31 pages • 1 hour read
Karl Marx, Friedrich EngelsThe Communist Manifesto
Nonfiction | Reference/Text Book | Adult | Published in 1848A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, published in 1848, responds to the exploitation of the working class (the proletariat) by the capitalist class (the bourgeoisie) during the Industrial Revolution. It argues that all historical societies exhibit class struggle and predicts an inevitable proletarian revolution that will abolish class distinctions, offering both a critique of contemporary socialist movements and a defense of communism. The text discusses topics such as labor exploitation, class oppression, and calls for revolution, which may be distressing to some readers.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels receives praise for its profound critique of capitalism and historical insight. Critics appreciate its clear, persuasive arguments but note its brevity and dense, challenging prose. While its radical ideas inspire some, others see them as impractical or dated. Nonetheless, it remains influential in political thought.
Who Should Read The Communist Manifesto?
A reader who would enjoy The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is likely interested in political theory, social justice, and economic systems. Comparable to those who engage with George Orwell's 1984 and Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century, this reader seeks to understand power dynamics and class struggles.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1360L