Marx

by Terry Eagleton

First published in 1999. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Economics

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Widely regarded as England's most influential living literary critic & theorist, Dr. Terry Eagleton currently serves as Distinguished Professor of English Literature at the University of Lancaster and as Visiting Professor at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He was Thomas Warton Prof. of English Literature at the University of Oxford ('92-01) & John Edward Taylor Professor of English Literature at the University of Manchester 'til '08. He returned to the University of Notre Dame in the Autumn '09 semester as Distinguished Visitor in the English Department.

He's written over 40 books, including Literary Theory: An Introduction ('83); The Ideology of the Aesthetic ('90) & The Illusions of Postmodernism ('96).
He delivered Yale's '08 Terry Lectures and gave a Gifford Lecture in 3/10, titled The God Debate.

Reviews

[Alex Georgiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overarching succinct review of Marx and his beliefs in various domains, which I was able to read in 1 day. My only concern for this book was in that it is a secondary source, and as such, prone to the author's biases in its construction. However, this book provides a great introduction to communism and its origins

[Jody Mena]

A very short but informative little book that sums up Marxism quite nicely and objectively. Very interesting reading!

[Grinjo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eagletons succinct forward to what is philosophy according to an anti-philosopher Marx (he starts thus). Easy read. Lots of useful citations. We find the practical philosophy of early Marx compelling

[James Klagge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though a very short book, I have been reading this over a period of months b/c it is small enough to carry in my pocket when I go to an appointment where I might have to wait awhile.
Why read a book on Marx now? This was written 20 years ago, but several years after the "fall of Communism." So this does make the obvious point that the "communism" that fell was not what Marx had in mind. It remains an open question whether what Marx did have in mind is still possible. Of course he was no visionary--he was not committed to any details about what the ultimate ideal society would look like, so much as that it would be the outcome of a certain process. He certainly got the timing wrong--the last 100 years went nothing like he imagined. But that the capitalistic forces that he invoked are still at work in the direction he imagined, with much the consequences that he imagined, can't really be doubted. We just don't know whether there is some collapse in the cards that capitalism can't avoid, or what might come afterwards if it did collapse. So there is work to do separating what in Marx was mistaken and what remains interesting. Nevertheless, the label of Marxism is not one that will gain much traction in the modern world. (Look what trouble Bernie had even with "socialism.") So I do not see much future in invoking Marx, and I think academics who do so are more interested in the shock value than the practical worth.
This account of Marx by Eagleton hits the high points in an engaging fashion, emphasizing their humanistic aspects. Not a bad read for the waiting room.

[Tvrtko Balić · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much I can say about this book. It is a really good, really short overview of Marxism with a focus on the idea of freedom. I'm not a fan of Eagleton's criticism of Stalinism so it doesn't get five stars, but because it's such a simple introduction Eagleton's liberalism isn't too excessive beyond that or when it is, which is sort of inevitable with the focus being on freedom, it is framed in an interesting philosophical analysis. So despite my disagreements with Eagleton I think he did a good job and I would recommend this book.

[Zak · Rating 4 out of 5]

V short, interesting thoughts on Marx’s view on freedom, the essential role of labour in self realisation and the process of commodification (in which the product of labour becomes the thing with power over the worker). Still not sure I can fully conceptualise the key currents of Marxism but getting closer, maybe. Contains plenty of quotations and fits in a pocket, cashback.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a distillation in under 60 pages of some of the main currents in Marx’s thought, particularly in regard to his concept of freedom. It is not an introduction to Marx as some reviewers seem to think.

[Jalen · Rating 3 out of 5]

short and sweet book, im sure it glosses over a lot. marx was an ambitious guy for sure

[Hxnv · Rating 4 out of 5]

01-27-2024
(4.450)

[Genndy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating of this work was not based on my opinion on Marx or his thought. That would simply be wrong thing to do. After all, Marx didn't wrote this book, and even though it contains many of his quotes, it is in fact intellectual work of T. Eagleton, and it should ONLY be rated in that context.
This book, as a work of Eagleton on the theme of Marx's thought, has some presuposed goals. In reviewing and rating it, one should simply put in his sume did the book live up to this expectations, did it accomplish it's primary goal? And what would that goals be? Well, to briefly analyse core of the Marx's philosophy and explain it to the reader who is not so well familiar with this themes. (The book is clearly intended as an introduction to laymen, not as in-depth analysis for experts).
And the book simply didn't suceed in that primary goals. One would thought that dense book of small volume would explain some of the Marx's problematics to the laymen more appropriately, but that is not the case, and this book is in it's many aspects confusing, mainly for it's brief form. But, not only, because of that. I have some problems even with the terminology used in it as a translation of Marx's terms. Many of terms used in this book are highly confusing, not straight forward in meaning, and simply demand some pre-knowledge on Marx's discourse, so the book misses it's primary function as a read for laymen.
It has some good ideas, and opens some good questions in dealing with problematic spots of Marx's doctrine, but even if some good thought arises in this work, it is never elaborated, but simply mentioned in one brief line of text.
In conclusion, I read books about Marxs that were much more intimidating in their appearence, but much much more useful in introducing his thought to common man or a student.

[Richard]

An extremely brief summary of Marx's philosophy. According to Eagleton, Marx largely succeeded in pointing the way towards a future where each individual will be able to realize the full expression of their humanity. Marx, nevertheless, was neither a fantasist nor a moralist - his historical materialism grew from and recognized the centrality of the contingent material conditions from which it emerged while also giving appropriate credit to the progressive qualities of the industrial bourgeoisie. Eagleton suggests that Marx might be open to some critique from an environmentalist perspective but otherwise I read this modest offering as an endorsement of much that Marx had to offer. I think I agree, too, inasmuch as I am resolved to continue plowing through the second half of Capital Vol. 1.

[Gareth]

A very short book—a day's reading. However, while Eagleton obviously knows his stuff, and presents a very knowledgeable and sympathetic portrait of Marx's ideas, it is not especially accessible or systematic. The book reads more like the observations of the author on selected points than an introduction. Those looking for the latter should seek out Peter Singer's very short introduction to Marx, which is excellent (and longer!).

Gareth Southwell is a philosopher, writer and illustrator.

[Nativeabuse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supposed to be an introduction? Or so I thought considering that it is barely like 60 or 80 pages long. But Eagleton jumps right off the deep end talking about Marx as though he were talking to someone who already knew what all these topics were. But at the same time, he talks about them in an overview sort of way???

I have no idea who he was writing this for honestly, reads like an overview written for someone who already has a good understanding of marx? Probably useless to most people.

[Frederic · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a pamphlet than a book...not at all the "Introduction to Marx" that I was expecting...

[Babu Rvs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real good introduction to Marxism. Even a person with very little background of history and philosophy, will find this book very useful in understanding Marxism.

[Pve · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is great about this book is that it shows the development of Marx's ideas and therefore pays due respect to the early writing such as the Economic and Philosophic manuscripts 1844.