Capital: Volume 1

A Critique of Political Economy

By: Karl Marx, Samuel Moore - translation, Edward Aveling - translation

Narrated by: Derek Le Page

Length: 43 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

It can be said of very few books that the world was changed as a result of its publication - but this is certainly the case of Capital: A Critique of Political Economy by Karl Marx (1818-1883). Volume 1 appeared (in German) in 1867, and the two subsequent volumes appeared at later dates after the author's death - completed from extensive notes left by Marx himself.

Marx, famously writing in the Reading Room of the British Museum, set out to draw on theories of labour, money and economics developed by many key figures in previous centuries and then present a vivid picture of the effect of (as he saw it) the vicious exploitation of labour and the power-play and greed of that class of unprincipled businessmen - the capitalists. He starts by considering commodity, value and exchange. In doing so he looks at the basic processes involved in labour productivity and how it turns into excessive surplus value at the expense of the labourer himself. But do not think that that this is a dry analysis of the nuts and bolts of economics. Soon Marx, from extensive research, begins to outline the horrifying effect of the industrial revolution (for all its benefits) on the working man, woman and child, the blighting of their lives and slow, oh so slow, march of correcting Acts of Parliaments through the 19th century. These two threads - exploitation economics and the personal plight of the worker - continue to be developed side by side and intertwine with conclusions to become a truly powerful and emotional polemic.

Sometimes it becomes clear that his observations are hugely relevant to our 24 hour life, our gig economy and our international economy, with a frightening percentage of world wealth being held in a few hands. This is not an easy book but, especially in the hands of Derek Le Page, who has incorporated all the relevant footnotes (and they are extensive), it is a compelling listen. Whatever the nightmare of 20th century communism, to ignore this book is misjudge it. Marx said, 'Philosophers have previously tried to explain the world; our task is to change it'. And he meant it.

Translation: Samuel Moore and Edward Aveling.

Public Domain (P)2018 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Long-winded but wise

This is much like a college lecture, boring and long, but imparting a lot of solid information and logic. The only evil thing Karl Marx has ever done is make people sit through 6+ hours of logic diagrams explaining how commodities derive value, lol. Ultimately, nothing he says is wrong, and his entire philosophy seems to be that if you push people to a breaking point, they revolt.

brilliant!

great translation expertly read
an amazing experience from start to finish
highly recommended essential reading for every person

Hammers it home

Most of this text is an extremely detailed documentation of industrialization in the UK and the horrors visited on the working class by factory owners. It's worth reading just to have hammered home the breadth and depth of the cruelty of people with wealth and no governments to hold them in check. -- The first couple chapters are economic theory, with some extraordinary ideas, and others to be taken with a grain of salt.

Very Informative Book

I read the book because I wanted to gain more insight into Karl Marx's views - beyond the catchphrase about his prediction of revolutions. I got that. The book also provided me with a window into the difficult living and working conditions of the poor in 19th century Europe. The book is very informative.

dense but insightful

Marx's writings can be difficult to follow, but it is still very interesting. my favourite part was the last third of the book where it focuses more on real people's experiences in their own words.

Beautiful narration

The reader does an exquisite job rendering the very difficult language contained in this book. I found his voice soothing at times, and at other times forceful and sarcastic, the way Marx might have read it. As for the book itself, this is a truly impressive, dare I say awe-inspiring work. This is the critique of capitalism and political economy that Marx spent 20 years writing, and his research and philosophy run very deep. He seemed to see further and understand more than anyone else in his field, and his ideas are perfectly applicable today. The book also drips with snark, which makes it even more fun to read. Highly recommend!

Everything I knew about Marx was wrong.

I love books that challenge me. This is one of them.
I grew up learning negative things about Marx. After reading this, I must say, this guy was way ahead of his time. His philosophy should be taught in schools.
Today, we have good labor laws are because of people like Marx. He rightly exposed the ugly side of the capitalism.
Please read and understand that human is to n fact above capital.

A detailed investigation of capitalist mode of production and the misery it wrought.

If your are wanting a exhaustive insight into capital and exploitation of labor, this is the book to listen to.

Das Kapital

This is the Bible of the Working Classes!

You have nothing to lose but your chains and a world to win! Workers of the World, Unite!

Great recording

I had tried reading Das Kapital before but couldn’t get through it. Le Page brings it to life. He performs it and really voices Marx’s passion, outrage, and cutting sarcasm.