Customer Reviews

The Communist Manifesto and Other Revolutionary Writings: Marx, Marat, Paine, Mao Tse-Tung, Gandhi and Others (Dover Thrift Editions)

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For 3.50 you cannot go wrong with this Dover Anthology of revolutionary writings. Spanning the American, French, Russian and Chinese revolutions it offers a broad range from Rousseau to Paine and Mao. One of the best advantages of this edition is that it offers many speeches and small writings that normally would have to be tracked down in a library. Though there are not many completed revolutionary texts in this edition, you have to remember that it is under 5 dollars and that similar, larger anthologies also do not include that manny completed texts. So if you are interested in revolutionary writings this book would be the perfect introduction for you.

This collection of various revolutionary writings collects texts from a variety of sources, from the Declaration of Independence of the USA, the Communist Manifesto of Marx and Engels, to famous Anarchist writings, reaching to modern day revolutionaries such as Che Guevara.
For the price, the collection is definitely worth the buy. However, I believe that the book suffers from an obvious problem, which should be addressed.
The variety of Ideological texts presented in this collection do not give a clear vision of any of their Ideologies. Each text is presented with a short introduction explaining the writer's origins or the historical conditions, but the introductions are mostly a paragraph long, and will not be of any real value to the reader, if no historical and ideological background reading has been done.
If you are buying this collection for the Communist Manifesto, I would suggest to buy a better edition, as there is such a variety of great editions with proper analysis in its history and the writers' motives (such as The Communist Manifesto: A Modern Edition). If you are buying this collection for a general understanding of ideas such as Liberalism, Anarchism, Communism etc, with no background reading, again, I would suggest that you start off from other books. However, if you are interested in the various texts found in this book, that are often of great historical importance, (such as the Declaration of Independence, or the Tennis Court Oath), this book would be proven very interesting and useful.
This edition is a Dover Thrift edition, which means that it is produced on low quality paper, hence the low price of the book.

For anyone interested in what exactly is included in this book, here is the list of contents:

JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU: Preface and Part 2, Discourse on the Origins and Foundations of Inequality
VOLTAIRE: "Policy"
THOMAS JEFFERSON: A Summary View of the Rights of British America
THOMAS PAINE: Appendix to Common Sese
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Declaration of Independence
CAMILLE DESMOULINS: "Live Free or Die"
EMMANUEL JOSEPH SIEYÈS: Preface and Chapter 1, What Is the Third Estate?
THIRD ESTATE: Decree upon the National Assembly
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE: The Tennis Count Oath
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
JEAN PAUL MARAT: "Are We Undone?"
THOMAS PAINE: From Conclusion to Part 1, The Rights of Man
GEORGES JACQUES DANTON: "Dare, Dare Again, Always Dare"
PIERRE-SYLVAIN MARÉCHAL: Manifesto of the Equals
F. N. BABEUF: "Analysis of the Doctrine of Babeuf"
ROBERT OWEN: "The Legacy of Robert Owen to the Population of the World"
PIERRE-JOSEPH PROUDHON: Chapter 1, What Is Property?
MARX AND ENGELS: The Manifesto of the Communist Party
MARX AND ENGELS: Address of the Central Committee to the Communist League
FERDINAND LASSALLE: "The Working Man's Programme"
PETER KROPOTKIN: "An Appeal to the Young"
MIKHAIL BAKUNIN: From God and the State
V. I. LENIN: "May Day"
LEON TROTSKY: "The Proletariat and the Revolution"
LEON TROTSKY: "The Events in St. Petersburg"
EMMA GOLDMAN: "The Tragegy of Women's Emancipation"
LEON TROTSKY ET AL.: The Zimmerwald Manifesto
V. I. LENIN: "The Tasks of the Proletariat in the Present Revolution [The April Theses]"
ROSA LUXEMBURG ET AL.: A Call to the Workers of the World
V. I. LENIN AND THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT: "Declaration of Rights of the Working and Exploited People"
MOHANDAS K. GANDHI: Ahmedabad Speech
PETER KROPOTKIN: "The Russian Revolution and the Soviet Government"
MOHANDAS K. GANDHI: "Satyagraha (Noncoöperation)"
MAO ZEDONG: Manifesto of the Chinese People's Liberation Army [October 10th Manifesto]
CHE GUEVARA: "Colonialism is Doomed"
VACLAV HAVEL, JAN PATOCKA, ET AL.: Charter 77

This is revolution a great book for someone that has somewhere to be. The writings are mostly just a few pages long so you can begin and finish a thought before you have to stop reading. The only setback is that Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" isn't in the book in it's entirety. Only the appendix for "Common Sense" is in it. It is really hard to label that a setback because this book has so much packed into it for such a reasonable price.

The reviewer "Scott" argues that the Communist Manifesto is "degrading", and I'd like to know exactly "for whom/what"? Sounds like Scott is either a boss who'd like to see the revival of the "Golden Age of Capitalism" (the Industrial Revolution, which included sub-living wages, child labor, forced overtime, 12-15 hour days, no worker's rights, etc.). Or, more likely, he has never read the Communist Manifesto, which contains within it nothing that is degrading for the working and poor classes, but is in fact a dignifying and uplifting rally-cry for the working class.

Only a person that has never read the Communist Manifesto, or a person belonging to the priveleged class, could argue, honestly, that the Manifesto was degrading. Scott, you should be ashamed.

(By the way, Marx was not the rabid anti-capitalist, pro-Statist, everyone thinks he was - he was in fact the rightful heir to the Paine, Smith, Mill, etc. He followed their arguments to their logical conclusions, and he could not reject history and what capitalism had become by his time. As had been said about communism time and time again, capitalism "is a great idea but doesn't work" - not in the long run, not for the working class. Rather, capitalism had went from liberating people in the 17th and 18th centuries to enslaving them in the 19th and 20th - and 21st - centuries. Marx, like the "founding fathers" of America, had realised that CERTAINLY man needs land/resources to be free, but unlike the founding fathers he was around to see that monopolies were an inevitability in capitalism, and that the population would grow too large for there to be enough land and resources to go around without SHARING. "Private property" had become, by this time, a means of forcing latecomers into service in exchange for table scraps. And of course, the capitalists had abandoned their belief in liberty and human welfare and had become dependent upon the State to protect their hordes of unused/horded wealth and property. Forget the fact that they didn't need all the land and resources they "owned legally", and forget the fact that there were people that DID need it bud didn't have it, and forget the fact that the choice between starvation and work is NOT "freedom" but coercion - forget all this. What became important for the capitalists long before socialism, anarchism, and communism became attractive alternatives to capitalism was not people, but profit. Marx simply was more of a libertarian than the capitalists of his day.)

I bought this book because I always wanted to read the communist manifesto; which turned out to be one of the least interesting chapters. The collection overall is fantastic no matter which direction your philosophy points. I really enjoyed the French revolutionaries and the anarchists. I even found the militant collectivists interesting. I was really shocked to find Che Guevara's speech to the United Nations somewhat brilliant and moving. I still despise seeing his face on t-shirts worn by mindless co-eds, but at least he had some redeeming quality.
The writings are in chronological order, which makes it all the more interesting. Knowing that the ideas you are currently reading had most likely been influenced by the ones you already read. The order and dates also add insight to where the philosophers wanted to go and where history tells us mankind ended up. The other reviewers already outlined who's writings are included, so I'll end here.

This book is great for anyone interested in the development of new ideas. When all of these writings are taken as a whole you can really appreciate what each revolutionary was trying to convey. A great read and very well priced.

I had always wanted to read the Communist Manifesto. This book surrounds Marx's writing with others that show a clear development towards a new kind of freedom and government. When placed in the contex of other great writers of new thinking, all of these works have greater meaning.

This is a superb collection to buy.

The price of the book was reasonable, and the author tried to contain many information in condensed book, but have to sat, communism ideology were proved failed and not practical again and again.In the academia world, if some theory can't be supported by scientific evidence, we call it "hype" and "failed". Communism had proven failed again and again, that's why when we see those lovers of communist, socialist, totalitarians, though their theory seems somewhat appealing to ignorants, it doesn't have real persuasive power to genera. That's why they only work underground, their tactics always use lies and disguising. is It's sad that so many people nowadays try to change this nation into communist or socialism ( same role, just different name) not really knowing the truth, just based on some political ideology that human history had repeatedly proved to be failed. In fact communism is the worst political system that ever presented on earth. Because of its brutality, I escaped from that regime. And I am happy to be in this country where human freedom is mostly respected, and protected. Communist lies saying every one shares equally: In fact only, those few comrades who caused the shift of power enjoy the wealth and power, but the rest of the general citizens have no equality nor basic human right. Any one speak against government---disappear next day to "concentration camp" w/o fair trials nor justice. Communist shut down all religious freedom, or freedom of speech ( all medias are government controlled) Communists deny any form of gods but instead, they set the status of Stalin or Ma chiding, or Kimjung ill, and have to sing songs and salute for them, worship them. From elementary children to elders... Anyone dares to go against the government, ---labor camp! Several millions who stand for their freedom were killed brutally in early 20th century, during the communism overturn. 1989, Tinamen square, a million chines college students marched to protest against their communist government of oppression: it was broadcasted all over the world, they were asking communist government to give them ;freedom for speech, media, business, religion, true-democracy( not like few communist party people controlling) by election. Sooner the communist government sent them tanks and guns and indiscriminately shoot them and ran over with tank. Whole world watched through television broadcast. There is no "equal Justice" like the communist ideologist deceives people. Only "Elite Party Comrades" have the privileges of special health care, food market for themselves only, supply stores for them only, but the rest of the citizens live in dirt poor situation deprived from basic human rights. It's just a power shift from have to have not. Maybe somebody to arrange some "exchange living tourism" between these communist countries and America, Send those "Deceived communism lovers" to live in those communist countries for a year or two years by themselves without any privileges as American, but just as like their citizen, then maybe all these communism, socialism, totalitarian movement in American will learn the true lessons of the reality, and waken up. Also, reading the books by real defects form those communist countries will give real ideas, not just full of bologna, lying ideology (theory) books
Now some ignorant Americans already forgot about this just 20 years ago's brutality that we watched with our own eyes, want to change this great nation into communist?
Please study the real history. I mean the "real history" not just that stupid "ideology of communist". In a word, if you study the true history, communist repeatedly failed last 150 years.
and it's the most evil regime in the history. Why?: Stalin communist government killed 90 millions including the vicinity nations that were turn into communism, Macho-tong communist killed 100 millions, 2 millions by North Korea, by Cambodia each, 2 millions in Africa, 200,000 latin America..so on . But most of all they all became terribly poor after communist regime,oppressing the free capitalism, except China, because they started to adapt the partial capitalism from 10 years ago after they realized the harsh economic state. Now history tells also other evil regime; Hitler killed 6 million jew with other 4 million of Europeans; Japan' imperialism killed 20 million Asians during WWII, ..so on.
Now some ignorant Americans already forgot about this just 20 years ago's brutality that we watched with our own eyes, want to change this great nation into communist?
Please study the real history. I mean the "real history" not just that stupid "ideology of communist". In a word, if you study the true history, communist repeatedly failed last 150 years.
and it's the most evil regime in the history. Why?: Stalin communist government killed 90 millions including the vicinity nations that were turn into communism, Macho-tong communist killed 100 millions, 2 millions by North Korea, by Cambodia each, 2 millions in Africa, 200,000 latin America..so on . But most of all they all became terribly poor after communist regime,oppressing the free capitalism, except China, because they started to adapt the partial capitalism from 10 years ago after they realized the harsh economic state. Now history tells also other totalitarianistic evil regime; Hitler killed 6 million jew with other 4 million of Europeans; Japan' imperialism killed 20 million Asians during WWII, ..so on.

When communism and socialism oppress people's creativity and force them to work for "common Good", the productivity drops automatically. Why? men were not made to work for Common good. Maybe some aliens from different planet or maybe Jesus will do for common good. But not men's nature. That's why communism make every one poorer and poorer from their establishments throughout the history. When men get prosperous by working w their hards, with their creativity, they eventually help others if they are normal. because normal people appreciate God's wisdom of love and peace. But if the much power goes to God-hating communist, socialists or totalitarianistic government, you will see the corruption everywhere in their regime, instead of trying to help others or common good. Because they basically don't know, or appreciate God's wisdom of love and peace for all, they will fully manifest their selfishness and brutality filling only their throats. Why? that's the human nature w/o god. Human nature could be most brutal and selfish if they don't learn the true love from the creator as history repeatedly teach us.

Men can't govern themselves.They are naturally selfish, greedy and evil w/o god. If any political party, government have too much power, they will certainly hurt others unless they truly know jesus who always teach love and peace. That's why our America's constitution is truly great, because it was written by the God's fairness and wisdom protecting basic human rights that is originally from God , over any political unbalance. I realized only those who hate God fall into these"denying the constitution, or "let's change it "theory saying they are too old or whatever nonsense. Too old constitution? Then why the whole world always look upon America when it comes, most well practiced freedom and human right? Please have reasons.

If USA turned into communism, the power will shift to only those who hate the existing American system. They secretly controlling medias ( I already see it happened ) and brainwashing the youth with distorted facts in textbooks last 20 years. They keep change their names, their activity, and theory. Why? if they openly speak up, they know they will fail because any normal mind people will see the deception and its perversion. Look at these behind scenes of the head members. They are not normal mind, full of hatred, and causing always divisions, manipulations. Sadly this government & Geroge Soro' socialic, communistic union party people hired many "paid bloggers from 4 years ago intensively promoting hatreds & division. Real sad thing is most American publics are so ignorant, not knowing the behind scenes, get brain wash step by step through facebook, twitters, googles' net traffic.
Many good people's web site had been already blocked from public access from 2010.Do u know who r the major donors to all the ivy league schools in America? Middle Eastern Islamic terrorists sponsoring extremists. We pour our oil money into these middle eastern countries, these islamic extremists trains terrorists w our money, sending back to USA to brain wash college kids, funding mosques, from 1960' pouring into American textbook committees to distort our history, fanning the Anti-america propaganda w socialists, communism movement
together to destroy this great nation, but Americans are sleeping. While these trillion's forein oil money are eating up our nation, last prolong Democratic congress, government prohibit our own oil production saying "environmental protection". no wonder our debt is no more controllable. To any nation to be strong, they have to have their own supply of power sources. Get it? Can't go on with debts, especially to middle east. Though we fully develop all forms of green energy,it is still less than 50% of our energy sources. Before polar bears or dolphins, we are getting total broke, can't even protect them from international slaughters. Please think people & wake up from those hired bloggers & medias who were own by few extreme liberal bosses.

Collect the real historic facts, separate from the author's propaganda. Lineup the real facts, then you will see the history more accurately. Always develop the "reasoning power" of your own this way, not swayed by many false propagandas in most books, medias out there. If you don't have your own reasoning power, you will be always vulnerable and get deceived.
Interestingly always angry, poor people seem becoming the front line deceived victims of these evil ideology. So instead, ask God to enlighten your heart to live with love and peace& goodness with others and ask your personal blessing instead of trying to destroy others who seems have.

If you believe somebody or some classes hurt your people, look at this. Bible says: forgive your enemy, don't live with your past: Don't covet your neighbors: work diligently on your own hands so you don't steal, become a burden to others. And lastly, love your neighbors as yourself. Then you will live in the true blessing of God, the creator. Those citizens of chines and all the other communist countries, including north korean, who are brutally oppressed in the middle Eastern Islam tyrannies still wants their human freedom with the destruction of the oppressing totalitarianistic regime still today. So why move to backward of mistakes people?

The works contained within are testament to the genius of man, and also the stupidity.
I find it mildly offensive that such a degrading piece of work such as the Communist Manifesto be included in the same binding with the Declaration of Independence.