Resurrection (1899)
By Leo Tolstoy
This late 19th-century novel about nobleman Dmitri Ivanovich Nekhlyudov’s efforts at redemption after a life of sin is Tolstoy’s last major novel before his death in 1910. The readers will have a complex relationship with the tormented protagonist and his desperate attempts at redemption and forgiveness, since Nekhlyudov’s misguided decisions and youthful errors are often not so dissimilar from our own. Resurrection is a scathing exposition of the myriad prejudices of the man-made justice system and the hypocrisy of the establishment, while it also explores the economic philosophy of Georgism – of which Tolstoy had become a strong advocate toward the end of his life. [from the Culture Trip]
Political Economy Book Club discussions are open to everyone interested, without charge, and the text (in English translation) is available free from various sources including archive.org, who also offer a free audiobook. There is also a more recent translation by Anthony Briggs, which can be purchased or licensed in various formats and is available in some public libraries. Any questions about the PEBC may be directed to Convenor Bob Matter,
Once again this year, our colleagues from the Public Revenue Education Council will have a booth at the annual conference of the National Council of State Legislators. PREC travel to the host city each year, and in 2016 they’re at McCormick Place in Chicago.
PREC will want assistance from local people who have completed one or more courses at the Henry George School and understand the fundamentals of political economy, especially land value taxation and the “two-rate” or “split rate” tax. If you might like to help out, contact Chuck Metalitz for more details. Because this conference of public officials is closed to the public, this might be you only way to get into the exhibit hall, and requires pre-arrangement. Only a limited number of these volunteer positions is available.
Progress & Poverty, classic version, meets weekly for ten Thursdays thru November 17. First session free, but if you choose to register we request $25 to help with expenses. Optional preregistration. More about the course.
If you want to understand the underlying causes of persistent poverty in America, you’ll benefit from this course. This is the “modern” version, based on Bob Drake’s “Abridged for Modern Readers” edit of Henry George’s original book. As always, the first class session is entirely free, but if you decide to enroll in the course we request a $25 fee to help cover costs. Veteran HGS instructor Bob Jene will help you understand not only the causes of economic stagnation, but a workable remedy.
This course will meet for six consecutive Friday’s beginning January 6. Our space at Overflow Coffee Bar is directly served by CTA routes 62 and 29, and a reasonable walk from Red, Green, and Orange Line Roosevelt station, as well as Metra Electric’s Museum Campus and 18th Street stops.
More information about this six-session course is here. and here. This section of the course is free but you should preregister.
Yes, it is possible to end poverty in America — or any independent nation — by recognizing a clear and logical distinction between private property and community property. Not just the poor, but everyone would have the opportunity to earn a decent living and enjoy better quality of life. Henry George, a famous American philosopher and economist of the late 19th century, was the most prominent advocate of this reform. His book on the subject, Progress and Poverty, probably the best-selling nonfiction work of his time, sparked a movement which brought prosperity to several American communities and foreign countries.
Introducing Progress and Poverty is a program by the Henry George School of Chicago, outlining the principles George advocated, how and why they work, and their potential for solving today’s problems in this city and elsewhere. Attendance is without charge or obligation.
For those wanting in-depth understanding of the logic and implications of Progress and Poverty, this presentation is also the first session of an extended course, meeting at the same location on the next six Fridays.
This event is open to everyone. RSVP is optional by email or by phoning us at 312 362-9302.
If you are interested in the topic but this date and location don’t fit your schedule, please sign up for our announcement list.
Introducing Progress and Poverty will also be offered on January 12 on the northwest side of Chicago, and January 15 in the Loop.
Yes, it is possible to end poverty in America — or any independent nation — by recognizing a clear and logical distinction between private property and community property. Not just the poor, but everyone would have the opportunity to earn a decent living and enjoy better quality of life. Henry George, a famous American philosopher and economist of the late 19th century, was the most prominent advocate of this reform. His book on the subject, Progress and Poverty, probably the best-selling nonfiction work of his time, sparked a movement which brought prosperity to several American communities and foreign countries.
Introducing Progress and Poverty is a program by the Henry George School of Chicago, outlining the principles George advocated, how and why they work, and their potential for solving today’s problems in this city and elsewhere. Attendance is without charge or obligation.
For those wanting in-depth understanding of the logic and implications of Progress and Poverty, this presentation is also the first session of an extended course, meeting Tuesday evenings at 333 S Wabash Ave #2700 from January 22nd thru March 19.
This event is open to everyone. RSVP is optional by email or by phoning us at 312 362-9302.
If you are interested in the topic but this date and location don’t fit your schedule, please sign up for our announcement list.
Introducing Progress and Poverty will also be offered on January 11, 2019, at Levy Center Evanston Introducing Progress and Poverty at Levy Center Evanston and on January 15, 2019, in the Loop. Introducing Progress and Poverty in the Loop
Yes, it is possible to end poverty in America — or any independent nation — by recognizing a clear and logical distinction between private property and community property. Not just the poor, but everyone would have the opportunity to earn a decent living and enjoy better quality of life. Henry George, a famous American philosopher and economist of the late 19th century, was the most prominent advocate of this reform. His book on the subject, Progress and Poverty, probably the best-selling nonfiction work of his time, sparked a movement which brought prosperity to several American communities and foreign countries.
Introducing Progress and Poverty is a program by the Henry George School of Chicago, outlining the principles George advocated, how and why they work, and their potential for solving today’s problems in this city and elsewhere. You may attend without charge or obligation.
For those wanting in-depth understanding of the logic and implications of Progress and Poverty, this presentation is also the first session of an extended course, meeting Tuesdays at the same time and place thru March 19.
This event is open to everyone. Due to building restrictions, RSVP is MANDATORY by email or by phoning us at 312 362-9302. The security desk will have a badge for you.
If you are interested in the topic but this date and location don’t fit your schedule, please sign up for our announcement list.
Introducing Progress and Poverty will also be offered on January 11, 2019, at Levy Center Evanston Introducing Progress and Poverty at Levy Center Evanston on January 12, 2019, in the Irving Park neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago. Introducing Progress and Poverty in Irving Park

Join us in celebrating Income Tax Appreciation Day. This page will be updated with specifics of our celebration as we figure out how best to do it.
Bob Matter’s Political Economy Book Club is reading Jack London’s dystopian novel The Iron Heel. On June 25 we’ll discuss chapters 1-13, and on July 23 chapters 14-25. This 1908 text is available free from Project Gutenberg, in hardcopy from some public libraries, or as an audiobook. You can buy used hardcopies for < $10 from several vendors.
We’ll meet at the East Loop location of Bridgeport Coffeehouse, 73 E Jackson Blvd.