In terms of theory, I don’t consider myself well read. Theory is often really tough for me to read. Even with very easy-to-read writers like Michael Parenti, it’s dense with mindblowing info. And things like the book Will to Change by Bell Hooks hits me in really raw feelings so I stopped at the first chapter. I need the easiest authors and their easiest-to-read works, or else I’m just not reading.
-Micahel Parenti: What’s a Slum? Urban Poverty and Marginality in America
-“I Have a Dream, a Blurred Vision” by Michael Parenti"
-Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth
No idea how I got through “Friendly Feudalism.” I read these all about 3.5 years ago before I lost the bandwidth to go further.
Edit: I tend to watch things more so I guess you can add video links after everything else too.
You may like this Marxist-Leninist intro list I made. Rather than just recommending a bunch of good works, it’s formatted to build up on itself over time, so you are more prepared for the later works by reading the earlier ones. Might fix your momentum obstacle!
Politzer’s Elementary Principles of Philosophy is the first ever book on philosophy I tried to read as a child: I found it in my parent’s bookcase and I was curious to know what philosophy was about. Even though I gave up very quickly, the first distinction it makes between materialist and idealist philosophy had left quite an impression on me. Seeing the title brought back some memories
Ah, what I would give to have an old, physical copy! Used copies are prohibitively expensive these days. I love the book, it’s really such a great intro and really gets you excited about philosophy.
I bought a new print from the Foreign Languages Press, it took a while to get here but it was cheap and nicely made and when it comes to out of print theory thats all I can ask for.
Yep, considered giving that a go. Glad to hear it turned out well!
When I visit my parent’s place I will look to see if I can find it again and give it a real read this time
Go for it! It’s a great intro and really helps contextualize philosophy for other theory. When Marx or Lenin talk about other philosophers, you aren’t grasping in the dark like some intros to just Dialectical Materialism can do.