The Portable Karl Marx: cxii (Portable Library) Paperback – 24 Feb. 1983

As it is 200 years since the birth of Marx I have decided to brush up my knowledge of his writings. I remember buying this volume when it came out first but have long since mislaid it.Firstly, its portable quality is extremely useful as it can be easily carried in a pocket - jacket probably, rather than anything else, since it is nearly 600 pages long. Eugene Kamenka has done a magnificent job as editor. Section 1 Marx the Man has a great selection of documents relating to his life, including many fascinating letters. Then the book is in 6 sections .devoted to Marx' writings. Section 1 includes the famous section on Alienation, in the Economic-Philosophical Mss of 1844, The German Ideology with early descriptions of the Materialist Conception of History.The whole of the Communist Manifesto is present and of course a section devoted to economic writings, with extensive selections from Capital Vol 1 - not an easy read but rewarding and seemingly receiving positive reappraisal from economists.Don't be put off by the size of this edition - quite small but thick, making it hard to keep open at first. After a while, with prolonged use it will open a treat, as the spine becomes more flexible.Highly recommended edition and although selections are not as extensive as in David Mclellan's Selected Writings, this volume has more personal documents, which may appeal to some readers

This is quite the best introduction to Marx possible. While most books tends to go for one aspect of Marx - his economics, his philosophy, his ideas on foreign affairs - this books takes an overview. Kamenka judiciously edits sections of Marx's major writings and arranges them into seperate sections such as "Early Writings", "Political Writings", "Economics" etc. (It's been said about Marx that he fused English economics, French politics and German philosophy so these sections are apt).Each sections presents an excellent selection from each phase of Marx's writing. For example, "Politics" contains the entire text of the "Communist Manifesto", perhaps the most stunning piece of political writing ever, as well as "The 18th Brumaire of Napolean" where Marx's talent for invective is put to good use. In his philosophical writings, the selections show Marx's transition from a Young Hegelian to a materialist conception of history, via the 1848 ("Paris") Manuscripts and the Grundrisse ("Outlines", where the Marx/Engels partnership first bears fruit). The "Early Writings" at the beginnings show Marx completely under the spell of Hegel, including Hegel's opacity: fortunately this recedes as time goes on. What is also extremely interesting is Marx's early letter to his father, where he conducts an astonishing survey of his intellectual development (and a temporary derangement), leading him to the point where he rejected (or rather inverted) Hegel.Similarly, there are numerous letters and articles which give a flavour of Marx the man - an appalling letter from Marx's wife begging for money giving a grimly detailed of their early travails in London; letters from Marx to Engels about his writing for the New York Herald Tribune, asking for information; a detailed account of a meeting with Marx by a British security officer (as he would be called now), after Marx came to prominence following the Second International; and details of his struggles with illness, Bakhunin, fatherhood and money (Marx, as he noted with grim amusement, wrote constantly about capital while having next to none of it himself).This book is a wonderful introduction, to Marx the man, the thinker and the father of one of the most powerful movements ever. If you introduced with the thought of the twentieth century, you should read this. Many times over.

I good starting point when looking at true socialism. If only the powers that be could understand this ideology and realize it would be better for the country as a whole. But those with power and money will never want to give it away

Not really sure what the big deal is. After reading this book I don't really get why people like Marx all that much. Definitely a featherweight philosopher. Hardly better than your average journalist. Bare in mind Marx was a journalist, but did have a PhD in philosophy so him being a top-tier journalist, but a bottom-tier philosopher makes sense to me. If anyone reads this and is a proponent of Marx please feel free to cite something(s) you found interesting about him.

Book is in Amazing condition. Just one problem, letters on the back page also appears lightly on the page that you are reading, which kinda disappointed me. Overall it's a good work, read 207 pages and enjoying it.

One of the most difficult reads I've ever accomplished. In my opinion, the man was completely out of his mind. Wonderful read for a socialist, I'm sure, but, for me, it was tough, tough, tough. Still have nightmares. Cannot fathom his thinking. Scary as hell. My son asked me why I was reading Marx. All I could answer was; it's best to know thy enemy. Whew! What a read!

Goes over so many writings of Marx!! Used it for a class, very good!