Some noob works

[Dust Bunnies]

I will admit, I am a noob at Communism, and I haven't been putting an effort trying to improve that (I haven't visited Marxist.org in a while). I thought I would go abit less activity, thinking that just reading some things on revleft was enough. After reading this article about Stalin posted by Prairie Fire in this Khrushchev History thread, I realized that maybe I should give that thing called reading a second chance. What are generally good works to start off with? (please no Trot bias)

I have read Communist Manifesto and Engel's Communism FAQ.

[Post-Something]

Trot bias?

Anyway, you should expand your expand your understanding of Marx first. I've made it even easier for you, just go and watch these videos on this guys site: http://kapitalism101.wordpress.com/

He explains things fairly well.

After you understand Marx, then you can read some Lenin, and Trotsky etc.

[Dust Bunnies]

Well I have noticed that there is a huge gap between Trots and Stalinists (and their multiple flavors). Reading that Khrushchev history thread I saw a lot of Stalin bashing.

[Random Precision]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most people on this site probably consider me knowledgeable about Marxism, and much of what I know has come from thrusting myself into debate here. Putting yourself on a diet of strict reading of the "holy texts" is more likely to discourage you than do anything else.

But if you can give me an idea of the things you'd like to know about, maybe I can tell you some books to look into.

As for "Trot bias", remember that bias can and does work on both sides of the "Stalin line".

[Post-Something]

Well I have noticed that there is a huge gap between Trots and Stalinists (and their multiple flavors). Reading that Khrushchev history thread I saw a lot of Stalin bashing.

...Ok.

I don't think you should take sides so soon. Give the Anarchists a chance, the Trotskyists a chance, the Stalinists a chance, etc. Prairie Fire is a Hoxhaist, and they tend to side with Stalin more so than Trotsky.

Anyway, I think you should read this, it's an Anarchist publication, but the analysis of capitalism is pretty much sound. It's a pretty user friendly introduction: http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/anarchist_archives/bright/berkman/comanarchism/whatis_toc.html

[Valeofruin]

Trot bias?

Anyway, you should expand your expand your understanding of Marx first. I've made it even easier for you, just go and watch these videos on this guys site:

He explains things fairly well.

After you understand Marx, then you can read some Lenin, and Trotsky etc.

Brendens a hero tbh.

that being said start off by reading:

Emile Burns "What is Marxism"
Lenin's "The State and Revolution"
and Stalins "The foundations of Leninism"

all of which are available on Marx2mao and the Marxist internet archive.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

Dont limit yourself by not reading trot or anarchist work, keep an open mind whilst learning.

[#FF0000]

Critique of the Gotha Programme and The State and Revolution.

As for the anarchists, they are almost universally simple to read. The Conquest of Bread, The ABC of Anarchism, and Malatesta's essays are all great places to start.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Das Kapital.

You don't need to understand all of it, but the key concepts are important to know, I think. Granted, reading it is about as fun as watching paint dry. As far as sectarian reading is concerned (Stalinist, Trot, and anarchist writings), I don't have much to recommend. I'm an anarchist, but I think that anarchist writing (with a number of important exceptions) leaves a bit to be desired.

[Niccolò Rossi]

Let me begin by suggesting what you should not read. Please, for your own sake, don't read Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, Mao at this stage. A lot of their works require a strong understanding of the fundamentals of Marxism and can taint your understanding early on. I would also not recommend you read more sophisticated works such as Capital immediately either.

A book I suggest to all "learners" (if you will) if The Marx-Engels Reader by Robert C. Tucker (http://www.amazon.com/Marx-Engels-Reader-Second-Karl-Marx/dp/039309040X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6772839-5712932?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222386564&sr=8-1). It is an 800 page selection of the "essential" Marx and Engels ranging from excerpts from their major treatises' all the way down to private letters. You can pick up a used (or new) copy off Amazon if your keen.

However, If your not willing to pay (or can't find a used copy that is cheap enough), I would recommend you read the following (some of which and more you can find the Marx-Engels Reader), free from the MIA:


A Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing (Letter to Ruge) (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/letters/43_09.htm)
Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844 (only the chapters: Estranged Labour (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1844/manuscripts/labour.htm) and Private Property and Communism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1844/manuscripts/comm.htm)
Contribution to a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right: Introduction (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/critique-hpr/intro.htm) (This is one of my all time favourites, Marx's writing at it's best)
Society and Economy in History (Letter to Annenkov) (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1846/letters/46_12_28.htm)
These on Feuerbach (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1845/theses/index.htm)
German Ideology: Part One (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1845/german-ideology/ch01.htm)
Wage Labour and Capital (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/wage-labour/index.htm)
Manifesto of the Communist Party (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/index.htm)
Principle of Communism (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/11/prin-com.htm)
Critique of the Gotha Program (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/index.htm)
Marx debates Bakunin's Statism and Anarchy (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1874/04/bakunin-notes.htm)
Civil War in France (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1871/civil-war-france/index.htm) (specifically the chapter: The Paris Commune)
Socialism Utopian and Scientific (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1880/soc-utop/index.htm)
On Authority (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1872/10/authority.htm)
On Historical Materialism (Letter to Bloch and Letter to Starkenburg) (http://marxists.kgprog.com/history/etol/newspape/ni/vol01/no03/engels.htm#na)

Hope that helps, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to send me a PM.

[Charles Xavier]

Biggest thing, read to learn it not to memorize it. Read to use it not to debate about it.

[MarxSchmarx]

Critique of the Gotha Program for sure.

Apart from what's been suggested, here's my suggested reading list for an English reader:

Anarchist FAQ by Misc.
Probably the most comprehensive introduction to anarchism you will find. More to the point, their scathing critique of capitalism and the bourgeois state is one of the most persuasive and readable critiques I have found.
Socialism, Past Present and Future by Michael Harrington
Written by an arch-reformist towards the enf of his life, this work develops a theory of non-leninist, non-anarchist communism. It is a useful introduction to less mainstream traditions like Utopian socialism and luxembourgism.

ABC of Communism. Bukharin and Preobrazhensky
THE classic text on non-Trotskyist/non-Stalinist leninism.

I would also recommend:
Don't Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff
to understand your own convictions better.

The ABC of Communism and Anarchist FAQ are available online, the others you might be able to find through google books.