An Introduction to Marxism

by Emile Burns

64p paperback, clean unmarked pages, a very good copy

124 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1961

Reviews

[Laura Bucknall · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little dated in parts but still an interesting read and a good introduction to marxist ideology. some parts i didn’t really agree with but i think that’s mostly due to reading it in the modern day rather than in the context of the soviet union and the peoples republic of china

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy introduction to Marx and Marxism, also interesting as a primary document of post war Marxism. Has a slightly schizophrenic relationship to Stalin: on the one hand he is, according to party line, praised as a 'major thinker' on par with Lenin (which he obviously wasn't). On the other hand his purges are not swept under the rug as in some other more orthodox introductions. The optimistic descriptions of the emerging homo sovieticus are naive at best and tow the party line. Nevertheless, definitely worth a read.

[Alen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like a 4.5/5.

Definitely good to refresh your understanding with such a concise and well-written text, and I would’ve enjoyed it way more if I picked it up at 17.

However, the downside is that it is quite dated. Especially towards the end, where Burns allows himself to slip in several almost propagandist comments (although he is also critical of many points). One has to keep all the post-1991 events and post-communist rhetoric in mind.

[Luís · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breve livro de introdução ao marxismo(-leninismo) que pode ser bom para quem quer começar no estudo da base filosófica, materialista e comunista da teoria de Marx e Engels, e posteriormente da teoria do imperialismo desenvolvida por Lénine.
Também aborda as experiências socialistas da URSS e dos países do leste europeu, bem como os desvios da era estalinista.
O último capítulo dá algumas sugestões do socialismo de futuro, baseado na experiência soviética.

[Robert Dormer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you noticed the sharp rise in right wing pro-'murica warblegarble in recent years, especially on the internet? Noticed how, as sure as the sun rises, it includes Communism or Socialism as a snarl word within the first sentence? Curious as to just what the hell Marxism, Socialism, and Communism actually *are*? Then this is a good book for you. While a simple review is no place to discuss the merits - or lack thereof - of Marx and Socialism, this relatively short read sketches out a clear skeleton of just what Marx was getting on about. It also provides some useful history, and as a bonus, given the time when it was written, serves as an interesting historical documetn in and of itself. While it is, of course, partisan - that's inevitable - it's still dispassionate enough that the reader can just take in the ideas and decide for themselves wether Marx is a genius or a babbling lunatic. Hint - you'll get a much clearer idea from this book then you will from all of those birthers who've been foaming at the mouth about Comrade Obama on your Facebook feed.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delivers what's promised on the box.