Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
slow-paced
“A spectre is haunting Europe – the spectre of Communism.”
What an opening line, not solely for literary merit, but an opening to the consciousness of men — working men. A reminder that the worth of a text is not stationed upon its length, but rather its context, what it holds and presents. Having read works that have been influenced by The Communist Manifesto brings about a different interpretation and approach towards the book. It is as though I am retracing my steps, going back to where it all started from with a somewhat futuristic mindset. A majority of my favourite post-modern or post-structural philosophers were heavily influenced by Marx, thus my fondness towards Marxism was inevitable. A philosophy that does not solely influence pondering onto its scholars, but is also practical, pushing man towards action — an anthem echoing for the unity of all men.
His manipulation of Hegelianism and the emergence of dialectic materialism as a counter to dialectic idealism, fascinates me beyond measure. I feel very much motivated to picking up Das Kapital in order to learn more about this subject and others, and hopefully it is sooner than expected.
“The Communists disdain to conceal their views and aims. They openly declare that their ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. Let the ruling classes tremble at a Communistic revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.”
inspiring
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The Communist Manifesto is a must-read for every (beginning) communist out there! The edition I had included a 300-word introduction that provided essential context; how communism emerged, the historical backdrop of Marx and Engels' lives, and key philosophical foundations. While this section was more academic than the Manifesto itself, it helped me to grasp the socio-political climate of the time before diving in.
However, I enjoyed the Manifesto far more (duh), Marx’s (and Engels’) writing truly shines here. The prose is sharp, passionate, and unapologetically revolutionary. One of the most striking lines that stayed with me is:
"The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles."
This single sentence captures the essence of Marx’s historical analysis. Another powerful quote that resonated with me was:
"The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. WORKING MEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!"
It’s a rallying cry that still feels urgent today (and is printed on every communist merch ever).
I also appreciated Marx’s critique of other socialist and communist tendencies that failed to serve the proletariat. His dismantling of reactionary, bourgeois, and utopian socialisms really captured my attention while reading, and his rejection of reformist approaches, like those of the democratic socialists, was compelling. As he and Engels wrote:
"The theoretical conclusions of the Communists are in no way based on ideas or principles that have been invented, or discovered, by this or that would-be universal reformer. They merely express, in general terms, actual relations springing from an existing class struggle..."
This insistence on material conditions over idealism is what makes the Manifesto so enduring.
Overall, this is a foundational text that every leftist should engage with, not just as theory (little guilty myself), but as a call to action. Whether you agree with every point or not, Marx’s analysis of capitalism’s exploitative nature remains devastatingly relevant. 5/5 – A revolutionary classic.
Would love to hear others’ thoughts on their favorite passages! ✊
informative
fast-paced
informative
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Finished at House of Brick
No bookmark used
Borrowed MM Paperback from Akron Public Library
Compelling and educational, people who fear this document and haven’t read it need to check themselves.
No bookmark used
Borrowed MM Paperback from Akron Public Library
Compelling and educational, people who fear this document and haven’t read it need to check themselves.