The Cambridge Companion to The Communist Manifesto

by Terrell Carver (Editor), James Farr (Editor)

The Cambridge Companion to the Communist Manifesto covers the historical and biographical contexts and major contemporary interpretations of this classic text for understanding Marx and Engels, and for grasping Marxist political theory. The editors and contributors offer innovative accounts of the history of the text in relation to German revolutionaries, European socialism, and socialist political projects; rhetorical, dramaturgical, feminist and post-colonial readings of the text; and theoretical analyses in relation to political economy, political theory and major concepts of Marxism. The volume includes a fresh translation into English, by Terrell Carver, of the first edition (1848), and an exacting transcription of the rare earliest English translation (1850) by Helen Macfarlane.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

328 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2015

About the author

Terrell Carver the professor of Political Theory at the University of Bristol. He deals particularly with Marxism.

Reviews

[Matthew Gurteen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have similar thoughts on this to the Communist Manifesto, so take from that what you will. This was also the first philosophical Cambridge companion I have read. Although I did enjoy some of the essays, the last one on melodrama in the Manifesto being particularly entertaining, I found most of them repetitive and biased. It was probably not a good idea to have this book written by Marxists. The authors frequently dismiss the atrocities of the past century as 'not real Communism.' The book was also not the easiest to read. There definitely could have been more of an effort made to support the everyday reader. I think most people would struggle with this companion, which ultimately means it failed as a 'companion.' I would recommend it if you are studying Marxism in depth as the essays approach the Manifesto from several angles. I would not say most of it is worth reading, though.

[Tad Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great companion to The Communist Manafesto

I've always heard of the CM. I wanted to read it to be more aware of accusations made in the media . After reading the Communist Manifesto and this I feel I have a better ability to recognize true comparison and read mongering.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got bored after a while, reading primary sources are more fun