Author Biography

Peter Lamb is a Senior Lecturer of Politics and International Relations at Staffordshire University, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction1. Context2. Overview of Themes3. Reading the Text4. Reception and Influence5. Notes for Further ReadingIndex

Review

A superb companion to one of history's few genuinely transformative texts. Lamb takes us from the appearance of the Manifesto in the mid-nineteenth century through to its on-going impact in the age of globalization, and combines this with a sharp analysis of the themes and tropes that made Marx and Engels into household names. This Reader's Guide will be of interest not only to students, but also to anyone who wants to better understand the Manifesto's long and lasting impact. * Imre Szeman, Canada Research Chair in Cultural Studies and Professor of English, Film Studies and Sociology University of Alberta, Canada *
The Communist Manifesto is – alongside Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil and Darwin's The Origin of the Species – among the two or three texts essential to a basic understanding of the intellectual history of the 19th century in Europe. Proceeding alongside the text in a patiently expository fashion, but with a continual eye to other writings by Marx which clarify key passages, Peter Lamb's guide is an excellent place to start for readers with no prior knowledge of the Manifesto or the context in which it was written. * Andrew Pendakis, Assistant Professor of Theory and Rhetoric, Brock University, Canada *
At last a full-length commentary on the Manifesto. Peter Lamb guides readers through the text, giving expert comments on points of English translation and contextual background. He updates the work's reception to include critical theory, Hardt and Negri, as well as iek. This is a timely work, improving on currently available introductions. * Terrell Carver, Professor of Political Theory, University of Bristol, UK *
Lamb explains, with a great deal of success, the major themes and ideas present in the Manifesto. Essentially, the author sets out to give students a look into the world of early Marxist thought ... Overall, I find Lamb's contribution to be useful in the context of a possible companion to primary texts in undergraduate courses intended to introduce students to political theories ... Instructors who feel as though their current syllabi do not spend enough time explaining Marxism may do well to consider adding Lamb's book as a recommended reading. -- Garrett Pierman * Marx and Philosophy Review of Books *

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A reader's guide to the content and context of the greatest revolutionary pamphlet.

Long Description

Introducing themost famous work of the nineteenth-century radical thinkers Karl Marx and FrederickEngels, this comprehensive reader's guide to the Communist Manifesto exploresthe key themes, ideas and issues of a revolutionary pamphlet..Beginningwith a discussion of the intellectual, political and social context of the Manifesto, the Guide clearly illustratesthe themes by relating points in the work to ideas and theories made in otherworks written by Marx and Engels. This is followed by a closer examination andanalysis of the text that:.covers theintroductory statement and each of the chapters in detail.discusses thestyle, structure and intended audience of the Manifesto including its later prefaces.explores the ways in which the Manifesto was received bothduring the lives of Marx and Engels and in the twentieth century, for example: SovietUnion's version of Marxism, China'sre-interpretations of the ideas, and the innovative political philosophy foundin Western analytical Marxism..Aswell as presenting relevant biographical points about Marx and Engels and giving concise information on prominent peoplementioned in the text, this valuable study resource features discussionquestions and annotated guides to further reading. For students studying political philosophy andpolitical theories, Marx and Engels' CommunistManifesto:A Reader's Guide providesa better understanding of the ideas, theories and contexts discussed in themost famous work by the writers who foundedthe ideology of Marxism.

Review Quote

The Communist Manifesto is alongside Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil and Darwin's The Origin of the Species among the two or three texts essential to a basic understanding of the intellectual history of the 19th century in Europe. Proceeding alongside the text in a patiently expository fashion, but with a continual eye to other writings by Marx which clarify key passages, Peter Lamb's guide is an excellent place to start for readers with no prior knowledge of the Manifesto or the context in which it was written.

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A reader's guide to the content and context of the greatest revolutionary pamphlet.

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Discusses the influence the work has had upon many generations of thinkers and activists

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