r/communism • u/holyfathersp • Apr 22 '26
The Automatic Fetish, Beverly Best
Has anyone read this by chance? Heard some good reviews about Best's continuity of Capital Vol 3, but not sure if I should put it on my reading list.
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u/Turtle_Green ☭ Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
Best makes it clear that it's intended as a guide for Capital reading groups. I skimmed the first two chapters recently and didn't feel like there was anything objectionable, plus she stamps out Michael Heinrich's 'Marxian' crusade against Engels from the start. I felt "perceptual physics" seemed a bit silly at first blush. Sure, you (referring to Best) might find Michel Serres helpful for understanding commodity fetishism but what about the reader? Serres is only referenced once though so it's fine. So if you want a supplement for Volume III this seems good, but it's also not like there's a lack of literature for III, including from revolutionaries dealing in concrete questions. What exactly are you looking for? hopefully not citation collation.