Marx the Humanist
by Muriel Seltman
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Pub Date 9 Jul 2019 | Archive Date 7 Aug 2019
Troubador Publishing Ltd. | Matador
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Description
Marx the Humanist presents Marx’s writings in a different light.
Instead of malicious denigration, which makes him responsible for everything done in his name after his death, it is recognised that Marx was not a prophet and could not have foreseen the changes that have occurred since then. His early writings reflect his humanism, and represent his long-term revolutionary appeal.
Although the focus is on Marx’s humanism, the first two parts initiate the reader into Marxism and provide an introduction to basic Marxist ideas, both philosophical and economic. This provides the context for his condemnation of the dehumanising impact of capitalism on workers through exploitation.
A Note From the Publisher
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781838599324 |
| PRICE | US$5.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Cristie U, Book Trade Professional
The author's painstaking research and attention to detail is obvious in the writing of this book. There were many facts that I only discovered after reading this!
Filip M, Reviewer
I came across Muriel Seltman's "Marx the Humanist" by accident while looking through the many, many different sections of NetGalley's offerings. As an English Studies (Literature) bachelor's, I'm interested in all sorts of different ideologies, anything that'll give me a greater understanding of what moves human beings from a societal and ideological viewpoint. When it comes to Marxism, I know a fair lot more than about, say, libertarianism, because come from a family at least partially socialist. Or communist. Or Marxist. Honestly, it's complicated.
Seltman's novel gives an easy introduction to Marx's ideas while also offering a thesis statement in the very title. "The Humanist" is broken down into four chapters, an appendix and an epilogue; the chapters first give a basic introduction to Marxism, through direct quotes from many of Marx's works like "The Capital" and "The Communist Manifesto" co-authored with Engels. In addition to these passages, the author gives additional context or furthers certain arguments, to mixed effect.
It's far from the most persuasive piece of historical (sociological, humanist) non-fiction I've read. Seltman too often abandons any attempts at convincing non-believers and nay-sayers, instead singing Marx's praises into what, at worst, felt self-congratulatory. Some of the author's arguments didn't go far enough, either. It seems like Seltman couldn't find a good enough balance between quoting passages and commenting on their own.
This is a really good introduction to Marx's ideas, thanks to well-chosen quotations, and a decent text by Muriel Seltman. Not quite 3 stars, not quite 4 -- my score is 3.5/5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Ltd. for providing me with a review copy. Opinions are solely my own.
