KARL MARX: The Father of Modern Socialism

by Albert Alexander ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 10, 1969

What was wrong with Marx and Marxism. A crude sketch of the man stressing his antireligious and anti-Semitic proclivities, his unattractive personality, his perpetual sponging off Engels and others, is accompanied by a presentation of his ideas in terms of their weaknesses; only toward the close (of a repetitively dismissive text) does the author acknowledge the extent of his achievement. Disapproval of both the individual and his ideas leads to such a peculiar linkage as the following: ""Perhaps Marx's personal willingness to accept, if not seek, financial aid helped to condition his rejection of private initiative in economic matters."" The book is cursory as well as disparaging as biography, and inferior for a balanced critique of Marxism to the entry in the Columbia Encyclopedia, to mention only one concise, widely available source. Fuller and more penetrating is Joel Carmichael's Karl Marx: The Passionate Logician (1967, p. 1325, J-499) which is, however, heavy going for most high schoolers. And since the other entry at this level, the Apsler, is little better, there is still room (as per a recent New York Times pleasantry) to make Kapital of Marx.

Pub Date: April 10, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Watts

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION