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The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists

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The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists

By: Robert Tressell
Narrated by: George Galloway
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About this listen

The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists chronicles the tale of Frank Owen, a traveling socialist visionary making his way from town to town in the name of the socialist revolution. When spring arrives, Frank Owen decides to settle in the quiet town of Mugsborough, and joins a group of workmen who are painting the home of a wealthy neighborhood resident. Owen is quickly befriended by two fellow workmen: Bodgit and Scarpy. Scarpy is thin and nearly emaciated. When the men break for lunch Scarpy never has much to eat; only a bit of bread, or a biscuit and tea. Owen inquires as to why he's so thin and undernourished. Bodgit explains that his pay has been severely cut, and he barely has enough to feed his wife and three growing children at home.

Public Domain (P)2016 Jay Stewart Classics Linguistics Social Sciences
All stars
Most relevant
A relevant commentary on today's societal issues. quite sad that there are so many likenesses to today's issues, evidently we have regressed in many areas.
The narration is repetitive in parts where it hasn't been edited properly, but a decent listen.

Topical in today's economic disarray

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A well delivered telling of the classic story. Galloway honest in his interpretation. A good version not without a couple of recording blips but believable and delivered with honesty and a passion obviously derived from a love of the subject matter.

A prescient reminder of what was and may be again

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Despite a few recording errors which are to be expected from the age it is a fantastic read. Humerous, emotional and entertaining, as well as thought provoking and educational. Even more than a century on there are innumerable parrallels that can still be drawn, especially in our current political climate.

Highly recommended reading

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why did the narrator feel the need to bark out the name of the book his name and the chapter number.?
it was very off-putting to be shouted at. also why did he need to reminders at the beginning of a new chapter of his name as the narrator.
surely you just need to say at the beginning of the book the title and the narrators name.

narrator chapter introduction

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The story is wonderful and pulls you in despite the terrible narration and rubbish editing (what appears to have been corrections are left in alongside the original narration) .

Great story but terrible editing and a bad narrator

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