Book Description
A cartoon book about Marx? Are you sure it's Karl, not Groucho? How can you summarize the work of Karl Marx in cartoons? It took Rius to do it. He's put it all in: the origins of Marxist philosophy, history, economics; of capital, labor, the class struggle, socialism. And there's a biography of "Charlie" Marx besides.
Like the companion volumes in the series, Marx for Beginners is accurate, understandable, and very, very funny.
Customer Reviews:
Useful little booklet on Marx.......2007-07-31
I bought "Marx for Beginners", a cartoon introduction to Marx written by Mexican political cartoonist Eduardo del Rio ("Rius"), not so much because I needed an introduction to Marxism but to see how the theory can be summarized as pithily and shortly as possible. And indeed, Del Rio has done an admirable job on this. The reader is guided through all aspects of Marx' work as well as biography, even including an extraordinarily rapid overview of the history of philosophy and of the early socialists. Of the economic theories of Marx only the basics are explained, but nevertheless sufficient to get the point of what Marx tried to show in "Capital", if not how he proved it.
As far as the political side goes, Del Rio usefully emphasizes the limitations of social-democracy and its inability to get beyond the exploitation of capitalism, as well as many quotations from Marx showing how he opposed this tendency. As criticisms, one could remark that Engels gets short shrift in this book - admittedly it is titled "Marx for beginners", but one wonders why not "Marx & Engels for beginners"? Also, Del Rio seems to take the connection between Marx and Lenin as a natural progression for granted, even including in the (otherwise very handy) vocabulary of terms under Marxism-Leninism: "theory of the proletarian liberation movement". Hardly something uncontested.
The drawings are clear and funny, if a bit on the juvenile side compared to the content that he is trying to convey. This might have a good effect on younger people reading it though, making it possibly useful as a high school text on Marx, if there ever is a capitalist country brave enough to allow it. Due to the requirements of Del Rio's purpose, some of the summaries of earlier thinkers are so simple as to be simplistic, but this can't be helped. Overall, a practical and well-done introduction to Marx for the complete novice.
Good but not great introduction to Marxism.......2007-02-13
Unfortunately some of the comments concerning historical developments are more dogmatic than historically factual. A serious problem for people who like facts to be presented as facts and interpretations as that ant not facts.
Marxism = slavery.......2006-10-14
I will save you from having to buy this book. In a nutshell, here's socialism, Communism, Marxism, and the rest:
"We self-styled privileged intellectuals know best how to spend your money, therefore we have to right to take anything you produce and redistribute it as we see fit, whether you like it or not. You were born to serve the state; we are the state. You do not have the right to your own life; you are property that belongs to the collective. Who controls the collective? We control the collective. Do as you are told or else we are justified in taking your life or making your life so miserable that you wish we would take it. Everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others; some = we the self-styled intellectual elite. Censorship is necessary to prevent bad ideas from being spread. Who determines what ideas are good and what ideas are bad? We the self-style intellectual elite will be the arbiters of that, as you cannot be trusted to think for yourself. If you have greater ability than your neighbor, then you are beholden to him. Why? Because he needs your help and, as we mentioned previously, you have no right to what you produce. Don't worry, we will bring you Utopia on Earth or you will die trying! Any inconvenience, be it a food shortage or lack of access to medical care, is only temporary; we have a five-year plan to fix the problem, and if it doesn't work it's only your life, not ours, and we can always come up with another five-year plan. Do not ask questions; simply obey."
It Ain't Doonesbury.......2005-12-19
Good to see this worthy little work back on the shelves. Sure, it's easy to ridicule a popularizied version of any weighty academic subject, especially one making use of cartoon humor. But the true measure should be how well the central ideas are rendered. In that key respect, Rius's primer serves very well as an introduction to the sociology of Marxism, less well to the economics (the determinist, breakdown element is severely underplayed), while the philosophical aspects are dealt with manfully, but are likely too complex for even the best efforts. The work's special virtue lies in dealing with those aspects of Marx's thought most appealing to a general readership: exploitation, surplus value, property relations, class struggle... in short, those aspects that impinge most directly on daily life. Prospective readers can gain real insight into the power of Marx's thought through these more prosaic topics.
A key caveat -- as another reviewer points out, Lenin is either wittingly or unwittingly presented as Marx's historical successor, a move which elevates the role of the communist party in Marxist theory at the expense of the more libertarian strand represented by Rosa Luxemburg. Given the collapse of the soviet bloc and its Leninist legacy, this aspect should be kept in mind. Still and all, it's ironic that at a time when the reformist era of welfare economics and middle-class prosperity is surrendering to renewed polarization and social Darwinism, that Marx is treated as passe. If anything, his analysis of capitalism's intractable nature appears more timely than ever.
a good read.......2005-12-03
Interesting book. If you want to read about Marx in a digestible form, definitely read this book. It's really funny too.
Customer Reviews:
Rookie Read Books About Holidays are Great.......2006-03-24
A good addition to introduce young children to what the holiday is all about on their own terms, and reading level.
I love Rookie Readers! .......2006-02-11
Rookie Readers are great at allowing ESOL students to develop reading skills along with Social Studies and Scientific concepts. I can't get enough of them and use them with all age groups.
Average customer rating:
- A Wonderful Little Cookbook
- I'm a hero!
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The Clueless Gourmet
Allison Marx
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0809234432 |
Customer Reviews:
A Wonderful Little Cookbook.......2007-02-20
I have owned this cookbook for almost 10 years and it has outlasted virtually every cookbook in my library (Joy of Cooking aside...though I no longer need to know how to carve up an entire hog). I am a good cook and am not clueless (about food, anyway), but I return to this book time and again for several reasons: 1) The recipes rarely require a laundry list of ingredients; 2) the writing is lively and clear and the tips are truly helpful; and 3) everything I've made has ranged from very tasty to absolutely delicious. Number 3 is ultimately why I use this cookbook so frequently. Very few cookbooks are solid all the way through, but The Clueless Gourmet bucks the trend. From homemade chicken and biscuits (tender, savory and comforting) to ranch dressing (creamy and tangy) to a pasta dish made with vegetables and avocado for creaminess (surprisingly yummy), I haven't been disappointed yet. The cookbook makes recommendations on how to set up your kitchen and describes various cooking techniques; undoubtedly helpful to the novice chef. The chapters are divvied up this way: breakfast, appetizers, entrees, sides/salads/soups, pasta and grains, quick breads and desserts. There is also a chapter on what to do with leftovers.
I'm a hero!.......2000-07-02
After several dismal attempts at trying to feed my family, I stormed out to the bookstore for a simple guide to cooking. This book is great - it breaks steps down into "digestable" portions (ha ha - little cooking humor there!) and explains why you do things like saute. Great choice for dad's who are suddenly expected to cook with NO previous experience!
Customer Reviews:
A Primer About a Visit to a Doctor - a review of "Hello, Doctor".......2006-04-16
This little primer is for very new readers. It contains about 28 different vocabulary words, the more difficult ones being: bend, blow, brave, doctor, and goodbye. [Easier words are the standard: but, can, do, go, I, if, it's, you, what... and the like.]
The story revolves around a little boys visit to the doctor and all of the things that he is asked to do there. He can, for example, go `ahhh'. He can also blow, kick and bend. The book even shows him giving a urine sample and finally receiving a shot.
The text is very simple with most pages (actually every other page) having only one very short sentence. Younger children should be able to memorize the text and practice `pretend' reading.
Four Stars. Mundane artwork, but kind of a cute story that children can relate too: a visit to the doctor. I read this to my preschooler before his last well-visit and it was well received.
Customer Reviews:
The Best Emergent Reader on Passover! .......2005-04-03
This book is very clear, basic, yet easy to read without becoming disinterested in the topic. If a child wants a beginning reader on Passover, this can provide simple yet interesting information.
Average customer rating:
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Hola, Doctor (Rookie Espanol)
David F. Marx
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0516270923 |
Book Description
A Mighty Fortress is the personal account of the Captain and crew of a lead bomber in the enormous formation raids made by the 8th Airforce during the last few months of the Second World War. It is an extraordinary tale of heroism and bravery on the part of the entire crew of just one B17 amongst hundreds - but the one B17 that meant most to them. Flying a total of 27 missions before the war came to an end in May 1945, Alling tells, with great restraint, the story of what it was like to be there, over the skies of enemy territory, constantly on the look out for German fighters; of the enormity of some of the raids they were part of and the consequences for those on the ground; of the planes around them that fell out of the sky under enemy attack, the horror and the determination to succeed. The book gives a unique insight into the lives of one crew of one plane as the War neared its end. Charles B. Alling received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters during the Second World War. He graduated from Yale University in 1947. In 1988, he retired and studied Ethics at Oxford University Graduate School in England. In 1989, he founded the Alling Institute for Ethics. The institute is affiliated with The Foundation for Leadership and Ethics in New York City of which Alling is Chairman Emeritus. Alling serves on the Board of Visitors of the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, an appointment by former Secretary of Defense, Bill Cohen. He lives in Kennebunk, Maine. "In a fascinating way, Chuck Alling recalls his days as a pilot flying B-17's over Germany. He is truly a member of 'The Greatest Generation' and from his book, written from the heart, people can learn a lot about the laughs and the tears of World War II." - Former President George H. W. Bush REVIEWS "In a fascinating way, Chuck Allling recalls his days as a pilot flying B-17's over Germany. He is truly a member of 'The Greatest Generation'; and from his book, written from the heart, people can learn a lot about the laughs and the tears of World War ll." - Former President George H. W. Bush "...they are called 'The Greatest Generation.' Even though they would never admit it. This is the story of one plane, one crew. It's told in a matter of fact way. Perhaps this is the only way that such a story can be told. Mr. Alling waited a lot of years to tell the story. Perhaps that too is the only way. Perhaps the time and the distance are necessary to get a realistic view. Thank you Mr. Alling for sharing the story." Books-On-Line 2-2-07 "...an excellent book for persons interested in WWII air combat from the individual airman's point of view"AIR POWER HISTORY, Fall 2007, D Crosby
Customer Reviews:
Great book on the Mighty Eighth.......2007-07-05
A matter of fact account of U.S. airraids over Germany in WWII. Not told with bravado or hyperbole, but just plain gripping accounts of hair-raising, almost suicidal bombing runs. You get a feel for conditions in the B-17, and the fear and trepidation the pilot (book's author) and his crew experienced, with the flight back to the States at the end of the European theatre one of the most nerve-wracking. I highly recommend this account, which is just one of several devoted to this part of the war.
27 Missions, How Could They Stand It.......2007-02-03
A couple of days ago while I was in the middle of this book I mentioned I was reading it to a fellow across the table from me. He said: 'I flew in B-17's during the war.' He went on to say that he had been the radioman/dorsal gunner. I said something about the guys in this book flying 27 missions. He said that he had only flown seven.
I couldn't help but think that this was kind of puny compared to what these guys did. But then he went on.
On his seventh mission, somewhere over occupied France they were attacked and he was hit. Back in England he was hospitalized and told that it would be unlikely that he would ever walk again. He was still in the hospital when the plane went out on its 9th mission and didn't return.
I said that this sounded pretty rough.
'Everybody had it pretty rough in those days.'
This kind of 'aw shucks' attitude, from my lunch mate to the author of this book is why they are called 'The Greatest Generation.' Even though they would never admit it.
This is the story of one plane, one crew. It's told in a matter of fact way. Perhaps this is the only way that such a story can be told. Mr. Alling waited a lot of years to tell the story. Perhaps that too is the only way. Perhaps the time and the distance are necessary to get a realistic view. Thank you Mr. Alling for sharing the story.
Probably the most inspirational book about WW2 ever written.......2005-07-08
Captain Chuck Alling masterfully recounts his experiences as pilot of the 34th Bomb Group's lead B17G bomber during the last two years of WW2. "A Mighty Fortress" should be required reading for every military officer and is a "must read" for anyone interested in the Mighty Eighth Army Air Force's operations against the Third Reich. As a retired officer and military historian myself, I believe "A Mighty Fortress" is most probably the most inspirational book about WW2 ever written.
Puts you in the cockpit and in their minds.......2004-01-09
Having been reading various WWII books this fall and winter, I rate this as one of the best. If you have any interest in what it was like to fight (and luckily survive) the US air war bombing offensive, grab this book today. You will not be disappointed.
A Mighty Fortress.......2003-04-06
Not just for men. Women will enjoy it as well.
Great!
Books:
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- One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd
- Out of Place: A Memoir
- Pioneer Women
- Pursuit Of Freedom: A True Story Of The Enduring Power Of Hope & Dreams
- Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey
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