The Socialist Manifesto

The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality

By: Bhaskar Sunkara

Narrated by: Benjamin Isaac

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of the most prominent voices on the American left, a galvanizing argument for why we need socialism in the United States today.

The success of Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign revived a political idea many had thought dead. But what exactly is socialism? And what would a socialist system in America look like?

In The Socialist Manifesto, Bhaskar Sunkara explores socialism's history since the mid-1800s and presents a realistic vision for its future. The editor of Jacobin Magazine, Sunkara shows that socialism, though often seen primarily as an economic system, in fact offers the means to fight all forms of oppression, including racism and sexism. The ultimate goal is not Soviet-style planning, but to win rights to health care, education, and housing and to create new democratic institutions in workplaces and communities.

A primer on socialism for the 21st century, this is an audiobook for anyone seeking an end to the vast inequities of our age.

©2019 Bhaskar Sunkara (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A smartly composed overture to non-socialists, illuminating both the movement's history and potential for those who may doubt, worry about, or even hate what they understand as 'socialism.'...Sunkara's vision is thrillingly non-utopian...He writes with clarity and light-heartedness...emphasis[ing] how socialism enables greater choice, leaves markets intact, is about participation and democracy, is created through reform, and is ultimately about freedom."—New Statesman

"An exciting and accessible text for young socialists attempting to forge a new political path into the 21st Century...With millions of youth flocking to socialist ideas and with politicians such as Bernie Sanders, Jeremy Corbyn, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading the charge, Bhaskar Sunkara makes a convincing case that this time around we just might get it right."—In These Times

"Smart...A bright, energetic, and politically sophisticated millennial, Sunkara clearly believes that now is the time for such a book...The Socialist Manifesto helps to explain...resurgent socialism, and this is a good thing."—Los Angeles Review ofBooks"

One of the BEST books on the left I've found!

This is an excellent book explaining the origins and progression of the left (Socialism/ Communism) over the centuries. A great opportunity to learn from history and make more informed plans for the future. With the goal of not exploiting the weak but instead rasing them up to be equal and unique individuals. Also read "The Conquest of Bread".

Insightful Look

Into the history of socialism and a great case for the idealogy. I enjoyed it!

great into to history and concepts of Socialism

Thurs is great for college or high school or someone who wants an introduction to Socialism. great resource!

Good, but agree with reviews saying it is mostly history

I’m a complete beginner when it comes to socialism and was just interested in learning more, so I didn’t mind the history mentioned, I thought that it was also part of his way to point out how different attempts have gone in the past and what and why were their failings. I thought the book was inspiring and definitely made me want to look more into socialism in the future!

Good book

What else can I say? It’s a good book about socialism. You should read it and share it.

Overstated the achievements and understated the death tolls.

The book goes over much of the history. It does go over some of the down falls but I do believe you need to read the Gulag Archipelago to put into perspective properly. As well books covering monetary history and central banks are important other wise Socialist reforms will still be undermined by the banking institutions of the world. Creature from Jeckyll Island come to mind.

On the fence? GET IT

I typically dont like reading modern takes and personal views on philosophy so I had this sitting in my wish list for awhile before finally getting it. It is Way more than just an individual's ideas; it's a thorough dive into the very mixed history of socialist results throughout the 20th century and what we can learn today.

It also offers an incredibly modern application to a real world market we see today. It doesnt just talk about a new socialism, it adapts and applies itself to easily digestible real world scenarios. Absolute must read for any leftist or anyone wondering why the hell socialism is back all of a sudden.

Phenomenal research

This is a book for our times. There is so much here, but my favorite part is the way this books recovers socialist history. If, like myself, you are a child of the Cold War, all the achievements of socialism were air brushed out of your education. Most particularly I was fascinated the the account of American socialists. Between the end of the civil war and World War One, there was a large groups of elected socialists at the municipal level. For that alone this is an important book and recommended to all.

Practical and interesting

Full of practical advice and hypotheticals regarding the implementation of a social democracy, and where many attempts went wrong in the past and why.

The history section of the book can get a little dry, but not dry enough for me to tune out.

Worth the listen.

This book put a lot of individual thoughts into the alignment that a thorough understanding of the history always does.