Re-Reading Capital | The Brooklyn Rail
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I have read Marx’s Capital, in particular the first volume, quite a few times, in different translations and also in German (though not, as Adolphe Menjou is said to have assured the House Un-American Activities Committee he had, “in the original Russian”). On each occasion I have newly noticed some idea or way of putting things that provoked fresh understanding. Reading Paul Reitter’s new translation of Volume I provided this pleasure once again.
  • bubbalu [they/them]
    ·
    2 months ago

    I don't doubt it's more to be found but what aren't you doing that you have the time to read Capital like 8 times? This seems like so much western 'marxist' 'my part to play in the revolution is intellectual masturbation!!' I have never heard of one of these guys taking meaningful risks in organizing or action.

    • RaisedFistJoker [she/her]
      ·
      2 months ago

      i disagree, though i thinking reading capital 8 times might be a bit too many, i think the western left actually reads way too little theory, and as a result keeps retreading old ground over and over

      And indeed reading over a new translation of capital to check for errors such that it can be recommended for or against is actually a valuable service in my opinion