Books/resources for MUCH younger comrades?

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

Hey y'all,

I've been a Commie for quite a few years now, so this post is more for a younger friend of mine rather than for me.

Recently, a young lad at the tender age of 13 who is very intelligent for his age has come to me looking for answers about Marxist theory. I've helped him through the Manifesto and Mao's Little Red Book, but he's still got a ways to go... however, the problem is, most of the books/resources that I have are on a very high theoretical level and are frustrating for him to read- especially Marx and Lenin.

Anyone have any ideas as to any good books/websites that might be able to explain Marxism in a very very basic way, in one that essentially a 7th-grader (on a gifted reading level) might be able to understand?...

[Idealism]

Hey y'all,

I've been a Commie for quite a few years now, so this post is more for a younger friend of mine rather than for me.

Recently, a young lad at the tender age of 13 who is very intelligent for his age has come to me looking for answers about Marxist theory. I've helped him through the Manifesto and Mao's Little Red Book, but he's still got a ways to go... however, the problem is, most of the books/resources that I have are on a very high theoretical level and are frustrating for him to read- especially Marx and Lenin.

Anyone have any ideas as to any good books/websites that might be able to explain Marxism in a very very basic way, in one that essentially a 7th-grader (on a gifted reading level) might be able to understand?...


If you can take the time, it might be best for you to explain these things to him, taking complex ideas and putting them into simpler ones, which can be better than any book or website will offer.

[Sasha]

is he by any change german or dutch? the first books in klaus kordon's berlin series (esp. the red sailors about the november revolution) are an awsome easy introduction in both radical history and counsel communism.

anyway, the dry theorie stuf can wait surely?, start him out on more friendly (auto-) biografies.
a gifted 13 year old should love to read for example an "living my live" from emma goldman (i know i did)

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

If you can take the time, it might be best for you to explain these things to him, taking complex ideas and putting them into simpler ones, which can be better than any book or website will offer.

Indeed I get into things with him, but he still likes READING, and I'm also wondering if there are some books that might be good starting points. He's very enthusiastic about history and political science, so I'm thinking stuff like On Guerrilla Warfare by Mao or The State & Revolution by Lenin that we can work through together.


anyway, the dry theorie stuf can wait surely?, start him out on more friendly (auto-) biografies.
a gifted 13 year old should love to read for example an "living my live" from emma goldman (i know i did)

Actually, that's a good idea... He's read a biography on Lenin, but I'm trying to steer him away from Soviet nostalgia and militarism (which he seems to be geared towards). I read Living My Life when I was in 8th grade (when I was dabbling in Anarcho-Syndicalism) and I enjoyed it; I still love and admire Emma and I think he'd enjoy it.

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

Hmmm... what about Che's "On Vietnam & World Revolution"? Would that be good?

[Dimentio]

Test to translate the Swedish comics magazine Bamse ^^

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

Sorry, we're talkin' a young American here.

[Dimentio]

Sorry, we're talkin' a young American here.

It would work internationally as well.

Bamse is a cartoon character. A little bear with socialistic values. It has probably had an impact on most Swedes who grew up between 1973 and 1991.

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

Where would I find some? I can read a little Swedish, due to have Swedish family, not sure if it's enough to do a full-blown translation.

[Wanted Man]

Not directly related to marxism, but a good introduction to imperialism instead: http://www.addictedtowar.com/book.html

Kids who are just in high school are damn clever sometimes. :D

[mykittyhasaboner]

Marx for beginners (http://www.amazon.com/Marx-Beginners-Rius/dp/0375714618), I thought this was cool when a took a brief look at one of my friend's copies. It seems like an entertaining, easy to read book and the free preview gives a good impression.

You can get it used for relatively cheap on amazon, or maybe try a torrent if you want to get it for free.

[Dimentio]

Where would I find some? I can read a little Swedish, due to have Swedish family, not sure if it's enough to do a full-blown translation.

Its basically for those who are 3-9 years old.


http://www.bamse.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamse

[DIzzIE]

Why limit his reading material to dreary Marxism?

Hook him up with a copy of A Child's Guide to Nihilism: A Coloring and Activity Book (http://littleblackcart.com/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&products_id=182)


A Child's Guide to Nihilism is an activity and coloring book designed to inform children and adults about the Russian nihilists of the 1860s. It asks questions like "what kind of monster would you choose to be?" and "what path would you travel to a better world?," and ends with the triumphant image of the destruction of everything we know.

[mikelepore]

"Socialism: Utopian and Scientific" by Engels.

I recommend that to cause the least amount of damage, since almost everything else that isn't "dry theory" is mainly each partisan sect's argument that their plan is the only right one and everyone else's plan is wrong. (And that includes my own partisan sect's arguments -- ha-ha.)

[The Ungovernable Farce]

Hey y'all,

I've been a Commie for quite a few years now, so this post is more for a younger friend of mine rather than for me.

Recently, a young lad at the tender age of 13 who is very intelligent for his age has come to me looking for answers about Marxist theory. I've helped him through the Manifesto and Mao's Little Red Book, but he's still got a ways to go... however, the problem is, most of the books/resources that I have are on a very high theoretical level and are frustrating for him to read- especially Marx and Lenin.

Anyone have any ideas as to any good books/websites that might be able to explain Marxism in a very very basic way, in one that essentially a 7th-grader (on a gifted reading level) might be able to understand?...
I'd say The ABC of Anarchism by Alexander Berkman would be good, cos he's got a really accessible writing style. But then I would say that. If you're looking for non-anarcho stuff, there are serious problems with The Two Souls of Socialism by Hal Draper, but it's still accessible and right about a lot of things. Beyond that...surely your friendly local trot group must put out a few basic introductions to that kind of thing?