The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Clearly frustrated at the refusal of his contemporaries to recognise the iniquity of society, Tressell's cast of hypocritical Christians, exploitative capitalists and corrupt councillors provide a backdrop for his main target — the workers who think that a better life is "not for the likes of them". Hence the title of the book; Tressell paints the workers as "philanthropists" who throw themselves into back-breaking work for poverty wages in order to generate profit for their masters.

The hero of the book, Frank Owen, is a socialist who believes that the capitalist system is the real source of the poverty he sees all around him. In vain he tries to convince his fellow workers of his world view, but finds that their education has trained them to distrust their own thoughts and to rely on those of their "betters". Much of the book consists of conversations between Owen and the others, or more often of lectures by Owen in the face of their jeering; this was presumably based on Tressell's own experiences.(Summary by Tadhg) (22 hr 38 min)

Chapters

Preface	4:00	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 1, Part 1	20:24	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 1, Part 2	21:17	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 2, Part 1	19:01	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 2, Part 2	20:59	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 3, Part 1	17:04	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 3, Part 2	22:09	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 4	10:16	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 5	14:12	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 6, Part 1	21:48	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 6, Part 2	16:52	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 7	26:41	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 8	14:11	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 9	5:44	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 10	14:51	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 11	12:23	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 12	6:06	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 13	16:41	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 14	10:58	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 15, Part 1	19:25	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 15, Part 2	23:33	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 16	19:09	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 17	28:31	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 18	11:13	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 19	29:07	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 20	20:19	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 21	34:02	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 22	22:47	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 23	22:02	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 24	36:37	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 25, Part 1	26:54	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 25, Part 2	21:28	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 25, Part 3	23:55	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 26	15:11	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 27	8:56	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 28	19:40	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 29	17:55	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 30	12:19	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 31	3:34	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 32	4:11	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 33	14:52	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 34	28:39	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 35	13:15	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 36	12:46	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 37	22:05	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 38	10:29	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 39	17:56	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 40	22:13	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 41	20:58	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 42	15:54	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 43, Part 1	38:55	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 43, Part 2	32:42	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 43, Part 3	31:12	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 44, Part 1	28:46	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 44, Part 2	38:17	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 45, Part 1	15:42	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 45, Part 2	40:03	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 45, Part 3	23:24	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 45, Part 4	21:37	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 46	16:17	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 47	33:54	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 48	54:39	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 49	7:27	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 50	14:54	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 51	15:47	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 52	10:37	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 53	10:34	Read by Tadhg
Chapter 54	23:02	Read by Tadhg
Appendix	5:28	Read by Tadhg

Reviews

desertbug

(4.5 stars)

well read

Vlands summed up nicely rather repetitive overworked theme but wonderful reading by Tadgh as ever. Still skipping chapters in run on which is annoying. Excellent study of Socialism and as another reviewer stated as relevant today as when written. Thanks for taking the time to bring this to life.

Very nearly brilliant

(4 stars)

Chunk

The message in this book is superb, it's just way too long and repeats itself over and over again. Loved some of the characters though and the surnames of the elite ruling classes. You can almost taste the squalor that the poor working classes are forced to endure. My first Librivox download and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The guy reading annoyed me a bit at first but I gradually came to enjoy his strong Irish brogue. Sometimes the chapters jump a bit but it's a small price to pay a free audiobook.

(5 stars)

bagshot

brilliant and still a very apt book for today's construction industry. The painter's bible.

Brilliantly read and moving.

(5 stars)

Ed

A brilliant reading of this story with resounding echos of where we seem to be heading back to now with regards to treatment of workers and the ever increasing gap between those who have and those who have not. Thank you for your efforts in reading this work. It is very much appreciated.

Super good

(5 stars)

vlands

Caveat: the story itself makes one repeated point...repeated and repeated. But maybe that's part of the plan: the monotony and drudgery. However, Tadhg does a masterful narration that brings the characters onto the couch right next to you. He is a Librivox star!

(5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

There are two books that every working class household should have: 1. The Bible. 2. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.