How can reading be a prerequisite to a revolution for people that will literally never read? I don’t think it is because I actually a revolution, do you?
Honestly Capital is ok. It’s simultaneously quite dry and also full of lengthy examples, but it’s far from the worst in terms of readability, especially compared to other german philosophers. Marx repeats his key points and ideas like 3 times in different ways, so it’s not too difficult to understand, it just takes some time. At the very least, read the communist manifesto, it’s short and gets across some of the key results from Capital.
Lenin is even better, at least in terms of writing style, he writes in a very down-to-earth language about down-to-earth issues. It’s straight to the point and engaging to read, even if I don’t agree with him on everything. (although I read most of his works as originals, so can’t speak to the quality of the english translations).
I get that reading is not for everyone, especially nowadays, both with the reduction in attention span and more expressive forms of content being easily available. At the same time, for people who do read regularly, even if it’s mostly fiction, reading theory is a fine idea. It doesn’t take as long as you might think and it gives you a more complete picture of the world in many ways.
Out of interest, what are your usual reading habits? To me Marx seemed like an outright joyread compared to his predecessor Hegel (I will admit that I haven’t finished any of his works). It was also more fun than some fiction stuff I’ve read.
Honestly Capital is ok. It’s simultaneously quite dry and also full of lengthy examples, but it’s far from the worst in terms of readability, especially compared to other german philosophers. Marx repeats his key points and ideas like 3 times in different ways, so it’s not too difficult to understand, it just takes some time. At the very least, read the communist manifesto, it’s short and gets across some of the key results from Capital.
Lenin is even better, at least in terms of writing style, he writes in a very down-to-earth language about down-to-earth issues. It’s straight to the point and engaging to read, even if I don’t agree with him on everything. (although I read most of his works as originals, so can’t speak to the quality of the english translations).
I get that reading is not for everyone, especially nowadays, both with the reduction in attention span and more expressive forms of content being easily available. At the same time, for people who do read regularly, even if it’s mostly fiction, reading theory is a fine idea. It doesn’t take as long as you might think and it gives you a more complete picture of the world in many ways.
I remember first becoming a Marxist and trying to read Capital.
It was a such a slog I was literally falling asleep. I didn’t even finish the first chapter.
Maybe one day I’ll try again.
Out of interest, what are your usual reading habits? To me Marx seemed like an outright joyread compared to his predecessor Hegel (I will admit that I haven’t finished any of his works). It was also more fun than some fiction stuff I’ve read.
tbh i struggle sitting still so long reading sessions are difficult for me
same with visual media like movies/shows
i haven’t read hegel