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Marx's Das Kapital: A Biography Audiobook
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(3.58) - 76 listener ratings
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In this brilliant book, Francis Wheen, the author of the most successful biography of Karl Marx, tells the story of Das Kapital and Marx's twenty-year struggle to complete his unfinished masterpiece. Born in a two-room flat in London's Soho amid political squabbles and personal tragedy, the first volume of Das Kapital was published in 1867 to muted praise. But after Marx's death, the book went on to influence thinkers, writers, and revolutionaries, from George Bernard Shaw to V. I. Lenin, changing the direction of twentieth-century history. Wheen shows that, far from being a dry economic treatise, Das Kapital is like a vast Gothic novel whose heroes are enslaved by the monster they created: capitalism. Furthermore, Wheen argues, as long as capitalism endures, Das Kapital demands to be read and understood.
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"This is a book about the book that probably directly and indirectly influenced the 20th Century more than any other. While a thin volume (especially when compare to the great work that it explores) it does some valuable work and sets a few important records straight. Perhaps key amongst these is to underscore that Das Kapital cannot and should not be seen as a "Marxist bible of eternally codified canons" - although such a religious cult soon developed around the book, a book which is probably as deeply read and understood by is adherents as the Bible is to many Christians or the Koran to many Muslims. In his lifetime Marx himself,as he despaired at those who were busy even then building his cult, Wheen notes stated "all I know is that I am not a Marxist". Part of the book is concerned with the basic contents of Marx's philosophy and the apparant contradictions and how Marx either refuted these or was happy to leave confusion in place so as to hedge his bets in areas of uncertainty. Wheen also emphasises that Marx did not explain how, why or when the system would destroy itself. Critically he notes that Marx saw Capitalism as a powerful and successful economic system that while depending on exploitation had constructed a resilliant society in which economics was the driving force of human development. Another valuable contribution made by Wheen's book is his illustration of the litary nature of Marx's work which is steeped in cultural and literary references which demonstrate his huge reading, understanding and love for literature (Wheen notes that there is a 450 page book devoted just to Marx's literary references). It is unlikely that I will ever sit down and try to read Das Kapital itself (I've tried in the past to tackle the first volume but have settled for abridged versions designed for people like me who lack a broad literary or economic knowledge and that was tough enough going) but I would recomend this book as a good one for clearing up some common misconceptions, for revealing some suprises and in its closing pages placing Marx in a modern context that finds his work still as relevant today as it was back then. I also like Marx's favourite motto "everything should be questioned" a lesson many of those who follow/followed him would do to learn for starters."
— Kriegslok (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“As gripping and as readable as a first-rate thriller.”
— Times -
[An] exhilarating read, and a healthy corrective to those brought up to think of Marx's work as rigid and doctrinaire.
— The Sunday Telegraph -
"[An] exhilarating read, and a healthy corrective to those brought up to think of Marx’s work as rigid and doctrinaire.”
— Sunday Telegraph (London)
Marx's Das Kapital Listener Reviews
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" I picked this up because I read a review that pointed out the similarity of Das Kapital to a gothic novel. I've never read, nor likely ever will read, Das Kapital(especially not in a coffee shop where an odd little man will keep trying to make eye contact with me until I acknowledge him so that he can talk about Marx) but this slim, engaging work has at least provided me with enough of an idea of the work to be able to discuss it with at least a modicum of intelligence. And, if I prove to be as much of an idiot as I have proven myself to be in the past, I can always fall back on relating how Marx suffered from carbuncles on his ass while finishing his masterwork. "
— Stephen, 2/15/2014 -
" I picked this up because I read a review that pointed out the similarity of Das Kapital to a gothic novel. I've never read, nor likely ever will read, Das Kapital(especially not in a coffee shop where an odd little man will keep trying to make eye contact with me until I acknowledge him so that he can talk about Marx) but this slim, engaging work has at least provided me with enough of an idea of the work to be able to discuss it with at least a modicum of intelligence. And, if I prove to be as much of an idiot as I have proven myself to be in the past, I can always fall back on relating how Marx suffered from carbuncles on his ass while finishing his masterwork. "
— Stephen, 2/15/2014 -
" interesting...audio book was clear, easy to follow.. "
— Jose, 2/12/2014 -
" interesting...audio book was clear, easy to follow.. "
— Jose, 2/12/2014 -
" This is a book about the book that probably directly and indirectly influenced the 20th Century more than any other. While a thin volume (especially when compare to the great work that it explores) it does some valuable work and sets a few important records straight. Perhaps key amongst these is to underscore that Das Kapital cannot and should not be seen as a "Marxist bible of eternally codified canons" - although such a religious cult soon developed around the book, a book which is probably as deeply read and understood by is adherents as the Bible is to many Christians or the Koran to many Muslims. In his lifetime Marx himself,as he despaired at those who were busy even then building his cult, Wheen notes stated "all I know is that I am not a Marxist". Part of the book is concerned with the basic contents of Marx's philosophy and the apparant contradictions and how Marx either refuted these or was happy to leave confusion in place so as to hedge his bets in areas of uncertainty. Wheen also emphasises that Marx did not explain how, why or when the system would destroy itself. Critically he notes that Marx saw Capitalism as a powerful and successful economic system that while depending on exploitation had constructed a resilliant society in which economics was the driving force of human development. Another valuable contribution made by Wheen's book is his illustration of the litary nature of Marx's work which is steeped in cultural and literary references which demonstrate his huge reading, understanding and love for literature (Wheen notes that there is a 450 page book devoted just to Marx's literary references). It is unlikely that I will ever sit down and try to read Das Kapital itself (I've tried in the past to tackle the first volume but have settled for abridged versions designed for people like me who lack a broad literary or economic knowledge and that was tough enough going) but I would recomend this book as a good one for clearing up some common misconceptions, for revealing some suprises and in its closing pages placing Marx in a modern context that finds his work still as relevant today as it was back then. I also like Marx's favourite motto "everything should be questioned" a lesson many of those who follow/followed him would do to learn for starters. "
— Kriegslok, 2/10/2014 -
" Good overview of the origin of the book, its fundamental concepts, and its legacy. "
— Abu, 1/3/2014 -
" Good overview of the origin of the book, its fundamental concepts, and its legacy. "
— Abu, 1/3/2014 -
" I am not really a history freak, but it was an interesting and short book about history around 'Das Kapital'. "
— Michiel, 12/24/2013 -
" I am not really a history freak, but it was an interesting and short book about history around 'Das Kapital'. "
— Michiel, 12/24/2013 -
" A good little book, a bit surprising coming from Wheen. "
— Bhaskar, 12/17/2013 -
" A good little book, a bit surprising coming from Wheen. "
— Bhaskar, 12/17/2013 -
" Fascinating details behind the production of one of one of the most influential books ever written. "
— Tom, 10/10/2013 -
" Fascinating details behind the production of one of one of the most influential books ever written. "
— Tom, 10/10/2013 -
" An excellent brief summary of Marx's theories and works. The section on automation is particularly interesting. "
— James, 9/25/2013 -
" An excellent brief summary of Marx's theories and works. The section on automation is particularly interesting. "
— James, 9/25/2013 -
" Not worth the read except for the first chapter which is available online anyway. "
— Bhupinder, 4/1/2013 -
" Not worth the read except for the first chapter which is available online anyway. "
— Bhupinder, 4/1/2013 -
" Karl Marx was crazy. But like the best crazies the world has ever seen; he was right. "
— Dylan, 2/17/2013 -
" Karl Marx was crazy. But like the best crazies the world has ever seen; he was right. "
— Dylan, 2/17/2013 -
" Very readable, pacey and enjoyable look at a book I am now trying to work up the brainpower to actually read. "
— Edmole, 12/21/2011 -
" Very readable, pacey and enjoyable look at a book I am now trying to work up the brainpower to actually read. "
— Edmole, 12/21/2011 -
" I like this line: "Di sini, masih dalam kandungan, tesis hakiki Das Kapital. Betapapun megahnya kejayaan ekonominya yang terlihat, kapitalisme tetaplah suatu bencana karena ia mengubah manusia menjadi komoditas, yang bisa dipertukarkan dengan komoditas-komoditas lainnya." "
— lita, 12/8/2011 -
" I like this line: "Di sini, masih dalam kandungan, tesis hakiki Das Kapital. Betapapun megahnya kejayaan ekonominya yang terlihat, kapitalisme tetaplah suatu bencana karena ia mengubah manusia menjadi komoditas, yang bisa dipertukarkan dengan komoditas-komoditas lainnya." "
— lita, 12/8/2011 -
" In which Francis Wheen argues that Das Kapital belongs on the bookshelf between Sterne’s <em>Tristram Shandy</em> and Mary Shelley’s <em>Frankenstein</em>, and we learn more than we wanted to know about Karl’s carbuncles. <br/> <br/>“Dat’s capital, gents!” "
— Douglas, 1/14/2011 -
" In which Francis Wheen argues that Das Kapital belongs on the bookshelf between Sterne’s <em>Tristram Shandy</em> and Mary Shelley’s <em>Frankenstein</em>, and we learn more than we wanted to know about Karl’s carbuncles. <br/> <br/>“Dat’s capital, gents!” "
— Douglas, 1/14/2011 -
" A good little book, a bit surprising coming from Wheen. "
— Bhaskar, 1/9/2011 -
" A good little book, a bit surprising coming from Wheen. "
— Bhaskar, 1/9/2011 -
" After reading the history of this book, I think that many people we call Marxists are not by Marx's standards, Marxists. "
— Matthew, 6/29/2010 -
" After reading the history of this book, I think that many people we call Marxists are not by Marx's standards, Marxists. "
— Matthew, 6/29/2010 -
" Fascinating details behind the production of one of one of the most influential books ever written. "
— Tom, 11/22/2009 -
" Fascinating details behind the production of one of one of the most influential books ever written. "
— Tom, 11/22/2009 -
" Not worth the read except for the first chapter which is available online anyway. "
— Rw, 8/13/2009 -
" Not worth the read except for the first chapter which is available online anyway. "
— Rw, 8/13/2009 -
" A useful and welcome book (albeit somewhat slight on material and wouldn't have suffered for a bit more depth and delving into the economics), clearly written, that puts Das Kapital in context with Marx's life and other work. "
— Scott, 5/19/2008 -
" A useful and welcome book (albeit somewhat slight on material and wouldn't have suffered for a bit more depth and delving into the economics), clearly written, that puts Das Kapital in context with Marx's life and other work. "
— Scott, 5/19/2008 -
" Karl Marx was crazy. But like the best crazies the world has ever seen; he was right. "
— Dylan, 4/16/2008 -
" Karl Marx was crazy. But like the best crazies the world has ever seen; he was right. "
— Dylan, 4/16/2008
About Francis Wheen
Francis Wheen, an author and journalist, was named Columnist of the Year for his contributions to the Guardian. He is the author of several books, including How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World and a highly acclaimed biography of Karl Marx that has been translated into twenty languages. His collected journalism, Hoo-Hahs and Passing Frenzies, won the George Orwell Prize in 2003.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.