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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell (Paperback, 2012)
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- Buy it nowThe Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (Wordsworth Classics)
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About this product
Product Information
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a classic representation of the impoverished and politically powerless underclass of British society in Edwardian England, ruthlessly exploited by the institutionalised corruption of their employers and the civic and religious authorities. Epic in scale, the novel charts the ruinous effects of the laissez-faire mercantilist ethics on the men, women, and children of the working classes, and through its emblematic characters, argues for a socialist politics as the only hope for a civilised and humane life for all. It is a timeless work whose political message is as relevant today as it was in Tressell's time. For this it has long been honoured by the Trade Union movement and thinkers across the political spectrum.Product Identifiers
PublisherWordsworth Editions LTD
ISBN-139781840226829
eBay Product ID (ePID)112377576
Product Key Features
Book TitleThe Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
AuthorRobert Tressell
FormatPaperback
LanguageEnglish
TopicBooks
Publication Year2012
Number of Pages624 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height198mm
Item Width129mm
Item Weight384g
Additional Product Features
Title_AuthorRobert Tressell
Series TitleWordsworth Classics
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom
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Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 23 Nov, 2024
Entertaining, Polemic and very readable.
Second time I have read it - first time 40 years ago! The content of the novel focuses on the poverty of the working class at the beginning of the 20th century and it explains this by an unfair capitalist system. Rather like today the workmen in the story tend to blame factors such as immigration for their poverty and fail to connect with the author's socialist views as well as his cynism of religion. The author has a simplistic but effective narrative for outling his politics. I enjoyed the humour of his naming of unscrupulous building companies - Pushem and Slogem, Bluffem and Doemdown, Dodgem and Scampit, Snatcham and Graball, Smeeriton and Leavit, Makehaste and Sloggit My major criticism of the novel is it's length - their is over repetition of the author's polemic philosophy - at 600 pages - a thorough editing to abridge it to 200 pages would suffice.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 16 Jan, 2025
A Better World If People Read This
I love this book! I read it many years ago, have read it again and have bought it as a gift for many people. It is entertaining yet profound, a work explaining western economics, politics, philosophy in an easy to understand way. Also a great historical novel with a wonderful forward by the late, great Tony Benn. Since first reading it I believe this book should be on a school curriculum.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 15 Nov, 2017
Compulsive reading for all who despair for a fair society
A great book, a real page turner. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists shows clearly that as far as fairness in society goes, nothing much has changed in a hundred years or so. I t also shows that the working class are often their own worst enemies by stabbing each other in the back instead of sticking together to beat the common enemy; the greedy capitalists. Men are worked into an early grave,working long hours in dreadful conditions for slave wages and forced to compete with each other in accepting even lower wages to secure fleeting employment. Despite the awfulness described in the book there is lots of humour and lots of wisdom. It is a fairly weighty tome but it is not a difficult read. This is my favourite book EVER. I have read it many times and have bought several copies over the years to pass on to others. Once you've read it, keep it,as you will almost ceratinly go back to it but buy another two copies & pass them on to friends or colleagues. Happy readingVerified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 26 May, 2017
My favourite book
Quite simply the finest book I have ever read. It changed my outlook on life, and I will be eternally grateful to my old History teacher Martin Cross for recommending this, and Walter Greenwood's 'Love on the Dole'. I keep buying copies of Ragged because I am continually giving them to people.....Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 09 Jan, 2019
explains the inherent greed of capitalism
Explains the irony of work and the money game, Also the book highlights clearly how wealth is far more protected than human life. While these topics are generally dull reading, this book brings the consequences of the system into life with relatable interesting human players. On the downside it is exasperating that the majoity of the very poorly paid accept their lot,doff their caps to their "betters" and dont bring about change, both then and now.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 12 Dec, 2019
Story of yesterday applies to todays political and economical shortcomings.
This story reveals the various human attitudes that prevail today and help to explain the mess we are in by not confronting lies and merely expect everyone else to realise what they are and ignore them. Hard pressed workmen unable to accept what they are told for fear of not fitting in and losing their employment which is their only means of survival.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 29 Mar, 2023
Good story with great characterization. Would appeal to socialists.
I'm on my third reading. Excellent book.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 13 Jun, 2018
Brilliant
This book is compelling socialist reading, it will make you sad it will make you happy, it will make laugh it will make you cry. Takes you back to a time before the national health and and abject poverty. Read it !!!Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 09 Jun, 2023
first class read, must not miss this one.
wonderfully realistic, a real life experience from days gone by and the apparent birth of the Labour Party.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 14 Apr, 2021
Enjoyable reed
A wonderful account oh how the system works and its effects on people. Amusing descriptive and fun also.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
