The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists

By: Robert Tressell

Narrated by: George Galloway

Length: 26 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists chronicles the tale of Frank Owen, a traveling socialist visionary making his way from town to town in the name of the socialist revolution. When spring arrives, Frank Owen decides to settle in the quiet town of Mugsborough, and joins a group of workmen who are painting the home of a wealthy neighborhood resident. Owen is quickly befriended by two fellow workmen: Bodgit and Scarpy. Scarpy is thin and nearly emaciated. When the men break for lunch Scarpy never has much to eat; only a bit of bread, or a biscuit and tea. Owen inquires as to why he's so thin and undernourished. Bodgit explains that his pay has been severely cut, and he barely has enough to feed his wife and three growing children at home.

Public Domain (P)2016 Jay Stewart

A prescient reminder of what was and may be again

A well delivered telling of the classic story. Galloway honest in his interpretation. A good version not without a couple of recording blips but believable and delivered with honesty and a passion obviously derived from a love of the subject matter.

Narrator unbearable

This is not a book but a narrator review. Mr Galloway clearly has no experience or training in this field and it showed. I was unable to listen to this audio book as Mr Galloway’s volume would go from one extreme (shouting) to the other (whispering and mumbling), often without apparent reason. I found my hand permanently shooting to the volume dial, however this was not very practical during driving. I found the experience of listening to Mr Galloway’s narration incredibly infuriating.

The production of this book is terrible.

A great story which many in today's society should listen to. Completely let down by Galloway's reading and a disastrous production.

Dire Narration

George Galloway's performance is laugh out loud bad - really. Listen to a sample for a chuckle and then find a version read by somebody who has an understanding and appreciation of the brilliant text.

Dreadful

Absolutely terrible narration. I gave up.

p.s. Like the narrator, I am Scottish. It's not the accent that's the problem.

Great story but terrible editing and a bad narrator

The story is wonderful and pulls you in despite the terrible narration and rubbish editing (what appears to have been corrections are left in alongside the original narration) .

Highly recommended reading

Despite a few recording errors which are to be expected from the age it is a fantastic read. Humerous, emotional and entertaining, as well as thought provoking and educational. Even more than a century on there are innumerable parrallels that can still be drawn, especially in our current political climate.

Read with conviction

I found George read this with conviction his passion for this work is well noticed I have the naxo copy on another tablet but for strong socialist comment and the fire of this novel I can go with George all the way I hope he does another work say love on the dole by Walter Greenwood

A triumph of political and social 'noire'.

What a superb rendering of the 'state of man' let alone the state of the nation or the world.
Truly a masterpiece of ingenuity and a brilliant and lucid depiction of the struggles and (self inflicted) ignorance of the working man.
I think this book should be on the reading list of every 1st year university student.

The most depressing thing since 1984

A very sad and miserable tale. Times were very hard and people were cruel. I listen to books to escape the misery of existence and this did not help 1 bit. The narrator is excellent. I am not saying I like his views but he has a great accent and reads very well indeed. If you want something as harrowing ash Schindlers list then this book is for you.