Socialism... Seriously - James S. Aaron's BookWyrm

eBook, 250 pages

English language

Published Jan. 10, 2023 by Haymarket Books.

ISBN:: 978-1-64259-864-3

A sharp, funny, and engaging introduction to socialist ideas, movements, and solutions for a world in crisis.

Now with 50% more socialism!

Socialism…Seriously is a warm and witty introduction to the radical traditions of protest and politics that stretch from Karl Marx through today’s movements for democracy, equality, and a livable planet. In this thoroughly revised and expanded edition, Danny Katch uses humor and imagination to take an unflinching look at the rising threats posed by climate change, billionaire oligarchs, and the far right—and makes a compelling case that a socialist world is both necessary and possible.

Katch separates the lies spun by capitalism’s defenders from the system’s brutal realities, and is candid about debates and challenges facing the socialist movement today. This book is for people who want to take a deeper look at what socialism is… but maybe not that deep.

Sincere, irreverent, informative, …

A sharp, funny, and engaging introduction to socialist ideas, movements, and solutions for a world in crisis.

Now with 50% more socialism!

Socialism…Seriously is a warm and witty introduction to the radical traditions of protest and politics that stretch from Karl Marx through today’s movements for democracy, equality, and a livable planet. In this thoroughly revised and expanded edition, Danny Katch uses humor and imagination to take an unflinching look at the rising threats posed by climate change, billionaire oligarchs, and the far right—and makes a compelling case that a socialist world is both necessary and possible.

Katch separates the lies spun by capitalism’s defenders from the system’s brutal realities, and is candid about debates and challenges facing the socialist movement today. This book is for people who want to take a deeper look at what socialism is… but maybe not that deep.

Sincere, irreverent, informative, and playful, Socialism… Seriously is a unique and timely contribution to our movements for justice.

3 editions

Phil in SF reviewed Socialism... Seriously by Danny Katch

Surprisingly good after a bad beginning

4 stars

I started off really disliking this author's approach. The opening chapters are a diatribe against capitalism, and that almost always falls flat for me. Additionally, his early chapter describing a day in the life of some person on a bad day after the socialist revolution described a day of absolute hell, when I'm pretty sure he meant to describe something that wouldn't be too bad even on bad days. However, I was won over by his approach once he got to the chapters describing actual socialism. Unlike a lot of other writers that I've read and online socialists I've encountered, he actually engages with why some people are turned off by what is portrayed as socialism, and doesn't hand-wave away some of the things that give people pause.

This isn't the book that converts me to socialism, but it is a book that does make me look at it …

I started off really disliking this author's approach. The opening chapters are a diatribe against capitalism, and that almost always falls flat for me. Additionally, his early chapter describing a day in the life of some person on a bad day after the socialist revolution described a day of absolute hell, when I'm pretty sure he meant to describe something that wouldn't be too bad even on bad days. However, I was won over by his approach once he got to the chapters describing actual socialism. Unlike a lot of other writers that I've read and online socialists I've encountered, he actually engages with why some people are turned off by what is portrayed as socialism, and doesn't hand-wave away some of the things that give people pause.

This isn't the book that converts me to socialism, but it is a book that does make me look at it more favorably.

Subjects

Socialism
Socialism -- 21st century
Socialism--21st century