Understanding Socialism

By: Richard D. Wolff

Narrated by: Rick Adamson

A blend of history, analysis, and theory, Understanding Socialism is an honest and approachable text that knocks down false narratives, confronts failures and challenges of various socialist experiments throughout history, and offers a path to a new socialism based on workplace democracy. This audio edition also incudes Richard D. Wolff's bestselling essay Understanding Marxism, which asks the question "Why should we pay attention to the great social critics like Marx?"

©2019 Richard D. Wolff (P)2021 Tantor

An easily digestible summary

Highly recommend, straight forward, easy to understand.

If one were to listen to an audiobook that has all of Karl Marx's, Lenin's, and others writings it would take 30+ hours. This audio book is a straight forward summary in less than 6 hours.

Well written, concise overview of Socialism

This rational and historical look at what socialism is, how it differs from capitalism, how socialism has been misrepresented by those in power today and how it might have solve problems like the creation of poor people as the reciprocal to the creation of rich people.

Superb Audiobook

Too often, I find proponents of capitalism straw manning socialism. Even for the staunchest anarcho-capitalist, this book fascinatingly reveals what socialism is- and why it makes sense.

A great introduction

Professor Wolff does a great job explaining the basics of Marx and socialism, the history of the moment, and it’s relevance today. For those with only a surface level understanding (or misunderstanding) of the subject this is a good, cogent introduction without having to dive into an overly academic tome.

Key tool for those willing to learn.

While the ideas this book addresses have been horribly and successfully demonized. It’s great to have a better understanding beyond the mainstream rhetoric. History has always been written by the victorious, but knowledge and wisdom prevails even over conquerors.

workers of the world, unite!

read, or listen to, this book. Clearly explains what most can not define. read every other book by Dr. Wolff too!

incredible

This book does an excellent job of summarizing the history of the ideology and placing it in context in our modern society. Eloquent and in simple terms with excellent analogies, I can only give 5 stars.

Excellent intro to Socialism

Excellent intro into the historical evolution of socialism and Marxism. Good explanation of workplace democracy.

A Good Starting Place

A bit short, but a great 1st introduction ti the concepts and history of Socialism.

Very Enlightening

Fantastic book! Good narration. Just over 5 hours, but they give you a lot here. He tells the facts, and myths on Socialism. The history. The good, and the bad. Also, the last hour is Understanding Marxism, which was just as good, and info packed. Pick this up.