The Communist Manifesto

By: Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels

Narrated by: Joe Geoffrey

Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Edited by Samuel H. Beer, with key selections from Capital and "The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte", this volume features an especially helpful introduction that serves as a guide to Marxist political and economic theory and to placing the specific writings in their contemporary setting. Included are a bibliography and list of important dates in the life of Karl Marx.

Public Domain (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Mr. Geoffrey Shows Clarity

The book was read in a clear and engaging style. The command of reading is impressive. Thank you so much.

needs a update

first 2 hours is all that's needed. rest of the 2 hours repeats itself.

The narrator is horrible

What did you like best about The Communist Manifesto? What did you like least?

So many words said wrong, horrid inflection and some things misspoken so badly I actually had to guess at what the reader was saying. That being said I am not commenting on the content from the book, only the horrific job done by Joe Geoffery. I can't sate this enough get another copy this one was a very poor choice.

Would you be willing to try another one of Joe Geoffrey’s performances?

NO! again cant stress this enough.

All problems, no solutions

The book gives very detailed description of the capitalist system problems but offers no solution

The Greatest Tragedy of Human History Starts Here!

What did you love best about The Communist Manifesto?

Do I find any insights in Marx? Yes, but nothing good. The one insight that I gained directly from him is that we can use a narrative form to claim a deep and mystical understanding of history, the meaning of life, and the purpose of our existence. Much like many other religions, Marx claims to know what the past is all about, and what the inevitable future will be. But it is a dark and anti-human narrative.

Marx is not interested in the individual, only "society". I would submit that his goal is not even to provide "the greatest good for the greatest number". Rather, he would be content to see all humans suffer so long as they formed the kind of society he favored.

The Communist Manifesto really is an essential read for anyone involved in the modern political debate. To support a communist agenda without understanding the thinking which would eventually lead to the deaths of tens of millions, and the enslavement of over a billion people is to unwittingly ask for it to start all over again.

Would you recommend The Communist Manifesto to your friends? Why or why not?

Everyone should read this book. Liberals, conservatives, libertarians, anarchists - everyone should know the history of Communist thought.

What about Joe Geoffrey’s performance did you like?

The narrator was clear and maintained a fairly level volume, making listening in the car practical.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I was fascinated to find that Marx was convinced of a metaphysical meaning and purpose in history, an inevitable trajectory into the future. Despite his denial of God, his understanding of the world was based on an atheistic spirituality.

Condescending introduction

Yeah the Communist manifesto is a great pamphlet. The instruction condescended it as a curious bit of history but completely irrelevant and wrong. Now at the end of Capitalism I hope my fellow readers might realize the introducer to be exemplary of a curious bit of history but irrelevant and wrong.

75% Marx, 25% implying he is wrong

What did you like best about The Communist Manifesto? What did you like least?

It is a pretty powerful book, but that power is undercut by the hour long (a literal quarter of the audiobook) explanation of why Communism does not work. I'm fine with that, but put it after the book when I actually have time to form my own opinion about the arguments. I would be fine with it if they actually advertised that there would be that much commentary.

What didn’t you like about Joe Geoffrey’s performance?

The performance was WAY to quiet. I had to turn any speaker all the way up and mute any other noise to make out the sound.

Great Listen.

I needed to brush up on Marx after I was assigned to teach Western Civ Since 1660. I thought this recording was very well done. Love Marx or hate him, his writings were significant to history.

Not at all what I wanted.

What would have made The Communist Manifesto better?

The actual words of Karl Marx instead of an interpretation of his writings.

Has The Communist Manifesto turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Have you listened to any of Joe Geoffrey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

What character would you cut from The Communist Manifesto?

None

Any additional comments?

A better description of the book content.

Waste of time

I didn't expect to agree with Marx. I was hoping that I would understand him and people who support his beliefs more. I found Marx hard to follow. The arguments were not laid out or explained well. I feel like this was a waste of my time.