Quippy, fun, honest writing with heart. Robinson outlines his principles and explains why we should all join the left. Socialism is frequently misunderstood and has been co-opted by authoritarian regimes. Robinson works through these issues with accuracy and shows that a politics of compassion, solidarity, and good sense may be what’s needed to make the world a better place. Socialism is democracy, it is for all workers and citizens to have a voice in the course of their lives, from their jobs to the public sphere. Read this book!

Robinson provides an excellent overview of what socialism is and isn't and addresses common critiques of socialism in a fair and thorough way. Reading "Why You Should Be a Socialist" is like being in conversation with a smart friend who has a talent for explaining difficult subjects with clarity. His writing makes the answers to difficult questions "like how should we structure society" and "what do we owe to one another" feel both obvious and natural. He's also remarkably clear about the alternatives to socialism: capitalism is not only content with the suffering of billions of people, it depends upon this grim fact. Robinson makes a compelling case that socialism has clear answers to society's problems and is the only framework concerned with actually improving people's lives. To me, some of the most powerful passages in the book were Robinson's condemnation of conservatism as being cruel, mean-spirited, and unconcerned with people's suffering. He's right: conservatives offer no solutions to the problems people face, only scorn and derision. They kick you when you're down and say that you deserve it for being on the ground in the first place. Socialism, on the other hand is acting on the belief that none of us deserve to suffer; that treating one another with kindness, curiosity, and empathy are good ways of living. All my life, I've been told that socialists are unrealistic dreamers (and worse). But Robinson shows that a better, kinder world really is possible. Everyone, even and especially those skeptical of socialism should give this book a chance.