The shelves
Quality political books, fiction and non-fiction — plus the deepest selection of left books across the spectrum in the Twin Cities. Every one of them 15–20% below cover price.
Recently on the shelves
A sample of what’s been on the new-books table. Stock moves fast — call the store to check, or ask us to order anything we don’t have in.
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Capital, Vol. 1
The authoritative new translation, with commentary and annotations.
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Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto
A Marxist take on degrowth — decarbonization, shorter hours, labor over profit.
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A Very Short History of the Palestine-Israel Conflict
The conflict detailed from 1882 and the arrival of the first settlers.
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An African History of Africa
A sweeping history across 30 countries, from early civilizations to independence.
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Class Struggle: A Political and Philosophical History
Refining class struggle as just that — not simply the poor against the rich.
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Abolish Rent
Stories of resistance to evictions and high rents, from two tenant-union organizers.
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The Housing Monster
The story of a house in all its ramifications — builders, mortgages, rents, red lining.
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Corporate Coup: Venezuela and the End of U.S. Empire
A look at the failed 2019 coup led by Juan Guaidó and backed by the U.S.
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Factory Days
Proletarian fiction set in 1980s Chicago — by a Minnesota author and May Day volunteer.
New titles arrive all the time — reviews of many of them land on the May Day blog.
Well-loved and priced to move
May Day receives a constant stream of used books from leftists in the city and from estates — usually 50 to 100 on the shelf at reduced prices. Alongside them: deeply discounted cut-outs from our own stock.
We don’t buy used books, but we gladly accept donations — and we keep moving good books out the door at prices that respect a working budget.
Donate Books
The rack the chains won’t carry
Political magazines and left-wing newspapers, stocked the old way — on paper. Titles rotate with the times; lately the rack has carried the likes of:
- Jacobin
- The Nation
- The Progressive
- Monthly Review
- Harper's
- New Internationalist
- Earth Island Journal
- Sojourners
- Dollars & Sense
- Against the Current
- Labor Notes
Plus left papers like Socialist Alternative, Workers World, The Militant, Fight Back and more.
Don’t see it? We’ll order it.
Call (612) 333-4719 or send a note with the title and author — a volunteer will track it down.
Great selection of leftist books and periodicals, including some used books. Expect to find friendly and helpful people hanging out, if you're looking for conversation. They carry the classics of theory as well as some newer fiction and analysis. Highly recommended.
Come browse the real thing.
Every book 15–20% below cover, every day — 301 Cedar Avenue, down the steps.