Picture 1 of 1

Stock photo

UK The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists Wordsworth Classics The Rag High Qualit - Picture 1 of 1

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell (Paperback, 2012)

4.9289 product ratings

wowtrust (89986)
99.6% positive Feedback

Price:

£5.18

Free 2 day postage

Estimated by Thu, 9 May

Returns:

30 days return. Buyer pays for return postage.

Condition:

New

The first great English novel about the class war, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is spiked, witty, humorous, instructive and full of excitement, harmony and pathos. Alan Sillitoe Some books seem to batter their way to immortality against all the odds, by sheer brute artistic strength, and high up in this curious and honourable company must be counted The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists. Robert Tressell s unfailing humour mixes with an unfailing rage and the two together make a truly Swiftian impact. Evening StandardRobert Tressell has complete familiarity with the idiom of his characters. His language is bizarre, vital, highly inventive and precisely heard it is a complete and living archaeology of the speech of a particular human group. A brilliant and very funny book.

View all details

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

Publisher
Wordsworth Editions LTD
ISBN-13
9781840226829
eBay Product ID (ePID)
112377576

Product Key Features

Book Title
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Author
Robert Tressell
Format
Paperback
Language
English
Topic
Books
Publication Year
2012
Number of Pages
624 Pages

Dimensions

Item Height
198mm
Item Width
129mm
Item Weight
384g

Additional Product Features

Title_Author
Robert Tressell
Series Title
Wordsworth Classics
Country/Region of Manufacture
United Kingdom

4.9

4.9 out of 5 stars based on 89 product ratings

89 product ratings

85 users rated this 5 out of 5 stars
3 users rated this 4 out of 5 stars
0 users rated this 3 out of 5 stars
0 users rated this 2 out of 5 stars
1 users rated this 1 out of 5 stars

Would recommend

Good value

Compelling content

Most relevant reviews

See all 65 reviews

5 out of 5 stars
by auldteddy15 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 readingRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
5 out of 5 stars
by joe.watts126 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: Yes | Condition: New
5 out of 5 stars
by tiggernsindy09 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: Yes | Condition: New
5 out of 5 stars
by pron-r-3gugxjtm...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: Yes | Condition: New
5 out of 5 stars
by harr-759929 Mar, 2023
Good story with great characterization. Would appeal to socialists.
I'm on my third reading. Excellent book.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New

Picture 1 of 1

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell (Paperback, 2012)

All listings for this product

About this product

Product Information

Product Identifiers

Product Key Features

Dimensions

Additional Product Features

Ratings and reviews

Most relevant reviews

Compulsive reading for all who despair for a fair society

My favourite book

explains the inherent greed of capitalism

Story of yesterday applies to todays political and economical shortcomings.

Good story with great characterization. Would appeal to socialists.

Best-selling in Books

Save on Books

You may also like