.
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well in this case. It pays a lot of attention to history and evolution of philosophy which helps to understand difference between idealism and materialism, dialectical and metaphysical. I feel that this duality and antagonism are probably simplicated, but wiki page on "Metaphysics" causes me a headache, so this simplicity is welcome. As for the Marx theory, it was not a revelation. Raised in post Soviet country, I happened to have a good grasp of this idea without really noticing it. It's strange that being born in the first years of independance I know every big phrases from this book. I even have a feeling that I've read The Communist Manifesto before, but it's impossible. Obviously, it's a knowledge of the Soviet time history. They really tried to build a socialism (or showed their trying), so big reforms, especially the early ones, correspond well to the manifesto.
Said it, I don't understand author's occasional praising of Lenin. Because you cannot be serious to praise any man who tried to make Marx theories into practice.
So, I recommend this book who want to understand the basic principles, especially if you are bad in philosophy. Though, it's not very easy to read, but much better than usual school books.
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LibraryThing member noaman
A highly compressed overview of the development of Marx's views, the book is truly just for beginners. It's supposed to be a "documentary comic book" -- but I don't think that it makes use of the comics medium as effectively as it could: It relies less on narrative and more on an
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illustrated-history-book approach. Nevertheless, it is very good as a brief and quick introduction for those interested in getting a sense of Marx's ideas to study them further. It is quite useful for the introduction to the social, historical and philosophical conditions of and leading up to Marx's time, that makes up in breadth what it lacks in depth. Also very useful is the extensive glossary in the back. Show Less
LibraryThing member Clurb
This is a short but comprehensive overview of Marx, part biography and part discussion of Marxism's philosophical origins and main tenets. Introducing Marx is written in a comic-book style which breaks the information up into more digestible chunks and adds an air of humour and irreverence to the
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topic. If you're wanting a quick introduction to Marxism this is as good a place as any to start. Show Less
LibraryThing member sgerbic
Reviewed March 2000
A great book for beginners, but still confusing. All info on Marx and thinkers before and after are summarized. Only the bare facts are given which is quite enough. The author give a wonderful overview of thought from the beginning of understanding to Lenin. Everything is drawn
3-2000
A great book for beginners, but still confusing. All info on Marx and thinkers before and after are summarized. Only the bare facts are given which is quite enough. The author give a wonderful overview of thought from the beginning of understanding to Lenin. Everything is drawn
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in cartoon to help the reader grasp difficult concepts. I found it difficult to stop reading because there are no formal chapters or even paragraphs, and beginning again is difficult. Rius (Eduardo el Rio) gives communism and capitalism overviews from the socialist viewpoint, which is interesting. But a bit frustrating. In 1976 when this book was written, the USSR was still in power an thriving(?). It would be interesting to read a revised book. Marx claims over and over that capitalism will fail and communism is the future. The definitions listed in the the back are great..."Atheism ~ Democritus and Epicurus, who denied the supernatural and stated the world is nothing other than matter composed of atoms." "Communism ~ is the stage following socialism, when social classes cease to exist, USSR, China are still in socialism phases." 3-2000
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LibraryThing member jshttnbm
Teaching this for class this week. It's kind of silly—Rius sort of oscillates between annoying and reductive snark and really, really clear explanations. It's fine for some high school students who haven't heard of Marx before but.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1976
ISBN
0375714618 / 9780375714610