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24th out of 165 books
—
111 voters
Work: Capitalism. Economics. Resistance
by
CrimethInc.
By itself, this is a book about work, but it's also more than that. It is an outline of an analysis of capitalism: what it is, how it works, how we might dis-mantle it. And the book and the analysis are outgrowths of something more a movement of people determined to fight it.
So this book isn't just an attempt to describe reality but also a tool with which to change it. If...more
So this book isn't just an attempt to describe reality but also a tool with which to change it. If...more
Paperback, 374 pages
Published
July 1st 2011
by Crimethinc
(first published April 1st 2011)
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A quote on the back of the title page defines the purpose of the book perfectly: "property is theft - steal it back." The book is an economic analysis, critique of capitalism, and a call to action for subverting and replacing the capitalist system.
Some of the analysis is very strong. For example, as a clergy person in the Methodist Church, I was drawn in by the criticism of religion. Here's a sample:
"Vertical alliances can take seemingly innocuous forms such as sports team followings and religio...more
Some of the analysis is very strong. For example, as a clergy person in the Methodist Church, I was drawn in by the criticism of religion. Here's a sample:
"Vertical alliances can take seemingly innocuous forms such as sports team followings and religio...more
Wow, almost a decade after Crimethinc. swept me off my feet and skyrocketed me into the world of anarchism, they've managed to make something relevant, enjoyable and something I'm not embarrassed to share with friends and acquaintances.
It's also bizarre to read a book that's timely (the resistance section in the back talks about north africa and has pictures from within the last few months) while it's still timely.
It's also bizarre to read a book that's timely (the resistance section in the back talks about north africa and has pictures from within the last few months) while it's still timely.
2 likes · like · see review
Two things that irritated me about this book:
1) No bibliography. I get that the anonymous authors didn't want to concede authority to the academy, but it still rankled when I wanted to cross-reference something.
2) Illustrations from Shutterstock. There is something profoundly sad about realizing that you once considered using the same vector illustration for a book about twentysomething finances, and here it is exhorting overpaid and underworked employees to rise up and advocate for their righ...more
1) No bibliography. I get that the anonymous authors didn't want to concede authority to the academy, but it still rankled when I wanted to cross-reference something.
2) Illustrations from Shutterstock. There is something profoundly sad about realizing that you once considered using the same vector illustration for a book about twentysomething finances, and here it is exhorting overpaid and underworked employees to rise up and advocate for their righ...more
Can't deny the perfect timing on this book's release. A theory of wealth inequality in capitalism, printed late enough to reference and speculate about the Arab Spring movements and early enough to thrust into the hands of USA Occupiers.
Crimethinc wrote a winner here. The clear, thorough breakdown of the 2008 financial crisis is the best I've read so far.* It's like a really knowledgeable friend taking the time to explain the entire system and process from causes to domino effects to far reachin...more
Crimethinc wrote a winner here. The clear, thorough breakdown of the 2008 financial crisis is the best I've read so far.* It's like a really knowledgeable friend taking the time to explain the entire system and process from causes to domino effects to far reachin...more
Work is an excellent critique of workaday life and capitalism; it's totalizing impact and encroachment into everyday life and social relationships in the early 21st century.
The book details the latest forms of domination exerted by the economy from the cyber attention currency spectacle to global finance markets to gentrification and more. Work touches on the new modes of resistance required to combat capitalism, as well as the urgency for doing so. As well it builds upon historic critiques of...more
The book details the latest forms of domination exerted by the economy from the cyber attention currency spectacle to global finance markets to gentrification and more. Work touches on the new modes of resistance required to combat capitalism, as well as the urgency for doing so. As well it builds upon historic critiques of...more
"Against Work" would be a more accurate title. An anarchist critique of capitalist power structures calling for active resistance against and subversion of all forms authority and for the abolishment of the private ownership of capital. Radical as this position may seem to some, the bulk of the book is a well-considered and clearly written deconstruction of the founding myths, fundamental dynamics, key institutions and structured roles of a capitalist economy, which is characterized, above all,...more
Sep 10, 2011
Daniel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people just starting to see the cracks in the wall, those who want to smash it down
Work is a lucid and thoughtful analysis of capitalism, work, and economics. Its strengths come from its its readability, its perspective, and, most importantly, its timing.
The authors of Work have a pretty amazing ability to explain the complicated concepts upon which our economy rests in just a couple of pages. The authors have engaged the hundreds of years of study of and resistance to capitalism that the working class and its allies have put forward, and done a great job of packaging that kn...more
The authors of Work have a pretty amazing ability to explain the complicated concepts upon which our economy rests in just a couple of pages. The authors have engaged the hundreds of years of study of and resistance to capitalism that the working class and its allies have put forward, and done a great job of packaging that kn...more
Crimethinc's best work to date, in my opinion. And actually worth a serious consideration even among those critical of the brand. "Work" surveys the capitalist landscape and uses its signature poetic style to point out the workings of the system and all of the ways it bludgeons the human spirit. It also carves a path out of this nightmare and entices vulnerable middle-class youth into their secret society - the same thing they've been doing for a couple decades now.
Despite how much I enjoyed it, for the most part this book isn't really innovative. Instead it serves as a modern restatement of the nature of capitalism and how it has pervaded so many aspects of our lives. The analysis is insightful and low on the romanticisation Crimethinc are prone to (love it as I may). The damning fashion in which the many ranks and roles are tied together is lucid but lacks the usual vitriol that can be alienating for readers who might realise the part they play in this i...more
clear. critical. and compelling. i highly recommend this book to anyone who does not feel they have a solid grasp of capitalism and the effect it has on, well, basically EVERYTHING. this is book is rad and it will be well read by myself and hopefully people i know--the more the better. if you're socially minded and looking for a good read, check it out!!
underwhelming —seemed to sum up crimethinc's analysis quite well, but without adding much or reaching new conclusions. reading other books of theirs was revelatory; reading "work" was pleasant. at times the analysis seems disconcertingly shallow or hollow, and at times it dragged. "expect resistance"'s narrative devices made for a much more enjoyable and worthwhile read....more
Hard to believe, but this was the first Crimethinc book I've read. Also, I read 75% of it on a farm and 25% on the roof of a punk house, but that's beside the point.
I'm writing a longer review, so this one will remain brief. In fact, this is all you're going to get from me right now.
I'm writing a longer review, so this one will remain brief. In fact, this is all you're going to get from me right now.
Epically a CrimethINC book, with its fairly unchecked pertinaciousness... surprisingly I found this book to be extremely accessible, considering that it deals with some complex economical ideas and issues. Also it includes like the best explanation for the 2008 financial crisis that I've ever read.
I'll never forgive Crimethinc for Evasion but this was pretty good. A very clear, accessible explanation of capitalism. I would definitely recommend this for someone who's new to anarchism/anti-capitalism and has a hard time articulating why.
this book has great structure and organization, making it super easy and enjoyable to read...
not much in terms of new ideas, but an awesome introduction to the subject of "work".
should be required reading for 10th graders...
not much in terms of new ideas, but an awesome introduction to the subject of "work".
should be required reading for 10th graders...
At its best it reads like an extended essay from Adbusters. Which is great, but the best isn't sustained throughout.
This is a direct and to the point, highly descriptive overview of the economy. Good read.
Accessible without dumbing things down and dense without being impenetrable. This book functions as a companion piece/roadmap to a large "Capitalist Pyramid Scheme" poster which you can find at their website.
This book is a pretty good analysis of work in capitalism. I've never read much about economics, and I feel this was a good introduction. However, it only scratched the surface. It didn't detail a lot of what it described, and like many Crimethinc books, didn't supply references for many claims and figures. For an intro to anarchist analysis of work though, it was pretty decent.
Typical anti-capitalist analysis of capitalism, nothing ground-breaking, but doesn't offer much in terms of an alternative. Owes a great debt to proleinfo - who frankly have better politics.
May 22, 2013
Michelle Cone
marked it as to-read
May 20, 2013
Benediktas Gelūnas
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2013
Tarek
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2013
Cassandra Harris
marked it as to-read
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anarchist & R...: [Dec/Jan] Work - Crimethinc | 9 | 56 | Jan 16, 2012 02:32pm |
From the official website:
Crimethought is not any ideology or value system or lifestyle, but rather a way of challenging all ideologies and value systems and lifestyles—and, for the advanced agent, a way of making all ideologies, value systems, and lifestyles challenging.
More about CrimethInc....
Crimethought is not any ideology or value system or lifestyle, but rather a way of challenging all ideologies and value systems and lifestyles—and, for the advanced agent, a way of making all ideologies, value systems, and lifestyles challenging.
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“Can we imagine a togetherness that isn't founded on gross generalizations, conceptualizing ourselves as unique individuals who still stand to gain from looking out for one another? Can we identify with each other rather than with categories or masters?”
—
3 people liked it
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Feb 28, 2013 02:44pm