Rating: 
Summary: An amusing work by Professor Zinn
Review: A very good book for those of us who have taken the time to study Marx independently or outside of mainstream academia. For others,it may not be as clear or amusing. However you can't blame the noted Professor for other people's shortcomings. Altogether a fine work - sort of an insider's play. Bravo Professore. Thank You for Marx's resurrection!!
Rating: 
Summary: Witty and Enjoyable : Zinn and Marx together!
Review: AH! In typical Zinn fashion, "Marx in Soho" is a joy to read, especially for those of us who are already familiar with Marx. I would not recommend this book as "the first book on Marx" - but rather as a definite book to be included in any collection on Marx or on socialism, and, especially, in any collection of Zinn's brilliant and empowering works.The one-man play is also a true pleasure to watch!
Rating:
Summary: Witty and Enjoyable : Zinn and Marx together!
Review: AH! In typical Zinn fashion, "Marx in Soho" is a joy to read, especially for those of us who are already familiar with Marx. I would not recommend this book as "the first book on Marx" - but rather as a definite book to be included in any collection on Marx or on socialism, and, especially, in any collection of Zinn's brilliant and empowering works. The one-man play is also a true pleasure to watch!
Rating: 
Summary: Wishfull thinking about an evil man
Review: Any attempt to display Karl Marx as a sympathetic prophet mustfail if one is marginally familier with his story. The real Marx, assketched out by Paul Johnson in his wonderful book Intellectuals, was a disasater as a human being,which no doubt fueled his resentment against capitalism. If you read Zinn's comments about this play, you will see the same resentment at work. I have no doubts that Zinn's parents worked hard. HARD work , however, is NOT the source of wealth. I could spend years trying to empty the Atlantic ocean with a shot glass. It would be very hard work, but of value to very few. Capitalism rewards hard work and hard thought that results in the creation of something valuable to large numbers of people. Thus the production of the automobile, oil, and operating systems lead to great fortunes. I am charitable enough to admit that Marx would have been horrified by the 100 million deaths commited in his name in the 20th century, but this literary whitewash is absurd.
Rating:
Summary: A moving, funny defense of Marx
Review: I attended the first performance of "Marx in Soho" and was thrilled to find it brilliant, funny, and dead-on politically. Zinn gives Marx an opportunity to defend himself against modern-day critics who claim that his theories led to the atrocities of state capitalist regimes. Those familiar with Marx will be particularly entertained; those new to socialist ideas may find themselves moved to action. Catch the next performance - Dec. 9-11, Chopin Theater, Chicago.
Rating:
Summary: A Pathetic Defense of a Failed Dream
Review: In his foreword, Zinn makes a blanket claim regarding what he sees as a fundamental truth endemic to Capitalism: that it is unfair and beneficial only to the wealthy. Fair enough. What is likewise unfair-as well as disingenuous-is his rejection of any of the problems that are of a similarly endemic nature with regard to Marxism, Socialism, and virtually every other leftist ism. Indeed, this author's refusal to recognize how the Stalinist states he so roundly condemns are not aberrations, but merely the natural result of a skewed utopian vision that seeks, in all of its manifestations, to overwhelm and supersede virtually every sane human achievement-at whatever the cost. Whether Zinn likes to admit it or not, his beloved Marxism is, by its very nature, incompatible with established order, decency, and human happiness. From a historian who lived through virtually the whole of a tumultuous century, one might have had reason to expect common sense as opposed blind adherence to the failed ideological construct he acquired in his youth. Of all the shortcomings this book possesses (and they are many), the stubborn credulousness of its author is perhaps the most difficult to accept. In the end, to describe this work as merely pathetic is to waste words by stating the obvious. This is a screed for ingrates and malcontents only. For everyone else, I am sure you can think of something better to do.
Rating:
Summary: A Pathetic Defense of a Failed Dream
Review: In his foreword, Zinn makes a blanket claim regarding what he sees as a fundamental truth endemic to Capitalism: that it is unfair and beneficial only to the wealthy. Fair enough. What is likewise unfair-as well as disingenuous-is his rejection of any of the problems that are of a similarly endemic nature with regard to Marxism, Socialism, and virtually every other leftist ism. Indeed, this author's refusal to recognize how the Stalinist states he so roundly condemns are not aberrations, but merely the natural result of a skewed utopian vision that seeks, in all of its manifestations, to overwhelm and supersede virtually every sane human achievement-at whatever the cost. Whether Zinn likes to admit it or not, his beloved Marxism is, by its very nature, incompatible with established order, decency, and human happiness. From a historian who lived through virtually the whole of a tumultuous century, one might have had reason to expect common sense as opposed blind adherence to the failed ideological construct he acquired in his youth. Of all the shortcomings this book possesses (and they are many), the stubborn credulousness of its author is perhaps the most difficult to accept. In the end, to describe this work as merely pathetic is to waste words by stating the obvious. This is a screed for ingrates and malcontents only. For everyone else, I am sure you can think of something better to do.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Zinn: Wity, Accurate and Provacative
Review: In his grand tradition of delivering a distinctive approach to the consideration of historical eras and personalities, Zinn has once more provided a marvelously innovative interpretation of a figure few would otherwise consider comical. In this play, Zinn portrayed a fairly disgruntled Marx and gave the character a sharp wit that allowed the reader to become comfortable with the figure, impressed by his perceptive sense of reality and thoroughly engaged by his musings regarding the way in which his century-and-a-half old design managed to maifest itself in modern American society. Anyone that enjoyed this or any other of Zinn's works may especially appreciate The Future of History, in which he candidly discussed his perspectives on various issues ranging from the Death Penalty to Noam Chomsky along with some consideration of a few of his other works. Both are great books, as one might expect from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Might make a good educational resource.
Review: In the introduction to "Marx in Soho," Howard Zinn says that he "wrote the play at a time when the collapse of the Soviet Union brought an almost universal exultation in the mainstream press and among political leaders: not only was Marxism gone, but the ideas of Marxism were discredited." So Zinn wrote this play in which he sets out to show that "Marx's critique of capitalism remains fundamentally true in our time." In order to do this, Zinn invents a scenario in which Karl Marx is inexplicably returned to the land of the living (and to contemporary New York, no less) to defend his theories, reflect on his life, tell a few stories, and occasionally just talk. If this sounds like a weird way to defend Marxism, it is. But it does allow a passionate and excited (though fictional) Marx to talk to us directly in a more conversational and less academic or inflammatory manner. And while Zinn was bending the rules of time and history, he decided he'd go ahead and submit Marx's idea to an anarchist critique as well, and wrote in an account of a fictional night of drinking with Bakunin. This allows for what Zinn calls "a dialectic of opposing viewpoints," but interestingly so in a one-man play. The play humanizes Marx a little by spending time on Marx's family relationships. Stylistically speaking, this play clearly has its weaknesses. A lack of interaction (there's only one character!) makes the dialogue the only show in town, so to speak, and thus puts a lot of weight on not-too-strong shoulders (Zinn's dialogue writing didn't wow me). And there are some really awkward stabs at humor. Those things said, I only read the play, and maybe I'd be surprised at how well this comes off in the hands of the right director. But what this play does succeed in doing is offering a succinct and engaging summary and interpretation of the writings and ideas of Karl Marx, and encourages further reading (even pointing the reader in the right direction at the end of the script). Myself, after finishing this I marched straight to the bookstore and picked up "The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts," which I'd have to say I've gotten a lot out of and, dare I say it, even enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: Zinn and Marx my two favorite guys...
Review: Zinn does a terriffic job of capturing the true essence of what Marx is all about. He tells the story of Marx's life and thoughts without boring you. He even makes it seem fun with his always present sense of humor. A must for any lefties out there.
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