A sharp, funny, and engaging introduction to socialist ideas, movements, and solutions for a world in crisis.
Now with 50% more socialism!
Socialism…Seriously is a warm and witty introduction to the radical traditions of protest and politics that stretch from Karl Marx through today’s movements for democracy, equality, and a livable planet. In this thoroughly revised and expanded edition, Danny Katch uses humor and imagination to take an unflinching look at the rising threats posed by climate change, billionaire oligarchs, and the far right—and makes a compelling case that a socialist world is both necessary and possible.
Katch separates the lies spun by capitalism’s defenders from the system’s brutal realities, and is candid about debates and challenges facing the socialist movement today. This book is for people who want to take a deeper look at what socialism is… but maybe not that deep.
Sincere, irreverent, informative, and playful, Socialism… Seriously is a unique and timely contribution to our movements for justice.
Publication date: January 10, 2023
Introduction
2040: A Cold Day in Philadelphia
Part I: The End?
1 All is Not Lost
2 Ghost Stories
Part II: Capitalism
3 Welcome to the Jungle
4 Freedom and the Fine Print
5 The Deep State
Part III: Socialism
6 Workers Power
7 Land Back
8 Revolution?
9 Wait, is this Communism?
Part IV: The Beginning
2040: A Hot Day in Queens
10 Will Socialism be Boring?
11 Is Socialism a Religion? Should it Be?
Conclusion: Here’s Exactly What To Do When You Finish this Book
“Danny Katch has done the impossible: he makes socialism sexy. Socialism... Seriously is eye-opening, inspiring, and funny. Warning to all Democrats, Republicans, and libertarians: this book might turn you into a closet socialist.”
—Judah Friedlander, World Champion
“The most hilarious book about socialism since Karl Marx and his brother Harpo wrote their joke book.”
—Hari Kondabolu
“I've been waiting for someone to write this book—a lighthearted, easy read that packs an intro course on socialism into a short volume. With jokes that made me laugh out loud, and a lot of heart. Socialism is for lovers. Indeed.”
—Sarah Jaffe, author of Work Won't Love You Back
“The funniest, smartest, and most dangerous political writer you’ve never heard of is Danny Katch.”
—Dave Zirin, sports editor, The Nation
“Danny Katch brings the socialist vision to life.”
–Bhaskar Sunkara, editor, Jacobin
“Danny Katch has better comic bomb sights than Jon Stewart: his outrageous, passionate sarcasm always falls exactly on target. The Democratic Party, as we used to say in the day, is the killing joke.”
—Mike Davis, author, In Praise of Barbarians
“If the Communist Manifesto and America’s Funniest Home Videos had a baby, it would be Danny Katch’s new book. It’s a hilarious and fun way to think about what’s wrong with our world, how it could be different, and how we might get there. Keep an extra copy of Socialism… Seriously in your bag and hand it to the next person who asks you what socialism is all about; as long as that person is not your boss… seriously.”
–Brian Jones, educator and socialist activist
“This book is a well written and funny introduction to revolutionary socialism. Katch is a US humourist and activist and his wit, sincerity and passion run right through the book. He avoids use of jargon, making the book accessible to those without any prior knowledge of leftist thought, while simultaneously making it an amusing and sometimes uplifting read for those who are already familiar with his basic argument.”
—Counterfire
“To take coronavirus seriously is to treat what is normally a perhaps abstract socialist ideal, that a society is only as strong as its most vulnerable members, as a matter of immediate epidemiological fact.”
“We need imagination to show how different the world can be and we need power to make that world a reality.”
