This book is an outstanding overview of the life & thoughts of Karl Marx The editor masterfully weaves together Marx's published works & private letters into a rich tapestry of history & ideas In addition to what you might expect to find in a collection like this (the text of The Communist Manifesto selections from Das Kapital) there are also tidbits from Marx's hand that help you truly understand the man & the history of his ideology from his predictions on the fates of France & Russia even down to his favorite color (red of course) & his old report cards No serious student of economic & political philosophy should be without an understanding of Karl Marx This book provides it like no other