Marx for beginners...

[Wings Of Redemption]

I'm a bit out of my depth here. Yesterday I started reading The Communist Manifesto and I can slightly grasp what Marx is saying but his use of language is what makes it hard for me. Can anyone suggest something I could read online to get me started or some other tips in general?

[The Idler]

Oxford University Press
Anarchism: A Very Short Introduction by Colin Ward
Communism: A Very Short Introduction by Leslie Holmes
Socialism: A Very Short Introduction by Michael Newman
Marx: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Singer
Engels: A Very Short Introduction by Terrell Harver

Icon Books/Pantheon/Totem
Introducing Marx by Rius
Introducing Marxism by Rupert Woodfin and Oscar Zarate

Graphic Guides
Marx's Das Kapital for Beginners by Michael Wayne, illustrated by Sungyoon Choi (Steerforth)
The Communist Manifesto Illustrated: Chapter 1 by George Rigakos (Red Quill, 2010)
The Communist Manifesto Illustrated: Chapter 2 by George Rigakos (Red Quill, 2011)
The Communist Manifesto Illustrated: Chapter 3 by George Rigakos (Red Quill, 2012)

[Manic Impressive]

Have you tried principles of communism yet? It's easier.

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm

anything you don't understand just ask :)

[GiantMonkeyMan]

A good introductory text might be The Principles of Communism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm) by Engels. I feel it lays things out in a simple and effective manner but frankly some of the language in it is a bit archaic as well. That's what you get from something written in the middle of the 19th century, I guess.

What particular parts are you struggling with? There's plently of well read marxists on this board and we'd all be willing to help with any certain issues. :)

edit: aha, ratty. we pretty much made the exact same posts but a few minutes apart :D

[Comrade Samuel]

If your looking to get into Marxist economics (which I do not suggest until after the communist manifesto and the principals of communism) many would point to das kapital- it's no small task reading it as a beginner, I know but I recently picked up a book called "Marx's Das Kapital for beginners" by Michael Wayne- I strongly recommend it for later on.

[subcp]

A similar thread had a number of good recommendations; mine was Marx's The Class Struggle in France as a good introductory reading of Marx and Engels. I found reading the Old Bolsheviks easier overall at first, which helped to relate these concepts when going back to Marx- after awhile you get to notice the differences in perspective and opinion between well known communist thinkers, and where they have gone their own way (and then you can decide whether or not you agree or disagree with their perspective; for example Luxemburg's economics, De Leon's view on unions, Lenin's conception of the worker's party, etc.).

http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1850/class-struggles-france/index.htm

Engels' introduction to Class Struggles in France contains some very lucid ideas; which were later developed by Trotsky (The Curve of Capitalist Development, 1923), which has been a strong influence on my views (when reading and writing) lately. I think it's a great text to get started.

Are there specific areas or concepts that you're having trouble with that anyone here can help?

[Wings Of Redemption]

Are there specific areas or concepts that you're having trouble with that anyone here can help?

Not specific just yet, last night I only got a quick read because I have no free time due to school work :( I'll get back to you though. Thanks for the help.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

You might find some helpful resources in our study guide project: http://www.revleft.com/vb/rev-left-study-t172829/index.html

There are some guides to Marx and Engels works that you could utilize.

[Wings Of Redemption]

You might find some helpful resources in our study guide project:

There are some guides to Marx and Engels works that you could utilize.

Yeah, I got a quick look at the study group today and I'm quite impressed, it's just intimidating as a beginner. It'll be some time before I'll stand any chance of holding my own against anyone here in a debate :)

[leninstalin1988]

I would go to marxists dot org that site is a treasure trove of Communist and Socialist Books and Documents from all types of Denominations