this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2026
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Hop in, comrades, we are reading Capital Volumes I-III this year, and we will every year until Communism is achieved. (Volume IV, often published under the title Theories of Surplus Value, will not be included, but comrades are welcome to set up other bookclubs.) This works out to about 6½ pages a day for a year, 46 pages a week.

I'll post the readings at the start of each week and @mention anybody interested. Let me know if you want to be added or removed.

Week 1, January 4 - January 11, Volume 1 Chapter 1 'The Commodity'

This is the very first bookclub post, so get to know each other, ask questions about the basic premise, just keep mostly on-topic. This didn't start on January 1st because I want it to start and end on the weekend. @'ing everyone mid-Thursday probably wouldn't have gotten very many readers.

Discuss the week's reading in the comments.

Use any translation/edition you like. Marxists.org has the Moore and Aveling translation in various file formats including epub and PDF.

AernaLingus says: I noticed that the linked copy of the Fowkes translation doesn't have bookmarks, so I took the liberty of adding them myself. You can either download my version with the bookmarks added or if you're a bit paranoid (can't blame ya) and don't mind some light command line work you can use the same simple script that I did with my formatted plaintext bookmarks to take the PDF from libgen and add the bookmarks yourself. Also, please let me know if you spot any errors with the bookmarks so I can fix them!


Resources

(These are not expected reading, these are here to help you if you so choose)


2024 Archived Discussions

If you want to dig back into older discussions, this is an excellent way to do so.

Archives:

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2025 Archived Discussions

If you want to dig back into older discussions, this is an excellent way to do so.

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2026 Archived Discussions

Just joining us? You can use the archives below to help you reading up to where the group is. There is another reading group on a different schedule at https://lemmygrad.ml/c/genzhou (federated at !genzhou@lemmygrad.ml ) which may fit your schedule better. The idea is for the bookclub to repeat annually, so there's always next year.

N/A

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[–] SevenSkalls@hexbear.net 2 points 4 days ago

A little confused about why he represents human labor as a ghostly object / gelatinous blob.

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 16 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (14 children)

Hey everyone, Capital bookclub is starting from the top again! If any friends missed the last one, bring 'em on over here. Just participate anywhere in the current 2026 thread, whichever thread that might be, to be added to the notification list. DM or reply to this comment asking to be removed if you wish to be removed.

Notification List

@FromPieces@lemmygrad.ml @roux@hexbear.net @0__0@hexbear.net @bennieandthez@lemmygrad.ml @pierre_delecto@hexbear.net @StillNoLeftLeft@hexbear.net @RedWizard@hexbear.net @o_d@lemmygrad.ml @real@hexbear.net @Sasuke@hexbear.net @ComradeSpahija@hexbear.net @NinjaGinga@hexbear.net @SabbaticGoat@hexbear.net @woodenghost@hexbear.net @Parsani@hexbear.net @radio_free_asgarthr@hexbear.net @pr0kch0p@hexbear.net @NedIsakoff@hexbear.net @LibsEatPoop@hexbear.net @LisaTrevor@hexbear.net @AernaLingus@hexbear.net @devils_dust@hexbear.net @burntpopcorn@hexbear.net @ExtimateCookie@hexbear.net @oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net @CarlMarks@lemmygrad.ml @blackbread@lemmygrad.ml @imogen_underscore@hexbear.net @khizuo@hexbear.net @glimmer_twin@hexbear.net @Sebrof@hexbear.net @CommieTurtle@lemmy.ml @CARCOSA@hexbear.net @jacab@hexbear.net @Cowbee@hexbear.net @SwitchyandWitchy@hexbear.net @comrade_pibb@hexbear.net @No_Bark@lemmy.dbzer0.com @luxurycommunism@hexbear.net @playvind@lemmy.dbzer0.com @dove_milk@hexbear.net @SockOlm@hexbear.net @SteamedHamberder@hexbear.net @mendiCAN@hexbear.net @XxFemboy_Stalin_420_69xX@hexbear.net @Atlas@lemmygrad.ml into_highest_invite@lemmygrad.ml

[–] comrade_pibb@hexbear.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

List add plz. 2026 is the year I finally tackle capital

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

List add

Done!

plz

A little bit of politeness goes a long way

2026 is the year I finally tackle capital

You better believe I'll be holding you to your word on that over the course of this year.

Personally, it took my quite a few years of reading through Das Kapital to actually finish all three volumes. My copy of the first volume is super worn down, from all the times I've started off trying to go through Capital, but had to give up after only finishing the first volume. It's a little ironic, since the first volume is generally considered the driest and most boring, while the series gets progressively better until the peak of volume 3.

[–] SwitchyandWitchy@hexbear.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Can you add me to the list?

[–] No_Bark@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Add me too please. Thanks!

[–] SteamedHamberder@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

Add please!

[–] dove_milk@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] SockOlm@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago
[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Please remove me from the list. I’ll keep an eye on pinned posts to keep track.

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[–] luxurycommunism@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] mendiCAN@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

add me to da list please

[–] Atlas@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago

I'll join! :)

add me to the list please! been looking at my copy of capital intimidating me from the shelf for far too long haha

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[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (5 children)

I wish there was a better tool for these clubs. Lemmy doesn’t have a proper Watch feature for new comments, so it is not motivating to add a comment on day 6 of a thread, because no one will see it, let alone commenting on a past week’s thread.

Thanks oscardejarjayes for hosting this year!

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 7 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Yeah, Lemmy isn't built for bookclubs. We could have a custom sorting algorithm to cater to bookclubs or something, and some kind of watch feature would be nice, but I think Lemmy is just not a very good place to hold bookclubs. In-person is book club king, and everything else is just a pale immitation. If we want to go one step further, moving off-platform might be a good decision. We might have to write it ourselves, but a Hexbear linked Bookclub virtual meeting space is very interesting.

You're welcome, I'm always happy to serve my community! Cowbee's my Lemmy hero, so I love to follow in his footsteps, and help out continuing his work.

[–] CARCOSA@hexbear.net 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

@marxisthayaca@hexbear.net did a book club for a few years using an off-site resource.

It was perusall https://hexbear.net/post/108398

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[–] WokePalpatine@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

People should sort by new by default and then upvote the comments they've read, maybe.

[–] Sebrof@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I've definitely had that thought too. Last year I fell behind. And I debated on posting comments on older threads where nobody would revisit them thonk

[–] Cowbee@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Please do! That's why we link them!

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[–] GrainEater@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

(PSA: the reading group on Lemmygrad is not on hiatus, we've just moved to /c/theory@lemmygrad.ml)

[–] oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Ok, good to know. I'll fix the post.

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[–] Cowbee@hexbear.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Good luck everyone this year! The first 3 chapters of Volume 1 are the toughest to get through, but once you're through those it's pretty smooth sailing from there!

And thanks for hosting it this year, @oscardejarjayes@hexbear.net!

party-blob

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[–] SevenSkalls@hexbear.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Maybe I'll actually try this this year.

[–] Beaver@hexbear.net 5 points 2 weeks ago

You should go for it!

[–] Cowbee@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago
[–] luxurycommunism@hexbear.net 6 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Will anyone else be using the Paul Reitter translation? I picked up a copy last year and have been looking for a reason to read it

[–] SevenSkalls@hexbear.net 1 points 4 days ago

Looks like that was the version I just grabbed. Trying to catch up now!

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[–] devils_dust@hexbear.net 5 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Can you add me again when reading volume 3? That's the one I missed last year

[–] WokePalpatine@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

I wonder if having the thread cover all 3 volumes (or 3 threads going at once or something) would work.

[–] Beaver@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Should be September when Vol 3 starts up. Do you have a way to set yourself a reminder?

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[–] meler@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago

I wanna be added

[–] SteamedHamberder@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago

rat-salute-2 reporting for duty

[–] AernaLingus@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

noooo I'm already behind screm-aaaaa aaaa

not sure I'll manage to finish chapter 1 in time, but hopefully I'll be caught up through chapter 2 by the end of next week's thread. I guess ideally I'd be done with chapter 3 in time for week 3's thread, but that seems like wishful thinking (I do hope to eventually be ready with a comment by the beginning of each week). Also chapter 1 is gonna be the longest slog both because I've heard it's difficult and because I'm reading all the (checks) four separate forewords/prefaces/introductions that are in my edition (I'm using the new Reitter translation). So if I can power through this, I can go the distance!

edit: locked in today and powered through all the prefaces, so I can tackle Chapter 1 tomorrow! Much excite niko-dance

[–] SwitchyandWitchy@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm behind too catgirl-cry I have no idea where the week went but fuck it I will figure it out somehow.

[–] AernaLingus@hexbear.net 3 points 1 week ago

You got this! It's no big deal if you're a bit behind at the start, anyhow—it is a year-long reading group, after all, so you've got plenty of time to catch up. The first few chapters are supposed to be the toughest, so don't let that discourage you—just try to read a bit every day, and you'll get there! I've been doing a half hour here, a half hour there, and I think I should finish chapter one in the next day or two. As soon as I can feel my eyes start to glaze over and notice I'm re-reading the same paragraph over and over, I know it's time to take a break and do something else for a bit.

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[–] LisaTrevor@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago

let's goooooo i'm actually prepared this year, i spent december finally understanding what the transformation problem is about and now i'm itching to actually make it to vol. 3

[–] WokePalpatine@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Did Aveling/Engels translate all 3 volumes? I'd really like to read his translations since it seems like they use less obscurantist language than the Penguin Books versions I have.

[–] quarrk@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago

The first English translation of Volume 1 was published in 1887 by Edward Aveling and Samuel Moore. The first English translations of Volumes 2 and 3 were published in 1907 and 1909, respectively, by Ernest Untermann, several years after Aveling died in 1898.

[–] comrade_pibb@hexbear.net 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

What's the best translation?

[–] Beaver@hexbear.net 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

There's not really a settled answer, but all the English translations are considered pretty good.

The Samuel Moore translation is from the 1887, with Engle's assistance. This is public domain, and is the version on Marxist.org. The language is less modern, so you'll have to be a little bit more studious about looking up definitions for words that are less commonly used today. Still perfectly readable, though.

The Ben Fowkes translation (the 1976 Penguin Classics version) is the most widely read version. You'll be on the same footing in regards to terminology as almost everyone else who reads Capital. The language is more modern than the Samuel Moore translation, but not that modern, being fifty years old. This is the version I read, and I would recommend it.

The Paul Reitter translation is from 2024, and focuses on modernized language, and also preserving some of the original double meanings from German. I've only read the first chapter of this one, and it seems fine. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up becoming the definitive edition, but time will tell.

[–] DornerStan@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago (4 children)

Absolutely the Reitter translation. Also has a professionally-produced audiobook.

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[–] into_highest_invite@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 1 week ago (4 children)

karl marx debunked the "marginal revolution" on literally the first page of capital

[–] SevenSkalls@hexbear.net 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

What is the marginal revolution?

[–] into_highest_invite@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

after marxism became popular, the theory of "marginal utility" was popularized as a response to the labor theory of value. basically, it's the "observation" that after a certain amount of a given commodity, it's of diminishing use-value to an individual consumer.

the common example people give is water. an individual may be willing to pay a premium for the first few liters of water, which they need to live. they'll pay a little less for the next few liters of water, which they need to take a bath. they won't pay anything for any more water, because they don't need it for anything. therefore, exchange-value is subjective and there's no law that governs what the exchange-value of a commodity is.

of course, an observant reader might notice that the "subjective/marginal theory of value" is no theory of value at all. it explicitly refuses to engage with the question of why a commodity might have a value equal to x other commodity or a price of y money. instead, it says we can't answer it so don't even try. naturally, we already had a pretty good way to answer that question before marginal theory even existed.

tldr: the "marginal revolution" was the popularization among bourgeois economists of the never-before realized idea that overproduction exists. they love it because it happened sometime between 1860 and 1890 and therefore DESTROYED marx

also you'll note that commodities don't cost less if you don't need them as much

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