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Capital: Volume 1 cover art

Capital: Volume 1

By: Karl Marx,Samuel Moore - translation,Edward Aveling - translation
Narrated by: Derek Le Page
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Summary

It can be said of very few books that the world was changed as a result of its publication - but this is certainly the case of Capital: A Critique of Political Economy by Karl Marx (1818-1883). Volume 1 appeared (in German) in 1867, and the two subsequent volumes appeared at later dates after the author's death - completed from extensive notes left by Marx himself.

Marx, famously writing in the Reading Room of the British Museum, set out to draw on theories of labour, money and economics developed by many key figures in previous centuries and then present a vivid picture of the effect of (as he saw it) the vicious exploitation of labour and the power-play and greed of that class of unprincipled businessmen - the capitalists. He starts by considering commodity, value and exchange. In doing so he looks at the basic processes involved in labour productivity and how it turns into excessive surplus value at the expense of the labourer himself. But do not think that that this is a dry analysis of the nuts and bolts of economics. Soon Marx, from extensive research, begins to outline the horrifying effect of the industrial revolution (for all its benefits) on the working man, woman and child, the blighting of their lives and slow, oh so slow, march of correcting Acts of Parliaments through the 19th century. These two threads - exploitation economics and the personal plight of the worker - continue to be developed side by side and intertwine with conclusions to become a truly powerful and emotional polemic.

Sometimes it becomes clear that his observations are hugely relevant to our 24 hour life, our gig economy and our international economy, with a frightening percentage of world wealth being held in a few hands. This is not an easy book but, especially in the hands of Derek Le Page, who has incorporated all the relevant footnotes (and they are extensive), it is a compelling listen. Whatever the nightmare of 20th century communism, to ignore this book is misjudge it. Marx said, 'Philosophers have previously tried to explain the world; our task is to change it'. And he meant it.

Translation: Samuel Moore and Edward Aveling.

Public Domain (P)2018 Ukemi Productions Ltd

What listeners say about Capital: Volume 1

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Marx tells it how it is !!!

A thorough breakdown and critique of the capitalist system . Read perfectly clear and concise with all footnotes of the updated editions

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17 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Good moments, dreary in most places

It is a reminder to listeners that this is written in the olden English and is therefore strenuously long and repetitive, especially one of the chapters about value and linen. Listen to as much as you can bear and then move on to the next chapter.
All in all a very long listen, but full of quality quotes from Marx and his footnotes.
This book is not about communism, it’s about ‘class struggle’, and he explains in detail the perspective of both sides, of the proletariat and of the Bourgeoise.

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15 people found this helpful

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Fascinating

long. but worth it for a detailed insight to the industry of the UK in the 1800s

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12 people found this helpful

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Excellent

I would never have got round to reading this, but it was a joy to listen to. Le Page brings Marx to life and makes a sometimes difficult text as easy to follow as possible.

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8 people found this helpful

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Perfect Narration

Perfect narration to a very dry and difficult text. It gets better towards the end and understanding it is worth it!

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7 people found this helpful

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absolutely great way to read a stone cold classic

an absolute banger of a book. First 10 chapters are pretty heavy going but it does get easier (i promise).

Derek le Page is a great reader who really helps you grasp the meaning of the book even doing the sarcastic parts with the right level of sass.

Read this book then change the world

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Bad translations

The narrator struggles mightily with both German and French. Makes the footnotes excruciating to listen to

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Unparalleled work

Marx got it right about capitalism. The most in-depth and ambitious critique of the current system that many of his detractors have failed refute. Their only recourse left is slander.

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2 people found this helpful

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Enthralling if viewed through the correct lens

Derek Le Page does a great job of keeping the listener's attention, through what could be described a dry subject. There are great pearls of wisdom throughout, though sometimes spelling out the obvious to anyone who has actually taken the time to think of such things. Some of the accounts of labour conditions are appalling and make even the hardest of heart wince.

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Not good as an audio book

Footnote after footnote after footnote breaking into the text, I'd had enough after only 1 hour.

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1 person found this helpful