Just an introduction

[Kingfish]

Howdy,


I’ve lurked this site for awhile sporadically however now that I’ve decided to actually make an effort to properly learn about Marxism (spurred on by those wonderfully organised learning guides and reading lists) and given the lack of real world opportunities to do so I figured now would be the best time to join the site.


As for myself politically I have drifted all over the political spectrum, though mainly due to the influence of a clever post, conversation, book or lecture rather than as a result of thorough investigation. Having always have had an interest in history and given the political climate I figured Marxism would probably be the best place to begin.


Looking forward to learning more and hopefully having a decent argument or two!

[Q]

Welcome :)

If you have political questions, you can ask them in the Learning forum. That's why it's there after all!

If you have questions about your account, don't hesitate to send me a PM or ask here.

What are your fields of interest, where would you like to start reading?

[Kingfish]

Welcome :)

If you have political questions, you can ask them in the Learning forum. That's why it's there after all!

If you have questions about your account, don't hesitate to send me a PM or ask here.

What are your fields of interest, where would you like to start reading?

Politically I'm most interested in trade unionism and (at least to my currently limited understanding of the term) historical materialism
In regards to history I have a rather eclectic interests in several areas however I'm most interested in the period between 1871-1991.

As for my reading I am planing on starting with the communist manifesto (and its associated study guide). Once I get that under my belt I plan to get my hands on the Marx-Engels Reader and start working my way through that Start Up Reading List for Newcomers you blogged.

[d3crypt]

Politically I'm most interested in trade unionism and (at least to my currently limited understanding of the term) historical materialism
In regards to history I have a rather eclectic interests in several areas however I'm most interested in the period between 1871-1991.

As for my reading I am planing on starting with the communist manifesto (and its associated study guide). Once I get that under my belt I plan to get my hands on the Marx-Engels Reader and start working my way through that Start Up Reading List for Newcomers you blogged.
Don't bother on Das Kapital until your familiar with other stuff. Its insane complicated. I would also recommend reading Reform or Revolution by Rosa Luxemburg. Also read The State and Revolution by Lenin.

[Q]

Don't bother on Das Kapital until your familiar with other stuff. Its insane complicated.
Don't bother with this advise. Capital is easy to understand. I do recommend David Harvey's reading Capital (http://davidharvey.org/reading-capital/) though, it's a useful study guide.

I'm currently having a readergroup, where one participant is completely new to communist politics. He finds it so easy to understand, it's actually somewhat boring. The only chapters that might cause you issues are the first three and if you follow Harvey's guides, they are good to tackle too.

[Luís Henrique]

Don't bother on Das Kapital until your familiar with other stuff. Its insane complicated.

Disregard such advice. It is a good read, no more complicated than what an average intelligent person can understand.


I would also recommend reading Reform or Revolution by Rosa Luxemburg. Also read The State and Revolution by Lenin.

Those are good reads too.

Luís Henrique

[d3crypt]

Don't bother with this advise. Capital is easy to understand. I do recommend David Harvey's reading Capital (http://davidharvey.org/reading-capital/) though, it's a useful study guide.

I'm currently having a readergroup, where one participant is completely new to communist politics. He finds it so easy to understand, it's actually somewhat boring. The only chapters that might cause you issues are the first three and if you follow Harvey's guides, they are good to tackle too.
It was confusing to me when i was just learning about marxism, but i exaggerated a bit. Disregard my advice.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

Welcome Kingfish! I hope you learn as much as I have in your time on the board.

Is that Huey Long as your avatar? Any reason for the choice?

[Fourth Internationalist]

Welcome to RevLeft! :D

[Petrol Bomb]

I started off by reading the Communist Manifesto like you plan to. Right now I am on 'Das Kapital: Volume One', as my second read. I don't find it all that confusing.

Anyways, welcome to RevLeft, and enjoy your time here.

[Kingfish]

Thank you all for a such warm welcome.

@CommunistMetalHead and Luis Henrique

I definitely intend to read Capital (or at least Volume I), when I reach that point I intend to not only read that guide but also watch that informative lecture series by the same author.

My current plan though is first to read through the Critique of Gotha Program and Engles Socialism: Utopian and Scientific.

@GiantMonkeyMan
It is, and the reason I chose it was because whilst I might have stumbled upon him by complete chance, in a fairly ironic turn of events it was reading about him that triggered my interest in Marxism and the revolutionary left.

[Quail]

Hi, welcome to Revleft :)

[Quail]

Hi, welcome to Revleft :)

[The Idler]

Welcome, if Capital is too hard, don't let that put you off socialist works, however you sound quite intelligent so you might understand it.

[slum]

Socialism: U & S is great, enjoy it. i find engels very funny as well as clear and engaging

and welcome