# Progress and Poverty (George, D. Appleton & Company, fifth edition)/Opinions of the press

PROGRESS AND POVERTY.
AN INQUIRY INTO THE CAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL DEPRESSIONS, AND OF INCREASE OF WANT WITH INCREASE OF WEALTH: THE REMEDY.
BY HENRY GEORGE.
The success which this remarkable book has so soon achieved has induced us to issue a popular edition at a price that will bring it within the reach of all classes.
D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers, 1, 3, & 5 Bond Street, N. Y.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
The received principles of political economy are here submitted to a fresh examination by a courageous thinker, who, though familiar with the learning of the books, follows the conclusions of his own reasoning rather than the instructions of eminent teachers.—New York Tribune.
"Progress and Poverty" is not merely the most original, the most striking and important contribution which political economy has yet received from America, but it is not too much to say that in these respects it has had no equal since the publication of "The Wealth of Nations," by Adam Smith, a century ago, or, at least, since Malthus formulated his theory of population and Ricardo his theory of rent. A more aggressive, not to say audacious, book was never written.—New York Herald.
One of the most important contributions yet made to economic literature. It is full of vital thought, is written with earnestness and power, and is a work hard to lay down when once begun.—Popular Science Monthly.
Let us say, at the outset, that this is not a work to be brushed aside with lofty indifference or cool disdain. It is not the production of a visionary or a sciolist, of a meagerly equipped or ill-regulated mind. The writer has brought to his undertaking a comprehensive knowledge of the data and principles of science, and his skill in exposition and illustration attests a broad acquaintance with history and literature. His book must be accounted the first adequate presentation in the English language of that new economy which has found powerful champions in the German universities, and which aims at a radical transformation of the science formulated by Adam Smith, Ricardo, and J. S. Mill. Few books have, in recent years, proceeded from any American pen which have more plainly borne the marks of wide learning and strenuous thought, or which have brought to the expounding of a serious theme a happier faculty of elucidation.—New York Sun.
Although we have to consider Mr. George's positions essentially unsound, we find many admirable passages, and a notable spirit of candor pervading his work. The style is for the most part engaging, and often eloquent. So far from being a work of communistic tendencies, the reader will find in it arguments to overthrow nearly all the communist theories of the present day.—The Nation.
A book that can neither be ignored, nor sneered down, nor laughed down.—New York Evening Mail.
A book worthy of a careful reading, even if the reader should find himself at variance with many of the views expressed. The argument is logical and the points well chosen and sustained.—New York Graphic.
We announce clearly and distinctly that, to our view, no book has appeared in the century which has exerted so marked an influence as will "Progress and Poverty."—New York Era.
​A noteworthy book, that bears the traces of a master's hand—which for freshness of thought, the steady march of its logic, wealth of illustration, strong grasp of economic abstractions and facile handling of facts, no student of social problems can afford to pass by.—Chas. H. Barrows, in The Literary World.
No wilder theory was ever broached, yet we can not but admire the earnest purpose.—The Churchman.
The work is so able that no one, intending to speak or write on such subjects, can afford to neglect reading it.—The Methodist.
The most pernicious treatise on political economy that has been published for many a day—all the more pernicious as every page bears traces of learning and culture.—Examiner and Chronicle.
A very remarkable book—its style always clear, often eloquent, never dull. The time-honored doctrines of political economy have never received a severer assault, and, whatever we may think of its conclusions, "Progress and Poverty," beyond any book of our time, deserves careful study.—Brooklyn Times.
A most remarkable contribution to the discussion of economic questions. Those who want to arm themselves with arguments against the defenders of the Land Iniquity will find in it all they desire.—Irish World.
A discussion of wide range and of great vigor and power, which closes with a suggestion of the future life couched in language like that of a rapt and inspired seer.—Albany Journal.
A book destined to create a great deal of discussion.—Boston Transcript.
The book displays vigor of thought as well as vehemence of expression; and, wild and impractical as its conclusions appear, it challenges respect by its power and earnestness, and furnishes much food for sober reflection.—Boston Journal.
A very stimulating book, written in an agreeable style and with true feeling.—Springfield Republican.
Mr. George has written a book which is not only a bold and exhaustive examination of the whole question of our modern civilization, but which charms as from a style which rivals the genius of Newman and Macaulay. We are not surprised to know that it has excited more attention among thinking men in Europe and America than any book since Mill's "Essay on Liberty" and Buckle's "History of Civilization."—Philadelphia Evening Star.
This book is welcome because it will cause a discussion of a subject the magnitude and importance of which none will deny; because it is a bold and frank exposition of theories now forcing themselves upon public notice; because the writer is in earnest, and because he is also original.—Chicago Tribune.
The author appears to be a kind of communist, yet he means well, and means it earnestly, and says much that is worth thinking of.—Chicago Advance.
We do not hesitate to pronounce this one of the greatest books yet contributed to the literature of political economy, and one which no public man can afford to omit reading. It is the work of a well-trained mind, possessing thorough literary culture. Vigor and clearness of thought are impressed upon every page, but what is most striking is the originality and boldness of the views advanced, and the radical character of the remedy proposed. Though in respect to property in land Mr. George proposes a very radical change, going even further than John Stuart Mill, yet he supports his proposition with such powerful reasoning and such a formidable array of facts that he compels respectful bearing. The reception given to the book by the press is, in view of its radical character, something phenomenal, and best proves its power.—Washington Critic.
Mr. George is earnest, honest, and forcible; radical to the root, bold, sweeping, and dogmatic. He writes earnestly, clearly, nervously, and states his theories and arguments in a way to make them worthy the attention of the most dignified political economist, against whom he makes some spirited tilts. Whatever may be the ultimate effect of the book, it will not fail to excite discussion.—Louisville Courier-Journal.
"Progress and Poverty" possesses all the elements of popularity. It is a book which every capitalist ought to read, which every landholder will be wise to read, and which, as soon as it begins to circulate among the masses, every politician will have to read.—Virginia (Nev.) Chronicle.
​This is the most remarkable book on political economy it has ever been our fortune to read. Every sentence is as clear as a sunbeam; every proposition is as legitimately traced to its logical result as one of Euclid's. However unpalatable Mr. George's conclusions may be to certain classes, this book must, from its clearness of statement, ingenuity of argument, its large sympathy, and the broad and philosophic spirit with which the question is treated, claim the attention of all who realize the importance of the subject.—Galveston News.
Here, if we mistake not, is one of those original works which open fresh discussions and draw new lines—a work which must command scientific respect, and which is at the same time ablaze with the very fire of radicalism. Whether the theories which it lays down are right or wrong, they can not be treated with contempt. Political economists can not ignore a book which, even if it be erroneous, presents error in such a form that it is likely to become a new gospel in every radical club, and to find apostles in every knot of dissatisfied workingmen. It is emphatically a book which must be read to be understood, and which can not be read without interest and profit even to those who most widely differ from its conclusions.—E. R. Taylor, in The Californian.
The literary ability displayed in this novel and original plan of communism makes it the more dangerous. As we propose to show, its premises are false and its reasoning fallacious, while its conclusions, if adopted, would put an end to progress and subvert civilization.—San Francisco Alta-California.
A work of wonderful interest and power. Startling as its conclusions may seem, they are urged with such logic, force, and earnestness that they can not fail to impress every reader. "Progress and Poverty" must in time produce deep effects, and give to the most important discussion a new turn. It can not long be ignored by those who regard its doctrines as dangerous.—San Francisco Examiner.
I consider "Progress and Poverty" as the book of this half-century, and do no injustice to the renown of my revered teacher and friend, the late John Stuart Mill, in ranking it as surpassing in importance anything and all that he published. I regard this work as the most valuable contribution to the science of social economy since the publication of Ricardo's theory of rent, nor has even Herbert Spencer done so much to advance the social sciences as is done in this single book.—M. R. Leverson, Ph. D., in San Francisco Argonaut.
Too able to be easily answered, too revolutionary to be lightly endorsed. A book of surprises, yet in nothing more surprising than in the manner in which it enchains the interest of the reader in what he has probably hitherto deemed the hardest and driest discussions. We are glad to see that the State Board of Education have added "Progress and Poverty" to the school library lists.—San Francisco Merchant.
A book to be studied, not merely to be read—a book which grapples with questions so great, and announces doctrines so novel, that the reader is surprised on every page. No one can finish it without receiving light on some of the most interesting problems of human existence, and being convinced that Mr. George is one of the most profound and advanced thinkers of the day.—Stockton (Cal.) Independent.
We believe this book marks an epoch in the discussion of political and social questions. We hail it as the skirmishers on an advanced line might hail the coming up of the heavy battalions. For here is the philosophy of the great reform movement which is now beginning to agitate men's minds. We can not too strongly commend this book. It ought to be read by every workingman in the land, and, if it were, it would work a revolution.—Sacramento Bee.
A book which will make converts, and which is, in fact, a really splendid series of logical triumphs. In the sweep of the argument nothing seems to have been forgotten.—Sacramento Record-Union.
A remarkable book, that has not only interested but has instructed me.—Professor Emile de Laveleye, in Revue Scientifique.
Since Proudhon enunciated to the world the famous proposition, "La propriété c'est le vol," no writer with any pretensions to cultivation of mind, or even education, except perhaps Karl Marx, has put forward such an astounding proposal as that of the author of "Progress and Poverty." If he is able to convince many of his countrymen of the practicability, to say nothing of the ​expediency, and less than nothing of the justice, of such a mad doctrine as this, the United States will sooner or later be torn by a second civil war. Yet, comparatively speaking, Mr. George's belief that poverty is solely the result of private ownership in land is almost a sane view of the matter.—London Statist.
In the region of political economy the newest sensation is "Progress and Poverty," which has been hailed by some as an extraordinary effort of speculative genius. The writer is struck by the fact, as he supposes it to be, that poverty, instead of decreasing, has increased with the progress of production, and he casts about for the cause and the remedy. The cause he finds to be individual ownership of land. His remedy is a sweeping confiscation of all landed property by the State, without giving the owners any indemnity, which, he particularly warns us, would frustrate his beneficent design. . . . To crown the wisdom of the scheme, the Government, into the hands of which the vast proceeds of the confiscation are to be put, is one which, in the case of the United States, the projector himself describes as a den of brigands.—Professor Goldwin Smith, in The Bystander.
From a passage in Mr. George's book it appears that he was formerly a workingman in a trade, and, if this is to be understood in the ordinary sense, his learning and literary power are truly astonishing and admirable. Among other gifts he possesses a fertile imagination, supplying him readily with pertinent illustrations. Want of imagination is one of the causes of the inability of many economists to emancipate themselves from old abstractions, generalizations, and formulas. Their minds do not enable them to realize actual phenomena, and to test theories on all sides by a multitude of instances. Mr. George's work, however, calls for notice not only on account of its ability, and because it contains internal evidence of being a product of the economic history of California, but because also of the magnitude of the problem it propounds and the nature of the solution it proposes.—Professor T. E. Cliffe Leslie, in Fortnightly Review.
The chapter describing the manner in which civilization is exposed to danger through the increase of the inequality of wealth is powerful, graphic, and instructive. But while we feel the danger we can not admit the remedy proposed.—London Economist.
Till we read Mr. George's chapter on wages, we had hardly realized the extent to which acute thinkers—even such a writer as Mr. John Stuart Mill—are biased in their general inferences by particular facts. The value of Mr. George's book lies in the presentation of views derived from the peculiar facts of American industrial and social organization—views which may lead thoughtful European economists to modify the generality of their own conclusions rather than to adopt Mr. George's.—London Saturday Review.
This remarkable and most interesting work is indeed worthy of careful and elaborate review.—Agathon de Potter, in Philosophie de l'Avenir, of Paris.
The most solid literary success of the year is undoubtedly "Progress and Poverty." A translation into German is already being published in Berlin, the French periodicals devoted to social subjects are quoting and commenting upon it largely, and the English economists are beginning to discover that here at least is an American book worthy of their attention. In the United States it must have a very great sale, for it is every day more evident that the subjects of which it treats are those upon which political discussion must for the future turn.—Brooklyn Eagle.
D. APPLETON & CO., Publishers, 1, 3, & 5 Bond Street, N. Y.; 16 Little Britain, London.