A better understanding of Marxism

A great book for anyone skeptic of Marxism and anyone who wants to know more about him.

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Accessible

It's genuinely impressive the extent to which left-wing political opinions get misrepresented, especially in the US. Socialism is conflated with communism, Stalisnism with Marxism, and Marxian views tend to be rejected purely by association with misunderstood, extreme takes by people connected only by a few shared foundational beliefs.

Here, Eagleton does a nicely accessible job of explaining how many of the core misrepresentations of Marx's writings are wild oversimplifications. This is likely to neatly confirm the beliefs of anyone already left-leaning. Would it change the beliefs of anyone on the right? Who knows? But then, it's unlikely many on the right would pick up a book called Why Marx Was Right in the first place.

Perhaps if they did the world might be a slightly better place.

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A good start in Marxist studies

easy to follow and a great insight into Marx and his legacy. Very accessible and a good starting point for the study of Marxism

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Outstanding achievement

Extremely listenable writing style and very accessible to the layman. Narrated masterfully this book destroys many of the ridiculous 'Facebook meme' anti-Marx arguments and exposes them as the product of ignorance.

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Quite informative

Interesting book that is very well written. The author makes his arguments well and consequently they follow a very logical pattern. Marx's view of the world is as appropriate today as it was in the Victorian times that he lived and wrote in. It's a shame that the events of the 20th Century will be forever associated with Marx when all the evidence points to the fact that he would have been appalled as most people are by what was inspired by his writings. This book goes a long way in trying to atone for that damage to the reputation of his life's work.

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Dispels a lot of myths!

Selected this book to extend my political knowledge but enjoyed it far more than expected.
Whilst the narration was good, I think I would have chosen a less sombre voice to assist in 're-branding' Marxism as much less frightening and doom-laden than usually portrayed?

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Good for those new to Marxism

Eagleton does an okay job at explaining fundamentals but save a few genuinely good chapters (like when he separates historical materialism from determinism) this is a book for beginner Marxists. Also, lists of three examples but the third thing is quirky aren't as funny as he thinks.

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Finally!

What a joyful book,yes joyful, as someone,Terry Eagleton, sets about to explain to the lame of soul "why Marx was right" and succeds.
The semi theatrical performance by Roger Clark is apprpriate in explaining concepts and expressing feelings.
What a book, sincere in intention and result.

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the humour

it was very understandable with a touch of fun attached which is nice when reading a topic on Marx

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A fascinating insight into the lefts mentality.

Overall a useful insight into the mentality of leftist ideology. My main gripe with this book was how difficult a read (or listen) it is.somewhat of a mundane overtone, with ideas which can be difficult to keep track of due to the authors lack of focus for particular sections. The first two chapters are essentially filler which do nothing but to cement the authors own biases against the opposition, I admit I find it somewhat ironic that the author mentions the divisive nature of society whilst sewing further division by essentially labelling his political opponents with a similar brush, as well as performing a character assissination on his strawman complete with a traditional derogatory term.

Whilst I disagree with many of the authors views, and believe his takes on historic events to be heavily revisionist, I can respect the detail included in his arguments and appreciate the insight into what I believe to be the authors genuine and honest take on Marxs views.

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