That’s what my professor said when he gifted me these books. This was after visiting him during office hours to get help on how to write my work placement report as I did not know how I needed to cite sources while writing said personal report, I also lamented about how this semester has been killing me (work wise this has been the worst by far). My report is also due the same day I have two final exams which means more pain. He said just to email him (for a written record) so he can grant me an extension because he finds that to be a valid reason.
When he presented the books I asked if they were a parting gift since after this semester we will never see each other again. He said no because even though he’s going on sabbatical that doesn’t mean he’s not working, so I’ll see him around. But I can take them as a parting gift if I wanted. So I did and headed to the library to work on my paper that’s due Friday. My backpack was practically exploding and my back is in so much pain from carrying these plus a few other books.
From volume one:
Without the sleeve:
This was found in volume one as a bookmark:
Great gift. In Poland all three books (4 tomes in Polish edition as book 3 was divided in two tomes) cost equivalent of 100-150 dollars, which is way worse than it sounds because of our low wages.
I think I saw whole collections being sold for relatively low prices on Polish websites with second-hand stuff, but that was a couple years ago… or maybe that was just a lucky find or my memory plays tricks on me!
I got two or three books wrote by Lenin and Stalin back then that didn’t break the bank. (:
Yeah a lot of them can be bought very cheaply i got some great rare pieces for like 1 PLN (around quarter of dollar) and entire 55 books of Lenin collected works for around 75 dollars. Problem is, not counting some Lenin books, literally everything else come from the period before 1956 or at most early 60’s (revisionists sharply dropped publishing of marxist literature) so they are old. Also Capital is an exception because contrary to expectations there was just one single complete edition in Poland and it’s pretty rare. Also most of the communist books were purged from public libraries and libraries located in various other places were liquidated entirely.
Yes, that’s a bummer.
I managed to get a first vol. of Capital in quite nice condition though (:
Would you recommend a good way to search for literature from PRL? I do most of my reading on e-reader now but interacting with these books is a joy in itself.
You should try physical antiquariat stores if there is some around where you live, and also definitely try Allegro or maybe some bigger bookstores like Tezeusz.
Thanks!
Oh what I wouldn’t do for a crusty old copy of capital with some history to it.
They are quite old, the top part of volume three’s pages stick together and I have to carefully use my fingers to separate them
Those are absolutely beautiful. What a great gift.
It was unexpected as hell but very appreciated. I’m glad I was able to get Capital this way instead of buying my own, which is fine of course but having such old editions being gifted just feels nice.
This was written on the last page of volume two, I am unable to decipher some of the handwriting:
kids these days smdh my damn head
V. Lenin
“Patience and [irony?] are the two cardinal virtues of a true revolutionary.”See that’s what I thought it said but I couldn’t understand the word that looks like “irony” lol thanks for translating ❤️
V. Lenin “Patience and [irony?] are the two cardinal virtues of a true revolutionary.”
Damn right it is.
Irony Felix intensifies
Why irony?
Useful for processing/dealing with capitalist propaganda
Is this a real quote? I can’t find it anywhere.
Incredibly beautiful, what a lovely gift!
They are really wonderful, and they’re a great translation as well (according to what others have said). These ones are the 1977 editions.
I’m reading the Fowkes version on the (paused until refederation) Capital reading group on Hexbear, the Moore and Engels version and the Fowkes version are to my knowledge seen as some of the better English translations. Unsure of the quality of the newer Rietter translation, though.
I’m reading the new translation. I can’t really speak to the quality but I like the style. One tricky thing is it’s structured a little differently than the other editions. There is a chart comparing the various English editions in an appendix…I will post it when I get a chance.
One of the readers in our group mentioned that I believe, making it a bit hard to keep schedule for them with the rest of us. It’s an odd choice, though I’m sure they had their reasons.
Wow those are beautiful!
Right? I was surprised and very grateful. I love seeing all the little margin notes and stuff from previous people. It also has a scan of a handwritten letter from Marx to Engels, it was very sweet.
That sounds so nice! You must be so happy. :)
Wait that’s the edition that the capybara is reading on the GenZedong reading group Post hahaha
I just saw that earlier lol
What a funny coincidence
Huh, I thought Capital was a light read. Maybe I am confusing it with the flyer.
Capital is actually the hardest to read from Marx! I believe you’re thinking of the Communist Manifesto, that’s the pamphlet.
