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Karl Marx: An Intimate Biography
He was born a Jew, yet became an anti-Semite. He was an aspiring poet who became a philosopher. He mastered economic theory, yet constantly courted catastrophe in his private finances. He was viciously vindictive towards opponents and rivals, and deeply loving as a husband to his nobly born wife and as a father to his three remarkable daughters. He preached violent revolution, but lived a bourgeois existence. He saw his dreams of change fail during a lifetime of exile, yet within a century after his death his name and ideas reached over the entire globe and changed the history of the world. Now this biography by one of the distinguished scholars of our time portrays Karl Marx in all his inner complexity and contradiction, and in all the drama of his life and thought. It is a work that was over a decade in the a making, utilizing source materials never before available.
- GenresBiography
406 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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32 people want to read
About the author
Saul K. Padover
70 books5 followershttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
Saul Kussiel Padover was an Austrian-born American professor, writer, and historian.
He was married first to Irina Padover and then to screenwriter Peggy Thompson, also known as Peg Fenwick.
Saul Kussiel Padover was an Austrian-born American professor, writer, and historian.
He was married first to Irina Padover and then to screenwriter Peggy Thompson, also known as Peg Fenwick.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 4, 2024
AN EXCELLENT, CRITICAL, YET SYMPATHETIC PORTRAIT
Saul Kussiel Padover (1905-1981) was a historian and political scientist at the New School for Social Research in New York City; he wrote other books such as 'Jefferson,' etc. The book was published in 1978, then in abridgement in 1980.
He explained in the "Author's Note": "In this book, which has been twelve years in the making, I have aimed at something not available in other biographies of Marx: an objective account of him as a human being---lover, husband, friend, fighter, father, foe---rather than as the philosophic symbol and revolutionary idol that he has become." (Pg. xvi)
He suggests, "The most important book that Marx read, and one that was clearly a turning point in his own intellectual development from idealism to materialism, was Ludwig Feuerbach's The Essence of Christianity... [Feuerbach asserted] Religion existed only in man's mind; it was man's 'consciousness of the infinite.'... Feuerbach's book had a stunning effect on Marx, as it did on Engels, who read it at about the same time... he wrote, 'there is no other road to TRUTH and FREEDOM except the one that leads through the Feuerbach.'" (Pg. 63-64)
Although of Jewish ancestry (though raised by nonobservant parents), Padover records that Marx said a number of rather uncomplimentary things about the Jewish people (Pg. 83-84, 183); as indeed, he also said about persons of African ancestry (e.g., Pg. 286-287).
Padover notes, "Marx seemed incapable of handling the ideas of an adversary solely on their merits; he had to annihilate his opponent altogether." (Pg. 121) The Communist Manifesto "Introduced a new and baneful note into the revolutionary movement---the idea of conflict and hate. Up to that time, socialists had tended to be humanists and utopians, emphasizing the brotherhood of man, rather than the solidarity of class... Marx stressed struggle, violence, and class." (Pg. 129)
He recounts the Marx family's poverty: "Jenny [Marx's wife] was particularly affected by their poverty. As her pride was ground down, her health and nerves were affected. Indigence also took its toll on the children and resulted, Jenny was convinced, in the death of at least three of them..." (Pg. 159) He also records the birth of Marx's illegitimate child with their housekeeper: "Jenny... did not know that her husband was the father of [the] baby. As the result of an understanding reached between Marx and Engels, Jenny and the rest of the family assumed that Engels, a bachelor, was the father, and the secret was preserved, apparently intact, to the end of Jenny's life." (Pg. 160)
Padover argues, "Marx speaks both to the heart and the mind, invoking hopes alleged to be based on 'science.' That Marx's communism and his economics are not, as he fondly believed, 'scientific' in any meaningful sense of the word, has little relevance in terms of communicating ideas. Marx's economic writings... are the Scriptures for those who aspire to transform the world." (Pg. 220-221)
This is an excellent biography of Marx, for anyone who is wanting an honest yet sympathetic portrait of the man.
Saul Kussiel Padover (1905-1981) was a historian and political scientist at the New School for Social Research in New York City; he wrote other books such as 'Jefferson,' etc. The book was published in 1978, then in abridgement in 1980.
He explained in the "Author's Note": "In this book, which has been twelve years in the making, I have aimed at something not available in other biographies of Marx: an objective account of him as a human being---lover, husband, friend, fighter, father, foe---rather than as the philosophic symbol and revolutionary idol that he has become." (Pg. xvi)
He suggests, "The most important book that Marx read, and one that was clearly a turning point in his own intellectual development from idealism to materialism, was Ludwig Feuerbach's The Essence of Christianity... [Feuerbach asserted] Religion existed only in man's mind; it was man's 'consciousness of the infinite.'... Feuerbach's book had a stunning effect on Marx, as it did on Engels, who read it at about the same time... he wrote, 'there is no other road to TRUTH and FREEDOM except the one that leads through the Feuerbach.'" (Pg. 63-64)
Although of Jewish ancestry (though raised by nonobservant parents), Padover records that Marx said a number of rather uncomplimentary things about the Jewish people (Pg. 83-84, 183); as indeed, he also said about persons of African ancestry (e.g., Pg. 286-287).
Padover notes, "Marx seemed incapable of handling the ideas of an adversary solely on their merits; he had to annihilate his opponent altogether." (Pg. 121) The Communist Manifesto "Introduced a new and baneful note into the revolutionary movement---the idea of conflict and hate. Up to that time, socialists had tended to be humanists and utopians, emphasizing the brotherhood of man, rather than the solidarity of class... Marx stressed struggle, violence, and class." (Pg. 129)
He recounts the Marx family's poverty: "Jenny [Marx's wife] was particularly affected by their poverty. As her pride was ground down, her health and nerves were affected. Indigence also took its toll on the children and resulted, Jenny was convinced, in the death of at least three of them..." (Pg. 159) He also records the birth of Marx's illegitimate child with their housekeeper: "Jenny... did not know that her husband was the father of [the] baby. As the result of an understanding reached between Marx and Engels, Jenny and the rest of the family assumed that Engels, a bachelor, was the father, and the secret was preserved, apparently intact, to the end of Jenny's life." (Pg. 160)
Padover argues, "Marx speaks both to the heart and the mind, invoking hopes alleged to be based on 'science.' That Marx's communism and his economics are not, as he fondly believed, 'scientific' in any meaningful sense of the word, has little relevance in terms of communicating ideas. Marx's economic writings... are the Scriptures for those who aspire to transform the world." (Pg. 220-221)
This is an excellent biography of Marx, for anyone who is wanting an honest yet sympathetic portrait of the man.
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August 18, 2025This work does very little, if anything, in discussing or analyzing Marx’s work or theories. This is actually quite nice and pleasant when one is already well familiar with Marx’s works and has previously read a less “intimate” biographies of Marx already. Having already read McLellans biography, and while knowing Marx’s works quite well, this was a very enjoyable read. The small sections make it easy to read for a few minutes and put down.
April 20, 2023
Provavelmente a melhor biografia
July 28, 2013
Karl Marx was a charming fellow and a good conversationalist.
Charming, that is, when he wasn't a raving armchair revolutionary, denouncing all bourgeoisie and anarchists to the lowest pits of hell.
Padover's book is a success, because it depicts Marx's life fairly objectively and neutrally (a few sardonic and critical remarks aside). We get a glimpse of Marx, the loving father and grandfather, playing with children in the parks of London. We get a glimpse of his passionate lifelong marriage to Jenny. And, naturally, of his strange and intimate partnership with Engel (and his money).
It is subtitled "An Intimate Biography," and this is as accurate as it gets. Family, friends, homes - it is the stuff of hand-holding intimacy.
Even to a fault: the book dwells slightly TOO much on Marx's family life. Towards the end, we get a whole chapter focusing on each of Marx's daughters. It could've been shorter.
But let me not give you the impression this book is ONLY a frivolous family affair. Far from it: we get excellent accounts of all the major events in Marx's life; of his political adventures; of his luminous acquaintances; of his toil and dedication to research; of the writing, publication and reception of his major works; of his pan-European circle of conspiratorial adventures; of his elderly visits to spa resorts and springs (in search of a cure for his many illnesses).
The book is a balanced, well-written and touching portrayal of the man behind the legend - and of the legend behind the man. If I were to recommend one Marx biography, I would recommend this one, easily.
Let me end with some musings on Marx and the -ism named after him.
One does not have to be a Marxist to recognize the awesome gifts, learned vision and moral fibre of one of history's most influential men. Karl Marx was one of the great encyclopaedic minds of the Enlightenment. He attempted to do to political economy what Darwin did for biology. He attempted to know everything in order to say the one thing that mattered. He was critical of capitalism but praised its power. He only wished to harness its strengths and shed its injustices.
Even if Marxism, in its claims to "scientific communism", proved to be excellence wrapped in imperfection (and demonstrably false premises), Marx was an important thinker who cannot be passed by with a shrug, although The Soviet Union ended in failure.
He will be read three centuries from hence - my guess is, in the series of utopian thinkers from Plato to Thomas More.
Marx, furthermore, is a role model for a new generation of bloggers, journalists, satirists, political activists and essayists of all persuasions. He was a master of many languages and in possession of the awesome gift of tongues. Even if his prophesy can be doubted, the form in which it was handed down to us, cannot. Marxism is less potent than Marx himself.
Charming, that is, when he wasn't a raving armchair revolutionary, denouncing all bourgeoisie and anarchists to the lowest pits of hell.
Padover's book is a success, because it depicts Marx's life fairly objectively and neutrally (a few sardonic and critical remarks aside). We get a glimpse of Marx, the loving father and grandfather, playing with children in the parks of London. We get a glimpse of his passionate lifelong marriage to Jenny. And, naturally, of his strange and intimate partnership with Engel (and his money).
It is subtitled "An Intimate Biography," and this is as accurate as it gets. Family, friends, homes - it is the stuff of hand-holding intimacy.
Even to a fault: the book dwells slightly TOO much on Marx's family life. Towards the end, we get a whole chapter focusing on each of Marx's daughters. It could've been shorter.
But let me not give you the impression this book is ONLY a frivolous family affair. Far from it: we get excellent accounts of all the major events in Marx's life; of his political adventures; of his luminous acquaintances; of his toil and dedication to research; of the writing, publication and reception of his major works; of his pan-European circle of conspiratorial adventures; of his elderly visits to spa resorts and springs (in search of a cure for his many illnesses).
The book is a balanced, well-written and touching portrayal of the man behind the legend - and of the legend behind the man. If I were to recommend one Marx biography, I would recommend this one, easily.
Let me end with some musings on Marx and the -ism named after him.
One does not have to be a Marxist to recognize the awesome gifts, learned vision and moral fibre of one of history's most influential men. Karl Marx was one of the great encyclopaedic minds of the Enlightenment. He attempted to do to political economy what Darwin did for biology. He attempted to know everything in order to say the one thing that mattered. He was critical of capitalism but praised its power. He only wished to harness its strengths and shed its injustices.
Even if Marxism, in its claims to "scientific communism", proved to be excellence wrapped in imperfection (and demonstrably false premises), Marx was an important thinker who cannot be passed by with a shrug, although The Soviet Union ended in failure.
He will be read three centuries from hence - my guess is, in the series of utopian thinkers from Plato to Thomas More.
Marx, furthermore, is a role model for a new generation of bloggers, journalists, satirists, political activists and essayists of all persuasions. He was a master of many languages and in possession of the awesome gift of tongues. Even if his prophesy can be doubted, the form in which it was handed down to us, cannot. Marxism is less potent than Marx himself.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews